Rental, ME, DW transportation? WWYD?

[SEA333]

DH works for the Hertz Corporation and gets an employee discount on rentals. We are flying to MCO, arrival time at about 2pm on a Thursday (in Nov). We are departing the following Monday at 6pm. The cost of the full size sedan rental is going to be very minimal - well under $100 for the 5 days.

We are staying at POR - here is a rough itenerary for the 5 days we are there:

Thursday - no park tickets:
Arrival 2pm
Late light lunch/snack, probably at POR
Ohana ressie at 8:10pm

Friday - DH taking DD to AK for the day, I am taking DS1 and DS2 to DHS for the day:
Boma Ressie at 6:20pm

Saturday - Epcot all day:
lunch and dinner ressies in Epcot

Sunday- MK all day (closes at 7pm that day)
Lunch and dinner in MK

Monday - no park tickets:
brunch or lunch somewhere?
Resort pool or DTD (or both)
Flight Departure time: 6:00pm

Based on our itenerary, for all those experienced at Disney transporation, how much time are we going to save having our own rental car? We were thinking that even at the resort since we are going to be in the Alligator Bayou section (5 people), we won't have to worry so much about requesting a close room if we have a car - we can hop in the car to go to wherever we want within the resort, hop over to POFQ, or DTD. Would we really be saving a whole lot of time, or is the resort not as spread out as I've read?

Also, a couple more questions:

Does it make sense to drive DH and DD to AK, drop them off, then me park at DHS since we are all meeting bacl at Boma at the end of the day?

Can DH and DD(9) walk to AKL from AK, or would it be better to pick them back up and head to AKL together?

I thought I read somewhere that all property parking is free if you are a resort guest? is that true? Will we need to be validated or show our room key? Or do we pay first, then get reimbursed?

Is parking a huge hassel (ie. not being able to find a spot, parking a mile away and having to walk far, thus negating any driving time "saved")?

Magical Express requires us to leave the resort at a certain time, correct? Would we be able to stay longer if we didn't use it? With a 6pm return flight time, I would say that we would have to be at the airport to return the car at the Hertz counter at least 1.5-2 hours before our flight, right? Which means we would have to leave the resort at....??...3:30-4pm? Am I underestimating the time? Of course, with a car, we could have it all packed and ready to go at checkout, so wherever we are at the time we need to leave, we woudn't have to go back to the resort first.

Thank you for helping me with all of this!!! I appreciate it!

 

[ktate82]

We always used Disney transportation until this last may when we rented a car. For that price, I would prob rent the car.

 

[jpessa]

1. Does it make sense to drive DH and DD to AK, drop them off, then me park at DHS since we are all meeting bacl at Boma at the end of the day?

2. Can DH and DD(9) walk to AKL from AK, or would it be better to pick them back up and head to AKL together?

3. I thought I read somewhere that all property parking is free if you are a resort guest? is that true? Will we need to be validated or show our room key? Or do we pay first, then get reimbursed?

4. Is parking a huge hassel (ie. not being able to find a spot, parking a mile away and having to walk far, thus negating any driving time "saved")?

5. Magical Express requires us to leave the resort at a certain time, correct? Would we be able to stay longer if we didn't use it? With a 6pm return flight time, I would say that we would have to be at the airport to return the car at the Hertz counter at least 1.5-2 hours before our flight, right? Which means we would have to leave the resort at....??...3:30-4pm? Am I underestimating the time? Of course, with a car, we could have it all packed and ready to go at checkout, so wherever we are at the time we need to leave, we woudn't have to go back to the resort first.

Thank you for helping me with all of this!!! I appreciate it!

I would rent. I've rented and not rented and prefer having a car, but that's a case of personal preference. I hate waiting for the bus and not getting a seat when I'm tired.

1. I don't see why not, if you're up and out very early.

2. No, but easy for you to pick them up or they can take the bus and meet you there.

3. yes it's free. When you check in to your hotel they will give you a pass to put in the car window.

4. Only inconvenient parking is at MK, many choose to take the bus to that park.

5. ME will pick you up at your resort 3 hours before your flight for a domestic flight. Diving you would still want to leave a good 2 1/2 hours early.

 

[goofy4tink]

DH works for the Hertz Corporation and gets an employee discount on rentals. We are flying to MCO, arrival time at about 2pm on a Thursday (in Nov). We are departing the following Monday at 6pm. The cost of the full size sedan rental is going to be very minimal - well under $100 for the 5 days.

We are staying at POR - here is a rough itenerary for the 5 days we are there:

Thursday - no park tickets:
Arrival 2pm
Late light lunch/snack, probably at POR
Ohana ressie at 8:10pm

Friday - DH taking DD to AK for the day, I am taking DS1 and DS2 to DHS for the day:
Boma Ressie at 6:20pm

Saturday - Epcot all day:
lunch and dinner ressies in Epcot

Sunday- MK all day (closes at 7pm that day)
Lunch and dinner in MK

Monday - no park tickets:
brunch or lunch somewhere?
Resort pool or DTD (or both)
Flight Departure time: 6:00pm

Based on our itenerary, for all those experienced at Disney transporation, how much time are we going to save having our own rental car? We were thinking that even at the resort since we are going to be in the Alligator Bayou section (5 people), we won't have to worry so much about requesting a close room if we have a car - we can hop in the car to go to wherever we want within the resort, hop over to POFQ, or DTD. Would we really be saving a whole lot of time, or is the resort not as spread out as I've read?

Also, a couple more questions:

Does it make sense to drive DH and DD to AK, drop them off, then me park at DHS since we are all meeting bacl at Boma at the end of the day?

Can DH and DD(9) walk to AKL from AK, or would it be better to pick them back up and head to AKL together?

I thought I read somewhere that all property parking is free if you are a resort guest? is that true? Will we need to be validated or show our room key? Or do we pay first, then get reimbursed?

Is parking a huge hassel (ie. not being able to find a spot, parking a mile away and having to walk far, thus negating any driving time "saved")?

Magical Express requires us to leave the resort at a certain time, correct? Would we be able to stay longer if we didn't use it? With a 6pm return flight time, I would say that we would have to be at the airport to return the car at the Hertz counter at least 1.5-2 hours before our flight, right? Which means we would have to leave the resort at....??...3:30-4pm? Am I underestimating the time? Of course, with a car, we could have it all packed and ready to go at checkout, so wherever we are at the time we need to leave, we woudn't have to go back to the resort first.

Thank you for helping me with all of this!!! I appreciate it!

You don't 'have' to have a car at WDW. Your plans really don't call for one. DME will take about 80 mins, gate to resort. For your return using DME, you would be picked up at your resort by 3ish, based on a 6pm flight time. If you use a rental car, your arrival at your resort would probably take close to 80 mins when you add in going to baggage claim. And for your return? You should plan on leaving the resort by 3:30ish in order to return the car, get through security and to your gate with plenty of time.
As for travel within WDW? Yes, resort guests get free parking. You will be given a slip of paper that goes on your dashboard. that way they can see you are a resort guest and don't charge you.
As far as ease of parking? AK uses a tram system from the parking lots to the park entrance area. It can be a longish walk from your car if you get there after park opening which means you have to use the tram.

So, do you 'need' a car for your park days? Not really. Yes, it is quicker, in most cases, to use a rental car. No need to wait for buses. But for your AK/DHS day? Someone is going to have to take a bus. Will your little ones need strollers? If so, it may be easier for you to take the car. Then, your dh/dd can just take the bus to AK, and from there, to AKL. No, it isn't walkable. But the bus ride is very short.

I would rent the car, and then see how it goes using the buses. If you feel it's too long or too much of a pain, you can just use the car. At POR, yes, it can be spread out. If you have a car, you can park close to your room, which is nice...especially in AB!! Love that area. The boat to DTD is fun, but the drive is pretty quick!!!

For just $100 to rent the car, it seems like a no-brainer. Take the car and see how it works for you.

 

[SEA333]

Thanks! That's what DH said, too - let's just rent the car and if we use it, terrific, if we don't have to, that's great, too. Our kids are 13, 10, and 7 so there isn't any reason they can't walk back and forth between anywhere, but DS7 gets these crazy leg cramps/spasms about once a week or so that hit anywhere, anytime, although we do notice that they tend to happen the most in the evening before bed. During the spasm, which can last between 10-30 minutes, is is really difficult for him to walk and they are really painful. Maybe it's because he is winding down and relaxing? Who knows. But we are always slightly worried that one will come right at the start of a super-long walk, and it is nice to have the car if we need it. Or, if we are at the back of the resort and want to get the the foodcourt or whatever really quickly.

The other thing I think about from what I've read, is that the busses tend to fill up quickly at POR, and if we are one of the last stops, waiting for a new bus because the one that just passed is filled will get annoying really fast!

Thank you again!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks! That's what DH said, too - let's just rent the car and if we use it, terrific, if we don't have to, that's great, too. Our kids are 13, 10, and 7 so there isn't any reason they can't walk back and forth between anywhere, but DS7 gets these crazy leg cramps/spasms about once a week or so that hit anywhere, anytime, although we do notice that they tend to happen the most in the evening before bed. During the spasm, which can last between 10-30 minutes, is is really difficult for him to walk and they are really painful. Maybe it's because he is winding down and relaxing? Who knows. But we are always slightly worried that one will come right at the start of a super-long walk, and it is nice to have the car if we need it. Or, if we are at the back of the resort and want to get the the foodcourt or whatever really quickly.

The other thing I think about from what I've read, is that the busses tend to fill up quickly at POR, and if we are one of the last stops, waiting for a new bus because the one that just passed is filled will get annoying really fast!

Thank you again!

Well color me dopey! When you said ds1 and ds2, I thought that was how old they are.....duh! Buses should work very well for you then. For the cramping, have you had your des eat a banana a day? That helps me a lot. And be sure he drinks a lot of water!