Looking for Opinion - Rental Car Yes or No?

[iankh]

Our plans are set for our trip home in August. We've arranged to use Magical Express (since I really hate driving from the airport anyway).

I do have sort of a delema. I have found out that I have reward points on personal Amex Blue cards that I typically used for business travel. I have more than enough points to cover a car rental for the week with Avis (one of the Amex partners). I have also found out that Avis has a pick-up location at the Hilton on site near DTD. It would not be a big deal after arriving at VWL to hop a bus for DTD, have some lunch and pick-up the car.

We were going to use Wegoshop for provisions and otherwise use the Disney transport system. Friends I'm going with think we won't need the car, but I'm thinking that it might be useful, especially since I'll be using reward points and may at most be out of pocket $20 to $40 for the whole week. What do you think?

 

[SueOKW]

free car? absolutely!! We went one time without a car - never again... it's just so handy!!!!!!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Have to agree with SueOKW - for $40, it's worth it just to have as a back up. We generally stay at the BWV and walk to EPCOT & MGM. We bus to the MK. But it is so nice to be able to drive to the AK, other resorts, the waterparks and DD.

Go for it!

Best wishes -

P.S. Doesn't mean you can't/shouldn't use Wegoshop anyway, LOL.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

During our last visit, my DS had to go to an urgent care clinic because he wasn't feeling well. I was so grateful we had a rental car to use. Definitely get the car...as you never know what might happen. Plus, it was so convenient to shop for groceries at our leisure without a meter running somewhere. Also, there are many places within WDW that you can get to a lot faster with your own car instead of transfering from bus to bus (with a wait in between).

 

[Beca]

I completely agree with everyone else!! Our first trip to WDW since the birth of my dd, she ended up in an Orlando pediatric hospital for the last 2-3 days of our trip. The next trip, she got really sick and we had to go to an urgent care center. We would've been hosed each time without a car. It seems like every time we go to WDW, someone gets sick (sometimes, all of us). I read that WDW used to spray the parks down with an antibacterial agent, but people had allergic reactions to the spray. Ever since they stopped, illnesses at WDW have more than tripled....and, I totally believe it.

We also are BIG fans of taking our car to MK and AK...it is really convenient.

I don't think that I would take ME at all, though. Why not get the rental car at the airport, and swing by the new SuperWalmart on the way in...it's SO easy.

Have fun!!



Beca

 

[iankh]

Great feedback. I think I'm going to get the car, especially in light of the fact that it won't cost me much if anything.

I'm looking forward to ME, as I can avoid the entire schlepp factor. The idea of checking my bags in Chicago and then next seeing them in my room is great.

I was thrilled to learn that Avis has a car location right at the Hilton, a quick walk from DTD. Avis would not be my choice if this was a cash reservation, but since I'm sitting on all of these Amex points with nothing else to do with them, a car rental sounds good.

I think I'd also like the car for going to the water parks, plus we have dinner reservations at a couple of the other resorts, and driving directly should make it much easier to get there.

On the whole however I love WDW transportation. I take the "L" everyday to get to work. I wonder if people like me, living in a city like Chicago with great public transportation has an effect on my receptivity towards WDW transportation?

 

[JimMIA]

I would certainly get the free car, and if I was doing that, I'd probably get it at the airport. MCO is very modern and easy to navigate, and I've heard some "3 hours from landing to my hotel" horror stories about ME. Some of those tales may be luggage problems not really related to ME, and I'm also sure those were early in the implementation of ME and probably not typical, but I have heard them nonetheless.

Although Disney transport is great, you may find yourself driving to the theme parks as well. As an on-site guest, you park free, and we find it a lot easier and more convenient to just drive.

We have a stroller for DD3goingon23, so that's a factor for us. We also find there is no line and no waiting for our car at the end of a long day.

 

[iankh]

This may be hard to believe but I hate driving. Probably because I grew up with public transportation. The thought of after a day at the parks, schlepping out to a car and then being stuck behind lots of other cars drives me nuts.

My idea of transportation is something that arrives, takes me where I want to go, and then goes away.

I did a post asking people for their real world experiences with ME. Many many good experiences.

Having said that, I do prefer to drive to other resorts as the travel time using buses is too long.

I am sold. I will be getting the (more or less) free car.

 

[bongo59]

Always get a rental............it saves you time and when youre at WDW time is precious and worth alot more than the cost..........just my opinion though

 

[jpmom]

We always rent a car.

Like the freedom it provides.

We just consider it part of the cost of the trip.

Practically free car??? Where is the decision here???