Please tell me all about driving around WDW with a rental car

[SFMommy]

I was sure that we would not rent a car. That we would use ME bus and then Disney transportation to get around while we are there. I love the idea of not driving for an entire vacation.

But after reading so many posts about LOOOONG waits for buses, I am re-considering. Although I like the idea of not dealing with a car, I do not like the idea of waiting and waiting and dealing with crowds after Wishes, etc. Also, I get very motion sick and buses are the worst. I cannot stand or sit going backwards or sideways. We will be staying at an Epcot resort, so we will walk or boat to Epcot and HS.

My questions...

1. Is parking free at our Disney resort?
2. Is parking free when we drive to AK/MK?
3. Is parking free when we drive to a resort for dinner (AKL, Poly, GF)?
4. When we park at AK, do we need to take another form of transportation (i.e. tram) to the front gate, or just walk?
5. When we park at the TCC to go to MK, do we need to take another form of transportation (i.e. tram) to the TCC, or just walk? Then we can take the monorail or ferry to MK?
6. Anything else that I need to know in considering getting a rental car?

Thanks!

 

[wdwrich]

I was sure that we would not rent a car. That we would use ME bus and then Disney transportation to get around while we are there. I love the idea of not driving for an entire vacation.

But after reading so many posts about LOOOONG waits for buses, I am re-considering. Although I like the idea of not dealing with a car, I do not like the idea of waiting and waiting and dealing with crowds after Wishes, etc. Also, I get very motion sick and buses are the worst. I cannot stand or sit going backwards or sideways. We will be staying at an Epcot resort, so we will walk or boat to Epcot and HS.

My questions...

1. Is parking free at our Disney resort?
2. Is parking free when we drive to AK/MK?
3. Is parking free when we drive to a resort for dinner (AKL, Poly, GF)?
4. When we park at AK, do we need to take another form of transportation (i.e. tram) to the front gate, or just walk?
5. When we park at the TCC to go to MK, do we need to take another form of transportation (i.e. tram) to the TCC, or just walk? Then we can take the monorail or ferry to MK?
6. Anything else that I need to know in considering getting a rental car?

Thanks!

1. Parking at your resort is free.
2. Theme park parking is also free when staying at a Disney resort.
3. Yes, though you may be given a time limit. You cannot park at another resort and go off to a park.
4. If you get there early, you will probably park close enough to walk.
5. Yes- monorail or ferry boat to MK from the TTC.
6. We always rent a car, and find WDW easy to navigate as there is plenty of signage.

 

[Day-Day]

Adding to item #5; if you arrive early (and sometimes late afternoon and early evening), you can usually walk from your car to the TTC then take monorail or ferry

We like to carry a small cooler in our car full of cold drinks. The car is comfortable and cool so we feel like our trip back from the park is basically over when we get in our car; this is not the case when we get into a standing room only bus back to the resort.

 

[chartle]

The only issue is that most people here will say its much better to bus to the MK and avoid the also long lines to the monorail or ferry to get back to the TTC and the long lines to get on the tram back to your car and the traffic you will have to deal with getting back to your resort.

 

[perditax]

Two points to mention after I rented a few weekends ago: number one, be sure to bring cash for tollbooths including several dollars' worth of quarters. Some of the tollbooths are unmanned and only take exact change. Number two, avoid driving near downtown Disney if you possibly can.

We use national and I enrolled in their Emerald club service, which meant we could pick whatever car we wanted and drive out of the airport. Well, once we figured out where the national lot was. (Right off the terminal but there were no signs.)

There were many times over the weekend that I was very, very happy to have a car.

 

[SFMommy]

avoid driving near downtown Disney if you possibly can.

We have no plans to go to DTD while we are there.

There were many times over the weekend that I was very, very happy to have a car.

We will be there for 8 nights...so I am thinking we will also be happy to have a car. Thanks!

 

[rwdavis2]

You won't regret having a car. We always rent one. You can pick up snacks/drinks at a grocery store. We do this and have a light breakfast in the room instead of spending time eating at the hotel.

 

[Pooh2]

We have rented a car for our last two trips. We loved having the freedom to come and go without waiting for a bus or having to stand on the bus. We will definitely rent a car for all our future trips.
Disney is well signed so finding parks/hotels is pretty easy.

 

[Pembo]

I prefer a car even for the MK. Crowded buses are the worst. We went to a sold out Xmas party in Dec. Yes we had to park a bit away but it was SO nice to walk on to a boat from the MK to TTC, a quick wait for the tram and we were in our car 15 mins after leaving the park. No problem with traffic getting out of the parking lots.

 

[C&G'sMama]

We drive down so we always have our car anyway. We like the control and flexibility of having a car. The couple of times we have flown we've rented a car. The nice thing about being on Disney property with a car is you have the best of both worlds. There were a couple of times this past trip my son and I stayed longer than my daughter and partner so they took the car and we hopped on a bus. I've historically had horrible luck with buses but this past time it was pretty good. We did make sure we were out before park closing to avoid the huge rush when we took the bus. When we have our car we just hang out for a little bit if we stay 'til park close. We get a soda or Dole Whip or something. It's nice to have that flexibility. We also like to go to a grocery store once or twice while we're there. Have fun.

 

[bumbershoot]

I get very motion sick and buses are the worst.

Then there is no way you should get on a bus at all. No need to make yourself sick and miserable. Drive, even to MK.

4. When we park at AK, do we need to take another form of transportation (i.e. tram) to the front gate, or just walk?

Depends on how far away you're parked, and if you want to be on the tram. You can always walk if you want to. Or take the tram.

5. When we park at the TCC to go to MK, do we need to take another form of transportation (i.e. tram) to the TCC, or just walk?

Same as above.

6. Anything else that I need to know in considering getting a rental car?

Know what area your resort is in. Like Epcot area, etc. Know what area you're going to. Like MK area. Follow the signs to the area you're going to.


For shopping, go to the Publix in Celebration. It is a very very nice Publix.

Definitely have at least a roll of quarters when you're boarding the plane to get to Orlando. And some ones. That way you're prepared for any toll road you happen across.