Rental Car versus Disney Bus

[Evita227]

I'm trying to decide what will work best for our family.

I was thinking of renting a car for my husband and I, with our two boys 4yrs and 7yrs. I have a lot of experience with Disney buses in the past. This is the first trip with the kiddos and I'm concerned if the kids get sick, etc. spending an hour on the stupid bus would not be great. We are also planning on taking the kids back to the resort for daily naps.

My question is: Are the parking lots pretty efficient at getting cars out at the end of the night?? What about coming in the morning?

I'm trying to convince my husband FOR a car rental. Any input would be GREAT. We were planning on staying at BCV, but if we decide on a rental I may look into Grand Cypress Villas - they are beautiful from the pictures and a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

[SweetMissy]

Been to disney 3 times and have never spent an hour on any bus....even taking DME from the airport doesn't take an hour. IMO the buses are the best option. They're easy, quick and less driving I have to do on vacation the better. I can imagine the parking lots can get pretty crazy....not to mention the $14/day to park will add up. Taking the kids back to resort mid afternoon for naps will probably be faster then mornings and nights. I don't know...I'm with your hubby on this.

 

[Evita227]

LOL ok that's one vote for buses!

We stayed at BWV the last two times and waiting for the bus, getting on the bus and stopping at 17 different places later, I'd say it was close to 45min before we got anywhere..... It always seemed we were the first to be picked up to go to a park, and the last resort to be dropped off! It was a little frustrating at times. And that was in September - slow time! Maybe it was the resort location that slowed us down?

 

[disneynut11]

We have done both many times....

Pro's of a rental car

1. Gives option of going off property to grocery stores and restaurants.

2. Has been faster many times than taking the bus, or waiting for the bus when wanting to head back to the resort for a nap.

3. You are guaranteed a seat in your car! Not fun o hold a sleeping or sick child on the bus!

Con's of a rental car

1. Driving to MK is a nightmare in terms of how time consuming it is! If you are bringing a stroller, the parking lot trams are a nightmare!!!

Pro's of bus
1. the MK bus takes you right to the entrance
2. No road rage!

 

[disneynut11]

We have also had to wait for three buses to get to POP after Epcot and MK closing.

 

[Evita227]

Wow great answers! Yes one time we were taking a bus to Animal Kingdom resort to eat at Sanaa (Just hubbie and I) and we couldn't even get off the bus! There were so many people there and they wouldn't let us off! I couldn't imagine that day with kids.......

The $14/day is pretty steep.... I'm wondering if AAA offers a discount or free parking if you book with them?

 

[ChitownFamily]

Quick thoughts- if you stay on site parking is free at resort & theme parks
Car seats- you will need these (con-extra luggage) i'll addres the inevitable retort about FL law-yes according to fl law neither of you children are required to use a car seat. The rest of the country thinks fl is crazy & should use more common sense.

We have always rented a car. This last trip was our first on property- we loved the freedom of NOT depending on someone else schedule. (Disney transportation schedule)

At 4 & 7- could you rent a double stroller allowing the kids to rest in it & avoid having to go back to the hotel? I know this is probably partially dependent on the weather (really hot etc)


Sorry for typos /grammer on phone

 

[pascalstongue]

Wow great answers! Yes one time we were taking a bus to Animal Kingdom resort to eat at Sanaa (Just hubbie and I) and we couldn't even get off the bus! There were so many people there and they wouldn't let us off! I couldn't imagine that day with kids.......

The $14/day is pretty steep.... I'm wondering if AAA offers a discount or free parking if you book with them?

If you are staying on property, parking is free.

 

[Msmissymouser]

We ALWAYS rent a car. We also always do the DDP. I don't want to allow 1 1/2 hours to get to my ADR via Disney Transportation. We enjoy the freedom to move about on OUR schedule.

 

[Evita227]

Quick thoughts- if you stay on site parking is free at resort & theme parks
Car seats- you will need these (con-extra luggage) i'll addres the inevitable retort about FL law-yes according to fl law neither of you children are required to use a car seat. The rest of the country thinks fl is crazy & should use more common sense.

We have always rented a car. This last trip was our first on property- we loved the freedom of NOT depending on someone else schedule. (Disney transportation schedule)

At 4 & 7- could you rent a double stroller allowing the kids to rest in it & avoid having to go back to the hotel? I know this is probably partially dependent on the weather (really hot etc)



Sorry for typos /grammer on phone

Excellent point about the car seats! There would be NO WAY I would check them at the airport - I'm flying from NY. That almost settles it for me right there! There's no chance rental car companies rent the car seats out??

We are going to rent a stroller for the week..... most likely double, and see how the kids do. Like you said, the heat will be unbearable and even my husband and I can't stay in the parks past 1p (we are talking about EARLY September) due to the heat..... we just aren't used to that in NY! LOL

If we decided to rent a car I probably wouldn't stay on property..... which is a whole NEW thread since I've only ever stayed at Disney villas.....

 

[ChitownFamily]

Car companies DO rent - many people do not trust the rentals- unknown history of seat, accidents, how it's taken care of

For your older child- google Bubble Bum- awesome highly acclaimed inflatable booster. I would be happy to link but my phone has issues

 

[Evita227]

Wonderful idea!

 

[geraghty]

From BCV you can walk to Epcot, ride a boat to HS, the other two you would have to take a bus, but it would still be faster taking a bus when going to MK. I like Disney transportation, so I'm biased.

 

[jill4140]

Nothing like having to wait for four buses with the kids after the parks have closed at the end of a long day------go with the rental car you won't regret it!

 

[msmama]

I say no car. I say no car anywhere, but definitely no for BW.

Everything I've read on these boards says that even if you have a car, Bus is the best option to MK (otherwise you have to park at TTC).

You can walk/boat to DHS and Epcot which really only leaves AK as the one that may be best to drive to. Driving to one park doesn't seem worth it to me!

 

[Evita227]

Great responses! Keep em coming!

 

[SarahKate]

Your answer to this question depends on how you feel about driving on vacation. If the thought of driving doesn't phase you, then GO for it. We always have our own vehicle and never use the bus except for MK.

If you book through AAA you can get the parking pass that gets you closer to the gate. Is not always tons closer but we usually do pretty well.

We have never, ever had to wait in any long lines at the end of the night. And even if we did, at least we are sitting, comfortable and have AC if it was hot out. I'd rather do that any day over waiting for busses along with hundreds of others. And sometimes there are 2-3 buses that go before we even get to load. And it's usually our luck that we have to stand. Not the end of the world but we just like driving better.

 

[ColonelHathi]

We are renting a car from the Disney Car Car Center for a portion of our stay. It's cheaper (less taxes) than renting from the airport, and the rental companies can pick you up/drop you back off at the WDW resorts. Also cheaper to just rent for a portion of our trip when we might want to actually use a rental vs. The end of our trip when we won't. I lived in LBV for a while so I can't imagine NOT having the flex to go to the grocery store, drive around Orlando, and drive to the parks IF we desire. We are staying on property though = free parking. AAA offers preferred parking location, but not a discount for offsite. But staying offsite might still be a better value for you. You have to get the AAA pass for parking ahead of time. We plan on arriving before RD for AK and HS, also EP on 1 day, so finding a close spot will not be too much of a problem. We are also going at a slower time. Kids will be 5 & 7 and we are playing it by ear to see if they need a break at the resort or just some show time/chill time/train time. Note, we ARE NOT planning on driving to MK/MNSSHP - buses for that.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I love when people really are receptive to both sides of an issue.

You don't have to tell your DH but I side for the buses. Think what you you could do with the extra money you would spend on a rental.....!!! I let my DS then 5 ride without a car seat when we did a cab once but really did not feel good about it. The roads around WDW are just like any busy roads. Car seat rental adds up too. We have been to WDW many time and have used then buses every time even though we drive. We have had few issues with them. Out least favorite bus service is WL and best is CSR. Remember you really don't want to drive to MK even with a car, so that is one day you may not even use your car. We have always gone with the idea, if we really need to get back quickly we can call a cab...never happened. Only used a cab once when we received a voucher for a check in taking a little bit longer!

 

[disneynut11]

I know you said you are against it, but I checked our car seat at the airport with no problems! I wrapped it in plastic and took off the soft covering and put it in carry on luggage so it wouldnt be too grimy.