Is rental car needed at Saratoga Springs?

[Disnini]

Hello, my Friends!

I am in desparate need of your advice! Our dilemma is do we or do we not need a rental car if staying at Saratoga Springs? We are still leaning towards the rental car, but then I was asked by my mother: So what is the big advantage to staying at a Disney Resort if you are still going to get a car?

Soooo, my friends!! HELP! What do we do?? Help!! I need some good advice!

Thank you!!

 

[mel746]

We are heading to WDW next month for 11 days and have no intention on renting a car. Disney provides adequate transportation. We have not had problems in any of our past trips related to not having a car. We have on occasion grabbed a cab if needed. I, personally, do not see the need to rent a car for it to sit at the resort. I would rather spend the car rental money on souvenirs and the occasional cab.

Melanie

 

[K9pal]

I totally agree with Melanie. We walk where we can (helps with that extra few pounds we always come home with!) and take Disney transportation otherwise. I just don't want the added stress of fighting traffic, finding places to park, worrying about accidents or breakins, etc. Two things I don't want to do on vacation - cook or drive!!

 

[momma leaps]

Hello, my Friends!

I am in desparate need of your advice! Our dilemma is do we or do we not need a rental car if staying at Saratoga Springs? We are still leaning towards the rental car, but then I was asked by my mother: So what is the big advantage to staying at a Disney Resort if you are still going to get a car?

Soooo, my friends!! HELP! What do we do?? Help!! I need some good advice!

Thank you!!

No. There should be adequate buses. When will you be there ? I would think that with the Xmas season that they would up the amount of buses at all the Resorts.

We were there last year at the end of November beginning of December and I can only think of 1 time where we had a long wait for a bus. I think it was to MGM. Don't worry. I think there is a phone near the bus stop area. If you've waited too long don't hesitate to pick it up and call the front desk.


HTH

Have a GREAT time ~

We leave in 17 days !!!

 

[disneybride96]

We were there in September during "slow" season, and had no problems with the bus transportation. Actually, we found it better than the Yacht Club.
Figure in the time we would spend fighting traffic, parking, walking to the car and making a wrong turn now and then....we come out just as well waiting a little for the bus!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We rent but it's for off-sight runs to the store and stuff. Maybe a quick trip to get to an ADR if needed.

We rent from the DTD locations so we can better get it for just the time we need it. It's a quick walk over to get the car and get back upon return.

 

[Sandi]

We stayed at SSR in July and the bus service was very good. We had a car that we used for trips to TL for a 5:30 a.m. surf lesson, off site grocery run, and resort to resort transportation for dining. I would never use a car for transportation to the theme parks, but I found it very convenient for the other travel and was glad we had the car.

There are many advantages to staying on property besides the transportation. Extra Magic Hours, theming, top quality service to name a few.

 

[beccasmom]

For most WDW resorts, I agree that a car is not needed. However, I think under certain conditions, one is needed at SSR. We've stayed there twice. Once, at Congress Park, we walked everywhere and were close to everything. But we stayed last November at The Paddock and the walk to the main buildings can be challenging. My mom (age 77) in is reasonably fit shape and she was struggling (the humidity did not help). I was fine, but little ones may balk.

The resort is huge. Depending on your room location, some areas are easier to access than others. Yes, you can use the bus to take you to the main buildings. But some folks would appreciate having a car at their disposal. Location counts here, IMHO.

 

[NCRedding]

We started out our trip at SSR in January without a rental car, but realized with the trip we had planned, the bus transportation at SSR would not work. We wanted to cover alot of ground in a short amount of time, and found after the first day, that wasn't working. I rented from the CCC and we were able to go about our plans much more easily.

If you want a leisurely trip, and aren't too time conscious then stick with the buses. If you find the buses don't work, it was very easy to rent from the Car Care Center and return to the airport.

 

[Mokat76]

I've never used a rental car there. The tranportation to the parks is topnotch. The only long waits we had is when we saw the last bus pass as we walked out of our room.

That said, we always hire a limo to SSR so we can do a grocery run. If you do that, make sure you pick one that still offers a free grocery stop. Some charge now. *********** Limo was good.

 

[Disnini]

Thanks everyone for the input. The advice on this site is so incredible!!

Still deciding, but that is because we have 3 under the age of 5, two strollers, etc....

Thanks, again!

 

[dis-happy]

If money is no object then get a car. But with a family your size you'd have to get a van which is more expensive. Plus, car seats would be needed to legally drive around, which you'd either have to bring with you on the plane or rent when you arrive. A car can be convenient at times but not necessary. If in your shoes I'd do without.....

 

[Uncleromulus]

By all means get a car!!!

 

[jensen]

We've done it both ways and are debating whether to get a car on our next trip down. I'd say it depends on whether you have older adults or young children traveling with you. We have young children and we liked having the car because we could get around a little quicker and didn't have to do bus changes at night after the parks closed. But, it did make us feel like we were staying off-site because we simply went straight from our car to the room and back again. We really didn't take in all the "magic" of our resort.