Found Out I Can't Rent a Car - Should I Go Anyway?

[kleigh1969]

I don’t know if it’s all airports, but I was able to use a hole punched ID just fine when I flew last year.

How late can you cancel your car rental? I would wait until the latest possible time just in case the license does come. Otherwise, you can use Lyft/uber, shuttles, monorail, etc. you could see if your hotel has a shuttle to the parks at all too. I know DL area hotels do, but I have no idea if WDW area hotels do too.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I didn't do the pay ahead option, so it says I can cancel at any time. Yes, I am staying on property so there are buses to the parks.

 

[kleigh1969]

Like another poster, I drive down, park my car and never get in it again until I leave (unless I'm doing a split stay then it's just to move it to the new resort). For context since you said you weren't getting younger. I'm a 68 year old woman and go solo at least twice a year, sometimes up to 4 times a year. I also rarely use Uber or Lyft. I have used Uber twice. Once when we (my adult son and I) were staying at YC and had a reservation at V&A's which was going to end late. The second time we had a late reservation at Topolino's and were staying at the Dolphin (which you can see just right over there from the balcony of Topolino's). That's it. Otherwise I rely totally on WDW transportation. If I'm eating at another resort I try to make reservations early enough that there will still be transportation running to a park. My son and his SO did use a Minnie Van once when they were staying at All Stars and I was at CSR and was going to babysit that night. They needed to transport all the baby stuff and while they could have driven their car and parked it at CSR overnight it was just easier to use the MV for that. Otherwise, they too, park their car and never get in it again and they usually have a stroller and a little one.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I am 56 and have been going to the parks since I was 25. I don't know where the time has gone. I just retired, so I have more freedom to go now which is exciting because I was on a teacher's schedule and could only go at the busiest times. Actually, not renting a car would save money, so maybe more trips! I love the idea that I could be doing these trips well into my 60s. That's awesome.

 

[pens4821]

I have a 5 night solo trip planned in less than 2 weeks. I have been renting a car for many years now because I like the freedom to come and go when I like, and the ability to go other places in and outside of the bubble. For example, I love going to Wawa (we don't have them in MN) and going to Boma even though I am not staying at AKL. I believe it has been 10 years since I went without a car.

I applied for my real ID/drivers's license a month ago, which has not arrived. I just learned from Alamo that my old license with the holes punched in it along with the paperwork, will not allow me to rent a car with them. Called about the status of my new real ID/driver's license and they said pretty much no chance it will come before I leave.

So I can cancel, which I prefer not to do, or rely on other modes of transportation. I was thinking Mears shuttle to get to the hotel (All-Star), obviously Disney buses to get to the theme parks. I have never taken an Uber, but I have an account set up because I get an Uber Eats credit from a CC I have. So that would probably be the easiest ride share for me to do.

I guess what I am looking for is reassurance that I will be OK without a car. I am getting old, and therefore kind of set in my way of doing things, so finding out I won't have a car is throwing me for a loop.

Would anyone be kind enough to share your thoughts? Thank you!

I don’t think a car is necessary. We have had a car the last few trips as we’ve driven down, but before that we never had a car and never thought about having one. Some things are a little more inconvenient (ie going to boma you have to go to a park then the resort using Disney buses), but it’s no big deal. Like you said to save time you can uber, but you can also just plan to go there from a park you are already in. That’s what we try to do. If we are going to chef mickeys it’s MK day. Boma is AK day.

The major thing we like about a car now is getting snacks/drinks for the room cheaper, but with grocery delivery that shouldn’t be an issue. You can get food delivered from Wawa or offsite I’d assume too if you’re interested in that through DoorDash/ubereats (although I can’t say that with 100% certainty maybe someone else can chime in).

It may take you a little more time and/or money to do what you want, but these days it’s easy to do anything you want without a car.

 

[kleigh1969]

Im the same as you, I always rent a car, I love the freedom of the car too. If I had to go without one I would use Lyft/Uber and Minnie Vans but I doubt I would cancel.
I applied for my real ID last month and it came in about 3 weeks. I live in California where you think it would take forever. I also had kept my old license and no hole punches here.
Have you tried calling any other car rentals to see if they will accept your license/paperwork as it is?

So in my panic spiral yesterday, I did not in fact double check what the person at Alamo was saying was accurate. I have found online that several companies directly state they will take a temporary license with another ID like a passport. Alamo says they "may not accept" a temporary license if you do not have proper additional identification. I called this morning and confirmed. But now I am thinking that I may just skip the car and the hassle after all of these kind and informative replies.....

 

[kleigh1969]

I don’t think a car is necessary. We have had a car the last few trips as we’ve driven down, but before that we never had a car and never thought about having one. Some things are a little more inconvenient (ie going to boma you have to go to a park then the resort using Disney buses), but it’s no big deal. Like you said to save time you can uber, but you can also just plan to go there from a park you are already in. That’s what we try to do. If we are going to chef mickeys it’s MK day. Boma is AK day.

The major thing we like about a car now is getting snacks/drinks for the room cheaper, but with grocery delivery that shouldn’t be an issue. You can get food delivered from Wawa or offsite I’d assume too if you’re interested in that through DoorDash/ubereats (although I can’t say that with 100% certainty maybe someone else can chime in).

It may take you a little more time and/or money to do what you want, but these days it’s easy to do anything you want without a car.

Thank you for sharing. I have Walmart+ as part of a credit card perk, so I was thinking of having them deliver a few things to get started. And in the long run it seems like even if I do some deliveries and uber rides I will come out ahead as the car was going to be almost $300. Plus I have to fill it back up with gas.

 

[kleigh1969]

If you're not in a hurry to get to your resort on arrival day, the Mears shuttle is cheaper than an Uber/Lyft.

I used Uber/Lyft for the first time last summer when I flew down for the day for the AP preview for Tiana. It worked out just fine and gave me the green light to suggest using it again during my August trip.

Thanks. I saw Mears is something like $33 round trip. I think that's a great deal!

 

[brockash]

I have a 5 night solo trip planned in less than 2 weeks. I have been renting a car for many years now because I like the freedom to come and go when I like, and the ability to go other places in and outside of the bubble. For example, I love going to Wawa (we don't have them in MN) and going to Boma even though I am not staying at AKL. I believe it has been 10 years since I went without a car.

I applied for my real ID/drivers's license a month ago, which has not arrived. I just learned from Alamo that my old license with the holes punched in it along with the paperwork, will not allow me to rent a car with them. Called about the status of my new real ID/driver's license and they said pretty much no chance it will come before I leave.

So I can cancel, which I prefer not to do, or rely on other modes of transportation. I was thinking Mears shuttle to get to the hotel (All-Star), obviously Disney buses to get to the theme parks. I have never taken an Uber, but I have an account set up because I get an Uber Eats credit from a CC I have. So that would probably be the easiest ride share for me to do.

I guess what I am looking for is reassurance that I will be OK without a car. I am getting old, and therefore kind of set in my way of doing things, so finding out I won't have a car is throwing me for a loop.

Would anyone be kind enough to share your thoughts? Thank you!

We never rent a car abd prefer it that way so of course I say still go. - You also can always uber if you want, so you don't feel trapped.

 

[Indio]

I would skip the rental car. We love Disney transportation and consider it part of the fun! We live in a very rural area and have to drive everywhere we go (even to the "corner" store) so we like letting someone else do the driving. I've used Uber/Lyft all over the country and in several other countries - it's VERY easy. You book and pay for the ride on the app and if the driver doesn't speak English, you don't have to converse since everything is done in the app.

 

[Miffy]

We never have a car and have not found a need for one. I use Mears Connect and a very occasional Uber/Lyft. Works out great and way cheaper than renting a car.

Everyone else on the thread gave great advice about how to get around, especially the resort-resort part.

 

[hes122]

Thanks. I saw Mears is something like $33 round trip. I think that's a great deal!

It is, but the drawback on departure day is that they pick you up anywhere from 3-4 hours before your flight and most people don't need to be at the airport THAT early.

 

[Miffy]

It is, but the drawback on departure day is that they pick you up anywhere from 3-4 hours before your flight and most people don't need to be at the airport THAT early.

True. I sometimes take Mears Connect to the resort but a rideshare back to MCO. No need to book a round trip. And really no need to book in advance. You can just go up to the Mears counter at MCO and book a ride to your resort after you land, and, for the return trip, as long as you call Mears or book online the day before departure, there's no need to do that way in advance either. But you can't book Mears Connect the day of your departure flight. By then it's too late.

One plus for Mears is that if something happens, you have an entire organization behind you. I mention this because my sister's Uber on the way back to MCO had a flat tire a couple of trips ago. If the driver hadn't known another Uber driver who came to the rescue, my sister might've had a difficult time getting to MCO on time for her plane. And . . . once I had a rideshare driver miss the exit for the airport. Fortunately there was plenty of time to fix this error, but it gave me pause.

 

[gottalovepluto]

… I have a passport and a Global Entry card. I may just bring both of them for back-up!…

It is unnecessary to bring both your GE Card and your passport. And it’s a bad idea because it puts you at risk for losing both. TSA has been very clear either of those work for travel point checks link

I would select the passport as idk if the punched license or GE card will give you issues checking into the hotel. I couldn’t find a list from Disney for acceptable hotel IDs but their list of acceptable ID for alcohol purchases includes original passport but does not include GE link

 

[Stacybaeasm]

GO!!! I drive down now and honestly, I almost never use my car for the entire week I am down there. If I use it at all, it's just to get to a dinner reservation at a resort but I think I might just Uber/Lyft that this time. Parking at the Contemporary is such a hassle. And I can also just bus to MK and then walk to the Contemporary. All that to say - don't let not renting a car stop you. You might find it actually frees you up some because you aren't worried about getting into the park parking lots and parking. Taking resort transportation to the park often gives you an advantage over people driving in the morning hours.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I'm glad you are going! I never need a car to get anywhere when I am on property

 

[Headless]

Like said before wait to download the lyft app you'll get a coupon. you'll also probably have one in your uber account as it'll think you haven't 'used it in awhile'. I run both while I'm down there and will bounce as it seems one will give a discount then another.

I only use ride shares for when I have an ADR at another resort or something I want to get there at a specific time . Disney transport is great albeit not the fastest at times.

Hey with the money you'll be saving you can look at changing to say pop century or art of animation so you can add the skyliner to your transportation options.

 

[miksicnarf]

We always rented a car for all the many years we went as a family and my husband did all the driving. Once I started going solo, almost 8 years ago, I've never rented and would never go back to renting. I use Mears for the airport and take 1 Lyft trip to Publix. I'd never want to drive around WDW.
That said, I question what you were told about not being able to rent with what you have. I see nothing to support that RealID is required for car rental, and your paperwork + old DL is perfectly valid. If you really want to rent a car, I'd ask again and/or go with a different company.
Have a great trip!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

When we would fly to WDW, my husband always insisted on a rental car. I would try to talk him out of it, but he sounded like you and would say "I like to go where I want, when I want." Now we drive and have our own car. I will say it comes in handy for dining reservations. Is it absolutely necessary? No. Just plan on more time with Disney transportation.

 

[goofyernmost]

I don't understand. If your license is valid through the time you are visiting, why wouldn't the car rental accept it. What is missing and why are there holes punched in your license. I can't believe that it would take that long to get your license sent to you. I pretty much has to get to you before you old one expires. Good grief it's only April. Perhaps try another rental place. There's National, Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, and many others in the luggage claim area at MCO. I'd try when you get there, the worst case scenario is that you have to resort to using outside transportation. I would think your Passport would tell them anything they'd need to know.

Unlike many, after 45 visits to WDW I have never been there without a car, onsite or offsite, and either my own or a rental, if I flew in. Even with the car staying onsite I felt like I was in a prison. I'm used to coming and going when I please, expanding my horizons and check out other things in Central Florida. You could spend weeks just checking other things out that were probably started because of a mouse, but do not feature one. I, of course, am not speaking for you or even advocating for it, but the inability to have my own transportation would indeed have been a deal breaker for me and I would have found some other place to go.

 

[IndyToThere]

Of all the reasons why someone might cancel a Disney trip, this might be one of the odder ones. I would argue that of people staying onsite, more people do not have a car than do.

Go on your trip. You'll be fine. Use Disney Transportation where available. Use Uber or Lyft where not. Have a great trip!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Just adding with others that I flew with no issues AND rented a car with a hole-punched DL renting through Hertz. It took the guy at the counter and the lady at the exit gate a few extra minutes because they couldn't find the expiration date on the paper temporary license, but I had no issues otherwise. I could *not* skip the counter with the hole-punched license.