Should I rent a car?

[ErinInCT]

I posted a previous thread about using a stroller on a bus & now I am more confused then ever!!!

We are going to WDW at the end of Sept with our 2 dd's (4 & 11 mo). Bringing along sis to help out!! It will cost around $110 for town car & tip. I found a full size car at Alamo for $148 (includes tax, etc). We want to bring a sit-n-stand stroller which is a bit cumbersome to fold & hold on a bus. We are staying at VWL & planned to use WDW buses/boats to MK, MGM & EPCOT. I am a bit worried about the logistics of getting on the bus with the stroller, it's contents & the 2 kids. I have 2 umbrella type strollers but I think 2 strollers will be even harder then the 1 big one! I don't want to rent cuz I want to use the stroller outside of the park.

So, now do I hope for the best that the buses will be relatively uncrowded in Sept making it easier to stow the stroller on a bus, or do I rent a car for a bit more money but ease of being in control of what time we arrive, leave & stowing the stroller? We'll arrive early at MK & EPCOT & leave early afternoon & not go back in the evening. We're leaving mid afternoon for MGM & coming back after Fantasmic - along with the rest of the park!!

How much of a hassle is it to rent a car vs getting picked up by the town car company? How much of a hassle is it to park at the parks (actually just MGM & EPCOT, we'll take the boat to MK)? How much of a hassle is it to drive around the parks? Is it pretty clear how to get from point A to point B? Which is more stressful, driving yourself or trying to hold the stroller, etc on a bus?

Sorry this is so long. I am having a major dilemma about this. Jeez, it was easier to plan all of our activities then it is to plan the transportation!! I appreciate any advice!

Erin

 

[DizBelle]

It is just me and DH when we go and we always rent a car and drive where we can. Even with just the two of us, we prefer a little more control and options.

Driving to MGM and Epcot is easy. Navigating all over the World is easy as the signs are excellent.

 

[swilphil]

I wouldn't rent a car. I fold up my cumbersome double stroller for the busses, and people are very nice about waiting. You can also ask the bus driver to open the back door so you can get on and off there and you don't have to carry the stroller down the aisle.

I think it is much easier to take the bus than to rent a car and hassle with parking, driving around WDW, and still having to fold up my stroller to put in the trunk than having to buckle my kids into the car seats, etc.

Since you are at WL you won't have to fold your stroller up on the boat. You also can take the monorail from MK over to Epcot or to visit the monorail resorts.

I liked our service from Tiffany Towncar. They picked you up at the airport baggage claim and took your bags to the car for you. We also did the free grocery stop, which was nice.

 

[Barbday62]

I have doen two trips with a car and two with out and I prefer the with. I can use the bus when I want but when I want to be more in control of time I use the car. Also downtown I prefer to use the bus as also with water parks. I woudl rent at that price then use the buses and car when ever it works out best for you. One thing nice for us this past trip is we could make an unsheduled grocery stop when we wanted. Also when the rains came I was so happy to be dry in my car while hundreds of others stood in line for a bus not even there yet.

Barb

 

[Minky]

I can not and will not do Disney without a car....I know most people dont, but I wait in line for rides and everything else, I do not want to wait in line to get back to my hotel. I love being able to go anywhere, theres lots of great stuff to see and do in the area, nice restaraunts, shopping, universal etc....One day just for fun we tried to take the busses around and it was off season....it just wasnt for us. And renting a car is NO hassle at all, we are usually done with the whole process in about 10 minutes and driving away. There are some rental car companies IN the airport terminal and others that you take a shuttle to. Check out mousesavers.com for discount codes for all the different rental places and see what works best for you! Whatever you decide have a great trip!!!

 

[Shelby0007]

If I were you I'd rent a car. For the extra $38 you'll be more in control of where you want to be - when you want to be. We rented last year (no stroller involved-but 2 kids)) but it just seems like it would be so much easier than waiting on buses and figuring out what bus to take and dealing with getting on & off with 2 small children and a stroller. Driving around the world is very easy. Roads were empty and stress free last Sept. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Shelby0007

 

[Shelby0007]

Shelby again. Just wanted to add that parking is free to WDW guests. (I've seen that question asked before). And also, the trams will take you from the parking lot to the park entrance. That in itself is a thrill for a 4 year old.

 

[sweet angel]

The last two times I've gone we've rented a car. When I go in November, we'll rent a car again. Why? Convenience. I want to go when I want to go...not on a bus schedule. Plus when you're hot, tired, cranky, etc., who wants to wait while the bus makes its rounds to the hotels (assuming they still do that -- that's how it was when I went in college)?

Parking has never been an issue.

 

[n2mm]

Rent a car. We wouldn't do it any other way. You also have the wonderful option of zipping to the grocery store for juices and snacks for the kids. By having a car you save so much time going from resort to park. And it makes going to other resorts so convenient. I say rent a car, then try the buses. If you like the buses and find they are not a hassle, then continue, but it's so nice to have the option if you need it. When we stay at WL, we use the boat to MK, but the car to all other places. We visit WDW 4-6 times a year and would never be without our car.

 

[ErinInCT]

Ooops, I just realized I posted on Theme Park Attractions instead of Transportation. Sorry about that!!! But heck, I got lots of great responses! Thanks. I'll discuss with dh. We are not planning to leave the World once we get there but I have read that a car is easiest to all places except MK & I do like to be in control. I also like A/C!!

 

[limabeanmom2003]

We opted to use Tiffany Town Car vs. renting a car. We wouldn't use the car except to and from the airport. I have never had a service pick us up before and I like the idea of not wasting time standing in line at the car rental counter. I don't think it is a hassle to use the buses. We have a toddler and I don't think it is a big deal to fold up the stroller on the bus. I would rather be driven around on WDW transportation than deal with a rental car. I can't justify spending the extra $ on a rental car to have it sit in the resort parking lot for a week. I say, if WDW provides the transportation, use it!

 

[Jacket93]

Chalk another one up for renting a car.
The main reason we rent is getting to and from the airport.
We used the Bus service to get from the airport and the resorts one year and on the return trip we almost missed our flight because the bus arrived late at the hotel and then had to make 5 more stops at other hotels to pick up passengers. Then as luck had it we were the last drop off at the airport . After that we rented a car. Mow we use it to stop and pick up groceries and stuff off Site and if you are going to one of the resorts from your hotel its a lot easier than taking the busses.

 

[disneyjenca]

I have to go against conventional wisdom here and put in a vote for _not_ renting a car.

I do enough driving and commuting at home, I'm happy to wait a few extra minutes for those buses if it means sitting back at the end of a long day and having a nice, relaxed conversation with my husband on the way to the hotel.

It keeps me more in the Disney-mode by giving me some seperation from the real world, which is why I go to Disney in the first place.

 

[KSgirl]

As a mother of four, one using a stroller still.....

rent a car!

When kids are cranky, and it's time to go, I don't want to wait in another line to catch a bus.

I even traveled with my mother last February and drove everywhere by myself with NO problems. It is easy to get around Disney property and it is easy to park. Good idea to always write down where you have parked because the brain does not work so good after a full day at the parks and tired children .

 

[moinab]

I absolutely have to vote for renting a car! I hate, hate, hate waiting for buses with tired, hot, cranky children. Driving around Walt Disney World is no problem at all, especially during "off-season" times.

I don't understand what people mean when they mention the "hassle" of parking? We have driven to WDW 9 times this year, and have never encountered any problems parking. You drive through the gate, and they direct you where to park.

Another bonus with driving is that you can drive over to the Character Premiere outlet, which is basically just across I-4 from Downtown Disney. You can get your souvenirs there for half of what you would pay on site. The savings from this alone could easily make up for the difference you'd be paying to rent a car.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

I have to op for renting the car too. We like the fact we don't have to wait in any more lines. Especially with a stroller. The busses aren't bad with the stroller, but a car is better.

 

[Margie J]

Rent a car.

Even with lower crowds in September it's so convenient to have your own transportation when and if you need it. You say you plan to stay on WDW property but you may find that there are things to see or do just outside the boundry. With a car you have options.

Several companies have offices and cars right at the airport. That makes renting quick and convenient. I often use either Dollar or National. Highways to WDW are well marked as are those on WDW property (for the most part).

From VWL you may find it easiest to take the boat over to the MK. You can then take the car anywhere else.

When you check-in the desk will issue you a pass that allows you to park at WL, other Resorts and the Parks for free.

 

[sters]

For the extra $30 I'd get the car, A lot of times it is just more convenient, especially with strollers.

 

[ColoradoDis]

Here's another vote for the car - we've had one for all our trips. It's wonderful not needing to wait for a bus on someone else's schedule or itinerary. I love being able to go directly from our resort or park to the next one without changing busses. For the rate you got, I'd go for it.

By the way, keep checking on your car rental rate, mine have always dropped the closer I've gotten to arrival date.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We have always rented a car and always will. First off, DH is not a "bus person" but also the few extra dollars it costs is totally justified by the added convenience it offers, as others have mentioned.

Parking really is not a hassle, especially if you can walk into the park without using the tram. In the case of using the tram - you just have to have everything out of your stroller to fold it up quickly, so it's a good idea to keep everything organized and portable, and also to use the resort package delivery option to minimize the "stuff" you have to deal with.

When our kids were very young and were "passed out" in their car seats after park hopping, DH and I, if we were still up for staying out for a while, took leisurely rides through all the different resorts to see what they were like and one of us could easily run in somewhere quickly if we needed to. We always begin our stay with a trip to the grocery store and have the freedom to eat offsite if we choose to. We buy a $3 styrofoam cooler and keep it in the trunk with ice cold drinks to have when we return to the car.

When we get to MCO we split up - two get the luggage and the other two get the rental - we usually are done at the same time and then just walk across the street to get the car. We've learned to rent from agencies that have quick drop off so standing in line on return is not necessary. Checkout day is also a breeze, we just throw our bags in the car, go off to the parks for a while, then drive to the airport.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here. I believe the *official* policy on the boats is that strollers must be folded for safety reasons. We have been made to fold strollers on the boats on occasion - it seems to depend on 1) how crowded the boat is and 2) whether the driver cares to enforce the rules. Just and FYI that may factor into your decision making.

Our upcoming trip will be our first without strollers. I'm not sure if that's going to make it easier or harder, lol, but regardless it should be *adventuresome* as always.

Have a great trip!