Renting Car vs ME/Cab/Dis Trans

[HubbDave]

We will be in the World 8/2-8/10

1 night at AS Sp then bopping to the BC

We are doing 1 Sea World day and have ADRs at 'Ohana and Boma (among others)

We can get a car from MCO and returning it either at MCO or at the Car Care Center for around $210

We figured we would take a cab between Sports and BC, and then later in the week to SW and the ADRs

Which would you choose?

 

[cluvsdisney]

We will be in the World 8/2-8/10

1 night at AS Sp then bopping to the BC

We are doing 1 Sea World day and have ADRs at 'Ohana and Boma (among others)

We can get a car from MCO and returning it either at MCO or at the Car Care Center for around $210

We figured we would take a cab between Sports and BC, and then later in the week to SW and the ADRs

Which would you choose?

I would rent a car from the airport for the whole trip.

 

[nkereina]

I normally hate renting a car at Disney - I hate driving on vacation/dealing with the GPS since I have no idea where I'm going, plus I can't have a few drinks at dinner - but in your case, it would be a time saver if that's a concern.

If it were me, on the day you check out of ***, I would allow Disney to transfer my bags to BC and proceed to the park that morning like usual. When I leave the park that day, I would just hop the bus to BC and check-in there. Wouldn't take any extra time out of the day, and Disney will handle your bags.

As for Sea World, I think Mears has shuttles you can pre-arrange for this. I'm not sure of the cost per person, but if there's several of you it could be more than the cost to rent a car. Just depends what you want to do here.

For the ADRs, Ohana is easy enough to get to. From BC, you could boat to DHS and get on the Poly bus. If you have park hoppers, you can walk through Epcot and get on the monorail and walk to Poly from TTC (long walk through Epcot though). Or you can take the MK bus and then hop on the monorail to Poly. For Boma, I would boat to DHS and hop on the AK bus. Staying at a deluxe resort has the advantage of making resort dining easy, since you have easy access to a park to catch a resort bus.

 

[Bullseye]

I would rent a car from the airport for the whole trip.

Ding, Ding, Ding...the first reply is the best reply. Rent your car at the airport and drive everywhere. You have a car for $23 a day and it will be the best money you spend. You'll have the car for switching hotels, going to seaworld, and your adr's. Plus the convenience to and from the parks makes it so worth it. Driving around WDW is fun and easy. Plus when it's time to go home you can wait until the last minute and then just head back to the airport. MCO is easy to rent a car from also. You go to second level and grab your luggage and then down to first level to rent your car. From the airport just take 417 South, there are signs everywhere you can't miss it. There are a couple of tolls, but other than that it's a non congested very nice expressway. It's the same route DME uses.

 

[joe1946]

We can get a car from MCO and returning it either at MCO or at the Car Care Center for around $210

That is a great price!!

 

[OKW Lover]

We would do the car, especially for that price. Be sure the cost of the car includes all required fees and taxes. Even so, that sounds like a good rate for the number of days.

With a car you have the ability to drive to/from the other resorts for dining or just looking around. You can also stop off-property for outlet shopping or picking up snacks to have in your room. Having a car will simplify your change over date as well.

The only park you should avoid driving to is the MK since you'll still have to park in the main lot and take the tram to the monorail/boat to get to the turnstiles. For the MK, take the bus.

 

[Mousemom]

We always rent a car. We like the flexibility it adds to our vacation. During those times that we have split up and I have taken the bus I sit at the bus stop thinking how much faster it is to get to where I want to go by car. One night we took the bus to DD and when we got ready to come back we were not able to get on the first bus, had to wait for another, and still had to stand. We are renting a car from Alamo w/their club card and coupon for 9 days in September for $187.00. We feel the time it saves us and flexibility it adds to our vacation makes it worth the money.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I also wanted to add that you should check the transportation board. There are monthly car rental threads with coupon codes.

 

[gwb]

We have rented a car at MCO and at the Car car center at WDW and will now always do the Car care center. Trying to get out of MCO with a rental car is a nightmare at best. then driving to WDW and paying the tolls and dealing with the very trafiic is something to avoid.
We have found that going with Magical express then being picked up at your resort and being driven to the center is better. That way you don't have to wait at the airport to pick up your bags then drag them to the car rental station.
As for the price I have a reservation with National at the Car care center for 7 days for a full size $210

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I live in a big metro area with lots of very good public transit options. I would not use a bus where I live. So why would I step down to a bus while I'm on vacation. I've experienced the WDW busses and this doesn't change my opinion at all. And I've read enough negative stuff between my research and these boards to cement my thoughts. Some people say they don't want to drive on vacation. I personally don't want to rely on publich transit during my vacation.

I use Alamo every time I go to WDW. I pick-up AND return my car at MCO. It's so convenient. Just check-in downstairs, and walk across the street to the garage for your car. What could be easier? For my next trip, I got a free upgrade to midsize. The total rate for 12 days is $259. That's a great deal. MCO is usually cheaper than any off-airport location. Disney's car care center almost always considerably more expensive.

Rent the car and save yourself the hassle and inconvenience of relying on Disney's spotty bus tranportation.

 

[HubbDave]

The $210 includes taxes and fees.

I have driven into and out of MCO before, not that big of a deal, the real diff is the avoiding the cabs piece. I think overall it would be just a little cheaper to use cabs and Dis trans. But not much

 

[larryz]

I think overall it would be just a little cheaper to use cabs and Dis trans. But not much

Given that math, for me, the convenience factor would be the clincher for the rental car.

 

[The Hendies]

We are splitting between off site, and on site, but in any case, we are renting for the entire trip. If you were spending your time exclusively at WDW, then maybe go without a rental, but with Sea World, and some ADR's around the property, I would rent. Quick question, the $210 rental, is that car at the terminal, or off site? Off site car rental can take up to an extra 1.5 hours on both ends of your trip.

 

[HubbDave]

That is off site - MCO for 8 days. For a compact which works for us
If we return the rental at car care it would be for 5 or 6 days, similar cost
But then I need to shuttle from CCC to BC

 

[HubbDave]

That is off site - MCO for 8 days. For a compact which works for us
If we return the rental at car care it would be for 5 or 6 days, similar cost
But then I need to shuttle from CCC to BC

Edit
On site at MCO terminal

 

[HubbDave]

Mods, feel free to move this to the transportation sub forum (which I never knew existed. Lol)

 

[goodferry]

I have to agree that we would rent a car also. The added flexibility and not having to rely on other people to get where I want to go is priceless! Mouse savers has a downloadable file for GS units that make it super easy to get around.

 

[Surr]

..... You have a car for $23 a day and it will be the best money you spend.....

At this price renting a car is less than the cost of renting a double stroller on site!

 

[HubbDave]

Just booked the car

Got a "free" booster seat as well...lol

 

[bas71873]

Not to hijack OP's thread, but for those that get a rental and drive to the parks, what do you do when you hop from park to park? I'm assuming you drive to each park? This is the first time we are thinking about renting a car cause we loved having one to get around when we did Discovery Cove & Sea World last year.