Rental Car vs. WDW Transportation

[BrianL]

've always been a firm belive in renting a car. I was advised on this for my first trip. On my las ttrip though, since I was only there for 2 days and was solo, I opted to just use WDW transportation and MDE. I will say I had a great experience! Still though, I think I'd prefer a car, but with the costs of rental cars going up, honestly, I can go either way.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

If you have young children/strollers, and/or someone in your party really needs to be able to sit, having a car is HUGE.

 

[linskypens]

We go every year, and only once did I not rent a car, and used ME to get there and the busses to get around.
ME is fine, but leaving three hours before our flight was a drag.
Being rope drop people, we drove the car to every park except MK in the morning, which meant parking close to the gates.Awesome not worrying about what time the bus would come, or missing it and having to wait another fifteen or twenty for the next one.
MK we ALWAYS take the bus, as it drops you at the gate, as opposed to driving, parking, tram to ticket center, and then boat or monorail to park.
Same thing going back, jump the bus outside the gate and go.
The buses work great if you dont mind leaving yourself enough time to get where you want to go. Good luck however getting from your resort to another
resort.Impossible without a stop in between.

 

[EasternShoreGal]

We have done both and for us it is a cost benefit thing. If you can get a good rental deal, we usually find the car pays for itself with one trip to the grocery store for bottled water, adult beverages, breakfast items and snacks. The one trip we didn't have a car we sorely missed it. First time you have to wait in a bus line at park closing as a bus pulls away full you will wish you had that car!

 

[jester161]

One of the major reasons we stay on property is the transportation. We always stay for two weeks and it means we can have a real break from driving!! We have never had a really terrible wait in all our time, and we really like the buses on the way back to the resorts...we always get talking to people and it becomes part of the vacation.

Transportation all the way for me!

 

[JERME81]

We rent a car. I can usually find a good deal online and not end up paying too much.

We like the freedom of having a car. This past trip for example, we ended up having dinner at the Bull & Bear at the Woldorf. If I didn't have the car we would have ended up paying a cab to get there and back.

You don't have to use Magical Express to have them take your luggage to the airport. We use the airline checkin desk the day we fly home. We drop our bags off and head to the parks before going to the airport. Never had a problem with lost luggage and I don't have to pull my suitcase around the airport.

 

[PSUGuy]

After 15+ trips, half with a rental, half using Tiffany our rule is that if we can get a rental for $50 or so more than Tiffany plus a tip would cost, we rent. We like the car for hitting DTD and AK but Disney transport is more than OK. We always stay at BoardWalk so DHS and Epcot are a stroll away.

Bill From PA

 

[JenluvsDisney]

We always visit the World during busy seasons due to DH's job as a vice principal -- we're slaves to the school calendar! The last time we used Disney transportation was 5 years ago and we HATED it. It was so crowded that we were always waiting forever for buses and almost never got a seat. Since then we've always rented a car and will never go back to Disney transportation. Like others have said, we like knowing that we'll always have a seat and that we can come and go whenever we want. We also love being able to get off site to pick up groceries (mostly snacks and drinks) and to eat at a few cheaper places. The amount we save by dining off property a few times almost makes up for the cost of the rental car

 

[ellie05]

We always had a car and wouldn't change it. Disney transportation is great, but we like making our own schedule, we enjoy not having to stand in a crowded bus after a long day in the parks and the best perk no waiting.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

We always have a car now but it is a personal preference.

We used Disney transportation for 3 of our trips (2 were long one short). Disney transportation is sort of fun we did enjoy it.

But we have really loved having a vehicle.

We have used it to drive to the parks, but when we stay at BLT we walk to MK or take the monorail to Epcot unless we are staying for Illuminations, then we drive.

So we always drive when we are staying for fireworks, the busses get so backed up after fireworks and it drives me nuts. So like I said, my issue.

I have found I love tram rides, sounds silly I know but I do, again personal preference.

I will always drive to Magic Kingdom when staying at Beach Club or Boardwalk, unless they changed the bus system they share a bus with yacht club swan and dolphin. We got stuck at the swolphin blocked in by a bus not Disney for 20 minutes more than once. Irritating! We ended up getting off and walking.


I like having a car and getting to choose where We drive and when we ride. We hardly ever ride busses now but use the boats, monorail, and trams whenever possible.


.

 

[tlh0726]

We always have a car. The convienence and time savings makes it worth every penny to our family

 

[jensen]

I am just wondering if there is any benefit to having a rental car while staying on property? We will be renting a car for the first week of our trip, then possibly returning the car for the second week while we are staying on property enjoying WDW. How many of you enjoy having the car with you? Do you use it to go to the parks, or does it just sit while you use the provided transportation? Thanks for any advice anyone might have!

I think it depends a lot on where you stay, how long/late you stay in the parks and how old your children are.

We didn't rent a car for our first two trips when our children were both stroller age. We stay at the value resorts and close down the parks. Riding the buses made our visits miserable - especially at the end of the day when the buses are packed. Other forms of transportation (monorail/boats) I don't feel that way, but the buses make me angry.

So, we always rent a car now. I watch the transportation thread here and usually get a full-size car for around $130/week - paid a bit more at $170 this year. But, still worth it to me.

We don't find that it necessarily makes our travel quicker - especially at MK where you park, then tram, then take boat/monorail. But, we are in more control. We all have a comfortable seat for the trip back to the resort and a trunk to throw our belongings in.

We are park hoppers most days, so we like to park at Epcot and use the monorail to hop between Epcot and MK, or the friendship boats to hop between Epcot and DHS. Ending our nights with Illuminations.

We usually do a day at the beach if the weather allows, take a trip to Target for things we forgot (like a swimsuit and some snacks for the room) and like to run to the Disney outlet store for cheaper souvenirs.

When we consider all of that, $170 is a real bargain IMO.

Hope this helps you decide. Have a great trip!

 

[Donut23]

To avoid Disney Transportation.....or monorail resort NON Transportation, a rental car is worth every penny.

We always have rented a car and traveled to and fro in a civilized manner. Now with the handicapped card and free valet and handicapped parking spaces, it 's even better!

Front row at the parks, valet at the resorts? Who would take the bus with 40 other hot, sticky, smelly, tired, cranky bodies.

Ok yea, I wish that car hadn't run into me and forced me into a scooter years ago. But I'll take the Lemonaid and leave the lemons on the bus. Do you think for a moment I'm going to hold up anyone and possibly be subjected to rude comments because of my scooter.

Ahhhhhhhh----they are just jealous they don't have a little horn and bike bell to get attention!

 

[W.E.D.]

If its a purely WDW trip, we never rent a car. I'm sure our time is coming, but we have never experienced any issues with ME or any of the other WDW transportation.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We fly in and rely entirely on Disney transportation--ME from the airport and buses once there. Never have had an issue at all. It's a personal thing, but for me not driving is much more relaxing! Yes, maybe I wait a few minutes here or there, but it's totally worth it to have a completely stress free ride back to the resort--or wherever! Might take a little planning for ADRs or rope drop, but it's never been an issue.

Last year we even left property to go to Legoland and still didn't rent a car. Took a taxi to the outlet malls, jumped on Legoland's shuttle and off we went. Did the opposite at the end of the day.

I just find it so easy and restful, not having to worry about driving, directions, parking, etc. And no bickering between DH and I while in the car!

 

[Bullseye]

Thanks! That might be great to stop for breakfast

Also, I think I read somewhere that if you are a resort guest you get to park for free at the parks. Is that true?

Actually not really...that McDonald is severely overpriced. That's whats great about having a car in WDW is you can dine and shop for provisions just outside of WDW at normal store prices. Depending where you are staying, Hwy192 is great place for shopping and dining.

We also like not having to wait for buses and cram into them once they arrive. We drive everywhere including the MK...it's no big deal getting from parking lot to MK like many make it out to be.

 

[muppetfreak]

Actually not really...that McDonald is severely overpriced. That's whats great about having a car in WDW is you can dine and shop for provisions just outside of WDW at normal store prices. Depending where you are staying, Hwy192 is great place for shopping and dining.

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.

 

[PeterPanic]

I know that everyone has there own opinion about this topic. I will tell you my preference and why I feel that way.

I would never be without a vehicle. I didn't use it everyday when I stayed onsite, but, I have to have it otherwise I start feeling confined and imprisoned. I must have an "escape" vehicle. There are so many things to see and do in the Orlando/Kissimmee area and although WDW is fun, there are other things. I'm not just talking about Universal, but, there is Seaworld, numerous small tourist type places, indoor flea markets, so many good reasonably priced restaurants, buffets and fast food places that you cannot begin to imagine. I have pictures, in fact, I will post one, that I took from a helicopter ride over WDW. Only available if you can easily get offsite and just a couple of miles from the Main Gate.



When I leave the parks at night, I don't have to wait in a sweaty, huge crowd in an effort to catch a bus back. I just get driven to the parking lot and am outta there so fast your head would spin. The roads are will planned and have never encountered a traffic jam that wasn't accident related and even the buses will get held up because of that.

No sir, I would never be without a vehicle onsite or off. (in fairness, I almost always stay offsite and use the savings to pay for parking, meals and whatever other entertainment I might want.

I know that this is my own opinion and everyone is entitled to their own. No problem, but you did ask.

 

[Disneychick75]

We're renting an SUV for our group of 6. When we're ready to go, the last thing we want to do is wait in another line for a bus.

 

[Networth]

Short stay: WDW Transportation < Own Car

Longer stay WDW Transportation > Own Car

We drive to WDW every time(FL residents) but never feel like its a real vacation if we use the car. Not having to drive is just another element of being away and enjoying no responsibilities for us.