Off Property Without a Car--Is It Even Possible?

[lotus14]

We split up into smaller groups and we all left the parks on different schedules, so it would have been hard for us to rent a car and still leave at different times.

Good point. If we had a rental car, we'd likely stay at a condo where there wouldn't be the option of a shuttle at all. If one person had to leave the park early, it would leave the rest of us stranded til they came back. I'm sure a taxi isn't cheap either.

On the other hand, being able to leave the park quickly is also a very nice thing ESPECIALLY after not standing in a line for the bus. We stayed end of August 2009 with the 5 of us on property (DD was under 3) and while the bus was nice, waiting in the heat for the bus was not that fun....and the wondering when the bus was going to come. Are we going to make it to rope drop or not? Why is that the second AK bus when I still haven't seen a HS bus, that kind of thing.

Lots of good things to think about. The more I research, the more I love the condo idea. Very good rates through vacationcentralflorida.com at Windsor Hills but that would leave us with no option of shuttle. I think we're leaning toward that unless Disney comes up with free dining during our stay. I don't mind a little inconvenience of the buses coming every half hour at an off site hotel. We'll have to do some more price comparing.

 

[TwistGrl101]

I have a friend who stayed at Floridays and had no problems with their shuttle service...but now that I am reading all of these nightmares, I think I will stick to staying ON property.

Even if we DO rent a car, wouldn't the parking be a pain?? It must be like a mile walk to the parks!

 

[shalom]

On the other hand, being able to leave the park quickly is also a very nice thing ESPECIALLY after not standing in a line for the bus. We stayed end of August 2009 with the 5 of us on property (DD was under 3) and while the bus was nice, waiting in the heat for the bus was not that fun....and the wondering when the bus was going to come. Are we going to make it to rope drop or not? Why is that the second AK bus when I still haven't seen a HS bus, that kind of thing.

Not a fan of buses for all these reasons. And more!

I have a friend who stayed at Floridays and had no problems with their shuttle service...

I think it's a personality thing. I wouldn't be happy with most shuttle services because they don't run when I want to go. They do run when eldest son wants them, so when our family goes, I'll be driving and eldest son will be taking the shuttles. Everyone else will have to decide which schedule they want; the shuttle schedule, or mine.

And some places have a lot more shuttles than others. I think Floridays has a really basic morning-and-evening one, or at least they did when I tracked a schedule down, while Wyndham Bonnet Creek has a lot more options (still a big gap in the early afternoon, though).

wouldn't the parking be a pain?? It must be like a mile walk to the parks!

The parks have trams so you don't have to walk that far (and if you get there for rope drop you can park pretty close). I think the Disney resorts are more of a pain for drivers than the parks. No trams for the resort parking lots, and some of the resorts have ponds between the resort and the parking lot, so even the closest spots are a mile out there. Aside from Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, where you can get pretty close to your unit, that's one advantage the off site resorts have for drivers -- the parking's closer.

 

[tink2dw]

You have a large family and not all of you are flying in at the same time, Right?

Quick answer, rent 2 smaller cars, no one is stuck, costs less than a large Van, and if you still need to use the shuttle you can. Drive in very early well before rope drop then your cars will be closest to the parks!!

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

We rented a van for the week this past May from Alamo for $120. It had 6K miles on it, and was great and a must-have---there were 7 of us. Don't forget, however, to factor in $14/day x 7, plus a gas fill-up of about $75. Total car expense for us was about $300.

Getting from the airport using Mears was $40 one way for 2 people-college students with no money-lol. I looked into it because there were 2 in our group that came in on a later plane. We waited for them in the cell-phone lot instead.

Would not do off-site without a car. For the record, we always stay at Windsor Hills.

 

[chloe4ever]

I think it depends on your personality and where you are from. For some the concept of crowds, public transportation, squeezing into crowded spaces is just too much. I'm from NYC, and this is my every day life--no big deal. I have seen tourists freak out over this. What, I have to share a table?! This is America--I want my own super-sized table!

I'm use to being tired and then going on a bus or a train and dealing with more people. People say from the midwest would be lost without their cars.

I have done Disney without a car. No big deal on my end. Just get in line for the shuttle, wait, cram yourself in (you may have to, wait for it....stand! ) and go along for the ride.

 

[Upatnoon]

Traveling August 2012 with DH, DD5, DD8, and MiL and trying to figure out our costs now. We've always stayed on property, but now that we have 5 with us, Disney is making that very difficult.

We've looked at Florida Sun Vacation Homes and that looks like a good option. However, we'd really like to go without renting a car. We are too far to drive to FL and saving money is very important. I see that many off property hotels offer shuttle, but are they any good? Downtown Disney hotels seem to have a better shuttle...Will they get me there before rope drop or will we have to wait for many buses to go by before we get on one?

If we're not renting a car, we'd like to be within walking distance of a place to get groceries....even a convenience store as all we'd need is water, milk, and cereal. Is there anything that fits that bill at $100-$125 per night or are we fooling ourselves?

Wyndham Bonnet Creek is the only place I would consider without a car and I highly recommend it for your family. You should have no trouble getting a 2 BR for $125 a night or less.

Still, you would need transportation from the airport to the resort. While you can have food delivered, it is still cheaper to pick it up yourself if you have a car. And if you forget something, you can easily go and pick it up.

Do you plan to eat out for any sit-down dinners? If you eat a couple off-site, you can save a bundle.

In the end, having a car will make your life easier and will likely save you money. The expense of a rental car is tiny compared to the cost of airline tickets, disney tickets, disney food and lodging. Those are the places you need to try to cut. For example, if you drive instead of fly from Michigan, you will likely save more than $1,000.

 

[Brian Noble]

Is it possible? I suppose so. Would I ever do it? Not in a million years. If that meant I had to defer my trip a little while to save up more, that's what I would do.

Remember also that you have to somehow get from the airport to your hotel and back; you either have to pay someone to drive you, or you have to rent a car. And, once you've paid for transfers, the extra cost of the car is pretty small compared to the flexibility it gives you.

 

[Detailor]

I agree with Mr. Noble.

In fact, I wouldn't stay on-site without a car either.

Just as with other aspects of a trip, finding a car rental at a good price takes some work but it's worth the effort when you find a great price that makes it a relatively minimal expense. And it really is easy to get around when driving in Orlando and within Disney.

Dick Taylor

 

[earthfaries]

It would be very difficult to be off property without a car. Yes a lot of hotels offer a shuttle but they run only at certain times ~ and it may be hard to get to a park before opening.

I really suggest renting a car ~ it will make your trip experience much better.

Good luck!