Magical Express or Car

[frkymcky]

I am trying to convince my husband all we need is Magical Express on our first trip home. We have always rented a car and I do like the freedom but I just don't want to spend the extra money this time. On that note I have looked at some agencies and found Payless Car Rental - is anyone familiar with this company, how reliable are they? Also any recommendations on trying to talk hubby into skipping the car?? Thanks

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I always used to rent a car. Just had to have it, even though we hardly ever used it. I always stressed over getting back to the airport with enough time to return the car (which always seemed to have a line) and lugging everything over to the terminal. Several trips back, decided to try ME and loved it!!! Now with ME I don't have to worry about that.

 

[RLRDA]

You won't know if you can "get by" without a car until you try it. I would just ask him to keep an open mind and give it try this once. We've never rented a car while staying on Disney property but your family's preferences and habits will help you decide.

Magical Express is so convenient - you say good-bye to your luggage at the airport and it gets delivered to your room later that day (be sure to pack swimsuits or a change of clothes in your carry-on). We've been pleased overall with Disney transportation. You might have to allow extra time to get to ADRs, etc. That might seem like the biggest adjustment. If you're traveling during a busy time (say, April vacation) buses may be crowded and running late - a consideration.

Good luck deciding ~

 

[rsimon]

We went from renting a car, to ME for a few trips, back to renting a car. The real kicker for us was when the ME bus broke down, and the driver didn't have any way to get our luggage out of the bus (we had carry on only). There was only a few people with a key since they are normally operated on air. We of course were not happy standing around waiting (we had no ME tags on these bags as they were carry on).

I also got tired of having to leave for the airport so early before the flight. I can't stand sitting in the AA terminal at MCO. The construction there has been going on forever.

We finally decided it was just not worth using ME anymore and we rent a car and drive to the parks. Mears has really screwed up the busses as far as we are concerned and we are tired of waiting all the time.

 

[plymouthmom]

Having done both I would say use ME for the way from the airport, pick up a car at the Alamo Car Care Center and use it for the rest of the trip.

Getting a car at the airport takes so long and I am fine with the ME from the airport to the resort. I do not like depending on busses in the parks, especially at Saratoga. I LOVE SSR but the 9 million bus stops get old fast. I also hate being at the airport so early on departure day.

Just a thought.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We love ME especially when we have the 3GC because then we/they don't have to deal with car seats.

DH and I usually do have a car at least for church on Sunday and to do the food shopping, but we rent for just a day or two. We use ME and like it. DH would be going to the airport early anyway, he's a great believer in being there in plenty of time. DS and family haven't been there for a whole weekend yet, they usually arrive on Sunday afternoon.

Bobbi

 

[Debi]

I personally prefer renting a car. Having the freedom of coming and going as you please is worth the cost of the car. You don't have to depend on a bus schedule to get you places, and with a car, you have the option of going off site for shopping/dining. Plus, as others have mentioned, you don't have to be at the airport a million hours before your flight. To me, having the flexibility of having a car outweighs the savings Magical Express provides.

 

[mnra]

i tried the me for the first time after 45 trips to disney and just loved it. don;t think i will ever rent a car again.

 

[kellyf2626]

I personally prefer renting a car. Having the freedom of coming and going as you please is worth the cost of the car. You don't have to depend on a bus schedule to get you places, and with a car, you have the option of going off site for shopping/dining. Plus, as others have mentioned, you don't have to be at the airport a million hours before your flight. To me, having the flexibility of having a car outweighs the savings Magical Express provides.

Ditto!!!

We like to stop at Walmart on the way from the aiport to pick-up diapers, wipes, food, water, etc... before checking-in for our trip. We also purchase a seat for our son on the plane and put his carseat in it, so then we have it for the car while we are down there. We are Fastbreak members with Budget Rental, so all we do is swipe our card, get our keys, and go! No waiting in that long line at the airport. I like how at OKW and SSR I can drive and park almost at the door to my room...which is great.

I think it just depends on your needs while you are down there. We are just car people, and usually can find great deals so it's not that much of an added expense.

 

[jpolak]

We always rent a car. We stop at Super Wal-Mart to pick up supplies for the week. Plus we like to go to other resorts for dinner so the car makes it so much easier. As an Emerald Club member with National we just walk outside get the car and leave.

 

[Tara]

Ditto!!!

We like to stop at Walmart on the way from the aiport to pick-up diapers, wipes, food, water, etc... before checking-in for our trip. We also purchase a seat for our son on the plane and put his carseat in it, so then we have it for the car while we are down there. We are Fastbreak members with Budget Rental, so all we do is swipe our card, get our keys, and go! No waiting in that long line at the airport. I like how at OKW and SSR I can drive and park almost at the door to my room...which is great.

I think it just depends on your needs while you are down there. We are just car people, and usually can find great deals so it's not that much of an added expense.

+1

We usually rent from Alamo and use the kiosk, where there is NEVER a line - it's quick and painless. Then we go out to the garage, pick the car we want (we almost always rent a midsize SUV and Alamo stocks Toyota RAV4 vehicles, so we pick a color we'll remember ) and then we're on our way!

We love the convenience, flexibility and frankly, the privacy of our own car! Sometimes after a day at the parks, even I get overstimulated and the thought of getting on a crowded bus is enough to push me over the edge! (I exaggerate. A little.)

Er, I got so caught up in my rental car love that I forgot I'm not helping your situation!

 

[Cheloconnell]

We have done both and once we rented a car will never go back to ME or any other Disney transportation - the bus packed to the brim with people trying to stand hanging on for their lives, smelly people, children crying and fighting - I do not miss the buses around the park, nor ME. It always seems to take longer with ME...waiting, picking up people at different resorts etc..just not for me. Love the freedom to come and go as I want, go to stores offsite, even the Disney Discount shops on International Drive. It is overall a better experience. We also have AAA and get a Diamond pass for excellent parking close to the entrances.

 

[PEANUT1]

We always rent a car...one time we used ME...my husband says "never again" We used it the first week of May last year, so the crowd level was average..not during high season or anything.

The wait for the buses was inconvenient for us, then the waiting for people to bring their motorized wheelchairs costs more time. One trip from our hotel to MGM took over an hour. Also, we waited over an hour at the airport for our bus to leave to go to our hotel. When we rent a car, we do the online check in and just go pick up our car with no line. We also get a AAA diamond parking ticket and can park close to the gates of the parks. Also, I think that ME picks you up too early at your hotel for your flight home.

Just my opinion of course...Payless is fine, we've used them. usually we use Alamo, always get a coupon and the cost is pretty minimal.

 

[disneynutz]

We use DME to get from MCO to WDW and return. Renting at MCO is a higher rate then at a local agency. During our stay we rent a car and stay away from the WDW buses. We like the freedom to go where and when we want. Having a car actually saves us money on food. We can shop off site and there are many local restaurants with better quality food at half the price.

If we do feel like eating at another resort, we can drive to it and save a couple of hours travel time compared to WDW buses with transfers.

 

[oakmanner]

We drive to WDW so we always have our car. Can't imagine not having a car. It's so convienent to go off property for groceries and such.

 

[rsimon]

Having done both I would say use ME for the way from the airport, pick up a car at the Alamo Car Care Center and use it for the rest of the trip.

Getting a car at the airport takes so long and I am fine with the ME from the airport to the resort. I do not like depending on busses in the parks, especially at Saratoga. I LOVE SSR but the 9 million bus stops get old fast. I also hate being at the airport so early on departure day.

Just a thought.

Get on one of the rental car clubs and you can just pick up the car and go.. No waiting.. Hertz Gold has this, National Emerald is our favorite right now as you can pick out your car from the emerald isle and just get in and go. I know the other rental companies have this also.

When we rented from the car rental in the Dolphin we spent a LOT longer than just grabbing our car at the airport. With National, it is located right outside the terminal at MCO so no shuttles like some of the other places.

 

[MEK]

Sign up for ME and then periodically check rental car rates.

I thought DH and I would do ME last trip, but as it turns out we rented a car. I liked it for the following: grocery store trip, driving to CG for ADR, return to airport (HATE leaving so early on ME), and the several trips we made to locate items DH forgot to pack (underwear, socks, bathing suit).

So - if you have a forgetful DH, check his packing before you skip the car!

If you check page 10 of my solo trip report, you will see what I mean!

 

[msp2mco]

My reason for renting a car depends entirely on where we stay. If we are at the Epcot resorts or on the monorail, I wouldn't rent a car; you can get to one or two parks so easily. If you are staying at OKW, SSR, or AKV, I'd want to have a car to have the flexibility to get where you want to go when you want to be there.

On our last trip, we skipped the time-consuming grocery run and opted to use wegoshop instead. I would highly recommend it. We were at the parks when they delivered the groceries, so the resort stored the food in their coolers until we returned. I doubt I'll ever stop for groceries again.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

We went from renting a car, to ME for a few trips, back to renting a car. The real kicker for us was when the ME bus broke down, and the driver didn't have any way to get our luggage out of the bus (we had carry on only). There was only a few people with a key since they are normally operated on air. We of course were not happy standing around waiting (we had no ME tags on these bags as they were carry on).

I also got tired of having to leave for the airport so early before the flight. I can't stand sitting in the AA terminal at MCO. The construction there has been going on forever.

We finally decided it was just not worth using ME anymore and we rent a car and drive to the parks. Mears has really screwed up the busses as far as we are concerned and we are tired of waiting all the time.

We totally agree with your opinion of how poorly Mears is doing. We stopped taking ME when our bus was over an hour late for pick-up to go the airport and once we got on board, the bus driver kept running red lights and told everyone to get off the bus at the first airport stop due to having no air pressure so the brakes were now locked up and wouldn't work.

Worst part was Disney seemed to have no care in the world about the safety issues or the poor service. The response we got from Disney was "You could call a taxi instead but it will cost at least $50".

We now always get a car, the Mears Busses just are not safe.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

If you are still considering ME...this may help convince your DH.

There is an Outback Steakhouse inside the airport. Its not the best Outback, but DH was pretty pumped about it. We had Outback after being dropped off by ME.

It was kind of ironic. We usually stop at Outback in Tallahassee on our drive home.