Rental cars

[PrincessASquared]

My family and I will be staying at SSR in Nov/Dec (5 Days) and Feb/Mar (8 days). We are planning on using Magical Express and all Disney transportation while we're there. We also plan to go to all the parks at some point within both visits. After hearing some concerns over wait times for buses at SSR, would I be better off renting a car? Is it worth the cost/aggrevation? How many of you rent a car as opposed to using Disney transportation? Thanks.

 

[Kathi OD]

We always rent a car, however, we have never used it for transportation within WDW. We rely on Disney's bus system, and while sometimes there is a wait, I can't say that it's ever been so unbearable that I would be willing to drive and then have to deal with the parking lot situation. We normally visit in November and have also gone during Easter week.

While that's been our experience, much will depend on your tolerance for waiting and crowded buses if you stay at the parks until closing. DH and I figure, we're on vacation, relaxing, no big hurry to get anywhere.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We too rent a car, but don't use it for transportation to a park. We use it for shopping, (offsite and sometimes to DTD), church and for dinner ressies at other restaurants.

Bobbi

 

[mgriff75]

We always rent a car also & use it for transportation within WDW. I'm a very patient person normally but I can't handle standing in the heat after walking all day. At the end of the day I want to be in my own extremely air conditioned vehicle for the ride back to the resort. We also really enjoy the restaurants at the different disney hotels & it is annoying getting from one hotel to another, you have to transfer at Downtown Disney or at a Park if you take the buses. Another issue for us is that we don't do the parks every day, we enjoy relaxing, 1 day in parks, 1 day relaxing. Normally do atleast two weeks a year at this point so we don't feel we have to get it all done in one trip. Howire.com and Priceline.com are great places to find a good deal on a car. Many times we have gotten rentals for around $150 a week including all fees, or $200 a week if we go for an SUV.

Matthew

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We always rent a car.

Only place we don't drive to is MK. I hate the MK parking lot.

 

[Eddie]

Bus system has always worked getting to and from parks, sometimes a wait but never had an extensed wait. However as mentioned before dining at another resort causes probs. as you always need to transfer. We always head to Boma and a couple of other resort eateries so a car makes it much easier.

 

[chevyAZ]

I can't say that it's ever been so unbearable that I would be willing to drive and then have to deal with the parking lot situation.

Could you please elaborate on the "parking Situation"?
We're going there in 2 weeks and rented a car to give us more options both in and out of the parks. Does it make more sense to use the buses for the parks?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Could you please elaborate on the "parking Situation"?
We're going there in 2 weeks and rented a car to give us more options both in and out of the parks. Does it make more sense to use the buses for the parks?

I think the MK at least is much more convenient with the busses. The busses let you off right there, but if you park your car, you probably will have to take a tram, then either the monorail or the ferry boat to MK's entrance.

Bobbi

 

[Kathi OD]

The MK parking lot especially, and sometimes the one at Epcot can be just as troublesome as using Disney transportation, depending on the number of people trying to access them. If you have to park far, then you've got to wait for the tram. At least when you're using Disney's system you get let off pretty much at the entrance AND you won't have the stress of negotiating traffic (lots of tourists, myself included, not really knowing where they're going - I had heard that there is a major road project going on right now and the detours are not well marked).

To be honest, if you're leaving in 2 weeks, you should be fine either way. The crowds should be relatively low to moderate. If you want more flexibility (shopping or dining outside WDW), then renting a car makes sense.

If you have no intention of every leaving Disney property, then it really depends on your personal preferences. For our family, using a car to travel around WDW, when we can go on a bus or boat and relax while riding for free, makes no sense. You should also note that sometimes the fastest way to a certain location is not one of WDW's buses; it could be by boat and depending on your plans, there could be instances when you will have to transfer to another bus or boat. If you would be upset if the bus were overly crowded (which does happen sometimes) or if you just have to get there quick (don't like waiting) then you should get a rental car.

 

[JW9DVC]

Rent a car, Costco has some great deals. We did this last year, and it works great when you want WalMart or some other location. You can also pick it up at the Magic Kingdom on site gas station. JW

 

[Snookies]

We always rent a car.

Only place we don't drive to is MK. I hate the MK parking lot.

Ditto except
We always drive to MK. We enjoy the Monorail and/or Ferry ride to the entrance. Approaching the MK from the TTC builds excitement for us and emphasizes the sense of theater at MK. If the lines for trams are stacked up at night, we just walk to the car, using the pedestrian walkways. The distance from TTC to the farthest spot in the MK parking lot isn't that great in the sense that the lot is all spread and less depth. However, don't get me started on how people just dump trash out of their car into the parking lot. What's wrong with people?

In short, we always rent a car and we always drive everywhere. Given the layout of the roads, its hard to get lost even in the backstage areas around central stores.

 

[LaDolce]

We like to rent, too. We've done it both ways. On three trips we've taken the buses. Last year at All-Star Sports the bus waits were a bit long - especially at the end of the night. If you have tired kids (and adults), there's nothing worse than waiting in line as two buses fill up and take off without you - then finally getting on a bus only to stand all the way back to the hotel. Having a car takes that experience away, yet you still have the transportation options if you want them. Having the car also lets you run out for groceries, for a side trip to Sea World, etc. It's nice to have and with so many good deals you can probably get one for around $150 for the week and even pick it up on Disney property. This way, too, if you don't want it for your entire stay, you can keep it for just a few days.

 

[lkenyon]

Rent a car!!!!

Disney transportation is nice, but the car is the only way to go!! We have never had a problem parking anywhere (high season included).

Mousesavers.com website has awesome discount codes for car rentals. I have been using Thrifty for the past 10 trips. My trip in the next few weeks - Example: Oct 17 - 23 (7 days) for a Town and Country Mini-van with tax = $202.

If you sign up for the Thrifty Blue Chips Reward (free) you get the following perks - You can reserve your car on-line without a down payment, when you get to the airport you go out to the transportation area, you show the Thrifty person your blue chip card, they immediately drive you to Thrifty (1mile trip - 5minutes). You do not have to hang at the airport and wait for 50 more people to fill the bus! Blue Chips are whisked off! You arrive at Thrifty - walk in to a "special" counter, your keys are laying there waiting for you. You sign your name and walk out to your car! Bam! 5 minutes!! Your credit card is not charged until after your rental return (no hassle on the back end either). The holding deposit is $250. My car rental is only $202 so it does not meet their minimum - Thrifty will hold $250 (in the event of damages) upon return the hold is released and your card is charged $202

When using any of the codes on Mousesavers.com Please note:
Depending on the day and time of day during the week prices will flucuate significantly for cars, hotels, flights. Tuesday late night is a good time for discounts. The discount codes vary as well, try them all frequently, try combining them with corporate codes. I have found that one week prior to my trip I can save another 20 - 50 dollars off of my reservation. If I find it cheaper tweaking the codes, I book the new one, and then log into the Thrifty site and cancel my other booking. The site is user friendly and easy as pie. I have been having good look using SAMS (sams club) and (WMRT) Walmart as discount codes for the past 5 trips. I have never paid more than $240 (which includes tax) for a mini van for 7 days!!

The freedom that you get with a rental is awesome. Just outside of Disney is a brand new Walmart on South 535 (great for groceries). You can eat for pennies off site versus hundreds on site - plus with kids it is so much easier to feed them what they want. Parking at Universal is $10 during the day (free if you have discounts) and at night it is free.

You can buy a AAA parking pass on e-bay for about $23.00 which will allow you to park up front at all Disney theme parks (yes - parking is free for DVC, but parking up front and by-passing the tram is sweet and well worth $23 for your entire trip).

It is fun to drive down 192 and International drive at night - You will not be disappointed. If you want a rental and need help e-mail me and I can help scout out discounts for you!!

 

[fletch1027]

We always rent a car also & use it for transportation within WDW. I'm a very patient person normally but I can't handle standing in the heat after walking all day. At the end of the day I want to be in my own extremely air conditioned vehicle for the ride back to the resort. We also really enjoy the restaurants at the different disney hotels & it is annoying getting from one hotel to another, you have to transfer at Downtown Disney or at a Park if you take the buses. Another issue for us is that we don't do the parks every day, we enjoy relaxing, 1 day in parks, 1 day relaxing. Normally do atleast two weeks a year at this point so we don't feel we have to get it all done in one trip. Howire.com and Priceline.com are great places to find a good deal on a car. Many times we have gotten rentals for around $150 a week including all fees, or $200 a week if we go for an SUV.

Matthew

Also, with a car you can take advantage of the DVC free valet parking at somewhere like BW or BC and walking to either the back of Epcot or MGM. I HATE using the bus to get to Epcot. It seems like the bus stalls are a 1/2 mile from the main gate... :-(

 

[ColoradoDisneyFan]

We ALWAYS rent and depending on where we stay we always drive to AK and sometimes to MGM. Both are easy parking lots and if you can get to AK when the park opens or soon thereafter you can get really good parking. We like being able to leave both AK and MGM in our car...it always seems quicker than the buses because of the lines after the park closes. And of course we like the flexibility of getting to the store whenever we need to or dining at another hotel. I almost always use my Costco discounts when renting. Even after you have rented, keep checking until you leave for better discounts. Go directly to the car rental's website and check their discounts, too. I use my Costco member/coupon codes directly on their websites.

 

[jkfreeman33]

We rent the cheapest car available. The only time we use it is to go to AK (sometimes their buses are really slow) and Dopwntown Disney during the day to shop.
We use to go food shopping when we get there, also.
I like having a car so in case I want to go somewhere I can.
We don't use it often, so we get a cheap one.

 

[robinb]

I used to rent all the time, but we didn't the last few trips. I found the buses to be fine and when I needed to go to AK for dinner at Boma I took a cab.

I never had a problem with the buses at SSR and we went the week before Christmas.

 

[SamRoc]

Rent a car!!!!

Disney transportation is nice, but the car is the only way to go!! We have never had a problem parking anywhere (high season included).

Mousesavers.com website has awesome discount codes for car rentals.

I use Mousesavers all the time when we rent from Budget when we fly into Orlando. I love the discounts, especially the walmart code. We also joined the RapidRez club and i just go right from the airport to pick up the car.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Could you please elaborate on the "parking Situation"?
We're going there in 2 weeks and rented a car to give us more options both in and out of the parks. Does it make more sense to use the buses for the parks?

We always rent a car. I don't like being tied to waiting for a bus. We took the bus one time. I just like being able to come and go when I want, where I want and not have to wait. I have never had a problem parking in the lots at the parks. It's just a personal preference.