Rent a car or ME that is the question?

[OzFan]

I got a great rate for a midsize car $67.00 for 4 days through Avis. My question is should I save the $$ and just use ME and Disney transportation. It is only me and my hubby and we are staying at ASMo. I guess I'm afraid that transportaion from the resort will be as bad as my POP experience last year. Any thoughts?

 

[safetymom]

What do you plan on using the car for? If it is only to go back and forth to the airport I would use DME. There have been very positive reviews for the service. I suggest doing a search here for more information.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Using Magical Express, renting a car, or using a towncar service are all good options.

Magical Express is likely to be the fastest way to begin having fun after you arrive -- because you can bypass baggage claim; you don't have spend timing renting a car; and you don't have to deal with getting your luggage to your room at the resort.

Rental cars are great if you plan to shop, dine, or visit attractions off-site. And, they're the best choice for someone who wants to be "in control" -- who doesn't want to depend on shared transportation at WDW.

For personal service and a sense of luxury to and from the airport, a towncar service is the best choice. Of course, once you're at WDW, you need to use WDW transportation (and/or take taxi cabs).

It comes down to a matter of personal choice -- and personal budget.

The last time we used a rental car, we left it with the valet parking attendant when we checked in, and we didn't use it again until be checked out 4 days later. We're using Magical Express for our next trip. Then, for a F&W Festival trip with just my wife, we may opt for a towncar service, or we may use Magical Express again.

If all options cost the same, a towncar service would be my first choice. But with the excellent reviews that Magical Express has been getting lately, it's hard to justify paying over $100 (with tips) for a towncar service.

 

[ncbyrne]

For our next trip (just DH and me), we are using both. We are taking ME from MCO to Coronado Springs and will then rent a car from the Car Care Service (free shuttles from resorts to car rental location near MK). We want the freedom of having a car at our disposal and not having to rely on the busses. By using ME, we eliminate having to retrieve and handle luggage. And we have the added bonus of saving a full day on the car rental expense. On our departure day, we will leave when we want (and not have to leave extra early to take ME back to MCO) and we are dropping off the car at Nat'l in MCO. I got the best rate using the Priceless code and the coupon from mousesavers.com.

 

[OzFan]

So from national you can pick up at a car care center and return it at the airport? My concern is finding our way to and from the airport. I wanted to car because I didn't want to leave for the airport 3 hours prior to our departure. But with the rental return it would probably be the same amount of time. I also wanted the car "just in case" the bus service was horrible like it was for my POP stay. We waited on 2 busses most of the time and we NEVER got to sit, always standing room only. We were there in Feb. and I swore I would never be in that situation again. My sister told me that the buss service from the ASMo was pretty good, but I still worry. It's still a toss up! I'll try National and see what rate I can get from them.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we lalways rent a car
i have no patience to wait for crowed buses i am more relaxed knowing i can drive anywhere i need to
and i also like to go to diff resorts and look aorund eat
this requires alot of connecting buses adn that wastes time

 

[ccw]

I am still a little undecided about taking ME BACK to the airport. too ,because 3 hours seems too early to leave before my flight. BUT I have read a number of posts from people who said it really did not seem like they had an ourageous amount of time to burn at the airport. With a 2:30 flight, it's not likely I would be going to a park my last day, regardless of my resort departure time. I'm still thinking I'll take ME to the resort, rent a car for that day and the next day (grocery runs first dayand dinner at Calif. Grill second day, exploring with my friends whenever), return it the a.m. of the third day (renting thru CCC and using shuttle) and then take ME back to airport the las...just for the best balance I can strike factoring in least hassle/lowest cost/most control.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am still a little undecided about taking ME BACK to the airport. too ,because 3 hours seems too early to leave before my flight.

Keep in mind that boarding time is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. You need to allow time for travel to the airport, for the usual processing at the airport, and for unexpected delays on the road and at the airport. With DME, which may stop at other resorts, 3 hours seems about right. With a rental car, I would also allow 3 hours to allow time to return the car. With a towncar or taxi cab, I would allow 2.5 hours.

90% of the time, you'll get to the gate way to early. You should have time for a meal. (With rare exceptions, they don't feed you in domestic coach.) But if there's a slowdown on the road, or you run into long lines to check in, or security takes 45 minutes -- or some combination of these -- you'll be glad you have some extra time.