Rental car vs Disney busses

[krystalleigh1]

We're considering renting a car for our upcoming Oct trip. The cheapest rates I can find are at Payless at the airport. They're around $205 for the week. Is that good? Anyone used them?

Also, if someone could tell me what it's like leaving the parks with a car I'd appreciate it. Is there a mad exodus as the parks close and people leave in their cars, like with the Disney bus transportation? Seems like whenever we stay until park closing we have to wait in line forever before we get on a bus. Then we have to stand on the bus. Such a hassle.

Is using a rental car really that much easier? Worth it or not?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We found it is worth it to rent. You an get from point to point faster especially if you have a ADR to get to. It also gives you the option to eat off property which can save some serious $$$.

One other thing I would do is purchase a AAA dimond parking pass. We did this last year and man was the parking +++. It was only a 3 minute walk from our car to the enterance to Epcot. And the parking was in the shade!

 

[thepops]

I thought you had to get the disney package through AAA to get the diamond parking pass. Is that not the case anymore?

 

[CarnotaurDad]

We actually have taken the opposite route. We used to rent all the time and then switched to the bus service. Personally, I love not having to worry about parking the car, walk across the parking lot, etc.

I end up having more time with my family because I am not worried about driving. Yep, we sometimes have long waits for the bus but plan accordingly.

If this was a one time trip to WDW, I would definitely recommend renting. But for those who return multiple times, IMHO, I would recommend the bus service.

 

[kydisneyfans]

$205 seems high for a week long rental, we often get midsize for the mid $100's for the week.

I also prefer a vehicle for onsite stays. It's just easier to get around, plus the offsite dining is cheaper.

 

[michelle1]

We have used Payless twice before and had no problems with them although, unless they have moved to the terminal, they are offsite but will shuttle you to and from the airport (about 5 minutes away). $205 is actually a pretty good rate it seems since most people on these boards are complaining about how high the car rates are this year. We have a midsize booked for 8 days for $187 (taxes incl) which I thought was high at first but I can't find anything under $300 for my dates now. We like to have a car..we may use the Disney buses a couple of times but I think with car rentals so high they will be extra crowded.

 

[pamjb]

We rented a car for the first time for this past trip at OKW. We didn't use it everyday, but we tend not to be the commando type.

But, if you want to avoid the crowds at park close, DON'T HEAD FOR THE BUSES AS SOON AS THE PARK CLOSES. We stayed to watch Illuminations one night, then took a leisurely stroll around the World Showcase. The bus lines for every resort were NIL, even the values. The buses run 2 hours after park close, so there is no need to rush for the bus. Even waiting 15-30 minutes will save you those lines.