M.E. or Rental ($90 -6 days) - What would you do?

[cmjaffe]

The age old question... haven't been to WDW since ME came to be.
Just Mom and DD (14) who wants to do alot but is poky in the AM. Not sure what time we're getting in (trying to go standby) so might get in at 10:30PM and staying at ASMusic. Staying 6 days and NOT doing hoppers but will do waterpark one day and would "like" to eat at CSR and make a trip to DT at least once - might want to take looks at other resorts to see "what's new" on down time.
Not sure if we should do ME and be dependent on Disney transportation. Holding a ressie w/Alamo for $90 -- so just add in gas (assuming it's at least $4gal).
Our return flight is 7PM on a Sunday. How early does ME pick up at resort to return? We've got priority w/airline so will (hopefully) cut down on wait time for security).
What would you Do?
TIA
Carolyn

 

[Lisa_M]

for $90 I would probably go with the car rental. Only because I would want to pick up water to take in the parks and food for a quick breakfast and or packed lunches. If you have the dining plan, then I would pass on the car and just pay more for bottles of water in the park.

ETA: Last time we rode ME, they picked us up 3 1/2 hours before our flight time, but that was 5 years ago. So I don't know what they do currently.

 

[DisneyScraps]

I would go with the car rental it saves a lot of time waiting for buses.

 

[eliza61]

Car. I hate disney transportation although I hate almost most public transportation.

 

[jedijill]

I just rented a car for my 8 days at WDW last week for $80. It was so nice to have a car...the freedom!!!! I also took a day trip to Sea World, the outlets, and the grocery store to pick up water and snacks. Defiantly worth the money!

Jill in CO

 

[Dagny]

For that price I would definitely rent a car. We were in WDW two weeks ago and used DME and Disney transportation. To say it was horrible would be an understatement. I will never go to Disney without renting a car again.

 

[raven0855]

How are you guys getting such low quotes I just tried for 9/15-9/19 and its $300??

 

[Samandmom]

How are you guys getting such low quotes I just tried for 9/15-9/19 and its $300??

I am wondering the same thing?!?!? I am getting prices of $300-$500 for 6 days. Help!!!

 

[jedijill]

Alamo was running some absolutely great rates for May. I booked with the Alamo Insider's code and Insider's $40 coupon. I started out at over $200 but kept checking every day playing with codes. Best price came about 3 days before I left for Florida. I found a thread on the transportation board for May car rentals that was super helpful.

You are really too far out right now for decent prices for September. Keep checking as you get closer and look for any available codes. Mousesavers.com has a great list of available codes and coupons!

Jill in CO

 

[deerislemaine]

I'm in the minority here, but I love Disney transportation. I wouldn't rent a car if it was free. The ME is so easy, and we've always had great luck with the buses. We stay at either OKW or VWL, but I assume that the buses from the All Star resorts are similar. We ordered our groceries online and had them delivered. Bell services took care of everything. I hate driving at Disney, and it's so easy to just let Disney handle everything.

I understand why others like the freedom, but I like the freedom from having to drive.

 

[Alesia]

I'm in the minority here, but I love Disney transportation. I wouldn't rent a car if it was free. The ME is so easy, and we've always had great luck with the buses. We stay at either OKW or VWL, but I assume that the buses from the All Star resorts are similar. We ordered our groceries online and had them delivered. Bell services took care of everything. I hate driving at Disney, and it's so easy to just let Disney handle everything.

I understand why others like the freedom, but I like the freedom from having to drive.

I agree.

 

[mom of four]

I would rent the car but use disney transportation to Magic Kingdom. The buses drop you off at the entrance, if you take your own vehicle, after you park you have to take the monorail or boat to get to the entrance. Taking the bus saves time.

 

[angierae]

I'm in the minority here, but I love Disney transportation. I wouldn't rent a car if it was free. The ME is so easy, and we've always had great luck with the buses. We stay at either OKW or VWL, but I assume that the buses from the All Star resorts are similar. We ordered our groceries online and had them delivered. Bell services took care of everything. I hate driving at Disney, and it's so easy to just let Disney handle everything.

I understand why others like the freedom, but I like the freedom from having to drive.

ME TOO. I'm from Detroit where public transportation is almost unheard of and it was SO NICE to go away for a week and not have to drive and not have to worry about getting lost. We got a couple of cabs for early morning breakfasts but if we'd rented a car we would have had to take the car to the park and then back to the hotel - with a cab, we just left from the resort where we had breakfast and took a bus to the park.

Sure, it takes time, but I'm on vacation. I'm not going to worry if I spend 20 minutes on a bus, I probably needed the downtime anyway.