Need advice--should I really not rent a car?

[raddisneyfan]

Need advice--first time using Magical Express and not renting a car. We will rent a car for 1 day only to go to Universal, but the other 7 days will be at the Disney parks and will be staying the entire week at the BWI. I know I can walk to EP and walk or take the boat to HS. What's I'd like to know is what other resorts share the BWI buses to MK, AK, DTD? Also, is the Boardwalk Inn the first for pick up? Don't want to wait for multiple buses to get to a park--although I am going at a slow time of year--1st week of Feb 2015.

How long to MK from BWI?
How long to AK from BWI?
How long to DTD from BWI?

Anyone out there whose had experience, your wisdom in this regard would be greatly, greatly, greatly appreciated.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Did you try comparing the cost of your one day rental, to a week from the airport?
Sometimes the difference is nominal, considering having the convince for the week.

 

[rwdavis2]

In your case it may or may not make sense since you are so close to 2 parks. We always rent a car. For a grocery stop, driving to'parks, and going to Downtown Disney. As the PP said, comare the costs. Also, it may be less trouble to rent at the airport.

 

[DVC California]

It looks like you recently stayed at the Beach Club. BWI transportation is almost identical. There are typically shared buses with Swan/Dolphin and/or Yacht/Beach to MK, AK, and DTD. This can change throughout the day, especially in the morning when buses are sometime dedicated to a resort "on-demand".

We almost always rent a car, even when staying onsite, for the convenience and freedom it provided. We have driven to DHS and AK and liked being able to keep things in the car if needed or making a stop to Target/Walmart after a park for supplies. The only park we consistently use the bus is MK because it's too much trouble using both the tram from the parking lot AND monorail or ferry.

Steve

 

[supersnoop]

It looks like you recently stayed at the Beach Club. BWI transportation is almost identical. There are typically shared buses with Swan/Dolphin and Yacht/Beach to MK, AK, and DTD, with Boardwalk being the last pick up. This can change throughout the day, especially in the morning when buses are sometime dedicated to a resort "on-demand". I.e. If the bus gets filled up at the Beach Club, they will go directly to the park and a bus will be dispatched to BW. We almost always rent a car, even when staying onsite, for the convenience and freedom it provided. We have driven to DHS and AK and liked being able to keep things in the car if needed or making a stop to Target/Walmart after a park for supplies. The only park we consistently use the bus is MK because it's too much trouble using both the tram from the parking lot AND monorail or ferry. Steve

The Boardwalk was first on the bus route when I stayed there this June. Then it hit the Swan, followed by the Dolphin before heading to the parks.

 

[DVC California]

The Boardwalk was first on the bus route when I stayed there this June. Then it hit the Swan, followed by the Dolphin before heading to the parks.

Thank for the correction, it's been a few years since I stayed there and I was going from that trip.

 

[Zooshoveller]

Need advice--first time using Magical Express and not renting a car. We will rent a car for 1 day only to go to Universal, but the other 7 days will be at the Disney parks and will be staying the entire week at the BWI. I know I can walk to EP and walk or take the boat to HS. What's I'd like to know is what other resorts share the BWI buses to MK, AK, DTD? Also, is the Boardwalk Inn the first for pick up? Don't want to wait for multiple buses to get to a park--although I am going at a slow time of year--1st week of Feb 2015. How long to MK from BWI? How long to AK from BWI? How long to DTD from BWI? Anyone out there whose had experience, your wisdom in this regard would be greatly, greatly, greatly appreciated.

We recently returned from the YC and only shared a bus with BC. We went to MK and AK, it was a ~10 minute ride. We walked to EP and took the boat to HS.

Would it be too much to use a cab for Universal? I've never flown to WDW and/or rented a car so I have no idea if a cab would be less of a hassle.

 

[gojoe]

Need advice--first time using Magical Express and not renting a car. We will rent a car for 1 day only to go to Universal, but the other 7 days will be at the Disney parks and will be staying the entire week at the BWI. I know I can walk to EP and walk or take the boat to HS. What's I'd like to know is what other resorts share the BWI buses to MK, AK, DTD? Also, is the Boardwalk Inn the first for pick up? Don't want to wait for multiple buses to get to a park--although I am going at a slow time of year--1st week of Feb 2015.

How long to MK from BWI?
How long to AK from BWI?
How long to DTD from BWI?

Anyone out there whose had experience, your wisdom in this regard would be greatly, greatly, greatly appreciated.

This is our home resort. We alway use ME and rent a car next door at Dolphin (or is it Swan). They open at 8:00 and you can drop it off anytime with the valet. As for the busses. We were always the first pick up but the last drop off. If were in a hurry we get off at the Dolphin (or is the Swan) and walk over. We've never had any problems with the busses. Don't forget the plus of walking to Epcot and Hollywood, that's 2 less park you'll have to wait. Have a great week

 

[raddisneyfan]

Sorry, it's been a busy week and I haven't had a chance to thank everyone for their responses. I think we will stick to our plan of doing ME and the Disney buses and then rent a car at the Dolphin for the one day for Universal. At first, I was worried about the access to resort restaurants, but then we are staying at EPCOT and have access to 4 other resorts and the World Showcase. And, if we go to the Magic Kingdom, it's easy access to the restaurants at the Monorail Resorts and WL. The only sad thing will be we won't have easy access to AKL for meals--I love AKL's restaurants--to me, as far as resort restaurants go, favorites are selection at AKL and CR (can't afford most of the restaurants at GF). At least, the plan is for the next stay to be at AKL, possibly next December! Again,

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't see that you've run the numbers. Check out the costs for your trip for renting from the airport and keeping it all week, renting it onsite and keeping it all week, etc etc. Worth knowing!

I would rent a car. I can't stand being limited to disney transportation.