Do you think a rental will be worth it?

[TinkOhio]

Could I ask for a little advice?

We will be flying down to WDW from Dec. 17-23 and the best rate that we found was $177. including all taxes and fees for a full sized car with National.
We do plan on using Disney transportation to the parks, but like having the option of a car if the weather turns ugly and for a trip to the grocery store.
We will also be on the dining plan, so we won't need much in the way of food money.

After much thought, we are now considering saving the $ and just using DME. (We added it to our ressies just in case.) Our biggest fear, however, is allowing enough time to the airport. The 23rd is the day before Christmas Eve., so I'm guessing that alot of people would be flying back north for the holidays. We've never driven from MCO and don't know our way around, either.

Any opinions on whether we should just go with DME and leave those driving worries to Disney, (and have more souvenir $,) or should we keep the convenience of a rental?

Thanks for any help!

 

[mom2of2]

With doing the dining plan will you really need a grocery stop? You didn't say where you were staying but the resorts do have basic items if you need them. If it was me, I'd take ME, save my money on the rental and spend it on something special...a carriage ride at FW maybe???

 

[kaytieeldr]

...even spend some of the money you're saving by not renting a car on a taxi to a supermarket instead.
As for renting a car in case the weather turns bad? Nope. I guess you're talking about rain? You will spend MUCH more time out in the elements if you drive yourself to a park. Let's use Magic Kingdom as the example:
Rental car: Leave park, walk to (covered) monorail station or ferry, ride to Ticket & Transportation Center, exit transportation, wait for tram in covered waiting area, take tram to correct section of parking lot, walk to car, drive to hotel, park car, walk to room.
Disney transportation: Leave park, walk to (covered) bus pickup area, board bus, ride to resort, exit bus, walk to room.
You're going to get MUCH, MUCH wetter using your own transportation, even at parks that don't require monorail use.
Plus, while it's easy to drive from the airport to Disney and back, it's less easy if you don't know where you're going, despite signs.
If you use DME, you can always ask about leaving your resort earlier than scheduled three hours IF the airport is expected to be especially busy.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for the replies. Both of you bring up good points!

 

[vicb]

I would agree, we have been to disney 3 times and never rented a car. I do pack some non-perishable snacks from home in my carry on (pbutter crackers, cookies, m&ms etc...) to save a bit of $. I put those snacks in my back pack for the day in the theme parks.

 

[snowbunny]

Totally depends on where you are staying on WDW property and whether you're going to be heading to other resorts for dinner reservations etc. If you're not going to be pressed for time, though, I'd say don't bother.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks again. We will be staying at the CBR and plan on using the busses to most everywhere. I know that we may have to plan on leaving early to get to meals at the resorts, but now I'm thinking that the saved money will be fun to spend on gifts.

 

[mom2of2]

CBR is my fav moderate and OPR does have supplies...milk, 1/2 & 1/2, bread, muffins, Beer etc. Just pack raincoats and have at it!!