Do you Rent a Car OR use DME & buses? Why?

[pearlieq]

Rental. Always.

I always get a seat, we leave when I want, I get to blast turbo A/C in my face, I don't have to share my ride with anyone obnoxious, I can transfer between resorts/DTD quickly, we can make a quick Target/Walgreens run, and I decide when we leave for the airport.

My days of riding the cheese are long behind me.

 

[ArielSparrow]

This is my first visit and I'm renting a car because I'm staying offsite, am worried about the heat, have a freedom issue, and will be visiting Kennedy Space Center, amongst other Orlando attractions. I was originally going to rely on public transportation, but when I priced it out (wow cabs and shuttles are expensive), I found that the value, monetary and otherwise, was higher on renting a car. So i gritted my teeth and used 350 credit card points to book a car for two weeks.

 

[Magpie]

Am I understanding correctly that, at MK only, you have to take a monorail or ferry from the parking lot to the park? It's not directly connected as it is with DHS, AK, and EPCOT? So it may be easier to use Disney transportation to MK and a rental car for the other 3 parks?

Yes, you're correct. And, in fact, the parking lots are large enough that before you even get to the ferry/monorail, you'll also have to take a trolley. In my opinion, it's nearly always easier to take the resort bus to the Magic Kingdom, barring unusual circumstances such as the bus breaking down or not showing up.

Some people do think it's less magical, though... they consider the boat or monorail ride to be an important part of the whole experience of visiting the Magic Kingdom.

 

[North of Mouse]

We'll be flying into Orlando and have always used DME in the past and then the buses from CBR to the parks.

We've never rented a car before, but DH might be able to get a free rental through his work.

Is having your own transportation that much faster than the buses? Or is the parking and walking to the parks just as time-consuming as waiting for a bus?

What has your experience been? Is it worth it to rent a car?

Always use Disney transportation. We like the freedom of leaving the driving to them and just relaxing. We have 'no' desire to leave Disney and we have had very few issues with the transportation system.

To us it's also just part of the Disney experience that we fully enjoy. We feel we would be missing out without it.

As far as time wise, in the long run, I think we do just as well, if not better at times (always exceptions). By the time you park, then walk/ride tram, that also takes time.

We drive, fight traffic enough at other times, this is our time to fully relax.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

After parking and walking, and sometimes having to take a tram and a ferry, I'm not so sure driving gets you there significantly faster than the bus that takes you right to the entrance.

It depends on the park. MK, yes. OTOH we went from our offsite cabin to bag check at Epcot in 8 minutes using our own car. That would be pretty tough to do with the buses.

 

[winterman]

In 12 trips, first with our kids then as a couple, we always rented a car. DH didn't mind driving and we felt it made life easier. We always ate at several resort restaurants and it was so much more convenient to drive directly. We also drove to all the parks - including MK. I loved the ferry ride - it was part of the magic for me. DH was always able to get us good deals on the rentals and before Magical Express, you had to pay for transportation from the airport.

Last Dec. I took my first solo trip to WDW, 11 months after DH's death. I did rent a car. But I only used it twice, to go to AK and HS. I wasn't ready yet to do solo ADRs, so I didn't need it for that.

I did decide after that trip that I wouldn't rent a car again, at least for solo trips. I just didn't need it. For my next trip, I arrive the day after DD and her family do and they will have a car. (They will be going to Kennedy Space Center and want to be able to do some shopping.)

 

[Grandmatoniko]

We have always used DME and buses. Me and Dh both like not having to worry about driving and traffic and parking. We have never had a problem using the bus system. Enjoy your trip

 

[goodferry]

I voted rental car. We used to always choose the DME/Town car route until we decided one trip to add on a few days at Universal and I was able to find a good rate through National. We downloaded the Custom Points of Interest from Mousesavers onto our Garmin and crossed our fingers that it would work out. We had always felt like it would be a pain to have to navigate the unfamiliar roadways and we wanted to just relax and let Disney do the driving. We found out that trip how much LESS stressful it is (for us) to have a rental car. It has made such a difference in the quality of our vacations that I am shocked that I was so stubborn about it in the past.
I no longer have to worry about forgetting something at home, just make sure I have the stuff it would be hard to replace (contact lenses/glasses). I don’t have to worry about someone getting a cold or needing something I don’t have with me anymore. For example, we just returned from a trip this week and one day our 14 year old had an allergic reaction to something she ate (we are suspecting it was tofu). While they were able to give her a dose of Benadryl in First Aid, I was then able to run to Target (like 5 miles away) to have some in the room for the rest of the trip.
We get a AAA parking pass from our local agent and are able to get excellent parking spots in each of the parks (we do go in the morning, though, afternoon parking may be more difficult). No more waiting up to 20 minutes for a bus (more for Downtown Disney) and then potentially having to stand or have someone’s butt in your face. Friends of ours were along this trip staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge and they rented a car the second day of their trip because they had some terrible bus experiences the first day.
This is a subject where each family feels strongly like they know what is best for them, if you have never given the rental car route a try, I would go for it and see what you think. If you do I would make sure you have a GPS, try to get a AAA parking pass, and remember to bring a roll of quarters for the tolls leaving and returning to the airport.

 

[kaybird]

We love the WDW transportation. Even the rare times when we drive, more often than not the car stays parked. We LOVE to park hop, and having a car is more trouble than it is worth in most cases. The only place we ever find it more prudent to drive is AK.

 

[goodferry]

For those who think you come out ahead eventually time wise using Disney Transportation, no way. Not even with Magic Kingdom parking. Animal Kingdom and Epcot were both 10 minutes or less door to gate with AAA parking in the morning. Hollywood Studios was a little bit further because you have to walk clear out and around the bus drop off zone. Magic Kingdom we either have breakfast at the Poly and valet park or we went on the day when we were staying at the Polynesian (usually do a split stay) The parks and resorts are so much closer to each other than you realize. From our room at Bay Lake Tower to Downtown Disney was 11 minutes. I have never had a Downtown Disney bus take less than an hour from any resort (except SSR, but I have never taken the bus from there lol)

 

[IslandAdventure4]

IMO. We love disney transportation. To me once we get dropped off at the airport my vacation starts!! And knowing that Someone else is going to drive me every where we go is fantastic. That is a vacation in itself. Even if we have to wait a while for the buss who cares!! Ur in Disney. Sit, relax, and take in your surroundings

 

[LisaTC]

Yes, you're correct. And, in fact, the parking lots are large enough that before you even get to the ferry/monorail, you'll also have to take a trolley. In my opinion, it's nearly always easier to take the resort bus to the Magic Kingdom, barring unusual circumstances such as the bus breaking down or not showing up.

Some people do think it's less magical, though... they consider the boat or monorail ride to be an important part of the whole experience of visiting the Magic Kingdom.

Taking to boat and approaching MK at least one time is kinda cool...However, to me I love my speedy exit from the bus straight to the gate!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

We are never in a hurry (it helps not having dozens of ADRs) during our 8-10 day WDW trips so we love Disney transportation.

We do not, however, take advantage of ME. We prefer to rent a town car to take us to the resort because we ARE ALWAYS in a hurry to get to the WL!!

 

[Patience]

On our previous trips, we drove to Disney World but used the buses to get back and forth to the parks. This trip, we are flying and using the Magical Express for the first time. We just prefer not having to deal with traffic while on vacation because we both drive in a lot of traffic to get back and forth to work and it's nice to have a break from that.

 

[raidermatt]

We use DME (or a car service if we are staying at the Dolphin) and then rent a car in WDW, usually at the Dolphin.

On our earlier trips we only used Disney transportation, and while it was nice to not worry about driving, we felt like we were wasting a lot of time sitting on busses when we wanted to be in the parks. So we tried renting a car and the difference is significant. We still use the busses to go to MK as you don't save much by driving there.

But any other destination we use the car over the busses, and we save on average about an hour a day that way, sometimes more. Driving around WDW is very easy, so there is no real stress.

If you are going from one resort to another for dinner or a show or something, the difference is huge. Disney will tell you to allow an hour and a half when using their transportation, and there are times when even that isn't enough. In a car, you can get to most places in 15 minutes. When you figure in the round trip, that's a lot of extra time to relax in a park, in the room, at the pool, or to just get back to the room faster to get your sleep.

Plus, you never have to stand, which can be a bummer at the end of a long park day.

Now, if you are talking about the Monorail, that can be different. Not that it's faster, but riding the Monorail is just plain fun for a lot of people. The boats can be a pleasant way to go also. But not the busses.

 

[wishing4PA]

riding the Monorail is just plain fun for a lot of people. The boats can be a pleasant way to go also. But not the busses.

Why can't Disney "get" that?
That said, we drive down, so we have a car, but we park it when we arrive and move it when we check out. That was especially nice the time DH came along, since (1) we didn't have to leave the park with him when he decided half a day was enough park time, and (2) I didn't have to wrestle the keys from him if he decided to have adult beverages. (JK, he is very good about handing over the keys voluntarily.)
And DD used to think riding on a bus was a big treat. I think she's over that now that she has a few school field trips under her belt, but we'll still take Disney transportation. I do wish Disney would/could expand the monorail system or come up with something more fun!

 

[Bullseye]

We always drive everywhere including the MK. It's a matter of convenience and personal freedom. We just got back Tuesday from a 10 day trip. It was awesome...we had a fully loaded Town & Country Mini van with a built-in DVD player. It was great, the kids watched Tangled and The Avengers during our travels for the week. WDW is a pleasure to drive around and everything is well marked. We shopped at regular store prices and eat off property several times which saved money. So nice having a car to travel to ADR's at other resorts also. I would never do WDW without my own vehicle.

 

[Suzanne74]

We always drive everywhere including the MK. It's a matter of convenience and personal freedom. We just got back Tuesday from a 10 day trip. It was awesome...we had a fully loaded Town & Country Mini van with a built-in DVD player. It was great, the kids watched Tangled and The Avengers during our travels for the week. WDW is a pleasure to drive around and everything is well marked. We shopped at regular store prices and eat off property several times which saved money. So nice having a car to travel to ADR's at other resorts also. I would never do WDW without my own vehicle.

How much did that cost? I have never gotten a rate lower than $500+ week for a minivan.

I like driving to MK too. We usually go early, are in the first few rows just 50 yards from TCC and take the monorail. IF we take a break, we use the bus and then go back and at closing time we walk past the huge bus lines and take the ferry. It is relaxing

 

[dani77]

I always rent a car but I also do use the Disney busses. Love having a car for offiste trips to Walmart (breakfast grocerys, water, cheap disney shirts etc.) or the Outlet Stores. If I use early EMH at a park I also take the car since it's faster and I pretty much get to park at the front of the parking lot that early in the morning. So later in the day the walk back to the car is not far. If I hop to another park in the afternoon, I go back to my hotel, leave the car and take the bus.
Since its pretty cheap for me to rent a car in florida (around 400$ for 15 days including all insurances for an economy size car) I love having the convienience and beeing able to use the car if I'm running late in the morning or for those eraly breakfast adr when bus service isn't fully up and running yet.

 

[aubriee]

Used to be when anyone asked this question, I always said to let Disney do the driving, the buses were fine, and I just couldn't understand why anyone would want to pay money to drive in an unfamiliar place, when WDW transportation was free. Then I met a friend down there for a couple of trips, who rented a car. I soon saw why people do it. Now I would never go back to using Disney transportation. I love being able to hop into a nice quiet car, being able to adjust the temperature where I want it, and being able to quickly get to where I want to be. I have a handicap tag, so get to park as close (if not closer than the buses) except for MK and I've found I love arriving at MK via the big ferry boat. I like not having to wait in those long, hot, crowded lines at the end of the day, hoping for a seat, and not having to be squished in there like sardines with all the other cranky, tired, sweating, people and crying/loud kids and then having to wait while the bus makes several other stops, before finally getting to my stop. I love being able to just walk out to that quiet car, getting back to my resort in just a few minutes, and being able to park close to my room. I also like being able to run offsite over to Universal, the outlets, the grocery store, being able to leave for the airport when I want, and being able to try the different offsite restaurants. I love being able to hop over to another resort to eat and being able to get there in 5-10 minutes, instead of allowing the 1 1/2 hours that Disney recommends. We were at Bonnet Creek last month and DTD was maybe 5 minutes away by car. DTD transportation with the WDW buses are always terrible. I have absolutely no sense of direction and at first was terrified to drive down there. I got a GPS, but even without it think I would have been fine. Disney has signs up everywhere, so it's almost impossible to get lost. I drove down there for the first time last Sept, had no problems, and knew by the second day that I'd never go back to WDW transportation. I love the freedom the car gives me and how quick it allows me to get somewhere. Last Sept I paid $123.00 for a midsize for eight days, then in Dec we paid $210.00 for a premium car for nine days, and then last month we paid $145.00 for another midsize for eleven days. That was money well spent and I will be doing it again in Sept and Dec.