first time driving in the world!

[dumbo_buddy]

hi all!

DH and i are bringing our infant son to the world in two weeks (!!!) and it'll be the first time we've ever rented a car down there.

the other thread about parking in a resort and going to a park got me thinking that i don't know any of the "disney rules" about driving and parking down there. i wouldn't have known the parking at the resort thing was an issue if i hadn't read that thread.

is there somewhere on the dis boards that talks about driving around the world? are the resorts easy to find?

i hope we will be happy with our decision to rent a car with the baby.

thanks!

 

[twokids0204]

Road signs are well posted. If you know the general area of your resort, simply head towards that park (i.e. Epcot Resorts), as you get close enough you will see the signs pointing to the direction of your resort.

Parking in the Parks is free as long as you are staying at a resort.

Parking at other resorts is allowed for up to 3 hours, if you are visiting, or going to a restaurant.

 

[MHTeacher]

If you have a GPS, pack it up and carry it with you on your carry-on luggage. Then you'll have it to pull out when you get your rental car at the airport.

The one we have (Garmin, I think) has all the Disney resorts (as well as the parks) by name. We just hit the resort we're staying at when we leave home and set it as our new destination!

 

[cglaura]

It looks like you are staying onsite at POFQ? If so, I'm not sure why you'd go to another resort to park? (I wasn't sure what thread you were talking about if it is mentioned there, sorry.).

But you can keep your car at your own resort and take a bus from there.

Or as pp stated, you can drive to the park. Parking is free for onsite guests.

 

[MommaMouse411]

I'm wondering if you are thinking about driving so you don't have to wait for the buses leaving the resort to park or park to resort...I know its pretty chilly here..but really its more of a hassle to drive to the theme parks...the buses leave you right there by the entrances!!! I have a one year old and I did disney by myself alot..what a pain when I drove to the parks..take the tram, load the tram with stroller, cooler, bookbag, son, me...lol anyways

it is easy to drive around the resort...ok you might get lost a few times but the signage around the world is well posted...I just wasn't paying attention.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

If you have a GPS, pack it up and carry it with you on your carry-on luggage. Then you'll have it to pull out when you get your rental car at the airport.

The one we have (Garmin, I think) has all the Disney resorts (as well as the parks) by name. We just hit the resort we're staying at when we leave home and set it as our new destination!

do you think the GPS is really necessary? it's another thing to have to carry, you know? but maybe i need it?

It looks like you are staying onsite at POFQ? If so, I'm not sure why you'd go to another resort to park? (I wasn't sure what thread you were talking about if it is mentioned there, sorry.).

But you can keep your car at your own resort and take a bus from there.

Or as pp stated, you can drive to the park. Parking is free for onsite guests.

we have breakfast ADRs at chef mickey's so if we drive we'd need to park at a different resort.

we were planning on driving instead of buses because we'll have our 7 month old and we're not sure how he'll be. i have always used the buses but as a nervous first time mom i think having a car will make me feel a little more in control.

 

[cranbiz]

For Chef Mickeys, you can drive to the CR but they are very strict on the 3 hour rule.

If you are planning on going to MK that day, I would either take the bus or park at the TTC and then monorail to the CR.

To get back to the MK parking after Chef Mickeys is a daunting task for those who are unfamiliar with the roads. You need to head back to POR, turn right at Seven Seas Dr, stay left at Floridian Way and try not to miss the left turn after the Hess station. If you miss that turn (and it is easy to do) you then need to turn around on World Dr after the toll booth and come back thru the toll booth to get to the parking.

Doesn't the bus sound easier now?

If you are planning on a different park that day, it is not quite so bad but you still need to navigate Seven Seas Dr and the Floridian Way left turn. If you miss the Seven Seas Dr turn you will eventually end up back at POR (if you don't miss the turn at Bonnet Creek Parkway).

 

[disnut8]

Personally, I don't think a GPS is necessary. There are plenty of signs for Disney World and if you just print out driving directions from the airport from whatever internet source you use before you leave home, you'll be fine. Or, *gasp* use a map.

Disney has tons of signs all over their property and even if you do make a wrong turn, it's no big deal to keep going and find what you are looking for later. Even if you do the worst case and drive right into a theme park parking lot that you don't want, all you have to do is explain to the guard there where you really want to go and they will direct you.

It's good you have a car with a baby and feeling nervous about everything. But I would give the Disney buses a fair shake once you are there. Otherwise, get very used to folding up and opening your stroller since you will have to do it when you get to your car to head out, open it when you get to the parking lot, fold it up for the tram, open it after the tram and in the case of the Magic Kingdom, fold it up for the monorail and open it after the monorail. If you do the bus (especially for Magic Kingdom), you need to fold it up for the bus and open it after the bus.

 

[Texas Rob]

It really isn't as easy as some are making it out to be. Yes there are signs everywhere but they are not as clear as you would think. Now, if you are pretty familiar with the area then I wouldn't worry about a GPS or maybe you are used to navigating in a more difficult area. However, I have been 4 times in the last 8 years and everytime I have driven I get mixed up on my directions. On top of that if you take the wrong direction by accident you could end up in the middle of no where on a toll road with no change (true story and happened to me last September).

My advice is...if you are great with tough navigating areas and a map, then no need for the GPS.

If you want low stress situation and easy navigation then grab the gps. I just checked my TomTom and it had all the area disney locations on its default.

Just my humble opinion.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

how would i get to chef mickey's for an 8:35am reservation unless i drive there?

i'm very good with a map. but, it's vacation, i don't want to think too hard so maybe the GPS is a good idea.

i'm now contemplating just skipping the rental car. oh, i don't know.

 

[mrsR123]

We drove to WDW our first several trips, beginning when I had a double stroller. Now, we sometimes have a car and sometimes fly. We never drive to MK, ever. Having your own car is nice for the other three parks, though. Being able to get to your own car and avoid crowded buses in the AM and closing is nice. Perhaps you won't be staying that late with the little one, though.

For the Chef's ressie, parking at TTC and monorailing is probably the way to go if you want to drive that day, but I'd bus it and walk or monorail to CR.

Good luck!

 

[JDUCKY]

how would i get to chef mickey's for an 8:35am reservation unless i drive there?

i'm very good with a map. but, it's vacation, i don't want to think too hard so maybe the GPS is a good idea.

i'm now contemplating just skipping the rental car. oh, i don't know.

Could just take a bus to the MK then monorail it back to the CR (be sure you take the Resort monorail and not the Express monorail). The CR will be the 1st stop once the monorail leaves the MK.

 

[amzking]

BE CAREFUL WITH A GPS! It can very easily lead you astray in WDW. The first time we went, we put in MK and it took us directly to the main gate, way past the parking area! We ended up pulling into the CR to ask directions to MK parking, and the CM took pity on us when he heard our story and gave us a pass to park at CR for the day (this was before BLT!)

Another time we tried to go to HS and it took us on I4 and tried to take us directly to the middle of HS!

If you use a GPS make sure it is set to go to the PARKING LOT, not the actual park. Ours still dosen't know where HS parking lot is (we have a TomTom).

Other times we have taken rather roundabout routes to the hotel.

It can be very useful and we still use it all the time in WDW, we are just cautious and double check the signs.

To find your hotel, know what AREA it is considered to be in (MK, Epcot, or AK), follow the signs toward "XXX area resorts" then you will see more specific signs guiding you to the resort.

 

[jctwizzer]

do you think the GPS is really necessary? it's another thing to have to carry, you know? but maybe i need it?


Absolutely unnecessary in the WDW area...signage is more than adequate; and if you miss a turn they'll eventually bring you back...so leave the GPS at home...unless you're going to wander around central Florida, in which case it could come in handy......

 

[glassslipper2004]

We have rented cars many times and I wouldn't do it any other way - it is so convenient, and also great to be able to leave all your kid gear there. That way if you need something later in the day (a change of clothes, more cheerios, bathing suits, etc.) you can just leave it in the car and get it when you drive to your next stop. I think you will get the hang of it pretty fast and will enjoy having your own transportation. The only down side is if you aren't staying on site and have to pay to park.

 

[twokids0204]

how would i get to chef mickey's for an 8:35am reservation unless i drive there?

i'm very good with a map. but, it's vacation, i don't want to think too hard so maybe the GPS is a good idea.

i'm now contemplating just skipping the rental car. oh, i don't know.

Chef Mickeys is in the Contemporary Resort. The Monorail goes RIGHT through the Contemporary. You can park at MK, and get on the Monorail from there (or bus over and get on the monorail). Monorails run every 5 minutes (just an estimate, but I know I am not far off).

 

[dumbo_buddy]

Chef Mickeys is in the Contemporary Resort. The Monorail goes RIGHT through the Contemporary. You can park at MK, and get on the Monorail from there (or bus over and get on the monorail). Monorails run every 5 minutes (just an estimate, but I know I am not far off).

do the buses/monorail run that early before park opening?

 

[twokids0204]

do the buses/monorail run that early before park opening?

We had a 7:30 res at CM, and parked at MK (I believe it opened at 9:00), and we parked right up front, and yes the Monorail was running.

We actually sat in the front car hoping to be spotted by the driver, and be invited into the cockpit (a tip I learned here on the DIS), and sure enough he invited us in. There were other people scurrying about that early, not a lot, but nonetheless people were there.

(I don't think they invite families in to the front anymore, after last summers monorail incident)

 

[jandj524]

do the buses/monorail run that early before park opening?

Yes, they do run early (you will be fine for a 8:30ish reservation). We always rent a car when we are down in WDW - just have found it "easier" especially when our kids were in strollers.

As another poster suggested you can drive to MK park your car, take the Monorail to the Contemporary for breakfast and then either walk to or ride on the Monorail back to MK.

Enjoy your trip

 

[twokids0204]

We had a 7:30 res at CM, and parked at MK (I believe it opened at 9:00), and we parked right up front, and yes the Monorail was running.

We actually sat in the front car hoping to be spotted by the driver, and be invited into the cockpit (a tip I learned here on the DIS), and sure enough he invited us in. There were other people scurrying about that early, not a lot, but nonetheless people were there.

(I don't think they invite families in to the front anymore, after last summers monorail incident)

In fact - a little off topic, but here is a pic of that morning at CM's. One of my favorite pics during our stay. It's my son whooping it up with Minnie Mouse.