Rental Car Debate

[MOMOFMNM]

We are staying at the Poly in Sept for 5 nights and we are using ME and WDW transportation, mainly MK (monorail...thank god for the Poly and EPCOT and MGM probably skip AK this time around....anyway do you all think those of us who do not rent cars are insane?? I really feel comfortable with my choice HOWEVER if I were at AS or even AKL or a mod I would think twice about a car. That is why I changed ressies from POR to Poly, I don't want to rent a car and or deal with traffic in Orlando. Who here does not rent a car or does and why?? Just curious...also do you all agree that it matters what resort you are at as to whether or not you should rent a car?? Also how is the ME situation recently??

Thanks!

 

[rascalmom]

We are big advocates of having a car. HOWEVER, the Poly is the one resort where I feel it really is not needed. It has an advantage over even the GF & CR because of the proximity to the TTC. The transportation options at the POLY are (I think) the best on property.

Monorail or boat to MK.
Monorail to Epcot from MK or TTC.
The buses to MGM & AK were not overcrowded.

In addition to the parks, getting to some of the best restaurants on property is easy from the Poly. (California Grill, Citricos, Ohana, Kona Cafe, Chef Mickey's)

Really, it's just personal preference. I am from a city where everyone drives - public transportation is very spotty, so we are used to driving everywhere. Someone from a bigger city may be more used to waiting for & riding crowded buses.

 

[southjerseymom]

We have stayed at the Poly, WL and BC in recent years and did not rent a car at any of them. I just feel more "on vacation" when I use the WDW transportation. Our kids are small so we have done this with 2 strollers and everything! Don't love the busses..but we have never really had a problem with them. Loved the boats and monorail at the Bay Lake resorts!! This last trip the kids were old enough (2 and 4) that we just rented a multiday double stroller in the parks and left our strollers in the room. Made the busses way easier. Plus the WDW strollers are really quick and much easier to push than our umbrella strollers. I know some people are adament about having a car, but for us, with the addition of ME and the great service at wegoshop we never really missed a car.

 

[Kycha]

For me, I feel better renting a car for our WDW vacations. I feel more secure knowing if we need to make the great escape, we just need to jump in the car and go. Plus with all the great deals you can get on rental cars, you shouldn't have to pay more than $120/wk. That is a small price to pay for feeling secure.

 

[robinb]

I always rent a car, even when I stayed at the Poly. Sometimes the car stays in the parking lot for days. Sometimes we drive to the parks. Sometimes we drive to the grocery or the outlet mall. Sometimes we eat off-site. I like having the car and the freedom that a car provides.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Just my 2 cents here - We never rented a car before (and we usually stay at POFQ). I never found it to be terrible waiting for the busses. When we stayed offsite in Jan we rented a car and now I think we will probably do it all the time (even onsite). We will be in AKL in Nov and rented a car ($180 for 10 days). It is actually cheaper for us to rent than to get 5 people car service to the resort - then we go to the cruise terminal - then back - then back to the airport. With ME though I guess it would come close to breaking even.

You'll be fine without one - it's your vacation and if you have a sense that sometimes you may wait for Disney transport, you'll be fine! I never found the wait long, except for maybe at closing.

Have fun!!!

 

[peacefulgirl]

Just my 2 cents here - We never rented a car before (and we usually stay at POFQ). I never found it to be terrible waiting for the busses. When we stayed offsite in Jan we rented a car and now I think we will probably do it all the time (even onsite). We will be in AKL in Nov and rented a car ($180 for 10 days). It is actually cheaper for us to rent than to get 5 people car service to the resort - then we go to the cruise terminal - then back - then back to the airport. With ME though I guess it would come close to breaking even.

You'll be fine without one - it's your vacation and if you have a sense that sometimes you may wait for Disney transport, you'll be fine! I never found the wait long, except for maybe at closing.

Have fun!!!

good price you got!

 

[miss missy]

We will be in AKL in Nov and rented a car ($180 for 10 days).

how did you get that price for a rental? where?

 

[CleveRocks]

I wouldn't tell you or anyone else what you should do, as it's all a matter of personal preference. For me, I've never once even considered renting a car at WDW.

I say that when I go there I like being in the "Disney cocoon." I really LOVE not having to even think about driving, traffic, keys, RESPONSIBILITY, the whole thing. I love giving all of that up for a week or so. There's no place else I've ever vacationed where I've felt so free and so taken care of without a car. I usually rent a car everywhere I go, even if it's just for a day or so, so it's not like I have anything against rentals or something like that.

WDW is my ONE chance for a vacation when I have the option to not drive where taking that option doesn't pose a problem.

Other people, on the other hand, hate giving up that control of being able to go anywhere anytime. I LOVE giving up that control.

Am I missing anything by having NEVER ventured into the Orlando metro area all the times I've been to WDW? I don't think so (I'd be missing out on Disney stuff!!!). A city is a city to me. And not getting around and meeting the people of metro Orlando? I'm sure they're very similar to me, except I have more wool sweaters and they have more knowledge about really big bugs.

-- Eric

 

[pdchris]

I've always rented a car. But, I use the WDW buses, too. When we go, we always plan a day away from WDW so I need a car. But, then again, I love to drive so maybe it's just cause of that.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Truthfully, no matter where im at, I rent a car because...


It gives you even greater flexibilty in transportation

and
Allow's you to cut down on transportation time for resort hopping (i.e you have a ps at Boma for 8:10 am, this means you would need to allow atleast 30 mins for transportation...)


Either way, poly is a great hotel

 

[MrsNick]

In 2000, went on a 4 day/3 night trip with no car, and in 2003 did 7 nights with car. Personally, I found having a car to be much better. We didn't even leave WDW property except to get to the airport and Discovery Cove, but not having to wait for a bus (even if was only a ten minute wait) was great. I didn't find driving at WDW to be a challenge at all (and I am not at all familiar with Orlando), and traffic wasn't a problem. The only time we used the bus was when I felt like having an after dinner drink at DTD. I thought I wasn't going to think having a car was that great, but now I wouldn't do WDW without one.

 

[fac]

We always rented a car, because DH likes to have a car at his disposal.

Having said that, two years ago, having done some research and read about the transportation system in WDW, I talked DH into taking the bus even we had the car with us at the time. I did not like the bus, partly because the bus was crowded and I hated the wait, partly because my two kids were 4 and 2 at the time.

On the other hand, if I were you and if I were travel alone with the kids, probably I would not rent a car because I never drive in Orlando (LOL) and I hate driving even at home.

This is really a personal perference.

 

[sue1013]

We only rented a car once and it sat in the lot for the week. I spend enough time in my car at home Disney transportation is part of vacation to me. We also always stay for at least 7 nights we do not have to rush around if it takes extra time to get to another resort its ok. If you feel you will be counting every minute and 10 minutes waiting for a bus will bother you then you should rent a car.

 

[antmaril]

It wouldn't matter where we are staying - we would have a car. The only places I can travel to and not rent a car are Las Vegas, NY and Washington, D.C. At WDW, I need a car. I want total control. I don't want to wait for a bus - ever. I want to go off property to eat (occasionally) and shop. I just like the flexibility I have with a car.

I'm sure many people can do it without a car, just not me.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have stayed at the Poly, Dixie Landings, Swan and Dolphin, total, about 15 trips. I have rented for every trip. I do use WDW transportation for the most part, but do like the flexibility fro resort hops, DtD, day trip to Universal, and the trip from and back to MCO. Also have used it several times picking people up at MCO. I just like the freedom, though feel very confident in and enjoy Disney transportation while there too.