Rental Car vs. WDW Transportation

[hockeygirl14]

For me, having a car just to avoid MK bus lines after a park closes is good enough! Like others say, its a toss up on whats faster. I would argue that the car is faster, even at MK (and even with those awful tram lines). Its really convenient to have a car to go to things off property like wal-mart or shopping.

 

[aubriee]

We've done both, but definitely prefer having a rental car. In fact, I can't see us ever going back to using those crowded Disney buses. We like being able to get anywhere on property in just a few minutes. We like being able to leave the parks getting back to our room in just a few minutes, instead of having to wait in those crowded queus hoping we might get on the next bus. We like knowing we'll definitely have a comfortable seat at the end of a hot, tiring day in a nice quiet car, instead of having to stand on an overpacked, standing room only bus, full of crying kids and smelly cranky people. Our last few trips we have stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek and loved knowing that we could leave the park, hop into our car, and be back at our condo relaxing in our jacuzzi, sipping a wine cooler, while most of those people that left the park the same time we did were still waiting to get back to their resort. Last Sept I went down there solo and even then chose to rent a car. I like being able to go offsite to make a quick WalMart grocery run, being able to run over to the outlets, and to Sea World and Universal. In Dec we got frustrated with how crowded the WDW parks were and how long FP+ were making all the lines (we were staying offsite, so did not qualify for FP+), so decided to make a trip over to Cocoa Beach one day and then did an airboat tour another day and went over and did the Monster truck ride at Showcase of Citrus one day. We would not have been able to do all that if not for the rental car. We would have been stuck on Disney property.

 

[andreajanowiak]

For the 3 days we stay on-site in the beginning of our vacation, Disney transportation is great. However, we then stay offsite for the rest of the week and obviously use our own transportation. I feel like Disney transportation would get tiring after a week, so the way we split it up is great.

 

[kmb584]

We like having a car and the only times we use Disney transport is when staying at a monorail resort. On those trips we fully utilize monorail transport to/from MK and EP and our vehicle for DHS and AK. When we're not at a monorail resort we drive everywhere. I don't mind the Disney buses one bit but at the end of the night I like knowing we have a car waiting for us and not a twisty-turn line for a resort bus.

 

[Greatfalls]

I've recently gone to picking up a car at the airport, renting it for 1 or 2 days, and dropping it off either at the car care center (Avis/Alamo) or the Dolphin (National). I then use ME when we leave. I am a DVC-er, so I like to have a car to go to the supermarket for things for the kitchen, and we get to the resort faster than using ME. There are some things that are better for having a car, such as mini-golf, water parks, DTD or anything off-site. On the other hand, I prefer using the buses for the parks, particularly MK to avoid the monorail/boat from the parking lot.

 

[shadeauxe]

We prefer having our own car because we like to dine at many resort restaurants and it's hard to get to them with Disney transportation. Also, I hate waiting for the buses and having to stand after an already tiring day to get back to the hotel.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

I'm thankful for all these positive responses! For our last three trips we used the buses the whole time. My next trip will be just me and my 2 girls (6 and 2) so I know there is NO way I can manage them both will a stroller alone on the bus! So We will be using our car! Im glad it will at least be as good as Disney transport, if not better!!!

 

[DLM1980]

We've rented a car once and used the transportation twice, both times I said we should have rented the car. It always seemed that while I was walking up to the bus stop at our resort the bus I wanted was pulling away and another 20 mins was being wasted... The same was true for rides home from the parks, it always seemed there would be 6 busses to whatever resort was before or after our waiting area to our 1 bus. Also if I wanted to visit downtown disney from a park I had to actually take a bus to a resort and wait for the DTD bus there, that may have changed for some parks now, I believe animal kingdom has a DTD stop now.

Yes your on vacation and supposed to relax, but those days go quick and there is lots to see, I don't want to not see something cause I'm waiting on a bus.

This October I've already got my rental car reserved at the car care center and will be checking for lower prices weekly. I don't really want to take a taxi to the center but so far it is the cheapest route, last year (even though I didn't do it) it was cheaper to pickup at the airport and drop off at the swan n dolphin

If picking up at the airport I suppose I won't be able to use the baggage pickup though as I wouldn't be doing the magical express, it is so nice not having to stop by a luggage carousel

 

[River Country]

There are pros a cons for both. I love WDW transportation, but i love my freedom more.

Ive done DME several times as well, but there is nothing like having your own car. Especially at certain time sof the year when your bus not only goes to AK but makes a stop at Blizzard Beach, or trying to sit on a bus with75 other people or standing trying to get through DTD. No Thanks ill take a car. Its so worth it. Plus i get to go to Publix and buy what i need when i leave the bubble...but then i go back in. LOL

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

When I went with my Dad and younger siblings in 2012, we had a rental car despite staying on property. Having the rental car was great since they spent part of one day at Universal while I was at Downtown Disney. It was also nice to have since on our departure day, we had the freedom to do what we wanted and not have to feel like we had to hurry.

 

[Bullseye]

Thanks for the heads up! We are staying in a villa at AKL. So we will be better off stopping somewhere to pick up stuff to eat in the villa. Thanks for all the insights, it has helped to make our minds up.

Listen that's perfect. We stayed at AKL the last two years and that's when we discovered Hwy 192. Right before you get to AKL, there is a cross road named Sherberth Road. If you take a left and go a couple miles you hit Irlo Bronson Hwy (192). There are a ton of restaurants and shopping in this area. Super Target , Publix...we always go to the Sweet Tomatoes to eat at least once. You're gonna love AKL too...awesome resort!
Here are a couple of links:

MAP
https://www.google.com/maps/preview...1s0x88dd7ee634caa5f7:0xaefdf85ef9485313?hl=en

Threads
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2422022
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2942136

 

[mickeynut1]

We usually use a car service, but if I can find a car rental for what the car service would be, we get the car. With that said, we never use the car to go to the parks as we use Disney transportation. It doesn't matter if the car sits the whole time because we would be paying about the same price either way.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I would only rent a car now if the price was really good. It's not worth $400 for a week just to save 5 minutes a day waiting for transportation.

You can get a car much, much cheaper than that.

We paid only $300 for a week for an SUV (more expensive than a car) over Christmas week 2012 (the busiest week of the year in Orlando). Other less busy times of year, its even cheaper than that (and much less expensive for a car vs. a large vehicle). We have a 15 day rental of a mid-size SUV for August 2014 secured for $500 with taxes and fees. You can most definitely get a car rental for well under $400 for a week....even factoring in gas and parking.