Rental car or no rental car?

[Brittmarie04]

We have been to Disney several times and have never had a rental car. We're staying at pop jan 18-25th. Just wanted some pros and cons to having one? If people who usually get one could give me some input. I found a great deal on price line $74 for a whole week, Saturday to Saturday pick up and drop off at Orlando airport. $115 with all taxes and fees which I feel like is an amazing deal for a week. One thing I think will be a pro is not having to wait in that long line I usually get stuck in waiting for magic express at airport. Just wondering how parking works at the parks if we drive ourselves and don't take shuttle. Is it a far walk from lot to gate?? Thanks got info.

 

[morethananyonex]

Do you have small children, or anyone else in your party who could make buses harder to deal with? Do you have lots of plans to travel from resort to resort? In the trips before ME, we found that even when we did have a car we only really used it to go to and from the airport.

Using the rental car is almost always going to be faster (except at MK). At MK you park at the TTC, depending on how far you are from the TTC you take a tram through the parking lot to the TTC. You then take the monorail/ferry to the park. For the other parks, you take a tram from the parking lot to the gate if you're parked too for to walk. Parking is free for onsite guests. Parking at DTD can be a huge pain, especially right now, however the DTD buses are a pain too so that may be a wash. If you want to visit other resorts, your own car is going to be way faster than taking 2 methods of transportation (one from Pop to your transfer point, one from the transfer point to the other resort).

 

[larryz]

Is it a far walk from lot to gate??

In some cases, the gate will be closer than the tram lane. And the trams run from one hour before opening to at least an hour after closing.

Your mileage may vary. Professional driver on closed course -- do not attempt yourself.

 

[Brittmarie04]

Do you have small children, or anyone else in your party who could make buses harder to deal with? Do you have lots of plans to travel from resort to resort? In the trips before ME, we found that even when we did have a car we only really used it to go to and from the airport. Using the rental car is almost always going to be faster (except at MK). At MK you park at the TTC, depending on how far you are from the TTC you take a tram through the parking lot to the TTC. You then take the monorail/ferry to the park. For the other parks, you take a tram from the parking lot to the gate if you're parked too for to walk. Parking is free for onsite guests. Parking at DTD can be a huge pain, especially right now, however the DTD buses are a pain too so that may be a wash. If you want to visit other resorts, your own car is going to be way faster than taking 2 methods of transportation (one from Pop to your transfer point, one from the transfer point to the other resort).

My DD will be turning 10 on the trip. I don't think we will do much traveling to other resorts. We have dinner reservations at downtown Disney one night and 1900 park fare one night. Most other reservations are in the park will be in that day. What's TTC mean?? So even if we do get a rental car we will prob want to take shuttle on magic kingdom days? One of the main reasons I wanted car is bc after wishes we have waited over an hour for the shuttle back to pop on several occasions. But seems like if we have to wait on tram to parking lot it may be just as bad

 

[morethananyonex]

My DD will be turning 10 on the trip. I don't think we will do much traveling to other resorts. We have dinner reservations at downtown Disney one night and 1900 park fare one night. Most other reservations are in the park will be in that day. What's TTC mean?? So even if we do get a rental car we will prob want to take shuttle on magic kingdom days? One of the main reasons I wanted car is bc after wishes we have waited over an hour for the shuttle back to pop on several occasions. But seems like if we have to wait on tram to parking lot it may be just as bad

TTC is the transportation and ticket center. It acts as the parking lot for the MK, and also the switching point for anyone travelling to Epcot by monorail.

I would definitely say take the bus on MK days even if you get the car. If your primary concern is getting out after Wishes, you're still going to have to deal with the wait for the ferry/monorail, a tram, possible traffic getting out of the parking lot and the drive back to Pop. If you want a shorter wait after Wishes, you can hang around on Main Street browsing shops, eating a snack, or if the parks still open head back into the park and ride something quick while the crowds clear out.

From the info you've given, I don't think you need the car, but since it's a good deal I would still go for it if you think you're going to use it even just a few times.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Having done it both ways, many times, I like having a rental car. I feel there's more flexibility, and I honestly hate relying on the buses. It's also extremely convenient for getting to other resorts for dining reservations.
29 trips to Disney World and counting...next stop POFQ March 2014

 

[stinkpickle]

For that price, I'd say it's definitely worth trying out.

 

[The Sasquatch]

We get a car every time. You can get a car in Orlando for under 200 for the week. I want to drive myself to and from the airport and be able to go any where whenever I want. I can get to pretty much anywhere on property in 10 minutes. Try that on a bus! I couldn't imagine waiting for a bus, visiting multiple pick ups and then finally getting to where I need to be after an hour.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We always rent a car. Orlando airport makes it very easy to both pick up and drop off rentals and we like just being in charge of ourselves regarding our flights. We also use it to go to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, to visit resorts, and the waterparks. Depending on where we are staying, we also might use it for Epcot, usually not MK because of the logistics of the TTC. And it has also come in handy for surprise trips to urgent cares, pharmacies and Target for when we forget something. We would never go without one!

 

[hsmamato2]

Well, if you want to spend the 100,it's nice to have when you want it.... when we have had one in the past, we don't use it all the time, but sometimes it is convenient (off site grocery run- hotel to hotel travel,etc) but for us, we aren't in a huge hurry,and the whole 'should we take the car or bus' debate that happens daily in our family kind of annoys me so....I just prefer to not have a car overall. We had a trip where it sat in the parking lot most of the week.....

 

[Brittmarie04]

I think we're going to go for it and keep the car. We want to go to the beach if we get an 80 degree day so it will be nice to have it!!!

 

[HiHoWeGo]

I think we're going to go for it and keep the car. We want to go to the beach if we get an 80 degree day so it will be nice to have it!!!

I think you'll like having it.

Someone mentioned that DTD is difficult to park at (so true, especially on the weekends). One thing we did was to go to POFQ and park there. We then took the boat to DTD! It was really relaxing and oh so easy compared to circling a parking lot for a space.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I think we're going to go for it and keep the car. We want to go to the beach if we get an 80 degree day so it will be nice to have it!!!

Excellent idea! We always take a day or two to head to one of the beaches to break up the park days. We couldn't survive without one, personally. And that is a great price so I say get one for sure!

 

[Mousemom234]

If it's affordable for you, then I'd definately say rent it.
We've had a rental since our 3rd trip (back when there were only 2 parks and 4 resorts ). Some days it's stayed in the parking space at the resort, and somedays I drive all over the World.

If you want to pop out to a grocery, it's worth the rental to be able to pick up supplies like water, soda and snacks - even breakfast. We got a really good deal last trip, and what we saved in breakfast, coffee and water just about equalled the cost of the car.

For 1900PF, take the valet parking - you'll have to pay for it, but it's a LONG walk from the u-park-it lot at the Floridian, and if the weather is iffy, 'you will get wet'

 

[Brittmarie04]

Excellent idea! We always take a day or two to head to one of the beaches to break up the park days. We couldn't survive without one, personally. And that is a great price so I say get one for sure!

We like to do Clearwater. It's a little bit of a drive but we really enjoy it. And we're usually only in Florida once a year!!!