First time renting a car for WDW trip. Does it take away the "Disney Bubble" magic at all?

[MaC410]

I know this may seem like a silly way to think or feel but one of my favorite things about going to Disney World was that feeling of being in the "Disney Bubble" and not having to worry about a lot of things I'd have to while at home. Transportation was a huge part of this and the loss of Disney's Magical Express is still the thing that stings the most. We tried Mears Connect on our first trip after the loss of DME. It was ok but not great. We will now be going with our 3 year old and the time has come where we feel a rental car is simply the best option. Everything about renting a car makes sense but I worry about losing that feeling of being on vacation and having to deal with driving. Once there I basically always get frustrated with the busses to and from parks but I still just can't get out of my own head. I'm assuming once I'm there the benefits and flexibility of having a car will far outweigh any negatives of having to drive.

Just looking for some thoughts from anyone who went through this feeling. Or maybe some tips and tricks on how to make driving/parking leaving/arriving a place like Magic Kingdom a little less stressful in a car. Thanks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

In all our trips, only once did we not have a car. And we regretted it so much. I’d forgotten all my shoes and had to wear pink Crocs all week, with everything!

For us, having our own transportation enhances our trips. From the time we leave the garage, that’s when our vacation starts. We don’t always use the rental, sometimes we take other modes of transportation to parks. But we visit lots of other resorts while there, easily, and like to get groceries and explore outside the parks sometimes (like last trip we went to outlets and took a helicopter ride, etc.).

We’ve also had some medical issues come up on vacation where we were glad to have a car - even to run to CVS for first aid supplies, but we’ve also been to Urgent Care.

And we always felt still very much in the Disney Bubble.

We hate buses, really, and never actually even took Magical Express, so that’s not really missed (tho I feel bad for anyone who did rely on that service; I don’t think they should’ve gotten rid of it).

The only reason we didn’t have a car that one trip is because we had free limo service. Never again! Lol

 

[georgina]

I know this may seem like a silly way to think or feel but one of my favorite things about going to Disney World was that feeling of being in the "Disney Bubble" and not having to worry about a lot of things I'd have to while at home. Transportation was a huge part of this and the loss of Disney's Magical Express is still the thing that stings the most. We tried Mears Connect on our first trip after the loss of DME. It was ok but not great. We will now be going with our 3 year old and the time has come where we feel a rental car is simply the best option. Everything about renting a car makes sense but I worry about losing that feeling of being on vacation and having to deal with driving. Once there I basically always get frustrated with the busses to and from parks but I still just can't get out of my own head. I'm assuming once I'm there the benefits and flexibility of having a car will far outweigh any negatives of having to drive.

Just looking for some thoughts from anyone who went through this feeling. Or maybe some tips and tricks on how to make driving/parking leaving/arriving a place like Magic Kingdom a little less stressful in a car. Thanks!

I have never cared about the Disney bubble, but I do find driving around the World very easy to navigate, between the signage and Google maps. The car can get hot sitting in a parking lot, I would recommend a foldable shade to put in the windshield to reflect some of the sunlight. And maybe throw a blanket over the car seat so any metal parts don't get burning hot. Always record where you are parked so you can find your way back. I usually just take a photo, but I think the MDE app now has something.

 

[msmayor]

We avoid the buses like the plague...they simply take too long compared to your own car.

Happy to use the monorail, skyliner and even the boats. Buses? No thank you...

 

[Grankm21]

Ever since Magical Express ended we rent a car and we love the flexibility. I now get anxiety over the thought of not having a car. The majority of the time we still take Disney transportation to and from the parks because then we don’t have to walk through the park parking lots. But we love having the car for when we visit different resorts for meals, picking up water and snacks from the grocery store, getting to and from the airport and our visit to the nearby Disney Character outlets.

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

In all our trips, only once did we not have a car. And we regretted it so much. I’d forgotten all my shoes and had to wear pink Crocs all week, with everything!

For us, having our own transportation enhances our trips. From the time we leave the garage, that’s when our vacation starts. We don’t always use the rental, sometimes we take other modes of transportation to parks. But we visit lots of other resorts while there, easily, and like to get groceries and explore outside the parks sometimes (like last trip we went to outlets and took a helicopter ride, etc.).

We’ve also had some medical issues come up on vacation where we were glad to have a car - even to run to CVS for first aid supplies, but we’ve also been to Urgent Care.

And we always felt still very much in the Disney Bubble.

We hate buses, really, and never actually even took Magical Express, so that’s not really missed (tho I feel bad for anyone who did rely on that service; I don’t think they should’ve gotten rid of it).

The only reason we didn’t have a car that one trip is because we had free limo service. Never again! Lol

We are planning on renting a car for the 1st time. How should we handle the tolls???

 

[Mikey15]

We are planning on renting a car for the 1st time. How should we handle the tolls???

Don’t pay the rental companies’ ridiculous fees for use of their transponder. Make sure if they have one that can be “closed” that you do so.

Instead, either bring a compatible transponder from home (like E-Z Pass) or get a Visitor Toll Pass at the airport terminal:
https://visitortollpass.com/
There’s a few threads on it here.

It’s also possible (but some GPS required) to avoid the toll roads completely. This will slow you down but I enjoy the variety every now and then.

 

[georgina]

I used the visitor toll pass once before the roads took EZ Pass. It worked out fine. Now I just take my (PA registered) EZ Pass along.

 

[NH-to-FL]

During our many trips to WDW we always rented a car. When we were staying on site we wanted the freedom of easily going off site for shopping and to visit non-Disney activities. Of course we started our WDW visits well before the days of Magic Express and Uber. Renting a car was a much more common thing to do. By the time Magic Express started we were quite settled into the car rental experience.

So for us, the rental car experience was just part of getting to the "bubble".

On site we stayed at the Boardwalk so that left MK and AK as possible drive-to parks. We never drove to MK as it was definitely not worth losing the advantage of being bused right to the park entrance. Like you we are not big fans of the busses. We would, however, drive to AK as we would usually combine a drive back to the BWI with a stop at a grocery store to refresh the room supplies. Staying at an Epcot resort really had us "in the bubble".

As far as what we did to make the driving less stressful, I spent a lot of time studying the maps of the Disney property and the surrounding areas. I learned the names and designators of the roads into and around Disney. I built up a pretty good picture in my mind of the roadways around Disney so as to minimize having to rely on navigation help. The signage inside WDW is very good and combined with all the map study I found it easy to get around. After the third trip it really did feel like "coming home".

Even with all of the power of navigation built into everyone's phone I still encourage taking time to study the maps ahead of time. These days you can use Google Maps Street View to "drive the route" ahead of time and learn what everything looks like before you actually have to drive it. I find that feature very powerful whenever I have to go somewhere for the first time. With all of the traffic in and around Disney it really does help to preparing for the drive so that you can focus on driving and not stressing about navigating.

One more thing.... perhaps you are already member of one of the car rental programs but if not, becoming a member makes it much easier to pick up a car at MCO.

I predict that after the first renting a car experience you will quickly adapt to it.

Wishing you a visit!

 

[MaC410]

During our many trips to WDW we always rented a car. When we were staying on site we wanted the freedom of easily going off site for shopping and to visit non-Disney activities. Of course we started our WDW visits well before the days of Magic Express and Uber. Renting a car was a much more common thing to do. By the time Magic Express started we were quite settled into the car rental experience.

So for us, the rental car experience was just part of getting to the "bubble".

On site we stayed at the Boardwalk so that left MK and AK as possible drive-to parks. We never drove to MK as it was definitely not worth losing the advantage of being bused right to the park entrance. Like you we are not big fans of the busses. We would, however, drive to AK as we would usually combine a drive back to the BWI with a stop at a grocery store to refresh the room supplies. Staying at an Epcot resort really had us "in the bubble".

As far as what we did to make the driving less stressful, I spent a lot of time studying the maps of the Disney property and the surrounding areas. I learned the names and designators of the roads into and around Disney. I built up a pretty good picture in my mind of the roadways around Disney so as to minimize having to rely on navigation help. The signage inside WDW is very good and combined with all the map study I found it easy to get around. After the third trip it really did feel like "coming home".

Even with all of the power of navigation built into everyone's phone I still encourage taking time to study the maps ahead of time. These days you can use Google Maps Street View to "drive the route" ahead of time and learn what everything looks like before you actually have to drive it. I find that feature very powerful whenever I have to go somewhere for the first time. With all of the traffic in and around Disney it really does help to preparing for the drive so that you can focus on driving and not stressing about navigating.

One more thing.... perhaps you are already member of one of the car rental programs but if not, becoming a member makes it much easier to pick up a car at MCO.

I predict that after the first renting a car experience you will quickly adapt to it.

Wishing you a visit!

So you choose the busses for MK? You find that the bus experience to and from MK is better than driving?

 

[pens4821]

We usually drive, however we don’t really use our car while we are there. The only time we do is when we are going to Disney Springs, another resort, or if we want to buy something like snacks/drinks (or even last time a trip to Walmart for something that I can’t remember why we went).

We don’t drive to the parks for two reasons. First we like to rope drop. It seems like from what I’ve read you can get to the parks earlier using their transportation as parking lots don’t open as early as buses start.
Second I don’t know why but I feel like it wouldn’t much time (it seems as if that’s wrong from what so many say). I just feel like by the time you park and walk to the entrance it’s just easier to grab a bus. Especially magic kingdom where you have to park and then take transportation.

I have to say we’ve never really had bad luck with buses though. Maybe once or twice the week we are there (and we park hop so we are on them quite frequently).

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I have driven and flown to WDW many times and unless I'm planning on venturing off property I would never rent a car. And when I drive the car is parked and not opened again until check out.
I do think driving to the parks takes away from the bubble and causes more stress than the buses.

 

[_19disnA]

We always rented a car regardless of staying on the property or somewhere else nearby. One recent trip we used DME to get to/from the airport, but that is no longer a 'free' option. Helps to have GPS and a general idea of where the parks/resorts are located. I can recall the first time driving on Disney property, we found the signs confusing and not particularly helpful. Instead of posting a resort name, you have to know that Contemporary (for example) was considered part of "Magic Kingdom area" which wasn't obvious to us as first-time visitors. Getting to Disney Springs is also very convenient taking roads that I believe are all considered part of Disney property. Once you have been there several times, you already know in general where things are and which exits to take.

While taking the bus isn't bad, having your own car seems way more convenient and you can decide to leave whenever you want and not in a large crowd all waiting for the same form of transportation. Local restaurants are very good and generally cost less than what you pay for Disney. We might also decide to go shopping or sightsee using our car.

Partly depends on where you are staying and which parks you plan to visit and a matter of personal preference. The monorail resorts are all very convenient to MK, but Epcot/HS is on the other side of the property. Animal Kingdom is only accessible by bus or car as I recall. If I was ONLY going to MK, never planned to leave the property and was staying at a monorail resort, a car is less essential. If we were going to Epcot/MK, I would choose a hotel closer to that location.

 

[LadybugsMum]

I always rent a car (or drive down) as I really like being able to go whenever I want. The only place I don't drive to is MK because I don't want to deal with parking at the TTC. Usually we are staying at VGF, Poly or BLT so we can walk, take the monorail or boat. On the occasion when we are not at a monorail resort for MK, we have taken a Minnie Van for rope drop or the bus if we are not rope dropping. The MV is totally worth it to me for rope dropping MK as I don't really want to be at a bus stop 2 hours prior to early entry.

 

[NH-to-FL]

So you choose the busses for MK? You find that the bus experience to and from MK is better than driving?

Yes. We would... tolerate... the bus experience to get delivered right at the park entrance.

It was mostly about time. It took much more time to drive, park, tram to the TTC, and ferry over to the park. Also less walking. Which makes more a difference after a long day at the park.

Now this opinion is from quite a few years ago. We shifted to off site and got used to driving to the TTC. After so many trips our touring style became much more leisurely. And I like the trip across the Lagoon on the Ferry. It is a bit more magical cruising across the Lagoon when the Castle suddenly comes into view.

 

[R&RsMom]

Last time I rented a car at WDW was the final time. We found Disney transportation easier, and my kids thought the busses were a key part of vacation. So I let the car sit till time to go back to the airport. There is nothing that says you need to drive to the parks every day.

 

[artesian]

I can't imagine not having a car based on the freedom of going outside the bubble. Every trip involves a Target, Walmart, Publix and CVS run for one thing or another. Not to mention all the off site dining we do. Outside of MK walking to the car after park close is alot less stressful then the busses. Now if you told me you have the dining plan and don't mind some waits absolutely don't rent. Everyone has a different perspective on how much control they want to give up. To me having the car gives me the freedom to go now and not wait. To me that alone is why I do do the busses often.

 

[Samdari]

I've always taken a car. Wife hated buses. After our first DME experience of and hour and 25 minute trip, being the 4th hotel, followed immediately by a 45 minute+ trip each way to Disney Springs for lunch, we have not been on a Disney bus since - in 5 trips.

A car makes it easier to get outside the Disney bubble, but noone forces you to. Typically, once we are in the Disney portion of our trip, we never go off property. Have never had a meal off property. Do a grocery stop on the way there, actually move to Universal resort when we want to go to those parks, etc. I think we are in the bubble, just with more convenient transportation.

And, to me, its easily the most reliable way to get to/from the parks, as you're not waiting for transportation. Except MK. There's no way to avoid time overhead of getting into that park. On our next trip (BWI) we are considering trying the bus to MK.

 

[georgina]

When I have a car I drive to all the parks, including MK. The ferry or monorail isn't bad, and could also be included as part of the transportation experience.

I have not had trouble parking early enough to get to rope drop. I am more often off-site anyway, so not heading to be at the head of the early entry line. I usually am there early enough to get through the tapstyles early, and get held somewhere until official entry time.

 

[Akck]

We first rented a car during Covid. It was a way to social distance and get a relief from masks in an AC environment. We continue to rent a car as we found it gives us options outside the bubble. A trip to Target/groceries, meals offsite, the outlet malls and Disney Springs are easy trips to take.