Rent a car or rely on Disney transport?

[cammie1229]

We are 4 adults and 3 kids looking at staying a week onsite at Disney -- we're flying in.

Just wondering if its worthwhile to rent a minivan for our stay in order to get around the parks easier (we're getting a park hopper pass). We can use Disney transport sometimes but it would be nice to go resort to resort to dine and see the different hotels.

Does it cost anything to park at the resorts or the theme parks? Is parking difficult to come by or far away from the parks? Worth getting a car or will it just be a pain?

Thanks

 

[OKW Lover]

Only you can judge if the convenience is worth the extra cost. But you've hit on some of the very advantages that tip the scales in favor of having a car for us. We like not having to wait for the bus when we are ready to go. Having a car can also allow you to go off-property (gasp) for a meal or to shop at the Character Premier for discounted Disney merchandise.

 

[seashoreCM]

A car I believe is never a pain, the most inconvenience compared with the buses is at Magic Kingdom where you must use the monorail or ferry after parking.

For most people staying on site, a car is worth it only if trips off site are planned.

If you stay at a Disney resort, parking is free at all parks and all resorts but may be limited in time (typically 3 hours) at resorts other than yours.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[blitzkrieg048]

We use a car every time. The biggest pain is going from resort to resort w/o a car b/c you have to go to a park or DTD from your resort then to the resort you want to go to. Disney does not provide trans. from resort to resort. Another thing is lugging strollers on the buses, what a pain. I love my rental cars. I'll never do Disney w/o them.

 

[mspdieselbear]

I second the rental car, I always get one....You do have a rather large group though.....will be a little pricey..

Resort to resort is a pain....sorry to say they do try...
We went from POR to Campground for the Backyard BBQ.. Bus from POR to TTC to Campground bus, then bus at campground to back of campground to BBQ.....1 hour 45 minutes....then 1 of the kids got sick, threw up at the BBQ.....nightmare bus ride back.....

Wife and I just went without kids, we ended up renting a car...We had the magical express set up, didnt use it.......

I know the roads there, its easy when you figure it out... get the transportation map at your hotel counter....

 

[antmaril]

We ALWAYS rent a car at WDW. I like the flexibility it gives me.

 

[EpcotBill]

We always rent a car or drive our own, but each trip we take a Disney bus at least once, just to remind us of the torture of Disney Transportation.
This last trip (Sep. 2-10) we decided to take the bus from Pop Century to Magic Kingdom one day. We stood in line and watched 3 Epcot buses go by, then it started to rain. After about 30 minutes our bus finally arrived. We got to stand. Returning to Pop Century was much better. The buses were coming one right after another. We were packed like sardines but at least we didn't wait long for a bus.
That was the one and only time we used a Disney bus this time.
It is so much easier to have a car. You go where you want when you want.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I second the rental car, I always get one....You do have a rather large group though.....will be a little pricey..

Resort to resort is a pain....sorry to say they do try...
We went from POR to Campground for the Backyard BBQ.. Bus from POR to TTC to Campground bus, then bus at campground to back of campground to BBQ.....1 hour 45 minutes....

Ah, but there's a better way (yeah, yeah, I know - too late now, but it might help others):
Bus from POR to MK
Boat from MK to FW
Short walk to Pioneer Hall from dock

 

[maui2k5]

We tried the exact same thing last March with a Bus from POFQ to MK then MK to FW. It took us 45 minutes just to get from Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness once we arrived at MK from POFW. It was not too bad though since it is a nice boat ride, however it can be fairly time consuming. If I were going to rely on Disney Transportation from POR to FW, give yourseld a good 1 1/2 hours to get there by bus/boat.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Another vote for a rental car here.

 

[NanaDarling]

I have done both. . .used Disney transportation and rented a car. Disney transportation has always worked well for me, but I do love the flexibility that I have with a rental car. We had planned to use ME and Disney transportation for our trip in December, but decided to rent a car. Since we will want to visit other resorts to check out their Christmas decorations and since we will only have four days this trip, a car seemed the best choice.