Getting around Disney on-site versus off-site

[PeteM]

My wife and I are going to Disney in a couple of weeks. I've never been so these questions will reflect my ignorance. I know that there's a previous post about the general benefits on-site versus off-site, but I have a couple of questions that didn't come up.

I understand that you get guaranteed admission and longer hours on-site, but how is the transportation? Do the shuttles come often enough to all the hotels? If you stay on-site and take a cab or bus from the airport do you need a rental car at Disney?

What if you are staying on-site but are also considering going to a restaurant in Orlando or another non-Disney attraction like MGM? Can you get to those places without a rental car from Disney property? In that case, would you be better off saving money and staying off-site since you'll be dealing with traffic at least some of the time anyway?

 

[neonurse]

I have stayed in disney at Port Orleans Hotel and off site the other times. I find that the disney transportation is okay if you are at certain hotels and some places are easier to get to than others with their transportation. Some times you may need to take a bus to point A, transfer to monorail etc. I prefer to have my rental car. Also it gives you more freedom for shopping and eating out (for cheaper dinners and groceries for snack, drinks and such). Alamo prices are usually pretty good. If you enter discount code for walmart shoppers you can get 20% off with free additional driver (code 430710 BY) some are around $200 for a week. Parking at your disney hotel is free and I think parking at parks is also free with the hotel parking permit. I couldn't imagine being stranded without wheels but then I have a friend who stayed in disney and said she hardly used her rental car.

Let me know what you think?

 

[jenseib]

So far every time I went was off site. The prices aren't ALl that cheaper than staying at one of the cheaper Disney Hotels. We always stayed on International Drive area. I would say to go form the hotel to the park was generally 45 mintues with traffic. I have heard the same for Kississmee as well. I had a freind that stay onsite a few times and swore it's the only way to go. Not sure how long it takes ot get to and from hotel though. We plan to go later this year too, and stay onsite, but we won't be leaving the area to go to other place, so we have no need for a rental care.

 

[NCRedding]

You may want to post this on a different forum since this is reviews, not info.

First of all, welcome to the DISboards.

second, if you haven't already booked an onsite hotel, then you may be out of luck if you plan to travel in the next few weeks. There may not be availablitity. If you do stay onsite, there is ME which is a free ride to and from the airport. They also handle the luggage. If you do this, the luggage usually takes 3-4 hours to arrive in your room. You can also use the on-site buses, which run regularly from the resorts to the parks, in between every 20-30 minutes. I have found the transportation to be a bit spotty--sometimes really good, sometimes not so good. if you stay onsite, there is no charge for parking at the resort, or at any of there parks.

If you stay off-site, try to stay where you don't have to deal with I-4--very crowded road. If you stay off-site, it will cost you $10 per day to park in the park. I've stayed offsite twice, once on International and once in Kissimee on 192--I will not stay offsite again.

If you want to go somewhere off site, you can use taxis, or rent a car for the day. National/alamo has rental places on site, and shuttles to get you from the resort to the rental place.

BTW, MGM is a Disney Park, with disney transportation. Universal is located about 20-30 minutes from Disney World, and is not a Disney Park.

 

[DisneyAngel05]

How expensive are taxis etc? We're looking at staying off-site - the price for a suite in a nice hotel with a laundry is so much more appealing than the cheapest onsite hotel, but I am concerned that we will be too far from everything. As my fiance and I are both under 25, it does not make a lot of sense for us to hire a rental car, and so we will need to get around by bus and taxi. We're looking at staying at the comfort suites maingate east, its in kissimmee, but as I'm an Aussie and have no idea about the Florida area, is it very far away, and would it be better to stay in Orlando?

 

[jenseib]

I think it could be VERY expensive. I think at least 40-50 bucks one way. I could be wrong, but I remember reading how much a taxi cost to get to the park from the airport, and I think it was at least that much. Kississmee is south of Disney, and I think it takes about 1/2 to 45 minutes to get into the park form there, including all the traffic. I would try to rent as it would be cheaper each day. Or stay on site. There are places with suites,and they offer specials. And laundry on site as well.

 

[spiceycat]

when are you going?

there are DVC resorts - OKW, BWV, VWL, BCV and SSR - that have studios with kitchennett or villa with everything.

you can rent a reservation from a DVC owner and stay much cheaper Sun-thurs (leaving on Fri) than renting through Disney (CRO). I would go with OKW Sun-thurs studio, then either rent fri & sat thru CRO - or change hotels and go with a value.

the laundry mat is free at all DVC resorts. (a 1-bedroom and up has a washer/dryer in the room)

disney transportation to the parks is pretty good. however I like to eat at resort restuarants - without a car that would not be possible for you.

but getting back and for to the WDW parks is fine using Disney transportation.

MGM is a WDW park (studios).

I think you mean US/IOA (Universal) - this park is hard to get to without a rental car. You can get a shuttle Mears to it - but expect to pay about $30 per person. So a rental car if you were over 25 would be cheaper.

you can get to Seaworld fairly easy. You just take the bus to the MK then monrail over to the TTC - then find lynx 50 - the bus that goes to SW. I think the rate is $1 might be $2 one way.
http://www.golynx.com/schedule.cfm?route=50

universal is not easy to get too.