Help me figure out this budget - thanks!

[nboicepardee]

Hi Everyone!
We are WDW regulars, but are expanding our next trip to Universal/IOA. We are staying 7 nights at WDW in a 1BR Villa (we are DVC owners) and then moving for 2 nights to a Universal hotel. We are flying in and out of MCO December 29-January 7. Debating whether to rent a car for the 9 nights (especially because we are only doing one park day in WDW). Would give us the flexibility to visit other hotels, grocery shop, eat off property if it is too crazy that week. We usually just order groceries and take Disney transportation which we enjoy. We will need to get to the Universal Hotel (with all of our luggage) and then to the airport at the end of our trip.

Any thoughts about our transportation options? I am happy to pay a little more to have the car, but if it is going to be double to cost, I am not sure that is the best. It will cost $17/day to park at the Universal Hotel. We will save some money on groceries by being able to shop for our own. We can also eat a couple of meals off site which will save some money as well.

Thanks!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Hi Everyone!
We are WDW regulars, but are expanding our next trip to Universal/IOA. We are staying 7 nights at WDW in a 1BR Villa (we are DVC owners) and then moving for 2 nights to a Universal hotel. We are flying in and out of MCO December 29-January 7. Debating whether to rent a car for the 9 nights (especially because we are only doing one park day in WDW). Would give us the flexibility to visit other hotels, grocery shop, eat off property if it is too crazy that week. We usually just order groceries and take Disney transportation which we enjoy. We will need to get to the Universal Hotel (with all of our luggage) and then to the airport at the end of our trip.

Any thoughts about our transportation options? I am happy to pay a little more to have the car, but if it is going to be double to cost, I am not sure that is the best. It will cost $17/day to park at the Universal Hotel. We will save some money on groceries by being able to shop for our own. We can also eat a couple of meals off site which will save some money as well.

Thanks!

If you're only doing one park day at WDW, I think having a car would be a good idea. If you want to visit other resorts and go off-site, a car would give you a lot more flexibility. It's definitely an added cost, but I think it would be worth it.

 

[carebee21]

I think that if you're looking at it from a only a budget perspective, you're going to have a hard time coming out ahead by renting a car. You're traveling during a peak time and car rentals are going to be high. I think you'll save more foregoing the car rental and relying on Disney transportation and shuttles to get you to Universal and the airport.

However, personally, I think that the convienance of having a car makes up for the cost, if you're not on a tight budget. Having the ability to go where you want, when you want is well worth the price to me. I love being able to get to resorts quickly and easily, being able to go to the outlets and leaving property to eat.

 

[nboicepardee]

I found a rental car for the 9 nights (including all taxes/fees) for $450 (midsize car which is plenty for our family of 4). My thought is between the cost of a shuttle or taxi from Disney to Universal and then again to the airport at the end of the week (as well as the savings on groceries and some meals), it probably won't cost more than $200 more. I am really leaning towards renting a car for the convenience. We never venture outside of Disney when we are there, and it would be nice to see some other things/eat at other places. I really want to see all of the resorts decorated for the holidays and having the car would make that so easy. I think you are all just confirming what I was thinking. Thank you!