Do you rent a car in Orlando?

[Rileygirl]

Hello Guys

Just wondering if you rent a car while in Orlando? If you dont, how do you get around?

Can you give me your best tips and tricks regarding transportation?

Thanks

 

[pigletto]

I chose "Yes Always". We didn't our first few trips but once we did we haven't gone back to the buses. It's not that we hated the buses, but we love the freedom of being able to get where we want, when we want. It's much easier for us to hop into the car and be at our ADR on time instead of being out at the bus stop an hour or more ahead of time and hoping that all will go according to plan.
I would go back to no car if I couldn't find one at a price that makes me happy. Around $200 for 10 days is my benchmark.

Another thing to consider is that we usually stay at moderate resorts. It's not quite as necessary to us if we're staying at the Epcot resorts for example.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We did not rent a car for our first Orlando getaway (where we stayed on Disney property).

All subsequent trips, we've rented a vehicle and have been much happier.

While Disney transportation was okay for getting around the parks, we disliked being held hostage exclusively on Disney property. We love exploring the offsite stores and attractions, and a rental vehicle gives us that freedom.

The best tip is to check out the rental car thread for your month of travel over on the transportation board, and subscribe to it. Then check it regularly as people will post deals, codes and coupons for your travel month.

Never lock into something early, and be prepared to cancel and rebook when prices go lower. Usually you will find your best deals about 6-8 weeks from your departure date.

When comparing rates, be sure to compare all the variables (is a spousal second driver free or an extra daily charge?, etc.).

And bring your own GPS in your carry-on. It will save you quite a bit. And a GPS is a must, IMHO!

 

[mamaCta]

We rented a house in Kissimmee, so we needed a vehicle. It's a lot cheaper this way.

 

[Rileygirl]

Thanks for the replies

Gina Gina Bo Bina, what great tips and tricks! Thank you!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks for the replies

Gina Gina Bo Bina, what great tips and tricks! Thank you!

You're welcome!

 

[saskdw]

We never do. We always stay onsite at either WDW or Universal. I love the fact that I can get off the plane in Orlando and they take us too our resort and bus us around to everything. At Universal you can just walk everywhere. There is tons to do at WDW and we don't feel the need to venture off-site very much. We goto Seaworld which is only $20 cab ride or I-drive same thing. You can catch a cab there and then ride the trolley up and down I-drive all day. We're not big shoppers when on Holiday's. I would find the inconvience of finding a parking space when it's busy and walking all the way to the park gate would over weigh the freedom.

 

[DbleTheFun]

I chose "Yes Always". We didn't our first few trips but once we did we haven't gone back to the buses. It's not that we hated the buses, but we love the freedom of being able to get where we want, when we want. It's much easier for us to hop into the car and be at our ADR on time instead of being out at the bus stop an hour or more ahead of time and hoping that all will go according to plan.

This is exactly what we found. We have gone over a dozen times now and only used the busses on the first trip. There is something to be said about not having to listen to my kids whine that they are tired at the end of the day on park... I can throw them in the car and we can be on our way in 1/2 the time it takes to wait for the bus. Plus parking is free for guests staying at a Disney property... so it's not a huge expense if you keep an eye out for good rental fares.

Plus it gives me a chance to sneak over to the outlet malls or pick up a few groceries (or beer/wine) too!

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

So my vote was "Always do".

We love WDW (heck that's why we go every year.) But we also love to do some of the other stuff close to Disney (Kennedy, Legoland, shopping, etc...) and we usually head to USO for a 3 or 4 day stay after WDW.

At home we're used to being able to decide to do something at the last minute and to run with it. When we're on vacation we like the car since it allows us the freedom to do what we want, when we want.

Plus depending on what time of year you go the rates are really cheap. If we've paid $5000 for room and tickets --- $150 for a SUV rental for 10 days is not that much in the grand scheme of things...

 

[pigletto]

Universal figures into our car rental decision quite a bit too. We usually do a few days there at the start or end of our trip. By the time we paid for a shuttle there from Disney and then a cab to go to the airport home you are looking at 70% of the cost for me to rent a car for the whole trip, so it makes sense to just rent the car.

 

[ronandannette]

We rent a car on every vacation, lots of times even just for the day in port when we are on cruises. WDW was great with wheels; we stayed at AKL and parking was included at the parks. So quick and easy (except maybe for MK what with the TTC). I'd have been an anxious wreck waiting for busses everywhere.

Now last month at DL was a different story...driving and parking turned out to be a terrible idea. It took 80 minutes from the time we pulled into the queue for the parking garage to the time we got to the gates...and we totally wasted our afternoon break just getting back to the car and driving to the hotel. For Anaheim I'd definitely recommend walking from a reasonably close hotel or taking the ART system.

 

[dsneygirl]

Depends. Depends on what plans we have for the trip (offsite, shopping, Sea World etc) and what prices we are getting.

Last trip was 10 days and we had no car, only once (when we stayed at Typhoon Lagoon until close) did we wish we had a car (since we had to go to DTD and change buses and then go Swan, Dolphin, YC then BC)

Even if we do get a car we only use it about 50% of the time. A lot depends on where we are staying. At BC you can walk to 2 parks and we always bus to MK regardless.

 

[caisland]

We use airmiles to reduce the cost. Had an mid size SUV from Alamo for 15 days for $350
Check specials and like other poster mentioned be prepared to cancel and get cheaper.
We drove down in 2006 and parked the car expecting to use bus. Waiting an hour at AK closing time in the heat changed our mind. Cost of rental would have been cheaper but I had to buy insurance as my carrier at home would not cover

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

I am impatient so I chose "Always" Although used the buses a few times from our OKW week in May and they were quite good !
NEVER got to the Disney wannabee park

 

[tgropp]

We have always used a car. A lot of the times on our first park visit of the day we will drive to the park from our resort and park in the AAA reserved parking (need a pass from CAA) where parking is right at the front of the parks. We will spend the morning there and when we exit the park, we are in our car and we are back at the resort in no time. We can usually save at least 45 minutes per visit. In the afternoon we will go back to the buses because the AAA spots are usually filled up by then.