renting a car vs disney transportation

[ebonyeyes]

Hi,
I am planning our first trip to DW in August of 09. We rented points form a DVC member. We are considering becoming DVC members and wanted a test run. WE are so excited. I have a question regarding transportation. We were going to just use the Disney transportation to get around the resort...BUT...someone mentioned that the wait time is usually long during this time of year and that we should rent a car. Anyone with advice who has visited DW in August? Thanks,
Nanette

 

[CraftyMouse]

We almost always drive to WDW yet we never use our car to get around. We always rely solely on the WDW bus system and never have any problems. While we've never gone in August, we have gone at other busy times of the year and never experienced very long waits. They tend to put extra buses on the lines when it is busy so it isn't usually a problem. If you aren't planning to go off property (groceries, restaurants, other area attractions) then I'd skip the car.

 

[hakepb]

I also drive down, and love "forgetting" about my car while I'm on vacation. I might use my car to do one dinner at another resort, but would never use my car to get to a park (I do not want to ride a tram)
I could not imagine spending the $ on renting a car unless you have reservations at V&A and Cali Grill and some off-site attractions...

I would not base bus times on this year alone (I've heard of occasional "testing" of this new system with bad results every now and then) It still will not stop you from getting to a park every day. You could try my "bus roulette" game, just take the first bus every day and you'll never have a long wait!

 

[Alisha&Jay]

We have only rented a car once, and we had our own car the last time we went in August of this year. We have never used a car to travel while in WDW, since we haven't ventured beyond WDW to see other attractions in the Orlando area. I love the fact that Disney provides transportation, and most of the time we don't wait that long, maybe 20 minutes. August was okay too, maybe a couple of times that the wait was so long that we almost hopped in a cab. One time we were leaving Epcot to go back to AKV and there were several buses that came multiple times for the same resorts, just not ours the time we rented a car, it was only because we had this grand idea that we wouldn't have to use the Magical express bus to get from airport to BWV. Little did we know, we had to take a bus from the airport to get to the car rental agency, then had to pick up the car, so no time saved there! Even if the car rental agency has a service desk location in the airport, I think you have to take a bus to the actual location where you can pick up the car. What a pain!

 

[browniemtb]

Car service is all we ever use. Rental car was to much of a pain at the airport and we never used the car once we got to Disney. DME you stop at other resorts and have to wait for your luggage, though I've nver used DME. So for $115 round trip you get your bags and go.........

 

[lugnut33]

Asking about using Disney Transportation is like asking whether to stay at the Grand Floridian or the Poly. Each has their pluses and minuses, but both are good.

Personally, I don't think I'll ever visit Disney again without a car. I used DT several times and it was the most stressful and irritating part of our visits. Last couple of times we rented a car and it was paradise. However, that's just me, I like to be able to go wherever I want whenever I want.

If you don't like driving and you get stressed easy while driving, then by all means use DT. It's good.

 

[Alisha&Jay]

Car service is all we ever use. Rental car was to much of a pain at the airport and we never used the car once we got to Disney. DME you stop at other resorts and have to wait for your luggage, though I've nver used DME. So for $115 round trip you get your bags and go.........

Hey Brownie,
What company do you use to do this? Did you have to make advance reservations? I might be interested in this for our next trip, because it is so short (a Friday night til Tuesday morning). We won't be arriving at the airport until 11:30 pm (with 3 kids- 6, 3, and 2) and then we leave on Tuesday morning, our flight leaves at 6:30 am!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

It's like everyone else has said. It's really a matter of personal preference.

The first 8-10 times we went, we used only Disney transportation with mixed results. The last 5-6 times we've been, we've rented a car. We now have a 3 YO DD.

As God is my witness, I'll never be without a car at WDW again. Period. It's so much easier, practical and efficient to get around IMHO.

Again, YMMV.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney matches services to crowd levels.

You will usually have a wait for transportation, it's designed into the system. If the crowd level increases, they add a bus, if it dips, the take one away. They do the same thing with the boats.

We are at BWV right now and we have watched them add to the number of boats as the weekend approaches. Earlier in the week, there were only two, today there were four.

With all that said, we now rent a car for every visit. We enjoy the freedom to come and go when we please.

 

[backyardponder]

The OP indicates this is a "test run" and is considering joining DVC. One thing you should do is visit the various DVC resorts. Going between resorts by bus is quite painful since you have to transfer, usually at DTD, but we have transferred at the parks also.

I recommend getting a car so you can visit the different resorts.

Good Luck.

 

[allshookup]

We never ever use a car at WDW whether we have a car or not. Neither DH nor I like to drive & if we have a glass of wine or two with dinner, we know we are safely in the hands of the WDW bus drivers. There are many ways to get around & contrary to what many CMs will tell you, you almost never have to go to DTD to transfer to a resort. If you want to go to any of the monorail resorts, just take a bus to MK & take the monorail. If you want to go to BW, BC, or YC, just take the bus to DHS & take the boat. Want to head to WL? Go to MK & take that boat.

We've stayed at almost every resort & we've rarely ever waited more than 15 mins. for a bus. If buses are taking longer then 15/20 mins then you need to complain immediatly & have them rectify the situation. They want you to use their transportation, so they will do their best to make you happy.

 

[browniemtb]

Hey Brownie,
What company do you use to do this? Did you have to make advance reservations? I might be interested in this for our next trip, because it is so short (a Friday night til Tuesday morning). We won't be arriving at the airport until 11:30 pm (with 3 kids- 6, 3, and 2) and then we leave on Tuesday morning, our flight leaves at 6:30 am!

We always use MH Transportation.....they have been fantastic. Their web site is

www.transportation2disney.com

And yes you do need advance reservations.......also let them know if you want boosters for the kids. For our little ones we brought and installed our own seat but had them bring boosters for the other two.

 

[Alisha&Jay]

We always use MH Transportation.....they have been fantastic. Their web site is

www.transportation2disney.com

And yes you do need advance reservations.......also let them know if you want boosters for the kids. For our little ones we brought and installed our own seat but had them bring boosters for the other two.

Thanks so much for the info Brownie! These boards are the best!

 

[LIFERBABE]

In the beginning we took our car everywhere or we rented. We stayed at WDW a month and had a rental car the entire time.

Now, our trips are more relaxed and we enjoy having access to transportation options. This is not our once-in-a-lifetime trip, so we are not in a hurry to get to anything or anywhere. Im not stressing about being anywhere at anytime. We enjoy our time together and I want to be onsite as much as possible.

What I like about WDW the most, is that it frees us up from our daily activities.

Also, I've been to alot of places and I am always impressed that WDW has this entire transportation system it operates included for no additional charge. There's nothing else like it and transportation options (even when its sporadic) is one of the reasons we purchased DVC.

Not to say we will never drive again, but I really enjoy walking and taking the boats and busses and monorail around the world. It just adds to the "only at WDW" feel.

 

[ebonyeyes]

The OP indicates this is a "test run" and is considering joining DVC. One thing you should do is visit the various DVC resorts. Going between resorts by bus is quite painful since you have to transfer, usually at DTD, but we have transferred at the parks also.

I recommend getting a car so you can visit the different resorts.

Good Luck.

We actually are going to visit several DVC resorts. I am thinking that we will use disney trsportation part of the time and also rent a car on site for a few days...best of both worlds.
Thanks

 

[ebonyeyes]

Thanks for the information everyone! Believe it or not...this has helped us in our decision.
Nanette

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Thanks for the information everyone! Believe it or not...this has helped us in our decision.
Nanette

OK. Curiosity is killing me. What did you decide? Did we convince you to get a car or not and why?

 

[Hopefully]

We have done it every way, we have had our own care, rented a car, taken a Town Car service with a grocery stop and taken DME and used Disney transportation.
Our choice, by far, is to take DME, get groceries delivered and use Disney transportation.
It is a very personal choice and there is no absolute right or wrong.
For us, we prefer not to drive while on vacation. We don't mind waiting a bit, we plan it into our day. If we are going somewhere where the buses are less convenient - to another resort for dinner - we budget for the occassional taxi. It is still cheaper than renting a car for the week.
Whatever you decide have a great trip.

 

[DebbieB]

I always rent a car. I like to go offsite for grocery shopping & the outlets. I usually use a car to get to the parks. I stayed at BWV last month and used the bus system once and it was a pain. We were going to MK for MNSSHP. From the time we got to the BW bus stop until we go to MK was over an hour. When we got to the bus stop, there were lots of people. The first bus came in probably 15 minutes. The people who were there first got on (we did not attempt to jump on ahead of people as I have seen others do). The bus was full, people were standing, so we decided to wait for the next bus rather than squeeze on. We waited right at the curb, probably 3rd or 4th for the next bus. The next bus came in 15 or 20 minutes. They had to unload a wheelchair, which took time. Meanwhile, there were quite a few people now at the stop. When the wheelchair was off, the bus driver left the back door open and the people in the back of the line piled on. By the time he got to the front to open the front door, most of the seats were gone. That was really rude. We did get the last seats. Then we had to stop at the Swan and Dolphin. It ended up well over an hour. Coming back, we left right after the second parade. We were one of the first in line at the stop. Busses were coming and going for other resorts but not BW. By now, the line was huge. The bus finally came but they left several people at the curb. The bus was jam packed. It is just too much aggravation for me, I used the car the rest of the time (except Epcot we walked and DHS we used the boat, which seems to have great service). I just love the freedom of the car. And I always get a seat!

 

[Mississippian]

Hi,
I am planning our first trip to DW in August of 09. We rented points form a DVC member. We are considering becoming DVC members and wanted a test run. WE are so excited. I have a question regarding transportation. We were going to just use the Disney transportation to get around the resort...BUT...someone mentioned that the wait time is usually long during this time of year and that we should rent a car. Anyone with advice who has visited DW in August? Thanks,
Nanette

The important thing is where you are planning on staying. If you stay at BCV or BWV you don't need a car as there is a quick boat or a long walk to DHS and it is a quick walk to the International Gateway. From there it is a nice stroll to the monorail where you can get to the MK or the monorail resorts.

You can probably do without a car at VWL as long as you don't make dinner plans in the EPCOT resort area. The same is true for AKL although it is less conveniently located.

Many people say they would never, ever stay at OKW or SSR without a car. It can easily be a half-mile from your room to the main building, so you will need a car to get your morning paper or any sundries you might need. Because of the spreadoutedness it takes a really long time just to load and unload everyone from the resort (You will also have this problem at BWV when visiting the MK or AK, but there are plenty of cabs available at BWV (and perhaps BCV) if you are pressed for time. At most other DVC resorts you would have to call and wait for a cab.

BCV and BWV: You don't need a car
VWL: You probably don't need a car
AKV: A car would come in handy.
SSR & OKW: You can live without a car, but will have unhappy moments