orlando without a car

[peewakio]

Red-Snapper
Just a couple of things
You say:
Try doing an afternoon of Florida Mall then across to Mall at Millenia and finishing in Winter Park for dinner without a car. If you think you can without it costing an arm and a leg then I have to say...codswallop !!
Mumloveseeyore (who my heading was targetted at doesn't drive anyway, so your scenario would hardly likely to be an option don't you think)
I don't come on these boards to pick arguements but to gleen snippets of information which I am more than grateful to receive and eternally thankful for, and I would also like to think that I have spent enough time in Orlando to possibly give readers the benefits of specific experiences that are relevant to me. One of which is getting around Orlando without a car as we do it everytime we go and I am sure Mumloveeeyore is happy at the fact that she now knows that can get around quite well without a vehicle. Some people don't have the option of having the use of a car and I know from experience that they can find the thought of getting around without a car quite daunting, especially when you open up a travel brochure or watch TV Travelshop who ram it down peoples throats that car hire is absolutely essential, my heading was absolutely no more than an attempt at re-assuring non drivers.
It was certainly not aimed at people on these boards who I would not dream of insulting, hense the misunderstanding between Rob and myself. Many Apologies if I come across as arrogant but I will stand by my statement, that if anyone thinks that car-hire in Orlando is absolutely essential either has no idea of the alternative or is talking codswallop (my word for the week)

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by peewakio
Many Apologies if I come across as arrogant but I will stand by my statement, that if anyone thinks that car-hire in Orlando is absolutely essential either has no idea of the alternative or is talking codswallop (my word for the week)

I think the problem is that the word codswallop seemed to be directed at people who said having a car was better than not having a car, but they did not say it was essential. As nobody said that having a car was essential it is kind of difficult to think of who else the accusation of codswallop was aimed at.

Regards

Rob

 

[Red-Snapper]

nowhere do I or anyone else say it is essential to have a car - just more convienient.

 

[Hilary]

We've had trips both with and without a car but, in Orlando, we always stay on-site at WDW and make full use of their transport system.

I haven't used any of the I-Drive shuttles, so don't know how convenient they are, but getting around is certainly possible without a car.

Our trips now are always part Orlando / part elsewhere in Florida, so a car is essential for travelling around but, once we arrive and park at our WDW resort, the car doesn't get used for getting to the WDW parks. We enjoy letting someone else do the driving, feeling able to have a drink if we want one, and not having to worry about directions. Yes, we may have to wait ten minutes for the next bus, but we're on vacation and don't mind

If you're a driver, it's good to have the choice of whether to drive or not. If you're a non-driver, you should find transport options available for most of the popular Orlando destinations.

 

[peewakio]

Nothing I have said has been directed at anybody in particular other than a generalisation by both the travel industry and those who don't understand the alternatives.

NO MORE

NO LESS

 

[Hilary]

I've edited some of the above posts which were not related to the original question.

Please keep replies on topic

If you have any queries about this, please refer to the DIS posting guidelines, or PM me.

 

[vernon]

As the OP is unable to drive the relative merits is a somewhat moot point.

I would suggest that anyone who is in that situation gives some serious consideration to spending at least some time staying at a WDW hotel. The benefits of using WDW transportation is a massive plus. Although the WDW hotels are more expensive than staying on I-Drive, the savings in terms of time and money ( even if you have free shuttle options you will end up spending some money) do compensate for the higher cost. I feel in this situation the ideal solution is to split the vacation giving a slight bias to WDW ( as there is more to do there).

 

[chris78cpr]

When i visited Orlando last october i had no car. I went with my girlfriend and we had both just turned 18 which meant no hire car companies would touch us! The only choice for us was public transport! The I-Ride is a great little service if you are staying on I drive!!! It takes you to wetnwild/universal/sea world/disco cove. To get to disney is simple, you can just get an i-ride to sea world and then get a lynx bus to the disney transport centre! The last one abck leaves at 10 which means on those later nights a taxi ride is a must, but on those nights we really made a night of it, by going to downtown disney and staying till real late! The cost of a taxi does not seem that great when you think a week's I-ride pass is only $7! So whats 2 $30 taxi rides in comparison to £200 a week car rental???

It does take longer and you lose the freedom of a car but when your on holiday with the person you love to us it does not matter! Some of our best times were waiting for the shuttle bus to come! Being in florida just makes everything fun for us! lol

So... This time when we rtn in october we will not have a car again! And we will have another fantastic time!!!

Chris

 

[Bexx]

Found this thread the other day - it's a couple of years old but it may be of some help.

Carless in Orlando

 

[Bekki]

Blimey what a debate!

We stayed at the Holiday Inn I-Drive last year without the car we took full use of the Courtesy buses to all parks only draw back was the last bus went before the fireworks started so we had to get a taxi or the Lynx bus back (but we did go out of season). We just made use of the I-Drive Trolley and Lynx buses and got everywhere we needed to go. Must admit the time keeping on the Lynx buses was hit and miss

 

[disneyholic family]

in my view, a car is a must in orlando....although for the life of me, i can't figure out how you all manage to drive on the "wrong" side of the street while you're on vacation....

however, if you're only planning on doing a few things other than the parks, you might want to consider a towncar service...(like from the airport)....the towncar services usually are a much better buy than mears.....

 

[mumloveseeyore]

thanks for the great advice certainly didnt know what i was starting.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by mumloveseeyore
thanks for the great advice certainly didnt know what i was starting.

It's always a hot topic around here! Rest assured, with or without a car you'll have a great time in Orlando. It's impossible not to!

Regards

Rob

 

[peewakio]

It's always a hot topic around here! Rest assured, with or without a car you'll have a great time in Orlando. It's impossible not to!

Well said Rob

 

[KathyTX]

bumping for a new user!