On-Site Questions

[darlaya]

Although we have been to WDW about 8 times, this will be the very first time we are staying on-site at the CBR We are unsure about whether we should rent a car or just rely on Disney transportation. Having always been off-site, a car is a necessity. I have two very very active young boys ages 7 & 9 and wonder if I should rely on the bus sytem which requires varying waiting times? One thing we have always liked about having a car is the ability to get to an off-site grocery store for breakfast & lunch items & any other items we have left behind. Any advice from the experienced on-site stayers is extremely welcome. Thank you for all your help so far. I love reading about people experiences & tips!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

It's just my husband and myself and I don't think we could do without the car. We take the WDW transportation to the parks since we think it is easier but we like to go to the different resorts for dinner etc. so we need a car.
We feel a little trapped with out a car. You know if you want it it's there.

 

[alyssa810]

I agree 100% with mrsJ henry! We stayed without a car the first time we stayed on site, and we hated it!! We hated waiting for the bus at the end of the day, only to be squished on, standing, with someone's baby carriage getting shoved into our ankles! Depending on where we stay, we'll sometimes take the boat, say from WL, but most of the time we'll drive directly to the parks. It's so much easier having your own car if you want to resort hop, or head to Downtown disney. There are plenty of people that swear by the Disney transportation though, and will say getting a car is an unnecessary expense, but I disagree. It's just me & my husband too, and we've had really good luck getting cars for less than $100, if you watch the rates online, you can really save a lot...and nothing beats getting to your car at the end of a long day and not having to worry about whether you're going to get a seat!

 

[blanq]

Okay, I will post another perspective on this issue. We have had 6 onsite trips to date, and have never rented a car. We have never felt the need for one, however on our trips we have not left WDW property. If we were going to tackle attractions outside of WDW, we would likely consider renting a car, but if staying exclusively in WDW, why bother? Disney transportation has always been blissfully efficient. The bus/boat drivers are so friendly and helpful (they are great and patient when answering questions about transportation, and anything else WDW-related. Granted, we travel to WDW during non-peak times (early December, late January, early May, and in 2005 it will be mid- October). If it was a peak time, with hordes or people, we may not feel the same about our experiences...I don't know since we never travel peak and can't compare. We use Disney transporation from our resort to the parks, from our resort to other resorts, and from park to park. We have had to deal with transfers at TTC before, and that is easy too. The transportation guide they give you at your resort is easy to follow and makes getting from here to there simple and clear. We have used the busses, boats and the monorail and love them all. There is nothing more relaxing to me and my DH than letting someone else nagivate while we are on vacation. I love being dropped off right at the door to the parks and other resorts, instead of parking far from an entrance and hiking from a parking lot. Picking up and returning a rental car at MCO is another 2 steps I don't need or want. We always rent a towncar; for about $95 and tip, it is often less than the cost of a rental car. We enjoy taking the elevator down to baggage area and seeing our driver holding a sign with our names, who takes care of our luggage and sweeps us off to our resort. If we want to pick up a few grocery items, our free grocery stop is included. This year, beginning in May, WDW is offering free transporation to/from MCO. That is hard to pass up, so we will be giving it a try in October.

 

[TLinden16]

I never rent a car when I'm down there. One of the things I like about going to Disney is not having to get in a car for a week. It's nice to be able to just sit and relax on the bus, and I enjoy chatting with other families during the ride. Overall, I've been pleased with using Disney transportation--in all the years I've been going, I can only think of one or two times when I had to wait a long time to get a bus. The only time that it can be hectic getting a bus is if I stay for park closing--I might have to wait for a second bus, but they usually have them come every few minutes at park closing.

I also take a towncar from the airport. I've been using FL Tours my last few trips, and they have been fantastic. Most town car services will do a 20 or 30 minute grocery stop, so I always stop and get breakfast items, snacks, and water.

Karen

 

[darlaya]

Thank you ALL so very Much! It is very helpful to hear how everyone has managed with and without a car. I'd LOVE to do without the expense, but I think I can see how our off-site plans & pleasures may require needing one. HMMM. Good thing I have some time before we go to mull it all over. We are travelling from 4/30-5/7. Our return trip allows us to use the Magical Express service which is a plus. I may look into reserving a car for just the first 3-4 days if there is a savings over having the car for the week.

The info is great. I love this Board! Thank you ALL for sharing.

Denise
Gilford, NH where another blizzard is on its way! It helps to think & plan Disney during these frigid months. :thewave:

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We also have never rented a car. We take a towncar, from the airport, and do a grocery stop, for water, soda, and snacks. This trip we are using www.wegoshop.com and getting groceries delivered. We are arriving late, and I don't want to waste time at the grocery.

We have never had problems with the bus service, and if you feel one bus is too crowded, you can always wait for the next one. THey usually roll around pretty quickly.

You will enjoy CBR. It is a beautiful resort. We were there last year.

Have fun planning, and welcome to the DIS. The info here is remarkable.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We're a family of five and we have never used a rental car at Disney. We use Tiffany Town Cars and make use of the grocery stop. We stay at a monorail hotel so that takes care of MK and Epcot (monorail) but we use bus transportation to AK and MGM and never have had any problems.

 

[Kaylee27]

There are so many different opions on this, lol. I have always relied on the disney transportation with the kids, even the time i went by myself with the three of them, 4, 8, & 9. I went myself and my boyfriend once on business, and we had gotten a car, and IMO, by the time you wait to get to you car in parking, you could be on a bus headed home. It took a long time to get taken to the car in the lot, it seemed!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Darlaya-
If you go to Mousesavers.com you will see that there are many codes listed for rental cars. You can get some great deals. Also I have one for a week through Costco.com (i don't have a membership and you don't need one)
I got a compact car for $154 for 7 nights. (for the last week in April)Through Avis.
Last Nov I got one through Dollar for $158 for 7 nights. I think at times there are even better deals. If you go over to the transportation board they can give you many ideas. Good luck.