Do we really need a car?

[Maryanne]

We will be staying at BCV for five nights. We will need to be able to purchase groceries for breakfast and maybe lunch, but my DH would like to not have to deal with driving. We would like to be able to eat at some of the other WDW restaurants not close to BCV but I'm not sure what is realistic. This is a first time visit-kids are 12 and 14-and I'm completely clueless.
Maryanne

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

We've stayed at BCV twice and never had the need for a car. You'll have access to so many restaurants from BCV--at the Beach Club, Boardwalk, and Epcot World Showcase. If you want to eat at other places, choose restaurants which are in the monorail resorts and all you'll have to do is take the bus to MK and hop on the monorial from there.

 

[Showe]

We really enjoy staying at the BWV - mainly becuase we don't like to have to get a car... plenty to see and do as well as eat in the area and you can always catch the bus to DTD for meals.

Having said that, let me say that we will ALWAYS get a car. We enjoy sitting poolside for a few of our days so we tend to have b-fast in the room and sometimes even lunch. We also have to have our evening snacks. My DS is 10 and DD is 7. the prices for groceries at the onsite store are ridiculous. In fact, this trip we rented a car and found that we saved more money by doing that than if we hadn't got a car and spent money at the onsite store.

We also enjoy having the freedom to go somewhere off site - anywhere...for instance we went to Outback and Olive Garden this trip.

I guess it is just a matter of preference as far as the car goes.

 

[Maryanne]

-Thanks- I guess that is what I was hoping to hear- we can survive without it but it would be helpful to have one. Although I am a bit concerned about getting groceries. We do not want every meal to be "eat out"- not just expensive but the time it takes too- so eating in our room is a way to relax and let everyone hang out. I think my DH would like to do the ME trip from the airport so he does have to deal with traffice- but I am concerned about getting groceries for the next day. We get in 6 pm ish. I guess I could try the delivery service??

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

-Thanks- I guess that is what I was hoping to hear- we can survive without it but it would be helpful to have one. Although I am a bit concerned about getting groceries. We do not want every meal to be "eat out"- not just expensive but the time it takes too- so eating in our room is a way to relax and let everyone hang out. I think my DH would like to do the ME trip from the airport so he does have to deal with traffice- but I am concerned about getting groceries for the next day. We get in 6 pm ish. I guess I could try the delivery service??

We used a car service (Sunray) and stopped for groceries one time. The other time we used wegoshop.com, and they were fine. I've also read that gardengrocer.com is good.

We ate breakfast in the room every day but for one, when we did the character breakfast at Cape May Cafe. It saved us (family of 5) a good bit of $$.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've never rented a car for a WDW vacation, never will, never missed it.

I love just staying on property, and not driving is one less adult responsibility that makes my time more vacation-like. Some people need a car because they need to feel in control and also hate the idea of waiting for buses. I feel "free" by letting someone else do the driving, and waiting for a bus is a nice rest in a busy week of doing a lot of walking in the parks.

Last time, I got a grocery delivery from Gooding's (www.goodings.com) that worked out very well. For some reason they don't advertise on their website the perk that was, for me, the best perk of all: you don't have to wait for your grocery delivery, you don't need to be in your room. They deliver to Bell Services, and if you're not in Bell Services leaves a message for you and stores your stuff (and even keeps the cold stuff cold for you).

 

[Maryanne]

We used a car service (Sunray)


What is Sunray?
Maryanne

 

[mowog]

With magic express it's less expensive to do without the car. At BCV you can get bagels, cream cheese and other breakfast/snack items in the new shop in the hotel. It's more expensive than a publix but less expensive then a rental car. If you wanted a car for a day or two you could walk over to the Swan/Dolphin and rent a national car. We probably did about 15 disney trips w/o a rental car, but the last 3 trips we have gotten a car. This was off season in Oct,Dec, and Jan- so the roads and parking lots were not busy- I don't think I'd bother during peak periods. We found driving the car quicker to some of the parks and made dining at AK and WL easier. Parking at BCV is especially convenient. So you really don't need a car but it increases your options, although I wouldn't bother during busy periods as it may just add more frustration.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

We used a car service (Sunray)


What is Sunray?
Maryanne

http://sunraytransportation.com/

 

[pezpam]

Happy Limo (happylimo.com) will also stop at a grocery store on the way from the airport to your hotel. The info is on their website - they'll give you a fax number for the grocery, you fax your order and just pick it up when you get there. I have not used the grocery option yet, but have been very happy with the company and service.

If I wanted groceries, I'd do it this way. In spite of having to wait for buses sometimes, I find using Disney's transportation system infinitely more relaxing than driving around. I enjoy letting someone else drive when I'm on a bus and of course, the boats are much more fun than being in my own car. I rented a car once to drive to Tampa to visit someone, but that's the only time I needed or even wanted a car onsite. Others love having a car, though, so a lot depends on your personal vacation style......

 

[Maryanne]

Thanks !!!!!- you have all been a great help-- knowing about the bagel pick up at BCV may cover us for Thursday morning (we arrive at dinner time the night before). I had not seen anything in my guide books about a "shop" there for small items- defintely cheaper than a car (even if they are a bit overpriced).
Again- the knowledge from all of you will make our trip so much better. I like traveling and expect hitches but this before hand info will certainly make things run smoother. I am starting to not feel quite so stressed about all the dinner reservations I now need to make. That will be my next forum to check out!!!!!!