Renting a car

[touy_story_man]

Is it worth renting a car for the entire duration of our trip to Disney (12 days) when we are staying on Disney property

What are the:


•Pros-



•Cons



Thanks

 

[Sleeping Becca]

pros:

driving a car will get you to anywhere and back much faster than disney transportation,

for MK it will take longer to get there and park, but at park closing you will be sitting in your car on your way back to your resort while those on the busses are just boarding and will have to stand for the ride back


cons:

renting a car is an added cost

somefolks like riding the bus, and would rather not drive anywhere on vacation



We prefer having a car, we don't like to rely on Disney transportation. The time driving saves is pretty shocking.

 

[pixie2416]

If you have little ones, you'll find using a car easier than schlepping the stroller, child & paraphenalia on a bus, especially at the end of a long day.

 

[JoanneNC]

We drive from NC so can remove the added cost factor but here is our opinion

Our first trip was at the AKL and we naively left our vehicle parked and took Disney buses everywhere and didn't even think of there being anything better UNTIL our last evening returning from MK.. OH MY - We had to wait for 2-3 buses before we got on one and then we were all packed in like sardines and that was the absolute worst ride ever. We have never rode a Disney bus again. Our next trip was at the Ft Wilderness Cabins and we took the boat to MK and drove elsewhere. We had 2 kids (2 and 7) and found the car very easy.
Our trip last month was off site and again the only negative part is MK.

We prefer to be in control of our destiny and time table. We find that driving gives us that. The roads are very easy to navigate. We also find getting to resort ADR's much easier with our car

 

[bellebuzzntink]

For us:

Pros: easy for us to dump strollers and kids gear in the trunk and not get it out until we're at the park again the next morning; no waiting for busses when the kids are anxious to get to the park, to a different park, when the park closes; don't have to share my personal space with more strangers; the walk to the car is always shorter than to the bus stop; can stop by grocery store on the way from airport to pick up water, snacks, etc without being gouged at the gift shops at the resorts

Cons: the cost; ???

I don't know about the time factor - it seems that we get to/from the resorts faster than if we took busses, but I've never timed it. I'm sure some times it works in our favor and other times it doesn't.

I don't have anything against Disney transportation, and in fact have really never had any bad experiences with it. I'm sure once the kids are a little bit older that we will discontinue renting a car, but right now it's what works best for us.

 

[aurorae]

The other con is that at some of the rental car counters at the Orlando airport, the lines can be REALLY long, and can move very slowly. It took me about 90 minutes to get to the counter one night when I arrived fairly late.

 

[queenie82]

Pro...easier and faster. You are not at the mercy of Disney Transportation.
- over 12 days the per day cost is much reduced and far better value.
- keep checking online on the various sites (national etc) and you can find some great bargins. I would always advise making a booking online first so you don't have to go through the - do you want this insurance blah blah...you can select the options you want and it will be cheaper.

another pro - you can go to the various outlet centres and supermarkets which can save you HEAPS. Disney have 2 outlets that have park merchandise at big discounts and supermarkets save you money!

con? I guess it is an added cost?

 

[MGNA]

This was our first trip to Disney so we debated about the rental car. We got a great deal at Alamo ($160 for a Toyota Avalon for the week) and it was the best money we spent.

Alamo is located at the airport. We had all of our confirmation info printed out so we were able to bypass the line and use the self check kiosk.

For us the rental car worked perfectly and was much faster, convenient than the buses. We used the Disney transportation twice and decided the car was a better option.

Every day when we went to a park we arrived early and were parked close enough so that riding a tram wasn't necessary.

Several of our ADRs were at other resorts. One ADR was during a heavy thunderstorm/downpour. We would have been drenched had we needed to depend on the bus system. With the car we drove to the other resort and paid valet to park for us We made our ADR in time and weren't soaked.

One evening DH needed wireless internet for a few minutes so we took a drive around DTD, found a McDonald's and used their wireless access. The ride was long enough for our tired DSs to fall asleep

Some people are sold on the buses and it works perfectly for them. For us we cannot imagine not having a rental car at Disney.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I disagree that a car is always faster or easier. Far from it! It depends highly where you are going, and how you time it. If you are at Poly, for example, it's WAY easier to hop on the monorail to either MK or Epcot. Even with taking the buses, they often drop you off closer than parking, so you have to factor that into your timing.


PRO's
For us the biggest advantage is peace of mind. In an emergency - or mini emergency - you have quick transport off Disney. If someone gets sick say - Disney will have meds delivered to your resort, but y'know- there are some medical problems you just don't wnat to have to discuss with a total stranger. Disney does stock some stuff on property, but maybe not the brand you want or need.

It is very handy to have a car if you want to get from a resort to another resort, especially after a nice dinner, when most of the parks are closed (After dinner)

Although exceptionally clean, Disney transport is, more or less, PUBLIC transportation. If someone hasn't used deoderant, or a child is screaming, you smell/hear it.


CON's: For me, the biggest disadvantage is that driving around WDw can be a real pain inthe neck. I've done it quite a few times, and still, I have to re-orient myself every trip. Roads are not well marked. Getting lost sucks. The buses can take shortcuts that you can't - so again - sometimes the car is not as fast.

A second disadvantage is that you always need a designated driver. Usually ONE designated river the WHOLE trip (unless you pay the extra fees) That person has to be sober, awake, and able to navigate. I don't drink much, but it sure is nice when everyone gets to be part of the fun! Some of my family members are not good at navigating - so that means those who are always get stuck being the designated driver. If you are the driver, you have to focus on traffic and avoiding accidents.

Another diasadvantage - esp -at MK - is that if you park in the lots - you have to remember where you parked. Every night, some poor soul spends hours searching for their car. (more often several poor souls.)

Last trip, our rental car had problems. It took hours to get it remedied. The company DID NOT want to fix it or send us a replacement car. IT was miserable. The car we got, well, let's say the tow truck driver was an avid chain smoker - or at least the prior driver. Since it was brought to us, we couldn't exchange it for any other car.

Anything left in a car all day will be very hot all day. Chocolate, crayons melt. You are responsible.

I don't find it much hassle to get ona bus witha good unbrella stroller. Our family brings it in the room each night and packs it up for the next day (water, diapers, jackets). Taking a stroller on the monorail is a no brainer, you don't have to fold anything, much less fasten carseats. Taking a stroller on one of the parking lot trams is downright scary! Especially if you are by yourself and trying to also hold a sleeping child. Unloading as a solo adult is also scary since you have to get the stroller and child off before the tram pulls away - they don't wait very long for you to unload! A few seconds tops!

It's cool to arrive at MK via monorail, or Epcot via boat!

If you have need of motor-scooter or something of the like, it can be MUCH harder to go by car. Many can't be compacted to even fit in a normal car. (On the flip,riding a bus with everyone staring may not be much fun either.)

If you have kids, you'll need carseats and seatbelts every trip.

Parking limitations at many resorts. Many deluxes only allow you a three hour pass, and only if you have a dining reservation. You can't park at Contemporary and hop to MK for the day.

Late at night, some of the remote parking lots can be quite lonely. Sure, you are probably always on camera.

Oh, one more - if you park at one park and take Disney transport to another - getting back to your car can be a challenge.

The DIsney bus drivers are often a hoot. They tell jokes, WDW trivia, and sometimes grant special treats. They are a real part of the magic.

We've done both. My ideal is a mix of both.

 

[Uncleromulus]

By all means--the car!!
When you make dining reservations, they tell you to allow up to an HOUR and a HALF to get to the restaurant using Disney transportation. That is suggestive--

A car is so much faster and much more convenient. We would never be w/o a car at WDW. Remember the bus is PUBLIC transportation--meaning you may have to stand, the bus might be full and you might not even get on. And some kid might be kicking the back of your seat the entire time. And you might have to listen to any # of folks jabbering away on their cell phones about this, that and the other.

Should add that if you are in a monorail resort or can use the monorail (as we do when we eat at Kona and then go the MK) that's fine.

 

[Cee]

I'll only give you one example:

DH and I had an ADR for Cal.Grill one night at CR and allowed 45 min. to get there because we were used to Disney Transportation. We had rented a car that trip and it only took us FIVE MINUTES to get there from OKW.

 

[eliza61]

Originally our reasons for renting a car unfortunately have been due to disney dining. I'm not happy with the price/value of the restaurants the last couple of years. Menus watered down, kids menus absolutely terrible (my opinion only guys) and prices continually going up.

What I save eating simply within 3 miles of dtd more than pays for the price of a rental and the food has typically been better.

Now I'm simply hooked on the convienence of having a car. It's very easy driving around locally, I find the roads well marked so we've never gotten lost and as every one else says it's a huge time saver.

It is almost always faster going from resort to resort by car than it is by disney transportation. We still use the monorail when going to the parks though except for AK. we drive to that one.

 

[mrstamil]

Our last vacation was 2 years ago. We're going down again in August. We have a couple days without a car and a week with. Here's all the pros and cons that I can think of. Both the rental car and buses have advantages and disadvantages.

When going to a park via the bus you must go to the proper line and wait. Usually the buses come and go pretty quickly. If the line is long you will be standing on the concrete waiting while all handicapped guest load 1st, and then everyone ahead of you. You MAY get a seat, you MAY be standing with the loops overhead to hang onto. There MAY be screaming children. With a car, you park near your building and get in and go. But, at the park you have to park your car, remember WHERE it is, and hike to the park from wherever you are. There usually are shuttles. The bus usually drops you at the gate. The buses can be very crowded BUT you don't have to fiddle with maps. Get in, zone out and arrive.

In the case of the Magic Kingdom, you can actually save time on a bus. (With a rental car you park in the parking lot, walk to the turnstiles, and then either hop aboard the boat or monorail to take a ride to MK.)

If you have to leave the park during a storm, the line for your bus to your resort WILL be long. Hopefully there's enough room to stand under the roof and the wind isn't blowing too much.

If you want to eat at a resort other than your resort it will take quite some time. You have to hop on the bus at your resort, ride to a park or DD and THEN grab a bus to the resort you're having dinner at. You have to do the same to get back to your resort. VERY time consuming.

With a bus, hitting a convenience store (other than the one in your resort) or hitting an outlet is difficult. Also, Sea World, Universal, Busch and Kennedy are challenging without a rental.

We also like the advantage of having a trunk with us. Pack things you MAY need but don't want to carry in your trunk and you can always run to your car. It's still a hike, but shorter than running to your resort and back.

If I had to pay $300+ for a car, I'd ride the bus. I got an economy for $140 for a week in August. I pick up at the Car Care Center (free shuttles to and from). The CCC tends to be cheaper than the airport. Also, taking the magical express frees me of having to worry if we can squeeze our luggage into the economy. You get off the plane, head the ME area, wait for your bus, and veg out until you arrive. Zero chance of getting lost or heading the wrong way.

 

[RachaelA]

We drove down for our trip in Jan 08. We used it daily because we ate offsite each night.

This past trip we were there 10 days/9 nights and we rented a car. We drove to the parks everyday. We took the bus our first full day there and I hated it.

We also leave the parks around noon or 1 and drive back to the hotel and nap and then drive back to a park. We have always had great parking.

We also park hop and always have great parking. Only one time did we have horrible parking, but it was still better then being crammed onto a bus with 100 other people in 100+ heat.

I hate waiting in the bus lines so I'd rather be walking to our car then waiting in a bus line.

I also like having our luggage right away rather than waiting for it with Magical Express.

We come and go when we please without waiting. I once forgot something at the hotel. We just turned around and drove to get it rather than waiting for a bus.

Overall we love having a car and we will always get one. Next trip we are driving, but we get a rental if we ever fly down again.

 

[1girl1boy]

I say car if you have children.

But to add if you are staying on property take magical express from airport and get rental from CCC in Disney. Much cheaper, faster and no taxes. IME when we used CCC we got a free upgrade as limited choice of cars compared with airport.

As PP have mentioned I do not like the sardine feeling in the buses. We have done bus to MK due to convenience and kids wnating to ride bus but having car and being able to pack stollers etc and sleeping toddlers in car seats car is a must.

Good luck.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[Brian Noble]

I used to get a car, but would always use Disney for MK or for evenings when we were each going to have a drink with dinner.

After my last stay at OKW, where we waited >35 minutes for an MK bus on two separate occasions, from now on I will drive it to MK as well. It might be a shade longer on average, but it is much much more predictable. We almost missed an ADR despite being at the bus stop an hour early. Very stressful and unpleasant.

I'll let Disney do the driving if I'm doing the drinking . Otherwise, I'll handle it, thanks. Money well spent.

 

[awhitey]

Our last vacation was 2 years ago. We're going down again in August. We have a couple days without a car and a week with. Here's all the pros and cons that I can think of. Both the rental car and buses have advantages and disadvantages.

When going to a park via the bus you must go to the proper line and wait. Usually the buses come and go pretty quickly. If the line is long you will be standing on the concrete waiting while all handicapped guest load 1st, and then everyone ahead of you. You MAY get a seat, you MAY be standing with the loops overhead to hang onto. There MAY be screaming children. With a car, you park near your building and get in and go. But, at the park you have to park your car, remember WHERE it is, and hike to the park from wherever you are. There usually are shuttles. The bus usually drops you at the gate. The buses can be very crowded BUT you don't have to fiddle with maps. Get in, zone out and arrive.

In the case of the Magic Kingdom, you can actually save time on a bus. (With a rental car you park in the parking lot, walk to the turnstiles, and then either hop aboard the boat or monorail to take a ride to MK.)

If you have to leave the park during a storm, the line for your bus to your resort WILL be long. Hopefully there's enough room to stand under the roof and the wind isn't blowing too much.

If you want to eat at a resort other than your resort it will take quite some time. You have to hop on the bus at your resort, ride to a park or DD and THEN grab a bus to the resort you're having dinner at. You have to do the same to get back to your resort. VERY time consuming.

With a bus, hitting a convenience store (other than the one in your resort) or hitting an outlet is difficult. Also, Sea World, Universal, Busch and Kennedy are challenging without a rental.

We also like the advantage of having a trunk with us. Pack things you MAY need but don't want to carry in your trunk and you can always run to your car. It's still a hike, but shorter than running to your resort and back.

If I had to pay $300+ for a car, I'd ride the bus. I got an economy for $140 for a week in August. I pick up at the Car Care Center (free shuttles to and from). The CCC tends to be cheaper than the airport. Also, taking the magical express frees me of having to worry if we can squeeze our luggage into the economy. You get off the plane, head the ME area, wait for your bus, and veg out until you arrive. Zero chance of getting lost or heading the wrong way.

Can someone please give me more information about the Car Care Center. Where is it and if I am taking Magical Express from airport, how would I get to the Car Care Center?

 

[Tara]

Can someone please give me more information about the Car Care Center. Where is it and if I am taking Magical Express from airport, how would I get to the Car Care Center?

The Car Care Center is near the MK entrance gates - it's a Hess service center and a National/Alamo (I assume they also do Alamo) car rental center and a AAA service center. There is a National shuttle that will pick you up to come rent a car and drop you off at your hotel when you return the car.