Rental car or Towncar/Shuttle?

[niks81]

I have a trip planned for next June to WDW. We are flying into Orlando and I currently have a car rented from Dollar to tide us over. However, we are staying for 8 nights and are doing everything within Disney...we won't need it most of the week. The towncar service is cheaper and definitely more convenient, but I have a slight problem. We will be staying at the WL for two nights and then heading over to BWV for 6 nights. I want to be sure to be at BWV early to get my room requests...When I called Tiffany Towncar they said that it would cost 80 bucks roundrip but that I should call a taxi for transport from WL to BWV (it would cost about 10 bucks they said?) The rental car for the 9 days is going to run about 180 dollars with tax, etc. So the rental is about 100 dollars more...but which should I do? Would it be overly inconvenient to have to have three legs of transport?

 

[drusba]

Not really inconvenient. You can easily get taxi at the resort for the switch (when you are ready to leave just call down to valet services and taxi will most likely be there when you get outside). Nevertheless, you should consider keeping the car. Though getting to theme parks by Disney transport is generally OK, a car is the way to go if you want to go to Downtown Disney, another resort, or anywhere off site. Also, we have found that a car is the much faster trip between WL and MGM or AK and between BW and AK.

 

[niks81]

Thanks for the tip Drusba...but we rarely drive--we prefer Disney transport. So that's why I'm wondering...would the car be a waste?

 

[DisTwix]

In Mar 2000, I stayed on premesis for 10 nights - 6 at DL and 4 at ASM. We had limo service drop us off and pick us up (drop at DL, pick at ASM). Disney will move your luggage for you - from resort to resort. We checked out of DL early, headed over to ASM, checked in and headed for a park. (Our room wasn't ready) So - we found something to do with ourselves (tough one!) and when we came back after 4:00, our room was ready and our luggage was in it! Handy!

We wouldn't have used a rental car, even if we'd had one. The Disney Transportation is so freakin' great (although it can take time) and it's included. Also - from both those places, it was a bus to everything (DL has a boat, but the wait to get on the boat was ridiculous), and once we got the hang of the back pack, the stroller, corralling the kiddies, etc AND which buses we needed for what (took all of one day), there were no problems. We were extremely glad to have a one-handed release and fold stroller.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: you did realize that check in at bwv is at 4pm right? i guess the earlier you can check in the better the chances of your requests being met. we did the same thing in reverse (bwv to wl) on our sept, 2000 trip. bell services will move your luggage for you, but there may be a couple hour gap where your luggage won't be available to you. we left a carryon out of what was transferred. from wl, you may want to go to the ttc and take the monorail to epcot; walk through epcot and exit at the international gateway. walk over to the boardwalk and check in.

 

[LBYC-19]

We've done WDW with and without a car, and will never be without one again. Remember to add the tip into your town car service, and the car isn't all that much more. National has great deals with coupons, etc., and their location right at the airport, as well as automatic upgrade to larger car can't be beat (with Emerald Aisle membership, free, check out mousesavers.com).
Last time we stayed right on the monorail at the Contemporary, and the bus service was slow at best. At night we went over to the Boardwalk area which took forever, as did everywhere else we tried to bus -Downtown Disney, Blizzard Beach, etc. Not only do you have to wait for them, but they make so many stops at other resorts...we would have welcomed a car and will be utilizing one next April..doesn't mean we still won't take Disney transport, though, just not every time. If you love Disney transport, stick with it, but if you are doing it for monetary reasons, a car really isn't that much more expensive, and the peace of mind is priceless.

 

[MJames41]

As long as you are comfortable with the Disney transportation, and don't plan on going anywhere off property, I'd say go without the car. A car could be convenient though if you decide to go off property for something (but then again, who has time?). Although some people are absolutely against it, we like the Disney transportation as well. Sounds like you are used to it.

As far as resort hopping, Disney makes that extremely easy as well. I think that is one of the reasons that each theme and water park have lockers. Unless you absolutely want to be at Boardwalk early, we like to visit a park or two first, maybe take in a swim. You have a lot of options. Enjoy!

 

[cbrfan]

We enjoyed a 10 night stay last Dec and didn't need a car. We never have on any of our trips. The towncar was definately the way to go for us. We really enjoyed the comfort and convenience, not to mention the reasonable cost. Cheaper than the Mears shuttle, which we did once and that was one too many times. Never again!! Add that to the daily view of cars waiting in long lines to get into the parks and the numerous accidents you see along the way from people trying to squeeze into the lane they want and it makes you appreciate the Disney transportation system as well.

 

[teacherdog]

We have done it both ways as well. This time we are getting a very good
deal from Budget on a pick-up truck. (great for just hubby and me) I got the same vehicle for a trip I made elswhere in August and it worked out just great. The cost of that little pick-up is almost exactly the same as the cost of Tiffany's with tip.
We rarely use the car once we are there, but it does give you flexibility to drive out to get things like beer,soda or film without having to pay the higher prices on-site.

 

[inkkognito]

I will put in my vote for a towncar. The first time I visited WDW, I went with my sister and her friend...they always rent a car, but we really never used it as we always took Disney transporation. It just sat in the hotel parking lot. Then, when hubby and I started going, we took the shuttles because Disney sends the Mears coupons and we didn't know any better. As we gained experience and learned about all the great websites like this one that are full of tips, we switched to a towncar...no more sitting with a crowd of people and visiting a bunch of hotels before we get to our own. We take Happy Limo both to WDW and to Port Canaveral on our numerous Disney cruises, and I wouldn't do it any other way than a towncar. I know that rental cars are cheaper, but when I am on vacation, I am waaayyyy too lazy to worry about driving. It is well worth the money.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.disneycruiser.com

 

[DisTwix]

When I first responded to this post, I wasn't even thinking that it would apply to me for this trip!!! However, my travel bud suggested that maybe we should rent a car and go see Celebration or whatever and so we have both been mulling it over for the past couple of days. However, after alot of surfing tonight on costs for both and alot of thought to previous trips, I am leaning towards no car.

The deciding factor for me was remembering staying at FW (in a trailer) and having a car for the 5 days we were there and it never moved. AND - FW is the WORST to do the Disney transportation from!!! (Spent some time at the TTC that trip!!!) But - we STILL chose the transportation system, because it allowed us to be on VACATION and not fight with all the other nice folks trying to be on vacation.

 

[lampy]

As a DVC Member who owns at BWV, let me warn you that rooms are rarely available before 4:00 PM and getting there early to check in does not improve your chances of getting the view's you requested. It is all based on availability.