OKW and renting a car

[halekai64]

We have our first trip to WDW as DVC owners booked for 5 nights (sun thru thurs) at OKW. We have two active 4 1/2 year old twins. We're inviting my DH's sister and her 12 yr old daughter to come with us to watch the kids
at night while DH and I go to Pleasure Island.

We are signed up for the ME to/from the airport so I was planning on
avoiding the expense of a car. Our three big destinations will be
Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Pleasure Island at DTD.

I've been reading alot and getting mixed messages about whether we'll
be happy not renting a car. Here's three pieces of data I want to
check as fact. Are these statements true?

1. It's better to take a bus to MK because it brings you right to the
turnstiles rather than the TTC which will save you hte time and inconvience of having to wait in lines for the monorail.

2. There is a boat from OKW to DTD so it should be better than
driving.

3. The OKW Disney bus transportation is sub-standard (Unoffical guide)

Hoping you all can help me decide on the car!

thanks,

Lauren

 

[Chuck S]

The OKW bus system is not sub-standard, it is on par with other WDW resorts. While we usually do have car, due mainly to the fact that we also do off-site grocery shopping and sightseeing, we ALWAYS take a bus to MK and the boat to DtD. The busses are fine. OKW doesn't share busses with other resorts, like BWV and BCV, but OKW is a large resort with 5 internal stops...it takes awhile to make all of those stops.

 

[kellyf2626]

Hi there! I think a lot of the info you have is correct.....

1. It's better to take a bus to MK because it brings you right to the
turnstiles rather than the TTC which will save you hte time and inconvience of having to wait in lines for the monorail. I, personally, agree with this one. If you drive, you have to take the tram in from the parking lot, and then take the monorail or boat over to the MK. So, taking the bus cuts out a step!

2. There is a boat from OKW to DTD so it should be better than
driving. We have never used the boat to go to DTD, but I think I do remember seeing this at OKW. Check on the frequency of the trips. We always have used the bus to get there.

3. The OKW Disney bus transportation is sub-standard (Unoffical guide) We have never had any problems using the buses...and have never had a bad experience waiting a long time for one to come. But, I will say that they are time consuming. OKW has many bus stops due to the size of the resort. Also, the resort is spread out so much that you may have to take the bus to get to the "central" area (pool, shops, restaurant, lobby, etc...) or walk quite a distance (depending on where your room is).

First let me say, you can have an enjoyable time without a car. It is really not a necessity when staying on property, which is really nice. But...DH and I usually rent a car when we go down. We do this b/c we like having the option to go off Disney property, and we also eat at many of the different restaurants at the different Disney resorts. Getting to the different resorts using Disney transportation can be somewhat of a hassle, so we like having the car. Also - at OKW - it is really nice b/c you can park right in front of your room!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[flexsmom]

We have stayed at BCV and OKW. DH, who is not a Disney lover and a reluctant DVC owner, said he would gladly stay at BCV without a car but would never stay at OKW without one. That said, he admits it is largely because we spent a lof time at the OKW main pool and transited up to the community hall a lot had had a 6-yr old and a 2-yr old and we didn't want to wait for a shuttle. We were very hit or miss with the busses at OKW. One morning we waited 10 minutes, the next 45. Same thing at the parks waiting to get back. I wouldn't say that's any different from any of the DVC resorts, though. But we could walk everywhere easily on-site at BCV and with OKW that's not the case. So, long story short, if your primary destinations are off-resort and you don't expect a lot of time travelling within the resort, I'd go for Disney transport and save the money.

 

[utahkennedys]

We were there in Sept. and had a rental car for 4 out of our 6 days. I liked zipping out of the airport, although my parents met us and took ME since they flew in from a different airport. They had nothing but positives to say about ME, including never touching their luggage and having all of the luggage, golf clubs and all, arrive about 2 hours after they did.

I must have a car for at least the beginning of my trip, otherwise I feel "stranded". We always go grocery shopping and a little fun shopping off-site. Cars are so cheap that it's a small price to pay for me. We also took the car to Animal Kingdom, resort dinners, etc. We dropped it off at the Dolphin National counter. It was kind of a pain because I hadn't considered the carseat we had, so had to go back to the Dolphin later and take a cab to OKW...not a huge deal but I wish I had kept the car the whole trip.

Anyhow, as to the buses -- they were GREAT. Our building at OKW was near the Hospitality House though, so we walked there most of the time to catch the bus on the way out each trip. Sometimes we didn't even wait a minute. The most we waited was about 10 minutes. I have waited MUCH longer on all of my Poly trips, as has my family from other resorts.

So, if you are ok being "stuck" in Disney, you probably don't need a car. But, I also found OKW to be very, very limited in dining choices, which is why on our next trip, I'll rent a car.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We stayed at OKW for our 1st time Aug 2003. We read on the boards that having a car at OKW is a good thing. We didn't listen because we had stayed at many other WDW resorts, (Deluxe and Mod) and never had one and it was fine. In fact we liked the busses. It is easier to take the bus from any WDW resort then drive because of the whole TTC thing (this is true.)

However we did regreat it. I really didn't like the bus system at OKW. (Part of it might of been the time, they were having some cast member problems then.) Part of it might of been the weather, it was aug and very rainy. Most of it was the way the resort is laid out. It isn't like PORS or CSR where the buses run in a loop. They twist around in and out, turn around in parking lots. It is a big resort and it takes a good 10 to 15 min just to travel around the resort. This really adds to your travel time. However OKW is a good location so it isn't too far from anywhere and it doesn't share with anyone else so that is good.

I wish we had one, I am normally fine with out one at most resorts. We won't go back to OKW with out one. I think that if we had one and if our room had a better location we would of like OKW much more. So be sure to request a good location for the room too.

It is a lovey resort though and the new pool slide should be cool. Have a great trip. You aren't going for long, we were there 10 night so that was part of it too. You might do ok but be forewarned about the busses. In fact our room was so close to the road it shook when the busses drove by. That was another downer about it (once again part of the bad room location thing, )

 

[Chuck S]

To be honest, we have a car not only for off-site shopping. I would have a car no matter which WDW resort we stayed at, even if we used the busses for travel around WDW. We were visiting Disneyland when 9-11 happened. We'd have been stranded if we hadn't already had a rental car. We wound up driving back to TX from CA and still arrived before our flight would have. It's just a mental thing now, I won't fly without having a rental car at our destination. Not that I expect another 9-11, but if the airlines should be grounded for some reason, even an "alert", we could drive home.

 

[hmmerr02]

We've stayed all over the "world" and have found the biggest need for a car to be at OKW. We actually went and rentaed one unexpectedly while we were there. Bus service at OKW adds a lot of time to your travel because of the time the bus spends in the resort. I'd definately get the car. The only time I wouldn't drive somewhere would be to Downtown Disney. The boat is wonderful. good luck

 

[MiaSRN62]

We prefer to have a car at any wdw resort most of the time, but we have stayed at OKW without one and found the busses to be very good. We never waited more than 10-15 min for a bus & we've stayed there the last 3 years straight during various seasons (summer/fall). We don't mind walking over to the Hospitality House ? People don't mind walking to MGM (20+ min) or Epcot (10-15 min) from either BCV or BWV (in all kinds of weather) and I think the farthest walk at OKW to the HH is about 10-12 min (could be as short as 1-2 min depending on which building you're in !). Not bad at all. Of course if you do have a car there, it is VERY convenient to be able to park right outside your door. Have a wonderful stay at OKW. It's a terrific resort.

 

[thelobstershanty]

We've stayed all over the "world" and have found the biggest need for a car to be at OKW. We actually went and rentaed one unexpectedly while we were there. Bus service at OKW adds a lot of time to your travel because of the time the bus spends in the resort. I'd definately get the car. The only time I wouldn't drive somewhere would be to Downtown Disney. The boat is wonderful. good luck

ITA. We have found the same things to be true. We stayed once at OKW without a car and have never done it again. We also like the boat to DTD. It is great. The total travel time is longer since SSR was added to the route, but it is still an enjoyable and relaxing ride.

 

[halekai64]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to give me your opinion. It's been a great help and based on the responses I'm now researching how to cut the expense of the rental car down.. Last night I was getting a rate of $400.00 for a minivan.. I also signed up for National's Emerald plan and am using those codes from mousesavers to try and get a better rate!

Thanks again for the input. This has been great!

Lauren

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to give me your opinion. It's been a great help and based on the responses I'm now researching how to cut the expense of the rental car down.. Last night I was getting a rate of $400.00 for a minivan.. I also signed up for National's Emerald plan and am using those codes from mousesavers to try and get a better rate!

Thanks again for the input. This has been great!

Lauren

Ok I know I said rent a car, but for $400 I think I would end up sucking it up and being happy with WDW transportation (espceailly for only 5 nights.) That really is alot. My DH got a rate for under $200 for 8 days with Alamo in Jan (4th to 11th) for a mid size SUV and we are going to keep it. We considered skipping it, but since it is a rather good deal we decided to get the car.

For $400 I would skip it. Keep looking for a better rate. The good thing about car rentals is you can reserve it, but that doesn't mean you have to use it.

You could have part of your group take DME and part go in a smaller rental car and then use the WDW transportation when you are all a group and the car for other trips (with just 4 people or so.) Also keep in mind when you rent a car you will need to bring car seats for the 4 year olds or rent them and it can be 25$ a week for a rental car seat.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok I know I said rent a car, but for $400 I think I would end up sucking it up and being happy with WDW transportation (espceailly for only 5 nights.) That really is alot.

I agree.....getting around OKW without a car is nowhere even remotely close to requiring a $400 rental bill. Like I said, the farthest walk to the Hospitality House is maybe 10-12 min. MANY buildings are 1-3 min away from the main area of the resort. Request to be close to the main pool or HH on your reservation and save the rental fee. The busses at OKW were running great 3-4 months ago when I was there. Never waited more than 15 min for one and this is on par with just about every other resort on property. I've stayed at other WDW resorts where I had alot of trouble with busses, but not OKW. Unless you can find something cheaper, I'd do without the rental. Have fun on your trip

 

[castleri]

We have always had a car at OKW and the only times we use it while there are to go offsite to a restaurant or shopping. I would definitely not pay that price for 5 days. Keep in mind that some of the people who don't want to take the bus because it takes so long love taking the boat to DTD which takes much longer (it's really a pleasant trip though). The bus rides can be fun if you like people watching and give you an opportuity to really look around while enroute. Not having to drive after a day at the parks makes me even fonder of the bus.
Maybe I am more tolerant of the time involved because now that we always stay on site and own DVC I don't have that "have to get somewhere really fast mode anymore". Getting to other resorts can be a challenge or fun depending on how you do it and how you look at it. I think going from OKW to MK by bus and then taking the monorail to the Poly is fun - others don't. If you are going to PI - just take the bus and get off at the 2nd DTD stop or take the boat and get off at the West Side stop - they ask if anyone is going there so be sure to speak up as they only stop there if someone says that's where they want to go. Hope you have a wonderful trip - maybe you could use the $400 for some really special tour or meal that will make special memories.

 

[go cowboys]

Well...right now I am sitting in OKW room 2732. We do not have a car and I do not think we would be better off if we did.

The bus system is fine! Yes its a little time consuming during busy times, but it is free and does have the advantage of delivering you at the parks doorstep. My family is not very patient...ok, I am not very patient, but have not been frusturated once.

I looked into a rental and found Alamo had a one week minivan for about 290.00. Check that site before you pay 400. I also suggest you skip ME and rent a towncar/van for the trips to and from the airport. We usually use Happy Limo but have gone with Tiffany this year and were very pleased. They allow 30 min at the grocery and that was plenty.

Spend the money that you would have spent on a car on something you can take home and just enjoy the bus ride.

 

[thelobstershanty]

We do not like staying at OKW without a car, BUT I would not pay $400.00 for 5 nights either. That is highway robbery. Check around, there has to be a better deal. Could you get a smaller vehicle? Do a weekly rental and turn in the car early? That is really high for a rental in Orlando.

 

[PBader]

We have always rented a car while we are in WDW. I will admit that there are days when it just sits there. We always use the buses to go to the parks and at OKW the boat ride is very nice to DTD. I just love some of the of site shopping and that is really hard to do without your own car. But I would definetly search for a beter rate than $400. That is horrible!

 

[halekai64]

I'm down to a rate of $312/week on the Alamo web site but by the time you add taxes and other charges its still $365.22..

The mousesavers codes seem to only go out through February.. Maybe if I wait longer I'll get a better rate?.. hmmm..

I do have a question for you AP experts.. The mousesavers web page says that AP holders should get a 20% discount off of Alamo rates. It says :

"use rate code and ID# provided in your pass sleeve"..
My husband received his voucher for the AP card.. Does anyone know what the "ID# provided in your pass sleeve means" when it comes to car rental rates at Alamo?

thanks,

Lauren

 

[halekai64]

Let me reword my request for help from AP holders..

The AP voucher letter we received says:

"While you're t the ticket window don't forget to pick up your Pass sleeve. The sleeve protects your Pass all year long, and it includes a list of all of your passholder benefits like discounts on dining, merchandise and more!"

Do any of you have a Pass sleeve and can you tell me what the Alamo AP rate code is?

thanks!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Let me reword my request for help from AP holders..

The AP voucher letter we received says:

"While you're t the ticket window don't forget to pick up your Pass sleeve. The sleeve protects your Pass all year long, and it includes a list of all of your passholder benefits like discounts on dining, merchandise and more!"

Do any of you have a Pass sleeve and can you tell me what the Alamo AP rate code is?

thanks!!

I don't think I should post it, but I am pming it to you.

My DH got a good rate on our rental car from cost co's web site.