Is a car really necessary?

[as90043]

Hello all,
Myself and 12yo DS are traveling to WDW for the 1st time 3rd week June. I am not in the greatest shape (Ha!,knowhere near) so I decided to rent a car for the 7 days there. We are arriving at Orlando airport @6:30 am and have our 1st PS sched. for Boma @ 10:45. I have other PS's @ various restaurants throughout the week at several different locations. Also we are staying at the CBR near Epcot. In reading this thread and others elsewhere, I thought it best to rent a car ( only about $50 more than limo svc)
due to what I had heard about long waits for shuttles and the heat factor. Now I am not so sure that I will really need one according to the earlier posts here.
My question is:
1. During the time we will be there is the heat a real factor car vs shuttle? (We are from L.A., different type of heat.)
2. Will the shuttles be really packed, especially at closing?
3. While attending MK and Epcot when the park closes after the fireworks and illuminations shows would it be better to take shuttle anyway?
Any suggestions would be helpful. (Also wanted to make grocery stop.)

 

[Uncleromulus]

From the descriptions you provided, I believe you should rent a car. It will be especially useful in shopping trips, dining out, etc. The only park to which you might want to use Disney transportation is the MK. All the others are very car friendly.
I should add that we always have a car at WDW.
At closing times, you may have to wait a bit for a shuttle. But you will also probably have to wait for a Disney bus or the monorail--and then have to stand up the whole time because all the seats are taken.

 

[Lew]

Heat most probably will be a factor for your trip in June. However, heat shouldn't sway your decision as to whether to rent a car...you'll be exposed to plenty of heat either way.

I agree that you should strongly consider Disney transporation to and from the MK. Your bus will leave you about 150 yards from the entrance. If you drive, you'll need to take a tram from the parking lot to the TTC and then the monorail or boat to the MK; the return trip can take quite awhile at closing.

Yes, the buses will be packed at closing, but they really do a good job of getting more buses to locations that need them.

Having a car at your disposal will give you a lot of flexibility. It will be much easier to visit other WDW resorts than by bus...you might want to check out the other resorts and try their restaurants. Trips to and from Downtown Disney will be much more convenient also.

I would recommend taking your car to Epcot, MGM, and AK. Parking is quick and easy with tram service to the main entrances of each.

 

[DaveH]

I don't know what the average temp is in June. I will be there tomorrow(5-10-04), I have been watching the weather and the temps right now are running around 88. I am coming from Washington, DC and that is a major change higher for me. So that is a heat factor for me. The busses at Disney resorts after parades and at park closings are normally crowded. You can wait a long time to get on a bus. Unless you have a real early PS time, the busses can get you there easliy. Years ago a CM told me you should plan at least one hour to get from one place to another using busses. The time is based on you arrive at a bus stop and the bus just left. Then you are waiting up to 20 minutes sometimes more to get the next one. Traffic may be heavy so take bus longer than normal to get where your going. You may also walk up the bus there or just pulls in and your gone. The parking for Magic Kingdom you will need to use the monorail or ferry to get to and from the park, the busses have stops by the main gate. The busses when crowded can make you stand during your trip to and from anywhere. WDW roads are much better marked than they were years ago. There are good and bad points to both, I hope I gave you some good info to help you decide.

 

[as90043]

I think I am going to keep the car rental, see what the crowds are like on the buses and if I decide I don't need the car after a couple of days I see if I can return it early. Hows that for female logic!

P.S. Does anyone know about how long it might take to get the paperwork done? I'll be using the Alamo inside MCO, hopefully it will not take more than an hour. I have never been to Orlando, and I am not familiar with the distance or traffic at that time of day from MCO to WDW. I have PS at Boma for breakfast @10:45, our flight arrives at 6:30. If everything goes on time, do you think I have enough time to do everything and still make breakfast??

 

[OrlandoCabbie]

If this is your first time here, do not, I repeat, do not use a rental. Driving in a strange town especially one with this much traffic can add to your grey hair and subtract from the enjoyment of your vacation. Disney offers a multitude of transportation options; not to mention taxis are easy to find.

A taxi to Disney from the airport can run anywhere from 40 to 50 bucks. If that's a little spendy for you there are options like Mears Shuttle. (by far the most reliable)

I sincerly hope you take this to heart. I don't want to be the schmo behind you when you discover at the last second you're in the wrong lane.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[antmaril]

I totally disagree with OrlandoCabbie - definitely rent the car. Orlando is not difficult to navigate. You are arriving during the day, so you don't have to worry about finding your way in the dark. We ALWAYS rent a car at WDW - it gives us flexibility. Returning the car to MCO is easy. GO WITH THE CAR!!!!!

 

[gogiant]

I am in the same situation as you but have decided that for a few extra bucks it is definitely better to have the car.My main decision was based on being able to get to other resorts relatively easy compared to the Disney transportation. Also going back to the airport, we do not have to worry if somebody is going to show up and take us there

 

[wld]

we've been to WDW 8 or 9 times and never rented a car. Never missed it either. Part of the fun of vacation is letting someone else do the driving. I hate the heat, have been there in June, and didn't mind waiting at all and the busses were cool. Waits aren't long after hours and they move people very quickly. We enjoy figuring out different ways to get from point a to point b. Seems more like an adventure.

 

[sue1013]

We don't rent a car either. Did our first couple trips but it always sat in the parking lot. Alot of people on the boards complain about getting from resort to resort but I don't see what the hassle is. If the parks are open late go from your resort to a park then switch busses. If not downtown busses run very late. But if you are the type that cannot wait even 2 minutes without complaining do the people that use Disney Transportation a favor and rent a car. Nothing worse than these wound up types that start complaining if they get to the bus stop and no bus is there.

 

[antmaril]

We, too, have been to WDW eight or nine times and have always rented a car. We've never regretted having the car. We like being able to go to restaurants off property (much cheaper). Run into a grocery store for some snacks. Go to the mall in the afternoon to cool off. Go over to Universal with no hassle. There are lots of reasons for having the car. I have to say, I don't think waiting in the heat for a crowded bus is the way to spend time on a vacation. Of course, we are all different and there is not a right or wrong - it's just what will work best for you.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[sotoalf]

If you've already rented the car, please disregard this. If not, I'll say that if you're just going to theme parks and DTD from the CBR, thten you will NOT need a car. The CBR doesn't share buses with other resorts but it does make several stops.

Using Disney buses for resort to resort transportation, however, is more problematic. You'll need to either switch buses at an open theme park or DTD. This is when a car (or cab) will come in handy.

Of course, some people hate waiting for transportation and prefer to drive regardless. But you are paying for Disney transportation so why not use it?

 

[as90043]

for replying. As it seems now some family and friends will be flying in to join in the fun, all at different days. I guess my having the car might end up being better anyway since they will be staying off property and that would just make it that much easier navigating around.


40 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[prncess674]

I found the Orlando area extremely easy to navigate. Pretty much all roads lead to WDW (not really but there are huge signs everywhere telling you where to go!). Before leaving home print out directions to and from the airport from www.mapquest.com and you will be fine.

Having a car is SOOOO nice. If you decide you need to get away from the magic for a while, you can escape with no problem. Also going off site for a meal or two will save $$$$ which will more than make up for the additional $50 that a rental car will cost you.

Join Alamo's Quicksilver program (Free) and you will be on your way quickly from the airport!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Originally posted by as90043
We are arriving at Orlando airport @6:30 am and have our 1st PS sched. for Boma @ 10:45.
My question is:
1. During the time we will be there is the heat a real factor car vs shuttle? (We are from L.A., different type of heat.)
2. Will the shuttles be really packed, especially at closing?
3. While attending MK and Epcot when the park closes after the fireworks and illuminations shows would it be better to take shuttle anyway?
Any suggestions would be helpful. (Also wanted to make grocery stop.)

Answers:
1. Heat probably won't be a factor.
2. Shuttles are crowded at closing but not unmanageable.
3. Hard to say, but I would take the shuttle.

Orlando, from the airport to WDW, is easy to do. Take the 417 south from the airport; it is about 4 miles south. Then take exit 6 or 3 to get to WDW. I prefer 3. With other family coming, the rental car is a great option. You can make the 1st PS easily.