Rent a car or not?

[amashstat]

We had just about settled on NOT renting a car while we're at Disney in January. We have two kids, ages 2 and 4 and are staying at the Poly. We figure, why should we rent a car? We're staying at a monorail resort!

Well, I'm starting to doubt my initial decision. Maybe we should rent a car after all just for the convenience of having it around. I hear the buses can be a drag to wait for. I don't know if our two little ones would be patient if they had to wait 30 minutes for a bus and then another wait while on the bus. We will mostly be visiting the MK while we're there, but I'd like the freedom to go to MGM and Downtown Disney. And while we're probably NOT going to go to Animal Kingdom, it's always a possibility.

What do you think? With two little ones, do you think a rental is necessary?

Thanks to all those experienced parents out there!

 

[disneymarie]

I think the choice is the cost and if you want to spend it. At MCO Enterprise I just had reserved a car, with free upgrade to full size for $99 total $135. The smaller cars are even less.

http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=002&cust=ESS28R4&arc=ESS28R4

I could have used a mini van, but feel all of us at one time are not depending on the car, it is for convienance, I like a few areas to eat at, and my sons family like a few others so we split the use of the car up. If we need a store run as in the first day, and also I am meeting local friends during the trip.

So it works great.
But, if it is going to stay in the parking lot the whole time because easier to get dropped from the bus....and the crouds are less in Oct. then why bother,
dianne

 

[amashstat]

need some more opinions.

 

[rie'smom]

We always rent a car. Disney transportation is ok. With little ones especially, I'd definitely rent. When they're tired, waiting for a bus won't be fun. In the past, we've used the car to drive from the airport and to and from the parks period. It pretty much sat in the lot but it was worth it for the convenience.

 

[scoolover]

I rented a car on my last trip and shook my head at the $40 per day I was losing every time I walked past it on the way to the bus. We did take it to Hooters once so I guess that made it worth it. I would not rent on again.

 

[my2redheads]

We just got back from our first trip and I debated (with myself) the same issue before we left. We did get a rental for $160 for the week on a midsize SUV. We used it to go to Wal-Mart (several times). We also had a ressie for Mickey's Backyard BBQ and drove it there. We stayed at SSR and we very happy with the bus transpo but liked the sense of security the rental gave us. Next year I'll probably try to rent again as long as I get a good rate.

 

[thepeach80]

We had a car on our trip b/c my parents drove there and we used it twice. Once b/c we had reservations for Arabian Nights and once b/c we went looking for a battery for my camera. We used the Disney transportation (we tried it all) the rest of the time. The kids never had a problem and our oldest is only 4. They actually loved the system. The only downside was my 2yo was not happy about having to use a carseat again.

 

[disneymarie]

A large part of the decision is getting a great rate, for the least in size car you could use, and watch for rates and code from on email specials. If you don;t mind paying for Intermediate or full size, the $120- $150 total on a rate watch. then you have the peace of mind and security.

I don;t think "I" would rent a car on the theory "I" would be using it for my Park transportation, in Oct. we never had a wait on a bus. they are cooled off, drop at the gates.

But, with the car, we could run to Mickey d's late night, for a forgotten bathing suit, pick up water and drinks for there, buy pampers instead of shipping, no grocery delivery's, a great time out at a dinner theater. There is a Kid's City near by that everything is scaled to young ones...Or leaving a park and going to Down Town Disney.....not taking two buses.

A day at the shore, is well worth the rental.
If you would need a mini van, that is very costly, if you can use an SUV, they will be about $200. Can that justify a rental? If you use it everyday for the parks , yes,

I just had a car the middle five days on a weekend half off rate for Enterprise last year and it came to $55 total for a Nissan Sentra.WE used it for Universal, Walmart, tickets and Dinner theater, Mickey'D's a few times.
Downtown Disney and stop at a Quick Mart near there,

So really think about what you would use it for, how much use, how much you would pay, and write the pros and con's side by side. Look at it and what do YOU think.
On the transportation forum this server there are great codes, and mousesavers.com too.
dianne

 

[Aliceacc]

The last time I went (in 1990) we rented a car. It was just the 2 of us, we stayed off site, and managed a trip to Cape Caneveral to see the Space Center... it was well worth the money.

This trip, however, is a different story. We now have 3 kids and are staying at the Contemporary. There's no need for us to have a car.

Like you, we can get to the Magic Kingdom via monorail. From the TTC we can take another monorail to Epcot. Those two parks are where we'll spend most of our time.

For DDT or MGM, we can leave a bit after the morning rush. So the only time I'm thinking we'll hit a horrendous line is after Fantasmic at MGM. I can live with that; we'll sleep in a bit, hit the pool, and get there at or after lunch. The kids won't be as exhausted and in need of a quick exit as they would in MK or Epcot.

I say save your money and spend it in Disney instead of renting a car.

 

[powellrj]

there are people who will tell you they rent the car and it never leaves the parking lot. If you think you will be like that, save your money and ride the buses.

Thats not me. I almost panic at the thought of not having a car. I like being able to drive where I want to go when I want to go there. I know there were several times I would take a quick trip to DTD and be back in less than an hour and if I had to rely on buses there was no way I could make all the little quick trips I like to make. We also like to eat at other resorts, DTD and off-site. There is no way I would even try to do those things if I didn't have a car.

We like to drive to the parks because we like to leave when we want and not have to worry about waiting around for a bus to come.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Some trips we've used it more than others. We stay at AKL and for some parks and DTD it is easier to drive than take the bus. We also run out to WalMart and/or Food Store to get some snacks/waters/juice/breakfast items rather than ship from home or pay Disney prices for it.

Check the transportation board and mousesavers for discount codes. We've been really lucky and have always gotten pretty low rates. (Our compact car in Dec is costing about $85 for the week thanks to codes found here on the Dis!)

That being said, if you rent a car, you'll have to either bring or rent car seats for the kiddos where if you were taking ME and buses everywhere you could get away with not bringing them.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

We were just there 9/22-9/29. It was our 1st trip with having 2 kids. DS's are 6 & 2.5. All I can say is thnak goodness we rented a car!! It made our lives much easier!! No waiting for buses & we could come & go as we pleased. We had a lot of dinner reservations at other resorts or far off places. If we had to take a bus we would have had to given ourselves so much extra time to get there!!
If the bulk of your time is going to be at Magic Kingdom then I would say you do not need a car. But, if you are going lots of other places & at odd times they I would say you should rent one.
Have a great trip!

 

[sk8jdgca]

Check the transportation board and mousesavers for discount codes. We've been really lucky and have always gotten pretty low rates. (Our compact car in Dec is costing about $85 for the week thanks to codes found here on the Dis!)


Where did you get htis rate-I'm going in dec too

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

We always have a car. We like to be able to go to the grocery store and have what we like in the room. It is cheaper to buy at the stores off site. We like to souvenir shop at the Disney outlet in Orlando Premium outlets. We've found a lot of great deals there.

We prefer to drive to MGM, AK, water parks and especially DtD. It just is easier than taking the bus. there are also occasions that we like to eat offsite, maybe get a deep dish pizza at Giordano's or go to Bahama Breeze.

If you are the kind of WDW guest who only eats onsite, likes the buses and doesn't mind paying the higher prices for drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc. don't rent a car.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Check the transportation board and mousesavers for discount codes. We've been really lucky and have always gotten pretty low rates. (Our compact car in Dec is costing about $85 for the week thanks to codes found here on the Dis!)


Where did you get htis rate-I'm going in dec too

Obviously different dates (closer to actual holiday week) would be different. On the Alamo website click on the red "hot deals" tab, then I clicked the $20.00 E-coupon for weekly rentals, then in the Corp/ID box put in 430710 (Walmart discount code) which is another 10% off. I just did it again, and the rate came up as $86.89 total for a compact car.

HTH - mousesavers and the transportation board here have some great codes, but for my dates this one seemed to be the best.

Edited to add: Sorry - Our dates are 12/12 to 12/18. That Walmart code includes a free additional driver too!

 

[MissionMouse]

We always rent a car. It provides flexability to our vacation. If we are planiing on visiting other attractions prior to Disney, we rent. It makes it easy to get to DTD or any local market or Rx store. If you are doing a spilt stay or want to avoid the buses it makes it easy since parking is included in the price of your resort stay. There are also some discount vendors too...like Hertz simply Wheelz which is priced for vacation travelers. This is an Orlando only offering too and you can also add AAA discounts on top of their low price.

 

[Davidsmommy]

We've done both.

I will say from now on out we will probably rent a car.

In January, we did a family trip and it was fine without the car, but it would have been nice.

In August, DS and I did a trip and we were fine without a car.

In September, DH and I had our 10th anniversary trip, and at the last minute, I decided we should rent a car. It was only $100 - and it was well worth it. We didn't drive everywhere - but it was nice to have the option to drive if we wanted it. And, we chose to drive most of the time! It was just nicer. We didn't drive to DTD when we planned on doing the Adventurer's Club (since we wanted to have a couple drinks), and we avoided driving to the MK for MNSSHP - and Epcot one day for F & W since we assumed we would have a drink. But, other than that, I think we drove to all the parks (we were staying at AKL). It was just nicer.

For the most part, in the future, we will probably stay off site, but if we ever stay on site again, we will likely rent a car. My friend and I are going in January, and we will not rent a car, but for family trips, we will. Just more convienent for us.

 

[badblackpug]

I have never rented a car and I have never stayed in a monorail hotel. I found the bus system very easy to use, and have never waited more than 10 - 15 minutes for a bus. We have groceries sent to the room from www.gardengrocer.com. We also have ADR's all over for dinner. We don't necessarily gear our day towar the Adr, either. When it's time for dinner we just jump on the bus and go! Remember, you still have to make your way through the parking lots with tired kids. My kids enjoy the busses. They think of them as something different and part of the Disney magic. "Hop on a bus and it takes you to a park!"

 

[Mouse House Mama]

4 kids 5 and under and we never rent a car. By the time you get to the parking lot at the parks you might as well have walked back to your resort. We have stayed at the Poly and transportation was fine. As far as waiting for the bus and then waiting to get to wherever when you are on the bus, well the 4 year old should be fine and your 2 year old will probably enjoy the whole experience of it. I also don't know if you are planning on bringing carseats on your trip. You would definetly have to if you rent a car. Honestly- in all our trips I have never thought that a car would make it easier. I would not waste the money. JMHO.

 

[mericletwins]

We have gone with children seven times and our children are currently eight, eight and seven. We started going when the twins were 9 months old and I was pregnant. The first trip was at CBR. We had a rental car and used it to get to and from the airport and one grocery run in a seven day stay. Second and third trips were each 10 days long and we used it to get to and from the airport and two grocery runs. We stayed at OKW those two times. Then came the wonderful addition of Magical Express and GardenGrocer.com. The only two reasons that we ever used the car was taken care of. Three of the last four trips we have not had a car and have not missed it at all. One trip we had a car because we stayed in Tampa for a few days and then drove over to Disney. We should have turned it in as soon as we arrived because it just sat in the parking lot.

I would say do not rent a car, but some of that may depend on your personality. We are laid back and like to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak. If we are sitting at a bus stop we look for the lizards in the bushes, the fish in the lake, etc. It is a built in rest break for us and the kids. Same with actually being on the bus. If you are the kind of group that will constantly be checking your watches to see how long you have been standing there and get all crazed about the time your are "wasting" then maybe you should rent a car. I don't look at it as wasted time, I look at it as a good time to have a great conversation with the kids. Some of the funniest things they have said about Disney were at the bus stops. When my three were your kids ages, they thought that the Disney transportation was an attraction in and of itself. They LOVED to ride the "mickey busses". Same for the boats and monorails.

We have been at various times of year and have stayed at different resorts, some had all bus transportation, some bus and boat. We have never had an issue or a long wait for a bus or a boat and the last two times that we went were Easter week. When taking tired kids out of the park, I would rather sit in the shade for ten minutes waiting for the bus and having a chat with my kids, then walking ten minutes to get to the car from the front gates. We also enjoy getting into a cool bus as opposed to a hot car.