Rent a car or not

[sassysocks]

We always drive to WDW, but this time we decided to fly. We are trying to decide if we should take the complimentary bus or rent a car. Generally speaking, how long is the wait for the bus to pick you up at the airport? Also, what would be the average time it takes from the airport to your resort? I am aware that there will be other resort stops along the way. Is it true that we will have to be ready to leave 3 hours before our plane departure?

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have always been to our resort within 90 minutes of landing...that's over 10 trips of consistency.

Yes, you do have to leave 3 hours before your flight, but we just book the latest flights out and then that way we get a full day of parks and the 3 hours allows lots of time for dinner at the airport.

I see zero reason to rent a car at Disney. It's actually one of the plusses of visiting WDW, but everyone is different.

 

[Rosebud123]

I have never NOT rented a car. This trip we're doing a 10-night split stay at the Poly and the YC and my intention was to rely on WDW transport. Well, I just couldn't do it! Started stalking the Transportation Forum and got a full size for $169, all in.

I love the freedom you get from having a car. I do not want to be at the mercy of the buses! Too many horror stories.

 

[helenm29]

We have always rented a car when we go to Disney world. It's just too convenient not to have to wait for buses when you are tired from a full day at the parks and when you want to go off property to pick up something it's no problem. I would never go without renting a car.

 

[Lee & Kerry]

If you plan on staying on property you don't need a car, disney transportation works just fine. We have never had a problem with it. I used to be the one that had to have a car. I tried the Disney transportation and I let them do the driving. After a long day at the park it's nice to be driven back(nap time) is cool. After a long day of drinking at Epcot Food and Wine festival it gr eat to have someone drive you home...

 

[Kevin355]

We always leave the driving to Disney. It is free. $169 is two Vera Bradley Disney purses, almost...ask my wife, she has priced them!!!

 

[minnie mum]

We've driven to WDW and we've flown. We've never used a car once we are on property. If you aren't planning on going off property during your stay, then it isn't required. But some people simply don't like using Disney transportation. Personal preference is really what it comes down to.

 

[Sue M]

I rent a car because I fly into Ft Lauderdale and stay there before WDW to visit family. We drive up to WDW, stoping first for groceries then after checking into resort we return car to Disneys Car Care Centre/Alamo. It's just across from the TTC. Very handy. They have a shuttle service that will take you back to your resort or a park.

I have no problem letting Disney do the driving. I don't like driving in unfamiliar places, worried about taking the right exits, not to mention the other tourists who don't know where they're going either and suddenly swerve into another lane to get their exit. And I can enjoy that Grey Goose slush at Epcot! Lol.

Have no problem with 3 hr departure for MCO. It's a busy airport, security lines can be horrendous, and so can traffic. I'd rather get to the airport on time then spend an extra 30 min at WDW. For sure you'd have to leave 2 1/2 hrs before anyway if you had a rental.

I'd rather spend the $ on something more fun then driving.

 

[jperrot1]

As everyone is saying you do not need a car, and for most WDW transportation routes, I think you'll find things pretty smooth. But I think it would depend on where you are staying, and what your destinations will be during your vacation. For example if you are staying at Contemporary and going to the MK, obviously the car would be of no use at all.Going from Contemporary to the Poly for Dinner, the car would be of no use. Going for dinner at AKL from the Contemporary you might opt for the car. If you post the Resort you're staying at and where you want to tour I think people can give you a better idea of comparing car vs. WDW transportation.

 

[sndral]

We fly and never rent a car. I look at those massive parking lots, the acres of parked cars, the shuttles to get to them, the jams in and out of parks as I ride by on the air conditioned bus, monorail or boat and am not tempted to rent a car. I have occasionally splurged $20-30 for a taxi ride from a late dinner at a resort back to my resort, but those are front of one resort to front of my resort w/out having to hike to and from whatever parking can be found.
Regarding DME, I love having the luggage delivered to the room rather than reclaiming it from the carousel and then wheeling it to the car rental place and then lugging it from the car into the room. I also like the convenience of the RAC desk at the resort for when I leave. Regarding the drive I figure I'll get there when I get there and sort of enjoy watching who gets off where when the DME bus stops at other resorts first. Last trip the driver made an extra stop to rescue a turtle on the road on the way in to one of the resorts. Every body on the DME bus arriving is in a pretty cheerful mood, going home not so much.

 

[Rosebud123]

already replied! LOL. Guess I really like my car!

 

[ForMyBoys]

We've always rented a car when we stay a whole week. But when we do a split cruise/park stay we don't and rely on Disney. They really do get you to your hotel very quickly and the bus plays fun cartoons, part of the experience.

I do like being able to take an air conditioned bus back to the otel and like that its easy if our party wants to split up. But for certain things I like having a car, like getting to DTD or if you want to do something offsite (which we do sometimes), but you can probably save more than the cost of a car rental if you are comfortable using Uber or Lyft or even Taxi's where necessary.

 

[Trip planner]

We have done both (prefer having a car there) however, on our last trip the time it took to pick up our rental car at the airport was over an hour!! We had already booked and paid for it but the line to get the car was HUGE!

We have also relied on Disney transportation (plus cabs to get to ADR's). Depending on which resort you are going to, it may be a good compromise. WL to Poly and CR was very inexpensive (cheaper than renting a car for the day)
Even with a car we usually rely on Disney transportation to get to MK.

 

[happymommy]

You'll likely find the replies to be 50/50 on this one! Many folks can't imagine not having a car, and the freedom to drive where they want to go. They can stop at the store to pick things up on the way (a town car service does this too) or run out to buy things. They can go shopping elsewhere for souvenirs and clothing. They can explore other dining options.
Me, if I'm staying at Disney, no way am I going to even use a car! I leave the driving to them. That's one thing I find wonderful about a Disney vacation.
When staying at a nearby condo, of course I have to have one. Last time I did that, though, was over two years ago. We did 15 nights, and it was a blast! We took our time, didn't always go out other than the pool some days. We did both water parks, plus mini golf (both of the Disney ones).
I have come to really appreciate Magical Express. We land, get on the bus, check in, drop any bags we have with the bell services, and immediately head out to a park (and lunch)! Later, our stuff (if we check bags) is in our room for us! Love it.
Years ago, before ME service, we used to use a town car often. I liked being able to stop and pick up snacks and drinks for the room on the way. Now I love saving that $100 for something else!

 

[baldy6060]

I couldn't imagine (nor do I want to imagine) going to WDW without a rental car. Soooo many conveniences! If I won a trip to WDW with paid transportation I would still rent a car with my own money.

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

We have never rented a car. We have never had a problem with Disney transportation. Magical express has been ok (one time it was pretty slow but it was a very busy week). We have used it 4 times. The bus/boat/monorail service is good. We did have one time that trying to get to Typhoon Lagoon was a nightmare. My friend threw a tiny fit and the resort van took us . And 3 hours sounds like a long time but if you have never flown from the Orlando airport, well, it is a mess. You will not be there too early. Getting through security there is a nightmare. You may end up with about 30 extra minutes but that's about it. Being able to check your luggage at the resort is also a plus. If you don't, the line for that is also a nightmare (at least it was for our airline we flew home from a vacation at universal). And it doesnt matter if you already have the boarding passes...if you have luggage you have to stand in the long line with all the others who don't have boarding passes (as opposed to most airports where people who have already done online check in just drop luggage in a different line and go). So you will still have to be there early even if you rent a car. However since I have never rented a car, i may not know what i'm missing!

 

[Mazz519]

We always rent a car, I have it so down right now as far as time from Airport to hotel, very quick. We like having a car to visit all of Disney whether it be DTD or just swinging by the AKL for dinner. Sometimes the buses to the resorts can be a long wait

 

[busymommy2pink]

Our car rental prices are just not justifiable. So we now just plan an extra $100 or so for cabs whenever we feel like it. It's been a great balance! We aren't rope drop people, so buses aren't usually packed when we go. Feeling like we want to get there quicker? We hop in a taxi. Check out the bus line at the end of the day, too many people? We hop in a taxi. Not so bad? We just wait it out. The only time I'll consider renting a car, is if we ever go to AKL again, I didn't love the buses there. It seemed sooo far.

 

[olive]

We had a couple of off experiences with Magical Express, coupled with a bag getting left behind in the transfer from bell services to Magical Express one year plus some of the long waits and overcrowded buses people have experienced with on-site transportation (especially to DTD and the Epcot area resorts from MK). We first switched to taking towncars instead of Magical Express and then just to renting a car. It ended up costing about the same or less compared to towncar RT and we could avoid Disney buses whenever we wanted to. With little kids, this was especially useful for us. We still relied on the monorail a fair amount.

 

[sassysocks]

As everyone is saying you do not need a car, and for most WDW transportation routes, I think you'll find things pretty smooth. But I think it would depend on where you are staying, and what your destinations will be during your vacation. For example if you are staying at Contemporary and going to the MK, obviously the car would be of no use at all.Going from Contemporary to the Poly for Dinner, the car would be of no use. Going for dinner at AKL from the Contemporary you might opt for the car. If you post the Resort you're staying at and where you want to tour I think people can give you a better idea of comparing car vs. WDW transportation.

We are staying at SS and OKW. This is the first time we are flying. We know WDW roads like the back of our hand and have always preferred to drive everywhere. We get around much faster and it is less stressful for us. I just wanted to know what to expect taking the complimentary bus to and from the airport.