help choose an option

[kman1011]

My wife, myself, my 6 and 3 year old osn will all be going to WDW in the first week of Feb. WE are staying at all star movies. I originally planned on using tiffany towncar (apprx $100.00) or now I have begun to think about renting a medium sized car (apprx $130.00 for sunday-Friday) How far is WDW from the airport? I'm thinking it might be worth it? I am assuming its easier to take wdw transportation to the parks, but we are thinking of doing the campfire thing at wilderness. Your help is appreciated.

 

[mcnuss]

For a difference of $30, you'll appreciate the freedom of having a car. The airport is about 40 minutes away, it's mostly highway driving, and easy as can be. (And of course, it won't take any more time in the rental car than the towncar )

I am assuming its easier to take wdw transportation to the parks

Not necessarily....All Stars is a pretty good distance from some of the parks, so you'll likely appreciate having the car to get back & forth to them, too. And you'll have be able to be on your own schedule, not a bus schedule. You'll also be glad to have it if you need to leave Disney property...for instance, if you need a drugstore item or more film. All this can be found on property, but at wildly inflated prices.

Have a great trip!

 

[jimmiej]

Argument for letting someone else do the driving(this is what I prefer):

-no concerns about directions
-Disney trans. drops you off at the front gate
-Disney trans. is varied & fun

Argument for renting your own car:

-no waiting for a bus/boat/monorail
-freedom to go offsite if you want or need to
-not much more $$$ than tiffany towncar

I believe the airport is about 20-25 miles from WDW.

For me it just comes down to the fact I don't want to have to drive on my vacation. I get stressed when I'm not sure of the directions. Just MO. Have fun on your trip!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Rental Car vs Towncar, hmmm, I might come down on the side of a rental car given the facts you describe. I have no problem using Disney Transport for nearly all of our intra-Disney travel, and we have a wheel-chair bound 6 yr old son (who particularly like boats and monorails); getting our son on an off the bus is a pain, yes, but IMHO it is still more convenient than having to drive, park and get to the park gate somehow (even with the nice close handicap spots).

The main factor pushing me in the direction of a rental car is your plans to do the Fort Wilderness campfire thing, as this is rather remote, and would take some doing using Disney Transport.

You will pay more then the $130 quoted, but then you would want to tip the Towncar driver anyway, so the differential still works.

 

[kman1011]

Who would you use, do you think an intermediate car would be ok? We were going to bring our stroller(big double)( but have decided to just rent when we need it. What is the best way for the best rate? Priceline?

 

[mcnuss]

Go to a big site like Orbitz and do a search. I like the way the companies and prices are shown on a grid. For 4 people, an intermediate should be fine if you leave the double rig behind. The problem there is that you'll miss the stroller in the airports - there can be a fair amt. of walking at MCO.

I happen to like Budget for pleasure trips and Hertz for business. For you, any of the in-terminal companies will be convenient. They are literally across the access road and in the parking garage. I generally leave DH with DD to wrangle the luggage off the belt, get the car and drive around to pick them up. Now that you can't wait at all, I have them call me on my cell phone when they're outside, and away we go. Works like a charm!

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by kman1011
How far is WDW from the airport? I'm thinking it might be worth it?

If you take the the south exit at MCO ( 417 to 536) to WDW it should only take you about 25 minutes. We always avoid I-4 because of traffic jams and accidents.

We always rent a car at WDW. For the $20-$30 difference it is worth the convenience for shopping,off site restraunts,etc.