Rental car vs Disney transportation

[Volcanokrazy18]

I would use disney transportation. The only time my family uses a taxi is when we go to another hotel from our hotel. Disney transportation is good for when you go to the parks because you don't have to drive, some seats may not be all that comfortable but it is worth it, and it seems like the drive is shorter. At night if you stay after hours or just until the park closes, you may have to stand up because since it is park closing time everyone is rushing to get on the bus and back to their hotel. At least the bus has air-conditioning!!

 

[DisneyDiva13]

Hi, We (myself, husband, 13yo & 9yo)are going to Disney for the first time 4/6 - 4/14/07. We are staying at the Contemporary and will be doing some park hopping each day because of charater meals and dinner shows. I know Disney will be VERY crowded this week. I need help with deciding on whether to use a rental car to get around Disney, or just to use Disney transportation.~Thank you!

Me and my family will be at WDW the same week as you. We are driving though, so we'll have our car. I think we are going to use a mixture of Disney transportation and driving ourselves around...depending on where we're going. The contemporary is on the monorail route, which is very convenient. Their bus system is very well run. I think you guys would be fine without a rental.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I've already posted to this thread but after coming back and reading all the replies we are now back to wondering if we need to rent or not. The decisions are endless!!!!!!! We're staying at VWL so we're not on the monorail system.

Decisions decisions decisions!!!!!

 

[powellrj]

We had this same dilemma. We decided to use Disney transportation and when we want to go to DTD or SeaWorld just hire transportation. It would have cost us $315 for a minivan for 5 days so we figured out how much for a transfer to SeaWorld ($60 + tip) and maybe one taxi ride to DTD (guessing $20-30 w/tip). We really don't want to drive around while on vacation...its so nice to just relax and let someone else do the driving. Yes there is a "price" to pay..time..but compared to walking to the car, cooling it off, strapping kids into hot car seats and then figuring out how to get where we want to go w/o arguing. I'll wait at the bus stop for an air conditioned bus.

And if we decide we're tired of waiting for the buses, we can always rent a car when we're there or take a taxi.

Have fun which ever you choose!

Those numbers seem really high for your dates. You are going after easter and spring break, so you should be able to find a better price. try the transportation board and get some codes from mousesavers.com to play around with.

 

[Pixie Dust Luver]

We usually rent a van from our home and drive to WDW, but have usually taken the bus transportation to the parks, last year we did take a taxi van from Epcot to POFQ and it cost $10:00 because the bus line was soooooooo long.

 

[SarahKate]

We rented an SUV from Alamo for 8 days (car care center). It was $219, TOTAL. I just happened across the rate one day when we were looking....it was cheaper than renting a minivan. I also declined the insurance and used a code I found (mousesavers I think) for adding on a 2nd driver for free.

I know some folks mention not wanting to drive on vacation, which I understand. But I personally like being in control of when we leave, not standing in line at the end of the nite, waiting for buses, getting our stroller folded down, standing up if the bus is busy, etc. While people are piling out to the buses at the end of the nite, we're driving by on our way back. To me it's a tradeoff. I may feel different if we went at a busier time of year!

 

[clownchk]

I think you need to weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself, knowing that there will be times when you think "Why didn't I ..."

We usually do not rent a car, even with my 3 under 6!

If we were to rent a car, we'd have to deal with the walk to and from the car (Not to mention the tram ride at MK!) The walk to the busses is usually very short by comparison!

The heat. I HATE getting into a hot car. The buses are a nice temp!

I'd rather fold down my stroller to put on Disney transportation then to fold down a stroller to lift into a trunk!

I'm on vacation! I love the leisurely pace of the transportaion, and like the "excuse" to relax and let someone else do the driving. (Not to say that you always have to wait, or that it takes forever, I just go with the mentality that it will and if we arrive speedily, then its bonus time!)

Depending on the age of your kids, you may have to provide a proper car seats for all from home, or take your chances with the rentals! (2 of my kids are in boosters which cannot be used on an airplane, but still are "required" in a car - but not on ME or any other Disney transportation! The 3rd will be in his own seat on the plane, then stored nicely in the closet for the entire length of our vacation!)

If you want the convience of having a few items "close" but not with you at all times, you can always bring them in an extra bag and store them in a locker.

As I said, weigh the pros and cons and see what will work for YOUR family!