Please help! Car rental or Disney transportation??

[wrldpossibility]

Hi all,

I KNOW this isn't the first time you all have been asked this question, but please consider helping out a newbie. My family is taking our first ever trip to WDW this December, and I cannot figure out if it's better for us to rent a car or rely on Disney transportation. Having never been, it's hard to make this call. Here's the info I think you'd need to help me:

1. We're a party of 7 (grandparents, parents, and three kids).

2. Everyone is in shape and can walk a lot, even the kids. We WILL have a lightweight collapsable stroller for our youngest.

3. We are staying at POR.

4. Our travel dates are Dec. 10-20.

5. We are early risers and will be hoping to be at the parks at opening, but then will be taking afternoon breaks at our resort.

6. We will be traveling around Disney property a lot, but do not plan to travel to other areas in Orlando.

We all love the idea of never worrying about a car, never having to navigate, never having to park, etc. But I do worry about waiting a LONG time with tired kids for buses, not getting seats, etc as we get closer to Christmas and the big crowds.

Should we rent a car? Money is not the issue...it's mostly that none of us like to drive...but we are control freaks!

If we DON'T rent a car, do we use ME, or get a service for our airport transportation? Any advice would be great!!

 

[Bob P]

All I can say is that you will get a pretty even split of people who will tell you to use WDW transportation and those who will tell you to rent a car!

One thing I think we will all agree on though: it is easier to use WDW buses to get to the MK. Buses drop you off a short walk from the entrance. If you drive you'll need to park your car, take a tram to the TTC, then take a ferry or monorail to the entrance.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I agree with Bob P that you will get both yes and no regarding renting a car.
We have not rented a car for many years as, like you, I do not like driving, especially in areas I am not familiar with. Disney does a great job in moving a lot of people around every day. We always get to all the parks before opening so we never have an issue with crowded buses. We stay in the Epcot resort area so we can walk or boat to both the Disney Studios and Epcot and only use the buses for MK, AK and DTD.
One tip I give to everyone is NOT to try to leave any park right at closing. Too many people pour out at the same time. Last June we watched Wishes and then sat down on a bench across from the castle for about 15-20 minutes as the throngs poured down Main Street to the exit. We then slowly walked to the exit and all was quiet by that time. Personally I cannot imagine driving to be any easier at park closing as you will be leaving at the same time as hundreds or more people. Disney always provides extra buses for peak periods.
As Bob pointed out, never drive to the MK. Only Disney buses are allowed near the MK entrance. All other traffic must go to the TTC and from there tram to either the bus or monorail to the MK. Also note that if you make any breafast reservations before park opening that buses start very early each day. Do NOT listen to any transportation info from anyone at WDW other than the bus drivers...they are the ONLY ones who know how the system works.
For the days you want to go off property WDW has two car rental locations so you can rent for a day or more when you need to.
For us when we are at WDW we let Disney take care of everything. It's great not having to touch a car for our entire stay!
By the way, one of your questions concerns the Magical Express. I have read wonderful things about the service. Have not used it yet ourselves since we wanted a grocery stop last year so we used a towncar.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

The previous posters are correct when they say you will get a split vote on the bus or rent question. We rent a car. We like to be able to come and go as we please. Wait time for a bus or crowding are very subjective issues. Some may think 15-20min is alot others not so much. We also enjoy riding the monorail to the MK so that is not an issue for us but I could see how others would jump at the chance to bypass that step. Our biggest reason is that we go to eat all over the resort. Some of the suggested bus times are 90 min. (bcv to fort wilderness) and the same for the return trip. I just don't want to spend that much time at WDW on a bus. Good luck with your choice.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I appreciate the imput. I know it's a tired subject on this board, I imagine. I think it may work best for us to rely on Disney transportation, but plan to get a taxi a few times when we plan to travel to other resorts to eat. For instance, we plan to go to FW for Hoop, so that may be a good time to just pay for a taxi. Otherwise, as long as the buses aren't usually crowded early in the morning, we should be ok.

One question: the UG says to rent a car if you plan to go back to your resort to nap/rest in the afternoons. Is that because the buses are crowded at mid-day? We're definitely on that schedule. Should that be a deciding factor for us?

 

[Bob P]

We've never found the buses crowded at mid-day!

 

[Bill From PA]

I've gone with and without a rental car. If having your own wheels saves you more than a few mins. per day, which I doubt, it's made up for in the agravation of getting to your hot car with a large party, then bucking traffic to your destination and re-parking the car. I'll take the bus, Gus!

Bill From PA

 

[jodifla]

We like having our car at our disposal. We do take Disney transportation to the MK, but other than that, we drive.

Particularly if you are going to eat out at the resorts, a car REALLY helps. Otherwise, you need to factor in TWO hours to get from one resort to your resort.

Not worth it in my opinion. We have better things to do than factor in 4 hours of travel time to a destination that's no more than 15 minutes a way in your own car.

Taking a taxi could work, if you don't mind waiting for the taxi.

 

[Karnak]

In my opinion when one is on vacation it's nice not to have drive anywhere. I live close enough to WDW to drive, and do so about twice a year; but when I park at my resort (usually Port Orleans), I'm finished with the car until it's time to drive home.

Disney transportation is part of the fun for me. There is no way that I would recommend that y'all rent a car.

Enjoy.