OKW without a rental car

[Jenn]

We are staying at OKW next month without a rental car. We have requested close to the main bldg, but of course, that isn't guaranteed. How well do the internal busses work?

 

[jcodespoti]

Go with a car.


Joe in CT

 

[Jenn]

I would - but there are 12 of us. Renting 3 cars comes out to about $700 while Yourride will transport us for a fraction of that.

 

[FredS]

During our visits only once have we been any real distance from the HH area. It wasn't that big a deal to get there, though, and as I recall we took a bus a couple of times and walked once. IMHO definitely not worth the cost of renting cars!

 

[aricau]

OKW is our home resort and we've stayed there several times without a car. We had no problems taking the bus to HH. But if you request a room close to HH, they will probably accomodate you. Also if you check in early, they usually give you what you ask for. Have a good trip!

 

[spiceycat]

just make sure you get a grocery stop - then you don't have to walk or take the bus to the HH.

 

[Chuck S]

Now that Mom is older and needs to be in a Wheelchair in the parks, we find it easier to drive. Prior to her 3 hip surgeries, we used the busses without problems.

 

[Donald Duck 57]

Hi Jenn,
Our vote go with the car.

 

[Regina]

Over 11 years, we've stayed in every part of OKW. We rarely had a car, and we never, ever drive to the parks.

We have no complaints with the current bus schedule. Years ago, OKW shared transportation with the Fairway/Treehouse Villas. That was a pain.

If you're not located near the HH, it's not a big deal to get there. You simply hop on any bus and that's the last stop. Getting back from that area? Just take a short walk to the Peninsular bus stop. That's the first pickup and the bus will proceed to the rest of the stops from there.

 

[KathyR]

We have stayed at OKW 2 times w/a car, and we still chose to ride the buses. We use the car to get to the store and back and whatever else, but I really like the WDW buses for the parks. I think they are efficient, and I have rarely waited longer than 10 minutes. I love being droped off at the gate to the parks and not having to remember where we parked when it is time to go.

As dvcreg stated it is so simple to get to HH w/o a car from anywhere you are located. If you need to get to HH, just hop on any bus at your bus stop. HH is the last stop on all routes we were on, and I rode them all (alot ) To get back to your room either walk or just hop on the bus at the first bus stop "Peninsular" which is only a few minutes walk away and wait for your stop.

 

[RobDoc]

In our many weeks at OKW, we have always used Disney transportation, even for the few trips we have had a vehicle. For resort-to-resort transportation, we always allow an extra 30-45 minutes for travel time, but find the buses more than adequate.

In addition, we've stayed in all areas of the resort and have no qualms about using buses.

If you have small children with lots of gear or have some in your group with mobility problems- a car would be useful (that is true for ANY resort at WDW, IMHO). If you will be traveling off site to other attractions in the area, a vehicle would be useful.

Disney transport does a great job.

Enjoy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree with Doc. We always have a car and always use the buses. The car is usually to get back and forth from the airport, grocery store, and any off site places we decided to go. We NEVER use the car to go to the parks. It is just way more convenient to take the buses.

 

[Dean]

I personally wouldn't do OKW without a car. My vote is get a van or minivan that wills seat at leat 7, you can rent vans that carry 12 or you could even get 2 vehicles, one a van and one a car that seats five. You could take two trips from the airport or one group take the van and another the towncar options. Then you could at least get around, grocery store and the like. Still your choice, good luck.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We stayed without a car in November and didn't miss it! The limo made a grocery stop, and dropped us at the HH, the bellhop brought us to our room in a van, and also told us if we needed to go to the store, ask at night late and they would take us! Seems tey are bored in the wee hours!!! We stayed in the Turtle pond area and didn't have a problem getting to the parks, we went to Down Town Disney, Epcot, and the Magic Kingdom during our trip!

 

[madcoco]

We like having the car for offsite excursions and quick trips to DTD but also make good use of the OKW bus system at other times. No complaints with the OKW bus system. A car is more convenient but not absolutely necessary.

the bellhop brought us to our room in a van, and also told us if we needed to go to the store, ask at night late and they would take us! Seems they are bored in the wee hours!!!

Can't say enough about Angelo,Paul,Casey,Dave and the rest of the bellstand crew at OKW. They can really go above and beyond.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am a strict no-car traveler becoming slowly converted into a must-have-a-car traveler. I know the car costs at least 100 bucks extra, but between the fact that Mears now wants to pick me up 3.5 to 4 hours prior to my flight (this has always worked out to mean I spend a couple of hours sitting around the airport) and the problems I have had lately with Disney transportation (the bus transport at AKL was terrible on my trip in the first week of July, with 30 minute waits both at the resort and the parks being the norm; also, I am getting very tired of the long and convoluted route the buses take to get to Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island) that I'm starting to look into car rental much more often.

I am invariably traveling solo and don't have any children, so if I'm being converted to car use, anybody might be.

Old Key West is one of the best resorts for cars. Parking is right outside the rooms with little or no walking involved, but you won't get much exercise if you're interested in walking off the meals.

 

[Pa@okw95]

There is an internal bus but I don't know mcuh about it. If your concern is getting to the HH area from your room don't be concerned, you can take any bus and it will drop you off there. You will find that OKW is not as big as you may think and can be walked in a short time. There is the problem of the heat and rain in August that could be a concern to someone that is not healthy. Keep in mind you can get a bus to anypoint at OKW by walking over to the Peninsular Drive bus stop, the first stop on the route around OKW.