Scared about not getting rental car this trip!

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

We're going to US for 5 days and WDW for 5 days April 30-May 10. I found that using a car service would save us about $100-$150 not to mention the $6/day HRH charges to park in their lot. I can't think of any attractions we would want to see off site, but I'm still nervous about not having a rental car at my disposal. US seems easy enough with it's water taxi, but how about WDW. We haven't decided on a resort yet, but there are several dinner options I want to do-Fantasmic Dinner Pkg, Chef Mickey, WL restaurant. I'm mostly worried about how hard is it to get from resort to resort in the evening, especially with a hungry tired family? Are we always going to have to hurry to get to the bus stops only to wait? Is it confusing to get around using WDW transportation? I want to have a leisurly vacation and not have DH secretly cursing my name under his breath for talking him out of a rental. Help!

 

[inkkognito]

We typically use Happy Limo to get to WDW property and then rely on the Disney buses to get us around, including lots of meals at various hotels (CHef Mickey's and Ohana are the two favorites). However, even on the rare occasions when we've rented a car via Priceline, we've never once used it to travel to any of the parks or restaurants. I find it much easier to use the buses. It is not too confusing, as long as you remember which parks are open late so you can use them as a convenient transfer point. When the parks are all closed, you can always use Downtown Disney as your "hub." We have done this to eat and also to get to Yacht Club for our Illuminations Cruise. Just be sure to leave plenty of time so you don't get into a frenzy in case you have to wait a while for a bus. I'd rather be able to relax at my destination after arriving early (we liked to kill time by shopping in the hotel stores) than to be going crazy with worry that we won't make it in time for our Priority Seating.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[hercamore]

IMHO,

rent the car! You'll be in Orlando for 10 days. You may want to eat offsite cuz eating at HRH is plenty expensive with a family.

Even at Disney, we like to eat the evening meal offsite at one of the nice restaurants near the crossroads shopping center.

A car gives me flexibility and freedom to do what I want. I may not use it every day, but it's there if something should happen. (like an emergency trip to the drugstore) for whatever.

If you are concerned about $$$, try make a bid for a car thru priceline. That way you pay the same price per day for the car as opposed to a weeks rental, plus 3 extra days tacked on which can add up by going thru a rental agency.

herc.

 

[sgtdisney]

Here is another vote for renting a car.. Did you search though the Mousesavers.com site for rental codes? I would never consider a trip, personally, without having my own car. I really need the freedom to come and go as I please and perhaps go offsite and do some shopping or eat in an offsite restaurant. One thing to consider at Disney is there is no direct resort to resort transportaion, unless you are on the monorail route. So if you want to go from one resort to another to dine you will need to make a transfer somewhere which could add to your time. I know some people love not having to drive on vacation.. I feel completely restricted when I don't have a car. Heck, I even rent a car when I have gone to Las Vegas in the past and you walk a lot of places there. I just need to know that I can hop in my car and go whereever I want, whenever I want.

 

[n2mm]

If you're use to renting a car, then rent a car. We wouldn't have it any other way. Once you calculate the cost of getting to and from the airport, the rental car isn't much more. Watch the boards, and you'll find a good deal. We are there for 15 days in May, but have not find a great deal yet. But sure we will.

 

[sueg]

I love having a car. After having one for so many trips, I can't imagine being without one. But sometimes you have to economize on a trip & each family has different areas where they prefer to save money. My comment goes more to your concern that DH may not be fully in favor of this economy & it could be a ticking bomb on your trip. I am the planner for our family trip & while DH is interested in the planning, he leaves the ultimate decisions to me. I have learned over years of planning, that time bombs can ruin parts of a trip. Usually, they come from my economizing in areas that the family feels differently about. I strongly urge a deep conversation w/ DH, even to the point of reaching an agreement that if NO CAR does not work out, you'll never do it again. The possibility of the unhappy/angry stares of love ones is more pressure than any planner needs.

 

[feenie]

We if you are staying on property for both, the Universal and Disney portions of your trip I would say don't rent a car.
When we stay onsite we don't rent a car and really enjoy not having to worry about driving anywhere all week...
If you decide you really want to leave for the day once you are there, Disney has a National Rental car place right on property and they will come and pick you up.
If you have AAA or a Disney Club membership they offer a discount.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I can only say from experience that getting from resort to parks (and back) is just fine using WDW transportation. Getting from Resort to Resort is another matter. You can do it of course, but you'll need to add extra time (and depending on where you are headed, maybe a LOT of extra time) for getting place to place.

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Thanks for all your responses. I talked it over with DH and we decided to rent a car to have the flexibility.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by Tay N Evie's Mom
Thanks for all your responses. I talked it over with DH and we decided to rent a car to have the flexibility.

I think you will happy that you did. If you are used the flexibility of a car on vacation it would have been a big difference to not have one. I am impatient, and if it takes me 1 hour to get somewhere by bus that would have taken my 8 minutes by car, I know I would be frustrated, and that is one thing I try not to be on vacation.. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Tay N Evie's Mom,

Just to balance the views of the pro-car lobby.

I visit WDW most years, and never rent a car because I ride a wheelchair and wheelchair adapted Grand Voyagers are very expensive.

I have never had trouble using Mears buses to & from the airport and between US and WDW. WDW has a magnificent internal transport system too.

As Uncleromulus says, resort to resort transport is not so great, especially after the parks close. There are two main areas:

Magic Kingdom, Contempory, Polynesian & Grand Floridian are all connected by the same monorail and transport between them will be good right through until after the restaurants close. Wilderness Lodge is nearby but you will have to use a bus from the Ticket & Transportation Centre, or the boat from Magic Kingdom or Contemporary.

The second main area is Epcot, Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin Beach & Yacht clubs. These are easy walking distance of each other and have many restaurants. MGM is a short boat ride away (or a 20 minute walk).

To get from the MK group to the Epcot group once the parks close will require a change of buses at Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island - a rather tiresome trip.

However, If you are only going to make that trip once or twice, you can always use a taxi, which bell services can call for you.

I note that your preferred restaurants are all on the MK monorail loop or nearby, except for one restaurant at MGM which you will visit whilst the park is still open.

Andrew