If you fly, do you rent a car?

[perd]

Just wondering how much you really need a car at WDW. DH thinks we definitely need one because he thinks we are going to want to go outside the park. We are only going to be there five nights and I don't see any reason to go outside the park at all - we definitely won't get to see and do everything in the time we are there, so why waste time driving around Orlando?

But I was wondering if a car really would come in handy inside the parks. We are staying at Beach Club, but I'd like to go to Pepper Market for dinner some night, go look at other resorts if we feel like it, etc. Just wondering how hard it is to get around everywhere if you don't have a car, and whether it is hard to get around (traffic, parking, etc) if you do have one.

 

[SheriB]

We always rent a car, even if staying in Disney. Although their transportation system is efficient, if you get caught up in a high volume time, you will definitely be waiting. We find it easier to get in the car and go (whether off-site or on). The last time we were there, we decided to take the bus from CBR to our character breakfast at Chef Mickey's. It took us almost an hour to get back to CBR, and we were the only ones on the bus, and the driver didn't make any other stops, it was just waiting for the right bus. And at night, when everyone is leaving the parks at the same time, it's more comfortable to be sitting in your private vehicle, as opposed to waiting for three busloads to fill before you even get on a bus. And we always go outside the parks to eat at least once or twice during our stay. But if I had to cut out the car to save a couple of hundred bucks, I would have no problem using the Disney transportation at all.

SheriB

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

For going to the parks themselves... a car really isn't neccessary... our transportation system has grown to be quite efficient in getting to and from the parks.

As for Resort Hopping... for the most part, there really isn't any sort of resort to resort transportation (Aside from monorail, and friendship cruisers), so in that respect, a car might be helpful.

 

[ncbyrne]

We always rent a car whether staying on or off site. The buses are ok, but I find if you travel within the system during peak hours, there were always long waits. And getting to other resorts is MUCH easier driving yourself. If you rent a car, you won't regret it. Be sure to rent a car from one of the onsite rental agencies, or you'll be waiting for a shuttle! (Onsite car rentals at MCO are: Avis, Budget, Dollar, L&M, National)