getting to parks and 'hopping' if driving

[chefgal]

We are scheduled for a disney trip in Jan. and am wondering if when we get a car at the airport, can we park it at downtown disney in the a.m. and catch a disney bus to which ever park we are going to that day.(Heard this was done in the past, but recent change may prohibit parking at downtown all day for this reason. Told that buses from downtown disney ONLY go to hotels, not parks.) Does anyone know for sure. Also, what do we do if we have to drive to a park and want to 'hop' using WDW transport(monorail) to other park. Don't want night to come and be at one place and car at another with different hours of operation at each park, but kids like riding the monorail for the 'disney' experience.
Any great deals on airport car rentals? We may need to rent 2 as there are 8 ofus.

 

[LoraJ]

Why not just take your car to each park you go to? Keep your parking receipt and you won't have to pay for each lot. Although, if you are staying on Disney property, the parking is free.

 

[chefgal]

My hubby does not like the stress of driving around an unfamiliar place so I thought to make it much easier, we would park at DTD for the day and get on a disney bus to take us to a park. Do DTD buses still run to parks or only to resorts. I would hate to bus to resort and THEN catch bus to parks. THAT is just as stressful for our group of 10. We have always had transportation provided in the past so this will be the first of renting a car from the airport and driving to our off site timeshare.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

DTD buses only run to the resorts to keep people from parking there and using the Disney transportation to parks. So you would have to transfer buses at a resort. Probably easier to just park at the parks, as Lora said.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We are scheduled for a disney trip in Jan. and am wondering if when we get a car at the airport, can we park it at downtown disney in the a.m. and catch a disney bus to which ever park we are going to that day.(Heard this was done in the past, but recent change may prohibit parking at downtown all day for this reason. Told that buses from downtown disney ONLY go to hotels, not parks.) Does anyone know for sure.

Yes, we know for sure. No, you CANNOT do this. Buses do NOT run between Downtown Disney and the theme parks. Why? Because people were parking at Downtown Disney to avoid paying for parking. In addition to missing out on the revenue, Disney realized this made it EXTREMELY difficult for Guests whose destination was Downtown Disney, to find anywhere to park.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Yes, we know for sure. No, you CANNOT do this. Buses do NOT run between Downtown Disney and the theme parks. Why? Because people were parking at Downtown Disney to avoid paying for parking. In addition to missing out on the revenue, Disney realized this made it EXTREMELY difficult for Guests whose destination was Downtown Disney, to find anywhere to park.

Oh WELL SAID!!!!!! DTD is for DTD patrons. Park parking is for guests.
To park you car at DTD and to to a resort to catch a bus to a park is really cheating the system. Is 10.00 worthi that much aggrevation?
I am SOOOOOOOOOO happy that they eliminated the DTD to the parks, heck, I can actually park there to GO TO DTD, what an amazing concept.

 

[disneyldwjr]

My hubby does not like the stress of driving around an unfamiliar place so I thought to make it much easier, we would park at DTD for the day and get on a disney bus to take us to a park. Do DTD buses still run to parks or only to resorts. I would hate to bus to resort and THEN catch bus to parks. THAT is just as stressful for our group of 10. We have always had transportation provided in the past so this will be the first of renting a car from the airport and driving to our off site timeshare.

GOSH!!!!! Imagine the stress for someone actually wanting to GO TO DTD and not finding a space to park cause someone cannot deal with the stress of parking in the park's parking lots and paying the 10.00 a day.
If you can manage to get to DTD, IMHO, you can manage to follow the signs to the parks. It is easy millions do it every year.
If driving to DTD parking then catching a bus to a resort then to a park is too stressful, then just park you car at a park. End of stress. They eliminated busses to the parks from DTD because of guests like you. Thank goodness. Now, guests can actually park there to visit DTD.
First 8 people in one post now 10 in another. Good deals on rentals, check
www.mousesavers.com and play the various codes for various rental agencies.

 

[chefgal]

I have been on many loops for various things and never had been so rudely replied to . This is our FIRST with a car, and we were TOLD by a timeshare that we will be going to,to park at DTD and hop a bus. We knew NOTHING of problems or lack of parking there.We are NOT trying to cheat the system, only to eliminate us country folks from the intimidation of driving in a hugh,busy atmosphere. We have no choice this time but to rent a car for transportation and were only taken the advice given to us from our timeshare. I thank some of you for your kind, HELPFUL reply but some of you need to 'think b4 you speak' at perhaps where the writer is 'coming from'--we are new to this all.
I assume parking at parks is best utilized without taking the park hopper option. I know u can save the receipts(thanks for that tip!), but timewise, is it just best to stay at one park in Jan. since the majority closes all at one time. If you park at the parks, what do u recommend and find the best.

Does anyone have recommendations for car rentals. I hear that orlando airport does not have all car rentals on site and since we have NEVER rented from an airport and only one other time(fort lauderdale) off site I would appreciate helpful suggestions.

 

[chefgal]

quick reply to our number going: YES, we have 8 from the airport, but 2 are driving in from mississippi so that makes 10 once we are there. I am NOT mixing things up from one post to another.
Any car rentals better to do one from another? Two cars rented would mean atotal of 3 cars there which may provide easier flexibility with our group. Suggestions? Opinions?

 

[disneyldwjr]

quick reply to our number going: YES, we have 8 from the airport, but 2 are driving in from mississippi so that makes 10 once we are there. I am NOT mixing things up from one post to another.
Any car rentals better to do one from another? Two cars rented would mean atotal of 3 cars there which may provide easier flexibility with our group. Suggestions? Opinions?

The car agencies on site at MCO are: Alamo, National, Avis, Budget, Dollar and L&M. Hopefully, I have not missed any. But, you can get a complete listing if you go to the airport's website.
I think renting two cars would be an excellent option, it would provide more flexibility.
I have used Alamo, National and Avis in the not too distant past and have really no complaints about them. My favorite has been Avis. The rate was slightly higher than National, but, I am preferred with Avis, so it was an automatic upgrade.
www.mousesavers.com has a bunch of codes and discounts listed for the rental cars. Going there and using those codes could save you a bunch of money.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I have been on many loops for various things and never had been so rudely replied to . This is our FIRST with a car, and we were TOLD by a timeshare that we will be going to,to park at DTD and hop a bus. We knew NOTHING of problems or lack of parking there.We are NOT trying to cheat the system, only to eliminate us country folks from the intimidation of driving in a hugh,busy atmosphere. We have no choice this time but to rent a car for transportation and were only taken the advice given to us from our timeshare. I thank some of you for your kind, HELPFUL reply but some of you need to 'think b4 you speak' at perhaps where the writer is 'coming from'--we are new to this all.
I assume parking at parks is best utilized without taking the park hopper option. I know u can save the receipts(thanks for that tip!), but timewise, is it just best to stay at one park in Jan. since the majority closes all at one time. If you park at the parks, what do u recommend and find the best.

Does anyone have recommendations for car rentals. I hear that orlando airport does not have all car rentals on site and since we have NEVER rented from an airport and only one other time(fort lauderdale) off site I would appreciate helpful suggestions.

I find Epcot and AK to be the best parks for my particular tastes. I have always had either a park hopper or an annual pass, so, when ie: AK closes at 5, I can zip over to Epcot until 9. Not sure if this would fit into your vacation plans or if the increase to a park hopper is worth it for those few hours. Also, if you are at a park and the crowds are too much, you can go to another park with a hopper (as I am sure you already know). IMHO, the park hopper option is a have to have, for me. But, everyone's tastes and needs are different and I imagine that that is why they have a kajillion different options.

 

[Ed J]

If being lost is a concern, look into renting from Hertz and get the neverlost.

You simply enter where you want to go into the neverlost and it gives you directions, no or much less stress.

It’s like having a friend who knows the area with you all the time .

 

[chefgal]

thanks for the mousesavers tip. It looks like they even outbeat our entertainment book deals. I willhave to wait a bit it appears, as most discounts expire by the end of the year and we are going jan. 6.
I appreciate the helpful responses

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have been on many loops for various things and never had been so rudely replied to . This is our FIRST with a car, and we were TOLD by a timeshare that we will be going to,to park at DTD and hop a bus.

So, okay, let me see if I've got this.
A timeshare SALESperson tells a potential buyer something about the policy/rules of a company to which he or she has NO connection, in an effort to entice a potential buyer. That person then asks this same question on a forum dedicated to that exact general topic - in this case, Walt Disney World Transportation - frequented by PEOPLE WHO KNOW, and gets blunt responses indicating that the original poster's question/intention is, in fact, impossible. And that poster gets upset with the RESPONSES? Interesting...

We knew NOTHING of problems or lack of parking there.We are NOT trying to cheat the system, only to eliminate us country folks from the intimidation of driving in a hugh,busy atmosphere..

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is now thirty-five years and almost one month old. It's been there a LOT longer than Downtown Disney. It's the company's MOST visited park. In fact, it's the most-visited theme park in the world. Common sense (a feature not restricted by geography) indicates that Disney, Lake Buena Vista, Orange County, Central Florida, heck the entire state of Florida, would provide LARGE, CLEAR signs directing visitors to that park. They do the same for all the Disney theme parks. So, 'intimidation of driving in a huge busy atmosphere' is NOT a valid claim.
You now know that when you want to visit one or more of the Disney World theme parks, you can park in any one lot and use Disney transportation to get to the other parks and back to your car, OR you can move your car each time, again, following the clearly-marked signs

but timewise, is it just best to stay at one park in Jan. since the majority closes all at one time.

Everybody's different. Everybody's touring is different. Everybody's conditions are different. You REALLY need to get a guidebook first.

 

[Ed J]

So let ME get this strait, am I really reading people trying to flame someone on a forum that is suposed to be about the happest place on earth? LOL

I hear www.kickmypuppy.com is looking for new members

 

[chefgal]

OUCH--I must have hit a nerve and YOU were not the one I was talking about as your initial comment WAS very helpful(like I stated in my reply--thanking some that were helpful). We asked,and you gave us a logical good explanation that it was not policy for buses to go to parks and why--but do not attempt to judge anyone elses 'noncomfort' zone and saying ' intimidation of driving in a hugh atmosphere' is not a valid statement. I am sure there are things very easy for one person to do but not for another. As you stated, 'everyone is different'.
It is not necessarily WHAT was said, but more theWAY it was said in my first response. Your second reply on the other hand can be applied to both WHAT and WAY.
A guidebook is not going to tell us all things we were looking for, on the other hand, it could not be RUDE back.....

 

[mecllap]

Goodness, wouldn't it be good to go back and start this thread all over and try to keep it a little calmer/kinder/gentler?
It can be a little intimidating driving in a new, really big, really spread out place -- and getting back off-property driving at night to an unfamiliar place can be a little difficult. If you belong to AAA, see if they can get an Orlando map for you to study (I think it's the South Orlando one). I have wandered around on some Disney back roads by mistake a couple of times, but eventually gotten where I needed to go. Their signing is generally really good, but not perfect.
What timeshare place are you staying in? Where is it? You can mapquest routes that will help you. If it's one of the large ones, they may have a deal with a shuttle bus service that you can get a ticket for to get back and forth to the WDW transportation center (TTC) -- but then you're stuck on their schedule. If one that's near DTD (across on 535?) -- you can just drive on by DTD and follow the signs to all the parks, and come back out that same way.
I like to rent cars from Enterprise, but they don't have a very good location in Orlando (it's off airport and a little weird to get back to -- I wouldn't want to do it at night).
Anyway, sounds like your best bet is to rent two cars, budget for the $10 a day per car for parking (or for at least two cars) and figure out who in your group are the most adventurous drivers and willing to take on that job. If your budget is getting tight -- cut out some TS meals -- or eat more at the timeshare (and pack a lunch).
Hope you don't get discouraged about asking questions -- most people will try to be helpful (sorry you got some bad info that set someone here off on a tear).
Have a great trip.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

TO the OP I hope your trip goes well and you are able to get all the info you need. Dis is a wonderful place for the most part with understanding, wonderful people. I am going on my first trip to WDW and would be lost without the valuable help I have gotten here. Dont let a few people run you off the board. Unfortunately, you hit one of the sore spots with some of the board regulars and it gets discussed usually till the thread gets locked for people getting nasty. Usually people who post the question you posted are looking for a way out of paying for their theme park parking,not trying to avoid the traffic. Please don't take it personal and stick around, as I said, these boards are extremely nice.

To those of you who just jumped right in there and attacked her, please retract your claws already!!Oh my gosh, this is supposed to be a friendly board. The intense flaming that people claim is just "blunt opinions" are quite uncalled for. Not everyone is Disney experts and for the most part, if we were we wouldn't be on here asking questions!!Please try to cut some of the posters a bit of slack, this constant "in your face" gestapo type posts are for the birds and is a crying shame when someone asks a simple question for them to get attacked this way.

 

[stinkerbell_&_Co]

So let ME get this strait, am I really reading people trying to flame someone on a forum that is suposed to be about the happest place on earth? LOL

I hear www.kickmypuppy.com is looking for new members

To the OP, I don't have any tips because I have our trip is still 4 months away, but I just wanted to say Have a great trip!

 

[kaytieeldr]

OUCH--I must have hit a nerve and YOU were not the one I was talking about as your initial comment WAS very helpful(like I stated in my reply--thanking some that were helpful).

Would you believe you didn't hit a nerve with me, because I'm always right? In all seriousness, and in MY opinion, what some people consider 'flaming' can equally be judged by others to be merely blunt, plain-spoken, whatever.

You're right, I shouldn't have written "get a guide book" and stopped there. The rest of my thought - and I keep forgetting, it's hard enough to judge intent based on written words, never mind have to figure out what a poster is thinking ... You should get a guide book. If you don't want to spend the money, chances are your local library has recent, if not absolutely current, editions of highly-recommended guides like The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, Birnbaum's Official Walt Disney World, or the Passporter by Dave and Jennifer Marks. Among the other information in these books, you should be able to find information about getting TO (but come to think of it, not how to leave) the theme parks. The signage really IS fantastic (except if you ever encounter a sign that says "Downtown Disney Next Left", DON'T believe it - Disney doesn't count the actual 'next left' as a road, they mean the left after that, don't ask, okay fine, I drive a lot but I got lost at this same intersection three nights in a row one trip until somebody explained it to me ) and you'll have no trouble getting to the theme park of your choice. The roads are several lanes wide in each direction, VERY well-marked, and of course you can just follow all the other cars - they're probably going to one of the theme parks, too