Should we rent a car? Lots of ?s

[sharona]

Looking for opinions on whether we should rent a car or use ME, Disney buses and the occasional taxi based on what we want to do. Hotwire car price for our dates is $190 (8 days in May). Our plans:

Arrive at MCO after 8pm on a Saturday, check in at POP
Sunday Epcot mid day break and dinner in WS/Illuminations
Monday MK mid day break and MK for parade and Wishes
Tuesday DHS in the AM - dinner at HDDR 7:15
Wednesday Sea World
Thursday check out of POP and check in to AKL, go to AK for day
Friday maybe DTD then F! package at 330pm
Saturday - not sure but probably Epcot and MK split
Sunday - flight home is not until 4pm, will probably hit RD somewhere

So we can either rent the car or use that $190 for taxis to/from Sea World, to transfer from POP to AKL, to get "home" from Epcot after Illuminations if we exit at IG. If it makes a difference, we're planning on arriving at or just before RD for most park days. Also since we are arriving to MCO late, we will definitely be picking up our own luggage even if using DME.

I'm really undecided about this. Originally I did not want to deal with a car/parking/directions/gas etc. We used WDW buses exclusively on our last (and only other) family trip. It was ok getting to but not so great heading back each night w/ tired kids on overcrowded buses and a few times we didn't take a mid day break because it wasn't worth it with all the travel time. This trip going to be warm/hot weather so will need those breaks.

How much quicker is it (on avg.) to get back to your resort at mid day if you have your car vs. using bus?

To get to Epcot and/or DHS by 8:30am on a non EMH day, what time would I need to be at the POP bus stop? What time would I need to leave if driving?

Is it better to take the bus to MK instead of the monorail/ferry from parking lot? better = faster and/or less annoying

How hard is it to navigate around WDW and Sea World areas? I have google navigation system on my smartphone - is that sufficient for getting around?

TIA for your input and opinions!!!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

A car is by far the fast transportation available with possibly the exception being MK depending on wait times for the buses versus wait times for Monorail/Boat at the TTC. The timing difference between a bus and car varies based on the resort and the park.

If you have navigation on your phone, you'll be fine navigating with it around Disney/Sea World/Orlando/MCO, etc in combination with the signs you'll see as driving.

The largest benefit of driving over bus transportation is Resort to Resort transportation because it is very direct and you don't have to transfer anywhere.

All of that in mind, I always rent a car because of the convenience factor in getting around.

 

[Halle]

I really think renting a car is the way to go. The flexibility is worth it.

 

[prncess674]

Having a car is such a wonderful thing.

• You can stop for grocery run and pick up such things as beer, wine, diapers, formula, snacks, etc.
• The car is a lifesaver if visiting other non Disney parks
• sometimes you just aren't feeling the Disney magic and a dinner without Disney prices and constant go-go atmosphere is a lovely thing.
• No worrying about being at the DME bus stop 3hr prior to departure. We visted a park on our last day and headed straight to the airport from DHS.
• Early AM resort ADRs don't require getting up at 6am to take two disney busses.

 

[ice cube]

I'll have to agree with everyone as we never have done Disney without a car whether our own or a rental..by far the best way to go.....

 

[debster812]

Let me throw a wrinkle at you...

DH is not, shall we say, a big fan of public transportation. He does not enjoy riding the buses at WDW for an entire vacation. He'd prefer to drive. What we usually do is this:

Arrive MCO late afternoon-evening. Take DME to our resort. Pack our carryons with what we need for the 1st day or two, and decide whether to hold our bags, or have them delivered.

We make arrangements to rent a car from National or Alamo from the Car Care Center, and for our pick up to be the next day. They have a shuttle that will pick you up from your resort, or from a park. (you could go pick up your car on your way to your mid-day break--they'll pick you up from EPCOT).

Enjoy your rental car from Sunday to Saturday. Return your car on your way to MK on Saturday, and they will shuttle you over to the park.

Take DME back to the airport.

To me, this is the best of both worlds. We have a car for the majority of our trip, but save about 2 days' worth of rental fees.

 

[sharona]

That is an interesting idea. I am definitely leaning toward the rental but we enjoyed taking ME to the hotel our last trip because it was so convenient and care free. Also we're arriving after dark so I'd feel better about not having to find our way to POP in an unfamiliar car with a tired but overexcited 8 year old! I'll check into the rates using the on site locs. Thanks.

I have not had much luck finding anything cheaper than $180 for the rental to/from MCO on hotwire.

 

[ccgirl]

Let me throw a wrinkle at you...

DH is not, shall we say, a big fan of public transportation. He does not enjoy riding the buses at WDW for an entire vacation. He'd prefer to drive. What we usually do is this:

Arrive MCO late afternoon-evening. Take DME to our resort. Pack our carryons with what we need for the 1st day or two, and decide whether to hold our bags, or have them delivered.

We make arrangements to rent a car from National or Alamo from the Car Care Center, and for our pick up to be the next day. They have a shuttle that will pick you up from your resort, or from a park. (you could go pick up your car on your way to your mid-day break--they'll pick you up from EPCOT).

Enjoy your rental car from Sunday to Saturday. Return your car on your way to MK on Saturday, and they will shuttle you over to the park.

Take DME back to the airport.

To me, this is the best of both worlds. We have a car for the majority of our trip, but save about 2 days' worth of rental fees.

Ohh...this is a great idea! One that I am seriously considering for our next trip. Do you find the car rental more expensive from the car care center than the airport?

That is an interesting idea. I am definitely leaning toward the rental but we enjoyed taking ME to the hotel our last trip because it was so convenient and care free. Also we're arriving after dark so I'd feel better about not having to find our way to POP in an unfamiliar car with a tired but overexcited 8 year old! I'll check into the rates using the on site locs. Thanks.

I have not had much luck finding anything cheaper than $180 for the rental to/from MCO on hotwire.

Try carrentalsavers.com. What size is the car you are looking for? With children we always rent a car. I will give our example... My friends were staying at BC and we were staying at BWV. We had a rental car. We left MK at closing and we still got back to the hotel 30 - 45 minutes before them. They had to wait for a couple of buses before they could fit on one. Then, they had to stand with a sleeping child. No thanks....I'll take my own car please. We always got to the parks before them as they had to pick up at other resorts before even driving to the parks.

 

[sharona]

There are only 3 of us, 2A 1C. I'm tall so I need at least a mid-size or I feel cramped but we don't need anything bigger than that. All things being equal, I'd take a SUV over most other options since that is what I'm used to. I'll check out that website you gave, thanks!

 

[debster812]

We are generally not at WDW during peak times, but I have not found the Car Care Center to be significantly more than renting at the airport, and a couple of times it was cheaper. Plus, you'll be saving 2 days' worth of rentals....

Good Luck