OKW - Renting a car?

[DOOGIERUNNER]

We're staying 10 days at OKW and are used to staying at BWV. Does anyone recommend renting a car? Usually we don't, but there are so many restaurants at Epcot resort area.

 

[Snowgod]

If you want to go to other resorts, a car can save you time. OKW has a dedicated bus so transportation is better than BWV. Boat to DTD is a plus for all of the places to dine.

 

[Nanajo1]

Unless you are planning off property trips then the WDW transportation should be fine. There is also the boat from OKW to DTD which is a nice ride. However some folks like to drive to the different parks, but I for the life of me can't see getting in a hot car when you can use an a/c bus. How are you planning to get to OKW? Most towncar services offer a free grocery stop. The shuttle does not.
To get groceries is the only other reason IMO to have a car. We are renting a car for one day on our Nov trip to pick up our Turkey dinner at Publix and to restock the kitchen. We're going for 2 weeks.
Have a great trip.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I did not rent a car last year and I am this year.

In 2002, I stayed at Beach Club Villas. So like you over at Boardwalk, I could walk to Epcot, a lot of restaurants and the Boardwalk. The buses were frequent to DD, AK & MK. And the short boat ride to MGM was fun. Obviously Boardwalk and Beach Club have great locations and better transportation then most other resorts.

This year I am renting a mini-van and staying 7 days at Old Key West. The main reason is, I plan on doing some stuff around Orlando and need the wheels. I also plan on doing some shopping over at the new Winn Dixie near Downtown Disney. I even went to the Winn Dixie web site and picked up their discount shopping card and I am having them send it to my home here in Illinois.

I called DVC member services and they got me a nice deal with Alamo for my van. Good Luck!

 

[DebbieB]

It's a matter of personal preference, but we always rent a car no matter where we stay, OKW or BWV. The busses are OK, but we prefer the car. We turn on the A/C and the radio and enjoy our trip back to the resort. If we want to stop somewhere in between, no problem. Don't have to wait, no worry about getting a seat. We only used the bus once when we stayed at OKW last month and that was to the MK at night when they were having Spectromagic & fireworks, we knew it would be crowded getting out and would be easier to just hop the bus outside MK and go straight back since it would be late.

We also like to go the outlets, use the car for grocery shopping, we had lunch or dinner a couple of times at Crossroads.

Even if you use a towncar service, you may need to get back to the grocery store during the week, with a car it's no problem. When you consider the cost of a shuttle or town car service, you aren't paying that much extra for the car. I paid $110 including tax last month for a full size from National with Disney Club & Entertainment discounts. Granted, you have to keep checking to get a good rate but I always manage to land one under $150.

When we stay at BWV, we take the boats or walk to Epcot & MGM, drive everywhere else except sometimes MK we take the bus.

 

[DeeP]

If you are staying at OKW, do yourself a favor and rent a car. This resort is huge and unless you are in one of the buildings close to the front, just to get to the store or the restaurant requires either walking quite a way in the heat and sun or taking an internal bus. Also OKW is much farther from parks, restaurants and essentailly everything else except a golf course than BWV is and the only transportation other than the boat to DTD is the bus, having a car at OKW is almost a necessity. Besides you can park in one of the parking lots that are located in front of every building at OKW. This is always tooted as one of OKW's big advantages, why not make use of it?

 

[JudithM]

We almost always drive to WDW, so we have a car with us at OKW. We would be lost without a car as we do like to go from OKW to other WDW resorts. However, on our lasttrip we did use the WDW busses to the parks & all worked well - I had an ECV/scooter & the busses worked quite well.

If you like the Boardwalk, YC/BC areas, then you might seriously consider a vehicle. ENJOY!

 

[ncligs]

We always rent a car

when we are at OKW. We like having the convienence of coming and going when "WE" want to. Like resort hopping,off-site restraunts,DD,etc. You can still use the busses to go to the parks if another family member needs the car for shopping or whatever.
It also makes it easier to go back to the airport.

 

[SueOKW]

Our car actually determined our choice of where to stay during our upcoming August trip!

We are going to a family wedding in Orlando on Aug 1 - not Disney. So, we thought - hey it's just us two adults this time, lets rent a convertable! (we are usually a party of 6 - mini van time..)

OK - we have a nice car... . 2 nights at a hotel in downtown orlando - Embassy Suites I think.... then... we decided to turn it into a short 20th anniversary trip - after all the kids are at home with babysitters.

and it kept evolving - I thought we would stay at the Grand Floridian, Yacht Club... concierge floors, Animal Kingdom Lodge... something very very special.....

and i suddenly realized - where better to stay than Home Away from Home.. where we can look out our window and see our convertable! ha! it was a du'h moment!! so, it is OKW after all.

My answer, after all this over sharing is.... get a car - regardless of the resort size or whatever.. if you can afford it, it's nice to have choices in transportation - and there are no valets to tip.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I have been a member at OKW for 8 years. We always use a car. The bus service is terrible. You can park your car right out front of your condo unit and be off in seconds. The only place I ever would consider taking a bus from OKW is to MK. Even going to MK I usually drive.

 

[Mary Anne]

and i suddenly realized - where better to stay than Home Away from Home.. where we can look out our window and see our convertable!

LOL, I love it. Please tell me you went the extra points for the one bedroom and the jacuzzi. Afterall, it's second anniversary.

Hope you have a great trip.

We've done both, with and without a car at OKWest. I have to say for the most part, we like having the car right outside our door just in case.

 

[SueOKW]

Mary Anne -

thanks for the wishes... you bet we sprung for the 1 bedroom!!

Sue

 

[Margie J]

I always rent a car no matter where I am staying in Orlando. I love my freedom and don't mind driving. As an on-site guest the parking is free too so why not.

With my own car I can:

* Get to/from the airport.
* Go grocery shopping for as long as I want, when I want.
* Visit places other than WDW easily.
* Get to restaurants outside of WDW.
* Not have to switch buses/monorails/boats to get to some locations, saving time.
* Always have a seat, with AC.
* Come and go when I please.

I once tried to take the bus from OKW to PI one night and waited so long that I gave up and got in my car.

What I often do however is park at, say, the TTC and then visit both the MK and Epcot but use the monorail between parks. When I've stayed at BWV I used the boat and walked where I could. So, I'm not totally against WDW transportation.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Margie J
I always rent a car no matter where I am staying in Orlando. I love my freedom and don't mind driving. As an on-site guest the parking is free too so why not.

Margie.......I agree 100% with your post.

 

[jaysue]

OK, so I'll be the bus guy - we found on our trip to OKW, that we requested and received a room reasonably close to a bus stop and within a 10 minute walk of HH. This was close enough for me and DS (3 1/2) not to need a car. We like using the bus and DS thought it was fun as well as built up a sense of community for him. Also, he engaged/was engaged in conversation on a number of occassions which he enjoyed.

I think not having a car works fine for up to one week trips

Now having said that, for a 10 day trip, I too would rent a car for at least part of that trip to get outside of WDW and see what else Orlando has to offer.

Thanks
Jason

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

Thanks for all the replies. Got a car booked!! We're crusing then spening 10 days at OKW. I just got a great rate that averages arond $20/day with all fees from Budget!! The cheapest I could fine w/ ANY discount code before this was $30.

 

[jekjones1558]

Another vote for a car, regardless of which resort is home. There are almost always deals if you book online. We choose one that we can pick up at the airport (not one that has a remote lot where you have to use a shuttle). There is a list of the on-site at airport rental car companies at the website for the Orlando airport. We figure that the cost of cab or airport shuttle or limo is at least as much as a car, and we save money by sometimes shopping and eating at off-site but nearby places. If you decide to go to Seaworld or Kennedy Space Center or Universal, you have the freedom. We have used the OKW buses and found them to be fine. We ALWAYS bus it to MK because driving requires a transfer to boat or monorail at TTC. Much easier to take the bus directly to MK. We often drive to other parks. You will love the convenience of parking your car right at your door in OKW. Wish other DVC resorts had that option. P.S. Budget IS an at-the-airport rental company AND allows your spouse to drive the vehicle without an additional fee (most companies charge extra). Sign up for their Fast Break (or some such name) and go directly to car lot without even stopping at the counter. HAve fun!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree also....just about any resort I like to have a car. Even though BWV and BCV are within walking distance to Epcot, even that was about a 6-8 minute walk. When we had my mil with us, it was more like a 10-12 walk because of her slower pace.
I enjoy the freedom a car gives and parking at OKW with a vehicle is easy because the parking is right outside your villa---no long hikes from the parking lot. Have a great trip !