rent a car?

[greggt]

I am trying to decide if I should rent a car to get to the different parks while we are visiting. We are staying for 8 days and have an infant and a 4 year old. Any advise??

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We always get a car simply because it costs little more than it would for the four of us to take a shuttle to and from WDW. There are good coupon rates in the Entertainment books and the wholesale clubs, for instance. Then you can get some groceries on the way to your resort if you want, or diapers, etc....

During your stay you'll have the option of taking the bus or driving. If you're going right to the parks and back to your resort it might be easier to take the bus. If you're going to another resort or to more than one place it might be easier to take the car. But at least you'd have the option. I think it's worth the few extra bucks you'll pay considering you'll pay in other ways without it.

P.S. Welcome to the DIS!

 

[ncbyrne]

Welcome to the DIS boards! You will get opinions on both sides. We always rent a car. It's by far the most convenient. Sometimes we do take the bus or monorail from the resort to get to the parks, but it's always much handier to have a car if you want to get to Downtown Disney, to another resort. There have been times when the busses are so crowded that you are crunched in like sardines...other times I've had to wait for a second bus. We just prefer to have a car at our disposal - to use or not at our own discretion.
If you decide to rent a car, you will get very useful advice on where to rent and how to get the best price on the Transportation and Budget boards.

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

I will be renting a car for the first time on my next trip. I've been to Disney many, many times and never rented a car. The Disney transportation was very convenient to get to everything. The only thing that bothered me was the food. I am not a big Disney food fan. I'm renting the car just so we could get some groceries and go to some restaurants outside of Disneyworld.

 

[the kabuki]

This past Jan was our first time renting a car, and it was terrific. I will never, ever rely on the buses again. The freedom to come and go was great. No waiting, standing in the aisles, carrying sleeping children, bags, strollers etc. Plus we got our minivan for $192 for 7 days which was cheaper than town car roundtrip with tip and a shuttle to and from US for 2 days.

With the ages of your children, I would recommend it highly. Especially at closing, my younger ones fell asleep in the car every time.

 

[jasmine206]

We always rent a car - actually a van. We been going since our DDs were 2 and 4 and it was just easier to get to and from places. Plus the added security of getting to the grocery store, drugstore for unexpected illnesses, etc. We now have DDs 9 and 7 and DS almost 2 - wouldn't be without a van..... Just my opinion, but the wait for the transportation after waiting in the parks - too much for the little ones (and for me too) !

 

[Jennyvelaz]

Eight days? Definately!
1) My kids were sick last visit and It was so much easier getting the prescription with our own car than relying on transportation or cabs!
2) You won't have to pack as much with the infant if you can go get diapers and/or formula or milk, etc. with a car.
3) Any PS's you have will be easier to get to on you and the kids!
4) waiting for the buses with kids can be stressing and containing them after or before a park.
5) my kids enjoy getting "new cars from Mickey" each time we go! They rrreeeaalllyyy behave in the car!

 

[TumFamily]

This past Jan was our first time renting a car, and it was terrific. I will never, ever rely on the buses again. The freedom to come and go was great. No waiting, standing in the aisles, carrying sleeping children, bags, strollers etc. Plus we got our minivan for $192 for 7 days which was cheaper than town car roundtrip with tip and a shuttle to and from US for 2 days.

With the ages of your children, I would recommend it highly. Especially at closing, my younger ones fell asleep in the car every time.

If you dont mind me asking, where did you rent from at such a great price?? Thanks -- Deb

 

[antmaril]

We always rent a car. I really like the flexibility it gives us.

 

[WillCAD]

I almost always rent a car too.

It is certainly possible to get anywhere at WDW without a car by using the busses, boats, and monorails. But driving yourself can often cut travel times in half, especially if you are heading from one resort to another for a meal (WDW busses don't run from one resort to another).

It's also great to be able to drive off-site for shopping, dining, and film developing. On a weeklong WDW trip, I will often stop at an off-site Walgreens at least every other day to drop off film or pick up snacks and sodas. And it goes without saying that if you plan on going to Universal, SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Center, or any other central Florida attractions, the car lets you go without paying extra for taxi or towncar service.

Some people hate the "hassle" of driving themselves around while on vacation. To many people, the idea of being driven around by the Disney transportation system for the duration of their trip is a pleasant and relaxing thought. Personally, I prefer to be in control of my own destiny, as it were, rather than being completely at the mercy of the bus and boat schedules. To me, driving is like breathing; if I can't do it for myself, I turn blue and pass out.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm a 20 something newly wed, and we like to rent a car. I couldn't imagine NOT renting a car with toddlers!!!

 

[greggt]

Thank you for your help. I have reserved a car

 

[greggt]

Budget has a deal on a small suv for $156 per week (internet only special)
www.budget.com

 

[the kabuki]

If you dont mind me asking, where did you rent from at such a great price?? Thanks -- Deb

We rented with Dollar with a code from Mousesavers.com. Did lots of comparison shopping. BTW, if you see a good rate, go ahead and reserve it. Sometime if you wait for even a couple of hours it could be gone next time you check. They don't ask for a credit card to reserve and you can always cancel before you leave.

 

[ncbyrne]

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar and National are all located onsite at MCO. With a little research and planning you can get a car at a very good price.
Check these sites for codes.
http://www.rentalcodes.com/

http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

 

[doodlebug]

So I was looking into renting a car and can get an intermediate on the Emerald Aisle of National (hoping for something bigger) for 9 day for $197.28 with all the taxes and everything. What would it cost for a family of 4 to get Towncar from the airport to POFQ? Thanks

 

[WillCAD]

Towncars from the major companies typically cost $80-$100 for a round-trip. A towncar would fit a family of 4 (as long as you don't pack the kitchen sink in your luggage!) and the ride usually includes a grocery stop. The big disadvantage to a towncar is that it only goes to your resort and back again, leaving you completely at the mercy of the WDW transportation system. A rental car, however, would allow you to come and go as you please, both on-site and off-site, over the course of your entire trip.

$197 for an intermediate car with Emerald Aisle service is a pretty good rate for 9 days. Try Dollar and Alamo, however, and check MouseSavers.com for current discount codes, and you might just ba able to beat that rate.