if you were me

[worlddreamer]

I need some expert transportation advice, please....

DBF and I will be going for the first time in Oct 2005 and we are trying to work out the budget - neither of us have ever been so it is a little difficult.

Our plans are to stay in WDW (at POR) for 9 nights/10days, then move to a US resort for 4 nights to enjoy US/IOA and SeaWorld. We want to do some resort hopping while at WDW, but really don't need the added expense of renting a car if it isn't crucial..

If you were doing the same, would you rent a car? Is it easy, and fairly timely and cost effective to get transporation from WDW to US resorts, and from US to SeaWorld? Should I consider renting a car just for outside WDW - the 5 days?

How hard is driving? Is there a ton of traffic? I have very little patience for traffic jams - waiting in line I can do, traffic jam I cannot.. don't ask, it's just a thing for me..

What would you all do? Thanks for any advice!

 

[chicknoodle99]

The decision to rent a car is one that everyone has different opinions on. Personally DH and I always rent one. We like having our own transportation to do what we want to when we want to without having to rely on someone else. I have never been to WDW in Oct as we usually go in Jan or Sept and traffic has never been bad within the parks. We found it worse getting to and from the airport or to and from US/IOA. We usually do both WDW and IOA/US and have done Seaworld too and we didnt think driving was a big problem. DH is really good with directions!!

You said you were moving to stay at IOA/US so you wont have to pay to park there. Although, Seaworld will charge you, I believe, and its like $8 or $10 to do so. We think its a small price to pay for the capability to have our own transportation.

In WDW we will usually go to one of the parks or TTC in the am and use the monorail and boats to get to other parks. We always drive to AK though.

Good luck to you~ have fun planning. Either way you will have a wonderful time. Enjoy your WDW trip.

 

[inkkognito]

Traffic jams are a way of life in the Orlando area. They are not as bad in the off season, but at busy times it sometimes looks like the world's biggest parking lot. There are back roads, but they are a little tricky to learn. And tourists constantly do crazy things, like stop abruptly, swerve across three lanes of traffic, etc. But it's not hard to find your way because there are signs everywhere, and maps are readily available.
Barb

 

[worlddreamer]

how much do you usually spend if you do rent a car?

Can you get week long rates that are cheaper? I feel like a penny pincher asking that, but this trip is already sounding soo very expensive..... but well worth it!

 

[Luv2Roam]

If you were staying on WDW property only, I would say forget the car.
Going off site, a car is necessary.
If it were me, I would rent a car when we were only going to be off site -- unless I got a really good rate and the difference was not much. That probably won't be the case with you.
Near USO you may want to visit Belz and other areas. A car would be good.
A car can be handy in WDW. And it can also be a nuisance. Just depends on your situation at any time.
Good luck!

 

[Lewisc]

Are you staying at one of the 3 on-site Universal hotels (PBH, RPH, HRH)? If so you might just rent a car for a day to go to the outlet malls.

You can get a bus from the Universal hotels to SW. You can also get a (Lynx) bus from TTC to SW.

 

[manning]

My how times have changed. At one time when you went to Disney you would park the car and not touch it until you left.