Renting a Car or Disney Trasportaion??

[Dewy]

My wife and I will be traveling to Disney in October and staying in the Wilderness Lodge. While this is not our first trip to Disney it will be our first with a child...our eight month old son. We've never had an issue with the busses but we are concerned about our little one getting worn out at night,especially if we have dinner in another hotel which means multiple busses.

Any thoughts, comments and recomendations are appreciated.

 

[scarlett873]

hi there!

this is totally my opinion and my opinion only...i've done disney many times without renting a car and had no trouble whatsoever with it. but the last time we were there, my dh and i rented a car. we tried the transportation one day and that was enough for us! lol...we ended up using our rental car everywhere we went. it was so much more convenient for us...when we return to WDW this holiday season, we're going to rent a car again. i just loved knowing that my car was there ready and waiting for me whenever i wanted to switch parks or head back to the hotel or go to downtown disney!

we stayed at the ASMu...the transportation seems a bit hairier there than other resorts...that was just my opinion!

 

[Beka'sMom]

we have been going to disney for the past 8 years- they say the more experiences you have, the more you learn....

We started out in moderate resorts without a rental car- the buses got my husband crazy, so we switched to deluxe resorts where we could have easily accessible transportation- that still did not work-

We decided to rent a car a few years back- IT IS WORTH IT!
You can drive from airport to hotel- go to off-site shopping areas- drive to animal kingdom or mgm that have only bus service, downtown disney, etc.......

We love having a car with us so we do not have to rely on public disney transportation (sometimes gets very crowded!)

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

How is it to Park at the Parks. Does it take a long time to get in and out of the parking area, congested when leaving at night?
Do, you take a tram from the lot to the parks? Is the traffic within the WDW resort congested? And, alot of people say they still take the bus to the MK, is that parking lot really busy? I am still debating about the rental myself.

 

[scarlett873]

when we went before and had the rental car, the only lot that seemed really busy after the park closed was the MK lot. you take a tram out to the lot and that was the longest wait of the day for us!

i believe we took a tram to the parking lot at MGM, but it wasn't too bad that night.

epcot, we were lucky enough to park right up front so we didn't need to take a tram to get to our car!

AK, we were the very first car in the parking lot! and we didn't stay the whole day there, so i don't know how busy it was after closing.

we just found it to be much more convenient to have the car. we'll be staying at the dolphin this time when we go so we won't necessarily need the car as much, but it will still be convenient for us to get to breakfast at other resorts or to resort hop. (gotta check out the holiday decor of the different resorts!)

 

[dkrause716]

We have never had any complaints or problems with Disney transportation. I truly cannot imagine driving from park to park. Have you ever noticed how backed up the roads get? Disney buses, monrails and boats will drop you off right at the gate--it doen't get any easier than that. We have had babies with us too but never a problem. (Also my husband and I would probably be driving around getting lost!)

 

[georgina]

We always rent a car (when we don't drive our own to Florida). Even in the busy summer months, the roads have never been very backed up within the Disney area. It is very easy and fast to get around by car. The problem with driving to the MK is that you have to park at the TTC and take the ferry or monorail to the MK, the Disney buses drop you off right at the MK entrance.

The only time we got stuck in a traffic jam was leaving Blizzard Beach when severe thunderstorms hit. It took a long time to get out.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

If I can get a good price on a rental, which by then I should find some kind of special. Then the price for a rental and for all our transfers would be about the same price, and I wouldn't have to worry about the tipping. And, we can leave during the day to go have a nice early dinner out of the parks, and return for the evenings. I think renting is the way to go !! Thanks everyone !

 

[debbiedana]

We didn't have a car for either trip, the first stay at the Poly, second at Pop Century. I found busses to be completely fine for us. Of course, we didn't do any late dinners at other resorts, so that might be a big issue for someone who does that.

I found the bus service for Pop Century to be exceptional. We never waited more than 5 mins, except for one bus to DTD about 5:30pm. Drive times were very short.

At the Polynesian, we tended to wait more in the 15 minute range, and had to share with the Contemporary and the GF. Actual time in the bus was much longer as a result.

I understand that the Wilderness shares with Ft. Wilderness too, the longer time on the bus may also be a consideration.

Just my two cents

 

[DebbieB]

One thing to consider is you may end up standing on a crowded bus with both the baby and your stroller. It's amazing how strict the laws are on car seats but you could end up standing on a speeding bus with your baby in your arms.

I've done it both way (no kids) and prefer the rental car. I've never run into traffic jams (we go in off season). I just can't stand a crowded bus, especially when you are standing hanging onto a pole.

 

[Tinkbell]

I can get by just fine using Disney transportation. I did just that on my past 2 trips. I've rented before and decided that I love having the option of driving myself if I want to, especially if you are doing Downtown Disney, other resorts or the waterparks. So, I guess I'm saying that if you just want to rely on Disney transportation, you can do it. It's just a little bit more relaxing for me to drive myself sometimes.

 

[jxgriffi]

Since you will be staying at WL, you can use the boat service to MK. That should help things out. A car at MK is always the hardest because you have to park and then take the tram to the TTC. From there, it's either a ferry or monorail. From WL, you can take a boat directly. Everywhere else, you can use the rental car.

I have done WDW with and without a rental car. The first few times were without and I said I would never need a car with the busses. However, my first business trip back there, I had a car. From that point on, I said I would never go back without a car. It was so much easier to run to the grocery store, TGIFridays, Universal, whatever and not have to worry about how or when I would be back. Also, getting to and from the airport made is worth it immediately!

My two cents....

 

[wendyl]

My husband and I remarked several times on our recent trip that we were so glad to hop on buses to get place at WDW and not have to worry about parking a car--walking to a tram--waiting for the tram--etc...then having to get in a HOT car at the end of the day, and follow a line of cars out.

The buses were SOOO easy--and air conditioned (much better than getting into a HOT car at the end of the day)--we got to enjoy the ride--not having to watch traffic--find our way around--etc.. and at the end of the day--it was really relaxing to ride and talk about our favorite parts of the parks.

We rarely had a ride where many people were standing--and in those cases where some had to stand--people made sure no parents holding a child had to stand--they would offer their seats.

I LOVE the WDW Bus system--so it gets my vote ( plus--it's FREE---it's hard to beat FREE)

 

[SalandJeff]

We've gone to WDW for many years and used their transportation with no problems or complaints. However, for the last few years we've rented a car and will continue to do so for the following reasons: firstly, we hate using a shuttle to get from the airport to our resort and having to be on their schedule.

Secondly, we also like to eat dinner at a variety of resorts and the car is so much easier than multiple buses...especially with an infant. Also great if you are going to DD. You will have a pass from your resort that you just leave in your windshield and will have no problems parking at any resort.

However, we do not use the car to go to the parks. You still have to wait for the tram to get to the car...much easier to wait for the bus or boat and let them get you to WL. Only exception is the water parks...their lots are fairly small so the car isn't a hassle.

I'd rent the car - I think you'll be happy with your decision.