Do you rent a car when staying onsite?

[Alicnwondrln]

We always rent a car. DH doesn't like to wait for the buses, and sometimes they are crammed full of people. We also have young kids so it's just easier. We just like to get in our cars and go, but that's just us... We like to do things on our own schedule and not wait for the buses... It's really a personal decision, you know your family best!!!!

i agree i always rent a car
i hate waiting for the buses

 

[dgaston]

We have almost always had a rental car. I went once to a convention at the Hyatt Orlando and ended up paying for cabs from PI most nights (Convention was in October and nothing much was open late!) Since then we have discovered the convenience of driving to the Polynesian or AKL for our dinners, or dashing out to the Publix (got to have my pimento cheese spread -- can't find it here in New England) or even the Belz outlets. Gee until I started writing this, I thought our first time using ME might be in Sept for DH'd Extravagant Birthday Trip II, but maybe I'll Priceline a car for the trip. We do prefer WDW transportation to the MK.

 

[Disney Cakers]

We have used resort transportation & rental cars (with shuttles too) but I prefer rental cars. I like being able to drive to the resorts to dinner, the grocery store if I need to, and going to a park or place on the last day and leave from there to get to the aiport (not having to drive back to the hotel for my luggage).

I have used Priceline for rental cars and LOVE it. I just got a compact rental car w/Budget for 5 days @ 149.55 total. I bid $22/day. For the companies they have in Orlando I think 4 out of 5 are located in the terminal. Its a good bet. Just remember - you cannot change your ressie or cancel - and your credit card is charged upfront for the whole thing.

 

[OKW Lover]

We always rent a car. It gets us from the airport to WDW quicker, allows us to go off-property for shopping and dining, gets us to/fom the parks faster and speeds the trip back to the airport at the end of the stay.

 

[antmaril]

We've been to WDW many times (always onsite) and we ALWAYS rent a car. I can't imagine being there without wheels. We like the flexibility it gives us. We can eat at restaurants outside of the "world" and save money. We can go to the mall to get out of the heat. We can go where and when we want.

Just my two cents, of course.

 

[ahoff]

We always get a rental, it works out to about the same as any other mode of transport from airport to WDW. But once at the world we rarely use it, have had no problem with buses! We do use it to go to other resorts, but that is about it.

 

[Rootskate]

We always rent a car when we go. Its nice to be able to go wherever, whenever, without waiting.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well-we don't rent, but we drive down and so we have a car.
I wouldn't be without a car at WDW. Rootskate is right--it offers so many options that you don't have if you must use Disney transportation.

 

[LauraAnn630]

We just got back! We rented a car for 3 days and wished we had rented one EVERYDAY!

Waiting for the bus sucked!
sometimes we waited 45 minutes like when the parked closed and everyone was leaving.

Some of the bus drivers didnt turn the a/c on...we were HOT they are used to it I guess! They also didnt spend the day in the sun. That really made me mad.

We had to stand on the bus many times with our 8 yr old and 2 yr old DS. The buses go fast and stop fast! They didnt care our 2 yr old was standing!! I told one of them to take it easy! I dont want my son to go flying! I was hot and tired and sick of rude people!

We took a cab several times just to avoid the bus and long lines to get on the bus. Each time we were charged different for the same drive! Some of them didnt even turn on the meter!! Once we were charged 10, 14, 17 then as much as 20. One cab driver even said, "dont forget my TIP!" He was also the one that charged us the most!!

I would get a car!! Especially if you are taking children.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

Hubby and I are renting a car for the first time on our next trip. It is the first time we are flying to WDW and I don't like relying on outside transportation to get me to and from the airport. But when we get onsite we will probably stick to buses and monorail as much as possible

 

[poffles]

As someone else said, opinions vary.

My last trip, we had a rental car and other than using it to get to SEA World one day, the car sat in the parking lot. We loved the freedom of disney bus transportation and not having to be worried about traffic. Not driving made the trip even more enjoyable. As for the trip to SEA World, if the car had not been in the parking lot we would have been fine finding other transportation and would have been cheeper than the car cost for the two weeks on site.

The decision has been made that the next trip (if flying and staying on site) a car will NOT be a consideration. Not only was it a waste of money, we loved Disney transportation and the freedom it gave us to take in the surroundings to and from the parks.

Guess it comes down to off site trips you might have planned. The more off site you plan to be the more a car would be an asset.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[mill4023]

We rented a car and used it almost every day. I liked being able to drive to walmart or target to stock up on bottled water and other things. With 4 kids and 2 strollers, it was easier than using disney buses for the parks other than MK.

 

[MEK]

It really depends on whether you're left-brained or right-brained

Regards,
Humphrey53209

Humphrey -

You are scaring me! (just kidding!)

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Max is my favorite cat !

 

[MEK]

We always rent a car. My DH hates being a Disney captive. It you don't have the free dining, the $ you save from eating some meals off site and going to the gocery store for snacks and drinks is worth the price of a rental car.

We also have friends in Daytona. When we are in Orlando, we like to take a day trip to go see them. The airport has a great set up for rental car pick ups and returns. We drive to all the parks. The only exception is MK. The resort bus is more efficient in getting you there. If you drive to MK, you still have to take the monorail or ferry.

A car is also good if you are on the dining plan. It's easier to get to the different resorts for PS with a car.

I just reserved my first off site rental with Thrifty. Its $145 for 8 days. I usually do an on site rental at the airport, but this is so cheap I'm going for it.

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Max is my favorite cat!