Need Advice...Debating Whether to Rent?

[shaycamp21]

From what I have read and researched it sure seems as if Disney Transportation is not very efficient. We have a number of AR's at various resorts throughout our stay plus wanting to make it to the theme parks early (will we be dishing out a lot of $$ for cab fare?).
It sounds like a 10 minute drive somewhere on WDW property is going to take up to 90 minutes using the Disney buses (we are staying at POFQ in Aug).

Is it really worth it to rent a vehicle for a week? Can someone tell me the average cost for a week's rental (no insurance needed as its covered through our credit card), just a basic midsized or even a small car since we do not plan to go off property? And which company is recommended.

Thanks

 

[grimley1968]

I wouldn't say you have a 90-minute commute to anywhere, except at park closing if you're going to the complete other end of WDW, or if you're switching transport modes throughout the trip, such as bus-to-monorail, etc. I've never had that much problem using Disney transportation, myself. Budget about 45 minutes to arrive at a resort from the time you get in line at the bus stops at the parks, except at park closing, which I'd budget an hour for. I think you'd usually beat that, but it doesn't hurt to be safe. If it was me, I wouldn't rent a car, if the only real reason you're getting it is to be able to arrive at multiple ADR's at various resorts. If you want to make it to the parks early, just hop on the bus at the resort. They run plenty early enough for the morning EMH.

If you're worried about commute times, you might consider upgrading to a Deluxe, instead of shelling out $$$ for a rental car. I wouldn't be surprised if the difference is about the same. Most of the Deluxes, except for AKL, have non-bus transportation or are walking distance to at least one park, and they are usually within a very quick commute to other nearby resorts.

I like having my own vehicle there, but then, we normally drive down, and don't have to pay for a rental car. The times we've flown, I prefer just to let Disney do the driving for me. I've just never found paying for a rental car worth the hassle of dealing with the trams, the long walks to the resorts, etc.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've never rented a car at WDW, but I've used Disney Transport all 3 times and I've been very happy. I don't find the transportation inefficient at all. Yes, you may have to wait 10-15 minutes for a bus. But it's NEVER going to take you 90 minutes to get from ANY resort to ANY theme park. When I went in May, we ONCE waited 25 minutes for an MK bus, and we were very annoyed and were wondering what was wrong that we were waiting so long.

The bus waiting areas are always shaded. The buses always have the air conditioning on.

I imagine a car sitting in a lot for hours will get very hot inside. Not to mention getting to the car. And then dealing with traffic (rather than having the bus driver deal with it while you sit and relax). And then following driving directions in a strange place. And then waiting in line at the parking area "toll booth." The only long walk I had for a bus stop was at Epcot.

And at MK, there is no lot at the park. Inside the lot you take a tram to the TTC, and from there you take either a monorail or a ferry.

You'll choose what's best for you, but don't believe any generic horror stories about how "inefficient" Disney Transport is. I spent the first 32 years of my life in two big cities -- I KNOW what inefficient public transportation is, and Disney Transport isn't it.

-- Eric

 

[Chicago526]

I agree with CleveRocks 100%. I love Disney transportation and would never rent a car. That said, there are plently of people here who LOVE having a car while at WDW. I find that most of these don't spend 10 to 12 hours a day in the Disney parks, they tend to visit other resorts and spend a lot of time dining or going off-resort to other theme parks or other area attractions.

If I were you, I'd not rent a car and use Disney transport for the parks, and either Disney transport for your meals or take a cab. All the resorts always have cabs waiting (that I've ever seen, anyway) and it's usually very cheap. If you did one cab a day, I bet you'd still be paying less than a rental for your whole stay. This way you get the best of both worlds, Disney transport to the parks, and conveinant door-to-door cabs at your own schedule to your meals or other resort-based events (you won't have to try to find parking at the resorts, which at certain ones -like the GF- can REALLY be challenge).

If you really want to rent a car, I recomend that you don't use the car to go to MK. Use the resort transportation. It's always faster, no mater what. The other three parks aren't as bad for having your own car, but MK is the pits.

 

[WOODY13]

I always rent a car. I like to go where I want when I want. That said I have heard mostly good things about Disney Transportation. One thing to consider is the buses don't run from resort to resort you have to change buses. Example: If you want to go from POR to GF you need to take a bus to Downtown Disney get off at Pleasure Island then transfer to a bus marked GF. I know a lot of people who don't mind the time it takes but I just don't have any patience.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Well, as far as efficient transportation goes, Disney works better than Boston's system (not bad, just antiquated in places) and likely better than Toronto's system (tho I haven;t ridden TO's system in a few years, it used to work great). Disney's equipment is new and/or well maintained, the roads are good and not very crowded; plus buses get special access many places you are not allowed to drive or park.

As far as getting from point-to-point, most places I'd do Disney Transport any day. Some of the farther out stuff, like the water parks, Downtown Disney or the other resorts, you will want a car. For example, dining at Boma or Jiko at AKL? it's a drive. But for getting to the parks, its pretty much a straight shot from resort to park. Plus the buses drop you right at the park entrance, compared to parking and having to take a tram to the gate. MK is definately a Disney Transport place to go, since the far parking seems like its almost in Georgia, then you take the tram to the Monorail or Ferry boat, then finally to the park entrance. No thx!

And despite what Disney Dining tells you, you can count on Disney Transportation for early ADRs. Just ask our pal Chip 'n Dale Express, our resident purple pants wearing Disney bus driver.

As for an average rental price, it depends on when you go and what type of car you want. In mid-January if I've been watching the prices every week or so, it becomes a very attractive option. Over school vacation weeks and other popular times, it gets really pricy (you know, supply and demand, and all that).

It's nice having a car, but far from necessary. Good luck!

 

[Vavasmon]

We have been 4 times and relied on Disney Transport 100% of the time. We also dine in many resorts, play mini-golf, and go to the water parks. We have never taken 90 minutes to get from point a to point B. The longest I can remember was about 45. Also, are worried about a very early AR you may want a cab (since I read somewhere the character breakfast bus no longer runs). We were always at park opening without any problem using the bus - ask aither a driver or the bus dispatcher (if you stop has 1 ) what time the bus starts running the next day. Many times Disney dispatched another bus when 1 was full.

If you do get a car be sure to consider time to get into the lot (the lines at the toll booths can be very long), time to park, and the time to reach the main gate. Disney buses drop you off near the gate at all the parks. There can also be a back-up coming back into the resort lot. Some of the resorts have very limited parking for people with ARs (to discourage people from parking for free). Several times last August the bus driver took unusual routes to avoid huge traffic jams at closing - you may get stuck in one of those.

One of the best ways to get to a resort is go to the nearest park and walk
or use a boat.

For the Contemporary - MK and walk, the resort Monorail, or take the resort launch For the Grand Floridian - MK and walk or take the resort launch.
For the Poly - MK and take the resort launch, or any transportation to the TTC (it is a very short walk).

For Wilderness Lodge or Hoop De Doo - MK and take the resort launch

For Beach Club/Yacht - Walk through the International Gate way (ticket required) and take either the Boat or walk.

The Swan/Dolphin can be reached via the IG and boat (it is a longer walk but can be done).

For the AKL you have no choice but to take a bus (transfer at PI or any park)

 

[shaycamp21]

Thanks everyone for setting me straight. I guess I'll been reading too many horror story posts. I guess we can always get a cab for our Boma AR and probably for Olivias too.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Let me jump in for the for the "car" group. Gives us so much more flexability. For instance our first day. Lunch at DD, then minigolf at Winter/Summerland, then back to OKW for a swim, then dinner at the Grand Floridian. Try that using Disney Transportation!! Can be done, but would take a WHOLE lot of time.
Rent a car---.

 

[DiscussDisney]

Another rent-a-car fan here. I do agree that taking the bus to the MK is best (most of the time), but overall a car offers much more flexibility than the a bus. We usually take a day or two to go to UO & IOA and visit the Disney factory outlets. Our DD4 usually gets nice 15 minute naps if we go from place to place. It really re-energizes her.

 

[DebbieB]

We always rent a car. I just don't have patience for waiting for busses and then being jammed in like a cattle car. I can usually get a weekly rental with National for around $100-$120. We go during quiet times, early May and early December, so rental prices are low.

 

[JoyG]

I don't know if we're going to get a car or not in late august, but I have one reserved with Thrifty (midsize) for 8 days at $162.80.


I don't know if we should use it though. Family includes DH, Me, ds 5, ds 5, ds2.

We want to leave parks to do naps in the afternoon so I thought the car would maximize our time there.

But we'll be doing MK for two days and you all are saying we shouldn't drive there?

Also, we'll be doing Donalds BK at AK and I think I read that you have to take the bus to that one, b/c the parking lot doesn't open early enough?

So that's three days out of 8 that I'd need Disney transportation anyway...

DH hates getting up early and doesn't think we really need to be at the parks at opening...boy is he in for a rude awakening!

But I thought if we had a car it would be easier for him, he could use the minutes we'd be outside waiting for a bus as a few extra minutes of sleep.

So I don't know. I'm still up in the air wondering if we'll actually pick up the rental...but I have it reserved either way.

 

[OzFan]

I just rented a car from Avis for our September trip. I got a midsize for 4 days for a grand total of 71.63. I am nervous about staying at the ASMo. I stayed at the POP in Feb and the busses were HORRIBLE. They were always crowded and we had to wait for the next bus several times, and no it wasn't park closings or early entry times. It's just my husband and myself so I figure we can go offsite and do some shopping for Christmas. This is my first time renting a car, Disney Transportation is a very good system and yes you could use only the Disney Busses, it just takes some planning. Just my $.02 worth.