Driving around in WDW...A challenge or not???

[jeank74]

Need advice from you, please!!!

We have heard scary stories about the long bus wait, so we have thought about renting a car.

For my upcoming trip, I will be staying at CSR for 5 days. With my EA membership from National and DC membership, I can get a good rate on a car rental from National. I also have credit card to cover car insurance. There will be only two people in my party, including myself.

Is it worthwhile to rent a car? Is it easy to drive around in WDW without getting lost?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Desnik]

We always drive down to WDW so we always have our own car. We never use it when we are there. Not anymore anyway When we stayed at CSR, we loved the transportation. We never waited more than 5 min. for a bus. With only 2 people, I would say don't bother with a rental car, save your money. Unless you are planning some offsite outings. I haven't really heard any complaints about the bus system at CSR. The first time we drove around Disney property we were all over the place, missing exits, driving in circles, we were like the Griswalds!!! We don't have this problem anymore because we have learned our way around, but it is very confusing the first time around. Taking the bus to the MK is a must because you are left off at the entrance, when you drive, you park, take alittle tram to the TTC, then get on either a boat or the monorail and then you are at the entrance. You didn't mention when you are going, I do have to say that if you are going during a holiday or in the middle of the summer, then your own car might be better because with the crowds comes longer waits for everything. We go in the off seasons so we never have a problem with this.

 

[Kermit]

We also drive down and don't use the car once we get there.

Driving around isn't too bad, as long as you understand the logic. For example, if you're staying at the BWI, you have to know it's an Epcot area resort.

The worse part is the size of the parking lots, IMO. Yes, you may have to wait for a bus. But to us, it beats waiting for the tram that takes you to your hot car that has been sitting in the sun all day. I can't even imagine it if you have kids and had to worry about their safety in the parking lot. The bus stops are near the front, and I think virtually all of them are under awnings with fans. The buses are climate controlled, and you can use the travel time to study park maps, unwind, or do whatever you need to do, instead of worrying about getting lost.

 

[Disney Talker]

We sometimes drive down, sometimes fly down..but always have a car. I would not be without one at WDW ..just easier to get around. I am no fan of the bus system and it is getting worse and worse all the time as far as long waits. I suggest if you can swing it, get a car. My friends who are very ardent on site stayers are even now getting cars and they are much happier.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello jeank74-
I would tell you to rent a car if it's an affordable luxury. Although disney does provide free transportation, it can be quite crowded at times. I like to be able to go places on my own schedule. Going back and forth from resort to parks might be a breeze, but going to different places can take a lot of time and effort. The roads are well marked out, you'll only get lost if you're not quite sure where you need to go. My DH never gets lost, he just likes to ,"explore areas he hasn't seen yet", while on the way to a park or the resort.

 

[GeorgeG]

For getting to and from the parks, you're best off using the buses and other WDW transportation. Where we find the car handy is getting around to other resorts for breakfast and dinner at their restaurants.

 

[DebbieB]

It's really a personal preference. On our first trips, we used Mears from the airport, then Disney transportation. Now, I always rent a car, I can't stand the busses. When we stay at OKW, the only time we use the bus is to MK on Saturday night because it's hard to get out after Spectro and fireworks. It's always jammed to the doors and we almost always have to stand. That's our first night, enough to remind us to take the car the rest of the week. Plus we like to go offsite to the outlets, grocery shopping & restaurants. I can usually get a car for $115-$140 for a week with National (Disney Club discount), so it's not that much more than Tiffany.

 

[JudithM]

We almost always drive to WDW & we like having a vehicle to get around WDW. An earlier poster was correct about watching the signs & knowing which area you are going to. Going between resorts is definitely easier with a car.

 

[drogerstn]

As mentioned earlier, the price of the rental car will not be much more than what you will pay for round trip transportation to the airport. We always rent a car when we fly to WDW.

Depending on our plans for the day, we sometimes drive to the parks, sometimes use WDW transportation. If we plan to return to the hotel for a mid-day break, we will drive to MGM, EPCOT, or AK early in the morning. It was especially nice during the EE days, because there were very few cars at MGM or EPCOT early in the morning and we would always get to park close enough so that we didn’t need to use the tram (not much of a wait for the trams anyway).

We have experienced waits of 20 minutes before when waiting for WDW buses. Often times, the buses are standing room only and occasionally they are completely full. Its nice to have your own seats in the car and in our case, with 4 family members, its nice to be able to talk with everyone in our party.

If you have some time to spend away from the parks, the car is convenient for visiting DD and the water parks and for shopping at non-Disney stores.

WDW has very nice driving maps and the signage is decent.

 

[caverill]

We have done it both ways...

I perfer not to drive on vacation, but I must say that having a car makes going to DD and the other resorts for dinner very nice.

I found driving around WDW very easy, but we have been there several times in the last few years and I have the basic layout in my head. The signs are pretty clear as long as you remember the areas like EPCOT resorts, Magic Kingdom Resorts, etc.

Since we are DVC members, we could valet park at our hotel for free which gets rid of the parking hassles.

If you can get a rental car for only a little more then transportation from the Airport to WDW and back, I would go with the rental car.

 

[mep319]

This has answered most of my questions as well, we started w/ Mears and then the towncar services and were thinking of using a rental car this time. I was wondering if the bays for the rental cars are at MCO though, I get the impression some are not. If they aren't do they provide transportation to and from the car rental bays and airport? Thanks!!

 

[Laurabearz]

Dollar and National (and acouple of othre Co) are in the airport.... just walk out to the garage and your car is there.... we rented from Dollar last time and it was nice....

In January we rented from Hertz (offsite) and their tram pick us up right away. Again no problem. Plus our girls think of this as a "ride". An extra bonus!!!

I would go with the company you can get the best rate from...... and go from there.

 

[ncbyrne]

We always rent a car. Sometimes we use it, sometimes we use Disney transportation. I like having the car handy and can use it or not. I especially like having it to get to back to the airport.

 

[Bob NC]

We always drive at WDW. If you go to the parks in the morning, go back to the resort, go to another park in the afternoon, have dinner at another resort then go to a park, you could save HOURS every day. Disney was easy to get around but I did notice one thing. When you see a sign saying something is a left or right turn, get in that lane immediately...lol...they only give you ONE warning, then the sign for the turn is RIGHT AT the turn.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We rented a car our first time and only drove it two days--from Poly to MGM and Poly to AK and DD. We did have a problem when we left DD--it was dark even though it was 8 (in June) because it was raining hard. We ended up just outside of property and were back at AK, and ate at the McDonalds by there. It all worked out, but the last two times we have just used the busses, and all the kids fall asleep on them at least once!
Robin M.
Poly 6/2000
BWV 6/2001
Poly 12/2001
BWV/Poly/VWL 7/2002

 

[Uncleromulus]

We always rent a car and use it to go everywhere!! Contrary to what a certain guidebook says, Disney is pretty easy to get around in. BOB NC is right--when the sign says "next left" it means NEXT left!!
Another thing-you'll notice many of the "locals" driving like bats out of hell--just like any other place in America these days. They give no slack to vacationers who are driving slowly so as to be sure of where they are going. For them--you're in their way!!!

 

[Alice Sr.]

We go a couple of times every year and always rent a car. It's not unusual for us to take the scenic route I personally prefer to pay a little over the price of transfers from MCO for a car.

Alice

 

[jlambrig]

We always rent a car. We never ride the bus but do take the boats and monorail when applicable. Having a car makes life so much easier and allows much more flexibility. DC gives great discounts as well from National Car. We are getting a standard sized car for a week for $90 this time.

 

[roque]

I have done Disney with and without a car, and I definitely enjoyed having a vehicle. Without the car we felt we didn't have freedom. With the car we drove to and from the parks (I don't like buses, or having to wait, or the feeling i am on some else's time schedule, however, convenient it may be) and loved the fact it took us no more than 5 minutes to get to any one of the parks. Since it was our vacation we splurged and rented a convertible
Could you live without renting one at Disney? Yes. However, we like the convenience.

offsite: 1999
Swan: 2000
Coronado: 2001 June
Coronado: 2001 August
CBR: 2002 June (counting the days)

 

[betterlatethannever]

just want to put my vote in for renting a car.

I guess it depends on what resort you are staying at.

When we stayed at the Poly, couldn't get to MGM for the beginning of EE (at that time 7:30 AM). (doesn't matter anymore)

Waited for at least 40 minutes for a bus from DD to YC last November.Watched at least 10 busses for the All Start resorts go through during that time.

Took Mears to/from once. Took about 1 1/2 hours to get to the YC from the time we checked in with the dispatcher. Heading back to the airport, had to be picked up almost 4 hours before our flight. Disney resorts are at the end of the route. Mears stops at off site hotels also.

Ed