Magical Express or Car

[jaurban]

Car for any trip longer than three days - so you have freedom to go where and when you want, and for going to other resorts and DTD. Opposite of a previous poster, I want the kids in the car seats, so don't like the idea of a bus with no restraints for them. Also, like to know I have my luggage and don't have to wait for it to arrive in my room. In my opinion, except for walking to Epcot, HS from the resorts nearby, or being on a monorail resort for MK/Epcot (or the bus to MK from WL) a car is faster, there for you when you want it, and no sharing - so everyone gets a seat. For persepctive, I take public transportation to work every day and really don't need to do it on vacation. Those who always drive may feel differently.

But, if I were just going to MK/Epcot and was on the monorail, and not planning on going to other non-monorail resorts for dinner, etc..., I might skip the car. Perhaps take ME to the resort, but maybe a cab or town car back - to avoid the over early arrival at MCO.

 

[mnra]

I always rented until this last time. I didn;t rent since for a compact they wanted over 300 for 5 days and this was a special. I agree if you stay at boardwalk area like I did or even at blt in the future. that car rental might not be needed. the only time I wish I had it was going to downtown disney seemed like it took forever to get back to hotel. I am also a member of emerald club and I am curious what kind of rates people are getting on cars.

thanks

 

[jarestel]

It pretty much boils down to cost vs convenience. It saving $$$ is the prime objective, or if driving in unfamiliar areas is stressful, DME is a no-brainer.

I prefer the convenience of having the vehicle available. I tried DME once just for the experience, but never had any real intention of giving up my car!

 

[Dillon]

We look forward to the ME experience! We hsve never had a problem. We love the luggage handling part at MCO.

The busses have never been a problem for us. Yes we have had the bus that was crouded, or the bus that was slow, or watched as four (4) MK busses arrived and not one for our destination. But we have great luck with using the busses more than the occational "bus situation". They are what they are, but we plan accordingly.

We also use as much of the Boats and monirail as possible, and have had great experiences.

It is all in how you plan to attack Disney. Full commando or laid back, and at vacation pace. DiznyDi and I choose the latter.

 

[Cricket2]

I'm a control freak, I MUST have a car.

 

[ekball]

We look forward to the ME experience! We hsve never had a problem. We love the luggage handling part at MCO.

It is all in how you plan to attack Disney. Full commando or laid back, and at vacation pace. DiznyDi and I choose the latter.

ITA! We have always looked forward to NOT having to handle our own luggage, and especially NOT having to drive ourselves around for a week! It's part of the vacation for us and we really do love leaving all of that to Disney. We also know that there's always a cab we can call, if necessary, but we've only done that once when we wanted more time at the pool before an ADR.

ETA - we have always (knock on wood) had good luck with ME. Never a long wait in line to check in, minimal wait to get on the bus to resort, no issues at all. I'd like to think it's the norm? Hope that continues!

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

It pretty much boils down to cost vs convenience. It saving $$$ is the prime objective, or if driving in unfamiliar areas is stressful, DME is a no-brainer.

I prefer the convenience of having the vehicle available. I tried DME once just for the experience, but never had any real intention of giving up my car!

Having a car and being able to eat off-site can more than pay for the cost of the car. A family of three or four can eat a great meal at one fo the many off-site locations and conservatively save $40-80 for a single family dinner.

One example is dinner at steak place at SSR cost us $235 + tip last trip and the food was so so. Dinner at off-site steak restuarant on that same trip cost us $125 + tip for three adults and a toddler (1 1/32 yrs old). We each had one drink at each location, split two appetizers and a dinner.

Even if your family does not eat that much or likes a more casual dinning experience, the off-site buffets and pizza or Chinese places are not the Disney $30+/person number, they are $10-15/person. So for a family of 3 or 4 you would still save at least $45-60 each meal.

A car does not cost $100 a day, usually you can get one for well under $50 a day.
We also think the food off-site is lately much better than most on site locations. We do always enjoy at least one or two on-site dinners (many times more than two) during our stay and the car makes it very nice to get to those locations without having to go to the transportation center and switch to another bus or monorail or boat to get to dinner. Just try getting to the Hoop De Do from AKV by disney transport.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Dh and I decided to use ME on our last trip home. ABSOLUTELY NEVER AGAIN!! We couldn't believe the line. There floor was littered with passengers waiting...for those in line to check-in. You had kids running and screaming, some were crying.... It was an estimated 45-60 wait. DH said "No WAY." We hailed a cab. Maybe, that was unusual, but we're not taking the chance that it's the norm.

 

[Callalily6]

We have done Mears, limo, our car, and on the last trip, we had a rental car. I am NEVER renting a car again. It cost 3x as much money as Alamo was pulling some bait and switch kinda stuff at the counter. Everyone looked like they wanted to kill the clerks. No wonder why. They had rented a bunch of cars @ $110 for a week and then didnt have any, so they upsold everyone to a HUGE car. Not cool. I filed a complaint when we got back. What an unmagical way to star a vacation.

My favorite thing to do is to get a town car or limo, have them stop at the grocery, and then drop us at our resort. Way easy, no waiting, no bait & switch stuff, and you pay exactly what they quoted.

Then we use WDW transportation there. The only time I would want my own car is when staying at Value resorts as their buses are always horribly full. The buses to the DVC properties are always great.

 

[ekball]

My favorite thing to do is to get a town car or limo, have them stop at the grocery, and then drop us at our resort. Way easy, no waiting, no bait & switch stuff, and you pay exactly what they quoted.

Can I ask who you recommend?

 

[Callalily6]

Can I ask who you recommend?

Happy Limo. Mousesavers had a discount code. I used them several times - always great.

 

[janni518]

We always do ME, it's part of our vacation experienc and so far we have never had an unpleasant experience. We don't usually go offsite and aren't going to be doing much cooking in a studio.

I can see a change if our vacationing style changes, and I'm open to that, but at the moment ME suits our needs.

 

[BigDogMom7]

We used a town car service the last two trips and were very happy. My DH is also a control freak, but he hates driving in unfamiliar places and this was a good compromise for us. The driver was waiting at baggage claim with a sign with our names, we got the grocery stop on the way to BCV, and they got us back to MCO right when we wanted. Am planning on using them again in May - less than 90 days away! Once we get to BCV, we don't drive anywhere, but walk to Epcot, use the Friendships to DHS, and the bus to MK and AK. Not thinking about driving anywhere is part of what we look forward to on our vacation.

 

[jarestel]

Having a car and being able to eat off-site can more than pay for the cost of the car. A family of three or four can eat a great meal at one fo the many off-site locations and conservatively save $40-80 for a single family dinner.

Sure, I agree with all of your points, if you are inclined to venture off-property and if you are willing to put in the time and effort to make your rental car pay for itself. Too much planning for my taste, but whatever works for you & your crew is the best way... for you!

As I said before, I rent the car for convenience. If it saves money great, if it just sits in the hotel parking lot until the return trip to the airport, that's fine as well.

 

[rsimon]

We look forward to the ME experience! We hsve never had a problem. We love the luggage handling part at MCO.

The busses have never been a problem for us. Yes we have had the bus that was crouded, or the bus that was slow, or watched as four (4) MK busses arrived and not one for our destination. But we have great luck with using the busses more than the occational "bus situation". They are what they are, but we plan accordingly.
We also use as much of the Boats and monirail as possible, and have had great experiences.

It is all in how you plan to attack Disney. Full commando or laid back, and at vacation pace. DiznyDi and I choose the latter.

Life is too short and vacation time is too valuable IMO to spend the hours waiting during a 1 week vacation. It is amazing the amount of time you have to build into your planning for waiting. Even if I park way out from the entrance, it is faster than the busses and at least we know we have a ride when we decide we need to leave for an ADR and we can plan for exactly how long it will take.

 

[Pattyanne08]

DVC'r for 10 yrs.After renting it once for a week and never using it, we NEVER rented a car again UNLESS we wanted to make a one day trip off the property to the ocean or ANOTHER SPOT FOR A DAY AND WE WOULD HIT THE grocery store, etc....and we made that the same day! Why spend extra money on a car AND Kept it simple!

 

[frkymcky]

Thank you all for your feedback. I think I may be leaning towards the car rental but I am still thinking about it. But don't tell my husband, he may win this fight afterall!!

 

[Pattyanne08]

Well, it certainly makes sense to rent a car if you are going to be leaving Disney area for a few days. otherwise, don't waste your money cause you WILL be!

 

[Pattyanne08]

Couple other things:
Been a DVC'r for 10 yrs, I have had GREAT luck with the buses! The kids love to take them, it makes it park of the experience and it is usually quicker than the car ! Also, eating the the parks (unlike what I seem to be hearing) is not more expensive than out of the parks unless you live on mcDonalds! Anyway, I'm just trying to help, as i had to make these decisions before myself!
Have fun! PS if you want to rent a car for just a day or 2, you can do so right on the Disney property!