rental car or not, help me decide

[Warmhugs]

Ok so this is our 7th trip to the world and ive never rented a car before. There is 4 of us going, all adults.

We will be there from 9/13-9/21 and staying at WL

We plan on doing one full day at universal and then attending the halloween horror nights on a different night. (so 2 trips to universal)

Does it make sense to rent a car?

I dont know if i would use it outside of going to universal as i would probably just use the bus system to get to disney parks. However i do remember taxis to universal being quite expensive. So whats everyone think?

 

[rwdavis2]

We always rent a car even when staying on site. IMHO, it's quicker to get to and from all the parks, except maybe MK, than taking WDW transportation. Depends on where you are staying.

It's a long taxi ride to Universal although there are other options. I just don't know the specifics.

 

[wdwrich]

I would get a rental car. As the PP mentioned, depending on where you are staying, driving to the parks is generally faster than taking Disney transportation (with the possible exception of MK). Also, two round-trip cab trips to Universal can cost a significant wad of cash.

You mentioned that there are all adults in your party. If you plan to eat dinners in the evenings at resorts other than the one where you are staying, doing so with Disney transportation can be a real pain since there isn't resort-to-resort transportation in most cases. For those late dinners, a rental car is a real blessing.

 

[bumbershoot]

For me personally, I would rent a car because I'm a driver who dislikes the buses (even to MK), and I would just stay onsite at universal for the universal days and do the full park day and party consecutively. And I would make it two uni days and the party after one of the days.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My husband always insists on a rental car. He hates the long lines for WDW transportation. It especially comes in handy getting to dining reservations.

 

[Warmhugs]

awesome tips, thanks for the advice I think were gonna get the rental. Seems like a good option to have and looks like if we use fox car rental we can get it for under 150 for whole stay.

 

[Warmhugs]

wait disregard that fox is located off the airport grounds and im not interested in that ha

 

[nacho113]

wait disregard that fox is located off the airport grounds and im not interested in that ha

Shuttle ride is only 3-5 minutes, if the savings are substantial could be worth it

 

[jworthy]

Rental cars are very cheap in Orlando

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

We always rent a car. Last year for that week three weeks out I had a Standard, Chrysler 200 for $135.00 for 8.2 days.

It's Disney's desire to keep you onsite, but you can use ME and let a driver pick up the car so luggage is still taken car of. You just meet the driver at either the resort or park.

Having the car makes sense for us, with just the two we don't use ME, but love being able to drive to the parks, eating off site, visiting other parks. One year we even stayed two nights at Universal to save a few dollars which we used for tickets for the Halloween parties.

I was sold on the rental when we had one medical emergency and one pediatric dental emergency onsite. I don't know how we would have managed without it. Another time I needed to get to a drug store and in fifteen minutes I was there being handed my script.

 

[teambeaman]

We always rent a car. If you're a Costco member they have some really great discounts. Last October we got a full size for 1 week for $135.00.

 

[Warmhugs]

really appreciate all the responses and definitely helping me with this decision, but one question is it possible to rent a car and still have your luggage picked up i see it mentioned in previous post but don't understand quite how that would work.

 

[rwdavis2]

really appreciate all the responses and definitely helping me with this decision, but one question is it possible to rent a car and still have your luggage picked up i see it mentioned in previous post but don't understand quite how that would work.

If you mean DME then, I would just get it yourself. It could take several hours for the luggage to be delivered to your hotel room.

 

[wdwrich]

really appreciate all the responses and definitely helping me with this decision, but one question is it possible to rent a car and still have your luggage picked up i see it mentioned in previous post but don't understand quite how that would work.

Officially, that's not supposed to be allowed, but see the sticky at the top of this forum for more information.

 

[mieuxmew]

If you can get a good price on a entail car, it is WELL WORTH IT! Disney transportation can be hit or miss. We love having a car - at park closing everyone has a guaranteed seat! Shopping /dining off site also is a big help and offered variety and cost savings. Another consideration - before your room is ready or after you check out of your room you can lock you valuables in the trunk (iPad, laptop, cameras).

Consider having one or two people pick up the rental car and the rest of the party take Disney Magic Express. Having Disney deliver your luggage to your room is awesome. Meet at the hotel/resort. We have done this many times and it works out well.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I agree with renting a car. You can get one for you whole stay for less than the cost of RT taxis to Universal. The good prices do require you doing your homework and spending a few minutes daily watching the prices. As an example, we booked a last minute trip to Orlando only about 2 weeks ago(we arrive on Aug29th). I did my research, found a bunch of rental codes/coupons and then started watching the sites daily. I started out with a compact for 7 days at $133 now I'm down to $82 for an intermediate.