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

[thanxfornoticin]

We're also in the 'nice to have a car' category at Disney. It offers us a lot of flexibility, with the option to use Disney transportation if and when we want to. And if you're staying at a Disney resort, parking is free at the resort and the theme parks, so that's not an issue. But as mentioned above, the time we will use the buses is a day at MK - just simpler to get dropped off at the entrance.

 

[keishashadow]

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.

Even though we spend majority of our time @ WDW, Orlando is my bubble so much to do in the area.

Cannot underestimate the value of having a rental car, especially if doing a split stay within disney property, Universal onsite or a cruise during a given trip.

Prices have finally started to normalize over the last 6 months for rentals with some time & effort expended to find a

Those of us who are type A’s, even on vacation, understand a rental car is a need not a want lol

We never drove to MK as it was definitely not worth losing the advantage of being bused right to the park entrance

We consider the monorail or boat part of the experience.

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.

We no longer commando most trips. When extended family along, we grit teeth and ‘go along for the ride’, as we are the ones with the rental car.

Have never experienced the parking lots not being open at least 1-1/2 hrs prior to official park opening.

We will bus it, to and uber or Lyft back, if there will be adult beverages involved and neither of us wants to be the designated driver that day.

Late November last year, took bus to DS for dinner. Didn’t realize half the resort had the same plan (because we drive and park in garage most times @ DS).

We waited over an hour as one bus after another left the resort, filled to the brim. The buses did keep coming but, the line didn’t really move much.

Line didn’t seem that long until I realized that people were holding down spots in it for their groups. Add in that the bus drivers were allowing ECV guests to have rather large-ish groups of people join them and it just bogged down. Effectively, we only made our ADR, only because I allowed plenty of extra time to shop first.

Coming back, experienced an even longer wait around 9:30 pm. Finally, a CM “commandeered” another bus and we stood on way back to resort.

Granted, it was the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Expected it to be very crowded. However, also expected disney transportation to be on point.

I’ve real concerns as to what we may experience after the drone show during upcoming trip.

 

[tinkerjo]

We always drive so we have a car, but stopped driving to any park after youngest was done with a stroller. (Like 12 years ago) We drive a lot for work so it’s nice to go a whole week being driven around in an already cold, air conditioned bus. We even do grocery delivery to the resort. Buses are fine, love boat transportation (we usually stay Ft wilderness or WL) never an issue rope dropping

 

[Donna M]

As a previous poster mentioned, get yourself familiar with the area by looking at Google Maps, especially the street view. You can quickly forward the drive view to see what your exit looks like. I have found this very helpful for new cities.

Make sure you know which area your hotel is. Is it an EPCOT or Disney Springs resort? that can get confusing. There are plenty of signs, too many, have both adults reading carefully. I have been driving there yearly forever and still make mistakes.

An fyi in case renting a car is new for you too, you can reserve your rental when you make the plane reservation but don't prepay, then starting about 8 days out from your trip check the prices daily, each time the price goes down rebook then cancel the old reservation. I like Alamo, and every trip I have taken, the price has gone done, usually, but not always, it is the cheapest 2-3 days before departure.

Join the loyalty program for cheaper rates.

We love the freedom of a rental. It is nice to be able to zip to a grocery store. This year will be our first not having a car for the duration since we are going on a Disney cruise in the middle of the trip, but we are doing one way rentals for the beginning and end so we can stop at the store and get ourselves to and from the airport. At some point we need to get familiar with Uber!

 

[Stratman50th]

We started our yearly expeditions to DW from MD in 1989. Drove every time except once. Over the years we have driven down twice in a year. Always used Disney transportation. Never used our cars to go to parks. We have driven to urgent care several times over the years for illness or injuries. Once we drove from OKW to Wilderness Lodge to check it out. Aside from those few instances the car stayed parked in the lot. Our last car trip down was in 2012. That was the last time we drove down. Wouldn't have been without a car while staying there.
After moving to Florida permanently we have been 3 times. That was at Ft Wilderness in our motorhome. We're done now and leave the parks and resorts to others.
In closing, yeah, I'd have a car.