ME vs Car Rental during low attendance times

[kaetra]

We're visiting during one of the slowest weeks of the year. I was unable to get my normal "early flight in"/"late flight out" configuration so we're not arriving at MCO until 4:30pm. ALSO we frequently travel during low attendance WDW times and they never seem to have enough park transport buses for POP on our past trips (possibly because of the lighter crowds).

I purchased MVMCP tickets for our arrival day and I really want to get to the park ASAP after arrival. Also, with our 3:30pm flight out, ME will give us a departure time of about 12:30pm on our last day.

I can get a fairly good deal on a rental car (approx. $180) for the entire week at National. I've always used ME but I'm seriously considering a rental for that week because of the late in/early out and the long waits for POP/Park transportation we've experienced in the past.

So, theoretically, not only would a rental car save us a couple hours on arrival/departure - but it would seem a rental would be more convenient for getting to/from parks as well during low attendance times.

Thoughts?

 

[DebbieB]

We're visiting during one of the slowest weeks of the year. I was unable to get my normal "early flight in"/"late flight out" configuration so we're not arriving at MCO until 4:30pm.

I purchased MVMCP tickets for our arrival day and I really want to get to the park ASAP after arrival. Also, with our 3:30pm flight out, ME will give us a departure time of about 12:30pm on our last day.

I can get a fairly good deal on a rental car (approx. $180) for the entire week at National. I've always used ME but I'm seriously considering a rental for that week because of the late in/early out. ALSO we frequently travel during low attendance WDW times and I've noticed they never seem to have enough park transport buses for POP on our past trips (possibly because of the lighter crowds).

So, theoretically, not only would a rental car save us a couple hours on arrival/departure - but it would seem a rental would be more convenient for getting to/from parks as well during low attendance times.

Thoughts?

It's risky doing a party on your arrival day, especially with a later flight. If your flight is a couple hours late, you are going to miss a good part of the party. I usually get a car, it's nice to be able to go offsite to the outlets or grocery shopping. If I was staying at an all bus resort, I would definitely get a car.

 

[kaetra]

Thanks, I am really leaning that way. It would be nice to try it once anyway, to see for myself if it works better for us

 

[siskaren]

Renting a car might not save time when you arrive though. Since you're not using ME, you'll have to go to baggage claim and wait for your luggage (and I don't know about you, but I always seem to see other people's luggage go around the carousel multiple times before I finally see mine), but you'll also have to spend time at the rental counter.

Also, it seems like a lot of people think that getting picked up at the resort 3 hours before the flight leaves is too early, but it really isn't. It's recommended that you arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight is due to leave, and personally, I'd rather spend time waiting at the gate then worrying that I'm not going to make it there in time. If nothing else, you could spend some of that time eating lunch at the airport.

 

[wdwrich]

If you join National's Emerald Club, you can skip the counter and go right to the lot and choose a vehicle (you must reserve mid-size). That will save you some time.

We've done WDW vacations both with and without a rental car, and at varying times of the year. We always get a rental now. Our experience is that you get to/from EPCOT, DHS and AK quicker in your own vehicle. With MK, we timed it and it was a virtual tie between driving ourselves and taking the resort bus. At park closing, it sure is nice to have your own vehicle versus standing in a packed bus with tons of hot, stinky, tired and grumpy others.

The biggest benefit to having a vehicle is resort to resort travel in the evenings. Using Disney transportation after the parks close can take forever when transferring at DTD.

 

[kaetra]

If you join National's Emerald Club, you can skip the counter and go right to the lot and choose a vehicle (you must reserve mid-size). That will save you some time.

Yep, I'm an Emerald Club member. The Emerald Isle has always been super fast!

 

[kaetra]

Have any other frequent low-attendance period visitors felt the Disney bus service is short on park-to-resort buses during those times? The last two trips we waited for a very long time for buses every time we needed one. Both at POP and at the Parks.

It would also be nice to be able to easily venture off property if we feel like it. This is our 5th trip in 3 years so I'm ready to take a break from the Park Commando strategy

 

[skriegerjr]

Thanks, I am really leaning that way. It would be nice to try it once anyway, to see for myself if it works better for us

One of the main advantages of having a car, is being able to drive in the morning to the park you are visiting, take a bus back to your resort for an afternoon swim, then take a bus back to the park for the evening, then at end of the night, as the crowds pile up for the bus, you hop in your car, and head back to your resort in minutes, rather than hour or more long waits for the bus!

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Thanks, I am really leaning that way. It would be nice to try it once anyway, to see for myself if it works better for us

We always rent a car, even if one family like me, the dil and grandkids take ME and the men folk get the car.
Love the convince and flexibility to travel at will not waiting or a bus. Especially eating off site, stopping for water and drinks, and especially for emergency. One trip we had a pediatric dental emergency with trip to there and antibiotic, another dh had terrible head cold come on so a run off site to Walgreens.

We really have found extremely low rates, if not we would consider just sticking with ME, but it would really have to be outrageous rates.

 

[kaetra]

One of the main advantages of having a car, is being able to drive in the morning to the park you are visiting, take a bus back to your resort for an afternoon swim, then take a bus back to the park for the evening, then at end of the night, as the crowds pile up for the bus, you hop in your car, and had back to your resort in minutes, rather than hour or more long waits for the bus!

This just completely sold me on getting the car. Thank you!

 

[letsgoreds]

Sincerely, there is nothing better than being able to walk to your car and drive home...vs. the wait for busses

Is that our bus....
Nope
Is that our bus...
Nope
Are we going to all fit...
Nope

Plus we still have a stroller...so easy just to throw it in the back.

We hop, so use the car all day. Often when we come back at night, especially at Epcot, we have been allowed to fill in the empty spots up front.

 

[skriegerjr]

This just completely sold me on getting the car. Thank you!

Sure thing! That's what we're all here for! In the past, my wife hasn't been big on flying so, we drove our own car. She's been flying more recently, twice for work, and we flew on a vacation in August, so she's warming up to it, so we decided to try flying for this trip in 6 days, and, thankfully, that allows us 2 more days at Disney! WOOHOO! 2.5 hr direct flight, vs 2 days in the car each way!

I'll be the first to admit, however, that I will miss the freedom having our own car will give us, but, I guess the extra time on vacation will be the trade off!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[kaetra]

Is that our bus....
Nope
Is that our bus...
Nope
Are we going to all fit...
Nope

^This!! This is exactly what I want to avoid

 

[rwdavis2]

Rent the car. You won't regret it. In all the trips (see below) I have ridden 1 WDW bus.

 

[kaetra]

I rented the car today. Can't wait to use it!

 

[carmie3377]

We just arrived home after NOT having a car. We have had a car our prior 2 trips and it totally spoiled me. We have decided that we will always now rent a car if flying in. Once, we were waiting on HS bus when 4 AK buses pulled in. Then, when trying to get to another resort, oh my, that's another story! Just wish we could use ME for bags even when renting car

 

[wdwrich]

We just arrived home after NOT having a car. We have had a car our prior 2 trips and it totally spoiled me. We have decided that we will always now rent a car if flying in. Once, we were waiting on HS bus when 4 AK buses pulled in. Then, when trying to get to another resort, oh my, that's another story! Just wish we could use ME for bags even when renting car

You may be able to do this. Check out this sticky: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2015788

They are other work-arounds such as having one person in your party get/drive the rental car to WDW while the others ride DME, or all ride DWE and rent the car on-property once you get to WDW.