Should I ditch the car and ride the bus

[mmouse50]

For those of you that usually rent a car - would you ditch the car this time?

I will admit that I can be a little impatient. Normally when I go to Disney I rent a car, usually because I have from 1 or 4 extra people with me and we are on the Dining Plan eating meals at other resorts from where we are staying. That being said - I am planning on a solo trip beginning on 11/9. Staying at POP, Counter Service food so....should I or shouldn't I skip the car. I have never taken ME from the airport or back to the airport - if I have a 11:45 am departure time on a Friday coming home - what time will I have to have my bags checked with RAC? If the lines are too long at the resort would I have enough time at MCO to check the bags there?

I really want to go to DTD during the day and all I have heard is the horror stories of how long it takes a DTD bus to get the resort - would it be better to take a cab to DTD?

I never have been during the first part of November but I am guessing that once it gets past Veteran's Day weekend and the end of the Food and Wine festival, the crowds should ease up considerably.

If I ditch the car will I regret it? Is the transportation that great from POP?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We always get a rental car too. My husband insists on it. He hates to wait in the long lines for the buses and ME. The car is helpful when getting to ADR's. If it was just myself traveling alone, I'd probably use the WDW transportation system. Keeping in mind to give myself plenty of time to get around and back and forth to the airport.

 

[loveswdw]

if I have a 11:45 am departure time on a Friday coming home - what time will I have to have my bags checked with RAC? If the lines are too long at the resort would I have enough time at MCO to check the bags there? I really want to go to DTD during the day and all I have heard is the horror stories of how long it takes a DTD bus to get the resort - would it be better to take a cab to DTD?

Do you mean you want to go to DTD on your departure day? If yes, then I don't see how you would do that. ME will pick you up 3 hours prior to your departure time so 8:45 am. I don't think any of the stores open until 9:30 anyway. The restaurants may open earlier such as Earl of Sandwich for breakfast. Maybe I'm reading that incorrectly?

 

[mmouse50]

I was wanting to go to DTD on one of my days but not departure. Just wondering how bad it was bus wise from POP or any of the resorts would it be better to take a cab? Basically - if a bus for DTD had just pulled out of the resort when I arrive at the stop how long would it take for another bus to pull up for DTD - 20 mins? longer? Going in the mid-morning time frame.

 

[WDWdreamer99]

Last time I went to Disney (April 2013) I did stay in Pop and the buses were great! They came about every 15 minutes (per stop) and sometimes the wait was even less! The rental car wouldn't be necessary to me.

 

[sam_gordon]

To answer your question regarding checking bags...

RAC opens at 5am. Your bags must be completely checked in (ie: you're walking away from the RAC desk) at least three hours before your flight.

I would get to the RAC desk around 7:30 to make sure there's time in case there's a line.