Hire Car or not??

[logley]

Hi,

Have booked for our first time. We are staying in Holiday Inn on International Drive for 3 weeks in October. I've booked everything already, tickets for all parks, discovery cove swim etc.

I've got a couple of questions. As anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn and if so what are your experiences of the hotel.

More importantly, we've got airport transfers to the hotel, and at the moment we've chosen not to get a hire car, hoping that the I-Trolley and shuttle buses will be adequate. What are peoples experiences of staying on I-Drive without a car, and getting access to all parks?

Regards

Lee.

 

[Clare D]

Hi Lee
Sorry I haven't stayed at your hotel nor have I used the buses but my friends did and they never had any problems. They only did Disney though so not sure how easy/convenient it is to get the bus.
Personally we always have a car and I have even driven over there so it can't be that bad. My DH does make me drive though where I can see the white lines
I'd check out the Transportation section on the boards for some further info

 

[gilld]

We haven't stayed at your hotel but we did stay on International Drive, near Sandlake Road, the first time we went. We didn't like Int Dr - far too busy for us - so we've stayed on site ever since.

We have always hired a car, as much though we love WDW and US, IOA etc, we also like to see a bit of the surrounding areas, and it's so much easier with a car.

Maybe you could see how it goes and hire one if you find relying on public transport too demanding.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Logley,

I think you will be absolutely fine going up and down I Drive on the trolley.

It will be a little bit more challenging getting to WDW but only because you may not have the flexibility a car offers. My friends have just returned from a fortnight on I Drive with no car and managed fine.

Having stayed offsite myself we did find it easier with a car but what I am trying to say is that you can have no car and have a great time, and some people prefer not to have the hassle of driving.

Gill's suggestion is a good one, if you decide to do this make sure you have taken your licence

have fun!

 

[floridalol]

Hi Lee,

Holiday Inn is ok but you must request a room in the Tower - I can assure you that all other rooms in the other blocks are awful - Tower rooms are spacious and furnished to an adequate standard. The pool area is really nice with a bar for refreshments. The hotel is bar is colourful and good to wind down in after a day at the parks. Don't use the restaurant facilities they are overpriced with poor food.

We like I-Drive, the place has a buzz about it and it's great for a stroll in the evenings and there are plenty of good restaurants nearby.

Personally I could not contemplate a Florida holiday without a car. The flexibility of being able to go where you want when you want is paramount to me being able to enjoy my holiday. Although it may seem daunting I can assure you that driving in America is far easier than in Britain.

I see that you are going in October - you have picked the best time to go, the crowds are low and the weather is lovely. I recommend that you go to Universal's Halloween Horror Night it is the best theme park experience you will ever have!

Hope you enjoy your holiday,

Best wishes

Lol

 

[wicket2005]

I wouldn't consider going to Orlando without hiring a car, the flexibility it offers is worth it. No waiting around for buses, just go where you want when you want.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

As Floridalol says, make sure you get in the tower. We found the hotel was fine. We have a room in which you could see Universal in the distance. As also has been said, don't use the restaurant except maybe for breakfast. We used it for that because of the free children's meal and the free breakfast in 5. This made it more economical than the Ponderosa across the road.

I would recommend hiring a car. The trolley is great for going up and down I Drive, but its approx 20 mins drive by car to Disneyworld. I don't think there are too many buses that run, so you'll end up being stuck in the parks until one comes.

 

[LATICS]

If you have children under 10 then I would do the car hire. A friend of mine took his two kids both under 9 and told me it was the worst desicion he had ever made. Buses taxis not bad just for a coupleof adults but not with kids. Also some great deals out there for car hire. Check out allstatescarhire.com Hope this helps.

PJ

23 Days to go...!

 

[logley]

Thanks for all the advise.

I've heard a couple of times now that the Tower rooms are better than the bungalows. On the letter from First Choice it states I'll get either a Tower or bungalow room. Does anyone know what I may do beforehand to ensure that I get a Tower room, perhaps emailing Holiday Inn or something similar.

Regaing the hire car I'm still undecided about it. It will be just me and the girlfriend going, so no kids to worry about. Money permitting I might just get something out there, or a few weeks before going book online with the Dollar site which as an office at the hotel I believe.

On a different note I've already found details about the Mickey's Not So Scary Party, but not heard anything about Universal's, any reviews of it would be appreciated.

Thanks again

Lee.

 

[Soprano]

Hi,

Have booked for our first time. We are staying in Holiday Inn on International Drive for 3 weeks in October. I've booked everything already, tickets for all parks, discovery cove swim etc.

I've got a couple of questions. As anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn and if so what are your experiences of the hotel.

More importantly, we've got airport transfers to the hotel, and at the moment we've chosen not to get a hire car, hoping that the I-Trolley and shuttle buses will be adequate. What are peoples experiences of staying on I-Drive without a car, and getting access to all parks?

Regards

Lee.

Me and my wife stayed at the Holiday Inn last year and have no complaints about the hotel. Its a standard hotel. Clean, nice pool, usual fridge and TV etc. I would stay there again. We stayed in the bungalows. I didn't want to stay in the tower as I didn't like to wait for a lift etc.

The location is very central IMHO. I can see why some people think I Drive a bit 'tacky', but its a good central location.

Universal is within walking distance. Even though the hotel lays on transport, we found it quicker to walk there. The walk is short and you can pop into somewhere to get something to eat after the park shuts.

Universal/Islands of Adventure is every bit as good as any Disney park.

I do not think you NEED a car. We didn't have one for any of our trips and managed without one with ease.

The hotel has Disney transportation free of charge, which leaves/returns about 4 times a day. The only downside was it left at 9pm at latest. So we did not get to see Fantasmic.

SeaWorld, the shopping outlets and Malls are all very, very easy to get to by bus. They are cheap too and fairly close to you.

Saying that, next time we go, we will be getting a car. It just gives you that wee bit more freedom to come and go as you please. But overall this option will add cost to hoilday after you pay out for insurance, and parking. We may only use it for half the time.