Do you really need a car if staying @ Dolphin??

[3for Me]

Here is the deal - I know from Dolphin to parks - no big deal.

But... what about the water parks (possibly want to do this two times) , a dinner @ the California Grill and getting to the GF for the Pirate Cruise. I know it can be done with Disney transportaion, but...

...is it really worth it to rent a car for the whole week when it is just these few times that might cause some inconvenience. Is bus transporation to and from the water parks really that miserable? What about resort to resort? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Liz]

I think one of the great things about a Disney vacation is not having to drive the whole time we're there. Taking the bus to the water park from the Dolphin isn't that bad. I believe the bus from the Dolphin to AK stopped at Blizzard Beach before arriving at AK.

To get to the California Grill (excuse me if I'm wrong, but that's at the Contemporary, right?) you could take the bus to the MK and then its a very short walk to the Contemporary.

To get to the GF I'd take the bus to the MK and hop on the monorail to the GF.

There may be an easier way to do things but this is how I'd probably do it!

Have a great time! We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Dolphin!!!

 

[daannzzz]

Only you can make the call as to whether it is worth it but I will suggest that you have one. The Disney transportation is decent for going to the parks and a little longer for water parks but when you have reservations for things at other resorts you really need to leave early just in case. A car makes that "just in case" part essentailly nummified. I always have a car at WDW. First figure in the cost of transport from the airport. If you have four people to pay for you already have half the rental car paid for for a week! You feel more at ease for your special times at the GF and California Grill and you will have a car to go buy any itmes you might run out of. Many people do fine with out a car and don't want to deal with one on vacation. I think it is really one item to set me at ease.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

The busses at the Dolphin at normal Disney busses and thus run very well. The trip we just took, because of the short say (5 days) did not warrant renting a car. But for longer trips, sometimes it's nice to be able to drive wherever you want at the moment including off property, etc.... Do a lot of rate searching for cars....the rates always go up and down...sometimes you can find incredible deals. Otherwise, get a towncar to drive you from the airport to the hotel and back at the end of the trip!

Mike

 

[missypie]

When you are comparing the options from a financial standpoint (cost of towncar vs. car rental) remember that if you rent a car, you will only need the smallest car that has enough seatbelts for everyone in your party (and that will fit all your luggage). If you are in the habit of renting a nicer/larger car, that really wouldn't be necessary if you are just using it to resort hop.

 

[swilphil]

It's so great not to have a car when you're at the Dolphin. You're so close to MGM/Boardwalk/Epcot, and bus transportation to everywhere else is wonderful. We took a towncar service to/from the airport that included a free grocery stop. It was great!

 

[Divamomto3]

I don't think you need one. If you're concerned about getting to a PS ontime, you can always get a taxi from your hotel. That's what we did when we were going to the Poly for the luau and the Hoop De Do Revue at FW. Once we got into FW, we had to take a bus to the hall for the show. For Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, we took the bus to the MK and walked to the Contemporary. It was a breeze. Otherwise, Disney transportation to all the parks, Downtown Disney, and the water parks was very very good in my opinion.