Help me convince DH that driving to the parks isn't hard!

[harleyquinn]

I'm planning trip #9 and thinking that its finally time to stay in a nonDisney property, specifically Bonnet Creek.

BC does have a shuttle, but it sounds like driving ourselves would be better. We'd be saving a LOT more than $14/per day. We will have our own car.

We did do a little driving ourselves on our last trip (DTD and the Poly), which we really loved. But DH is really opposed to not having Disney transportation to the parks.

Can you help me convince him that we can do this? I've heard a lot of people who stay on property and still prefer their own cars, so please share your stories!
Thanks!

(In case it matters we will have our 3yo DD with us)

 

[Bonnie151]

Absolutely no hassle. We usually use the internal bus system, but when DD was just about to turn 2 and DS was 5, we found it so much easier to just drive to the parks (too much hassle lugging the stroller/changing bag etc on the bus). It was much faster as well. We didn't tend to stay for park closing though- only once at DHS after Fantasmic, and that was busy but definitely manageable.

 

[harleyquinn]

Absolutely no hassle. We usually use the internal bus system, but when DD was just about to turn 2 and DS was 5, we found it so much easier to just drive to the parks (too much hassle lugging the stroller/changing bag etc on the bus). It was much faster as well. We didn't tend to stay for park closing though- only once at DHS after Fantasmic, and that was busy but defintely manageable.

We probably won't make it til closing either. We'll be going in August, so we usually plan an afternoon break and then back to the parks for dinner and a few rides. Of course I'm sure our 2 trips with DD (13 mos and 17mos) will be different than when she's just about 3.

 

[Glencora]

If you're going back tot he hotel during the day, you'll probably be able to do literally five times quicker using your car. There's no waiting, no hassle about finding seats, great air conditioning, and you can store stuff like a change of shoes or clothes in case you get wet. The roads are clearly marked, and it's hard to get lost. If you are AAA members, you might want to ask about getting a Diamond Parking Pass. While there is a lot dissent on this board as to whether or not their worth it, I personally have found that they can be a great help. HTH

ETA: My mother is rolling over in her grave - I meant "whether or not THEY'RE worth it."

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks! Those are great points! I love the idea of not having to go to the bus stop and wait in the middle of the August heat!

 

[I Love Pluto]

If a 65-year-old woman can find her way around Disney in her SUV - anyone can!

Use the car! There are signs everywhere. If you should happen to make a wrong turn, there's always another way to get there - and another sign.

Use the car!

 

[harleyquinn]

We are pretty used to getting turned around and "lost" from our last couple of trips. There never seemed to be a sign for what we were looking for. lol but we managed to find the poly. I imagine it's a lot easier to find the parks.

 

[I Love Pluto]

You can do it!!!

You can do it!!!

You cn do it!!!

 

[pad406]

We had a car last year for our first trip at Christmas and it was invaluable. Great for the naps back in the hotel saves hours per day. We had no trouble finding our way around. it was just so convienent that I don't think we'd so it without one. Plus great for the trips to the outlets. DW does love to shop

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry, but I agree with your husband. I love that Disney gets me where I need to go. I hate driving on unfamiliar roads.

Would he be happy if you did the driving and he still got to ride around?

 

[DebbieB]

I prefer to drive to the parks, I hate crowded busses. I've never had issues finding places at WDW.

 

[Brian Noble]

We did do a little driving ourselves on our last trip (DTD and the Poly), which we really loved. But DH is really opposed to not having Disney transportation to the parks.

There could be three different things going on here. One is the time. The other is who does the driving. The third I'll leave for later.

As for time, it's nearly always faster---and sometimes a *LOT* faster---to drive yourself. Even to MK, where you have to deal with the TTC, it's often pretty close to a wash if you compare that to the time you spend waiting for a bus. Disney roads are very well marked, and it is not particularly hard to get to where you are going.

But, he may just not want to drive. And, I can understand that. For many people, there is something nice about letting someone else just deal with it even if it takes longer. Have you offered to do the driving? That might solve your problem.

When my family goes to WDW, we always rent a car, even when we are staying onsite, and we drive ourselves almost everywhere. The big exception is if we plan a second margarita at Epcot, etc. When we were staying at VWL, we did take the bus/boat to MK, because it's just too awkward to get to the TTC from there.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Sorry, but I agree with your husband. I love that Disney gets me where I need to go. I hate driving on unfamiliar roads.

Would he be happy if you did the driving and he still got to ride around?

We've just returned last night from the WL, driving is not what we want too do at Disney, we've taken 45 trips so far and never used a car......Disney transportation is part of our experience...boat, monorail, bus....never any issues we seem to be all alone this past week......last thing I want from a Disney vacation is parking and driving a car....we enjoy not driving for a week in WDW.....time to relax and kick back....car users can have it....

 

[Brian Noble]

The third I'll leave for later.

Forgot to come back to this. The third reason: he might just want to stay onsite "just because", and this is the reason he came up with.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Driving at WDW is easy. There are signs and parking spaces everywhere. It is ALWAYS faster to drive, even to MK. We've tested it several times. Vacations are too short to spend time waiting for buses.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

It is easier and more time efficient then taking the shuttles if you are willing to shell out for parking.

I WILL NEVER EVER TAKE DISNEY TRANSPORTATION AGAIN!

 

[mzozzietj]

We always stay onsite but we still prefer to have a car and almost always drive to the parks. While we don't usually stay until park close, we've had long waits for buses a few times and just prefer the freedom to come and go as we please. On our last trip we stayed at BLT so we walked to MK and didn't use the car as much but it was a life saver a couple times when DD was overstimulated and didn't want to nap. A quick trip in the car and she was out! I find this especially valuable after a busy day in the parks where she gets exhausted. Waiting for buses in the heat with lots of other people is much more likely to lead to a meltdown.

 

[mwmom]

I've stayed off site with family of 8 and on property with just the 2 of us and had a car both times. Wouldn't have it any other way. Here are my reasons why...

1. Security of knowing I have a car...came in handy last year when I had to take DD to Dr. because she had an ear infection.

2. Can make a runs to the grocery store/ Target which saves money.

3. It was easy to park and ride tram. I did it by myself this past trip. No problems.

4. Easier for me to stroll her to the car and put in car seat than get her out, fold stroller, find seat on bus...you get the picture. Note: I was by myself so this was really important for me. Couldn't carry her and stroller.

Bottom line, find a cheap car and it makes it worth it. I will say that I have found much better deals on cars closer to travel dates. I've saved as much as $250 by changing my reservation close to travel date.

 

[dishguy1977]

We used Disney transportation in 2001 for our honeymoon trip and I will NEVER use it with young children. I really don't understand why some people are so opposed to renting a car. The most I have ever paid in the last 4 trips is about $120 for a week - on our last trip we ended up getting a minivan from the Emerald Aisle for $87 for the week. I absolutely cannot imagine sitting on a crowded bus with a bunch of other people at the end of the day, with 3 tired and cranky kids, when I can just hop in my "own" car and be back to the room in minutes.

I always take a GPS unit with me so I don't even have to think about directions. The signage on property is great but with the GPS I don't even have to look at the signs and I can get anywhere with no problem! Also, comes in handy for finding nearest Walmart or whatever. That's the other advantage of having a car - shopping. I can't believe how many threads I read on the DIS about setting up grocery stops, shipping water to the resort, etc and how much thought and effort people put into these little details. We just go to the store and pick up whatever we want/need!

 

[3pletprincesses]

I am bad bad bad with direction. I thought I was so smart to bring my gps until I found out that my dh had deleted a few states including Florida. Here I am at MCO with no clue where to go in a rental car. Well not only did I drive to WDW and not get lost but driving around Disney is the easiest thing in the world. All you do is follow the signs. They are every where. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Even dh agrees with me LOL Seriously it's really easy driving around Disney. that being said, the shuttles are not bad either except at rope drop and park closing.