Should we rent a car?

[HopeCU]

My family of three will be going to WDW the first week of November 2003. We are staying at the Poly. I've been doing a lot of research and reading but seem to be getting mixed messages. My understanding is that the Poly is on the monorail and if we are not planning on leaving the park there is no need to rent a car. Yet I've also read that the time it can take from our hotel to the parks can be much longer than if we drove from park to park by car. My question is should we rent a car or not? Your expertise is appreciated.

 

[Libbysmom2000]

Using the Disney system to get to parks is usually fine. However, if you're intending to go to other resorts for any meals or to just look around then having a car is a good idea. We had a car last year because we stayed in DTD and didn't want to rely on their transportation. This year we're most likely staying at WL so we were going to use a car service. However, with coupon codes I found on Mousesaver I booked us a rental car for only $25 more than the car service would have cost. I think it's worth looking at the cost of both options now and again as your trip gets closer.

Hope this helps.

Kate

 

[DavidOH]

We have always rented a car. While I have never had a problem with the Disney Transprotation System there are time that I like the independence. We love to go to other hotels to "explore " or have dinner. It is more convenient to travel between hotels by car.

My wife also loves to shop at Downtown Disney in the evenings. While you can take the buses we always find it easier to drive.

Finally after a long day at the parks and taking the buses back and forth it is nice to get in a quiet air conditoned car and not have to deal with the buses.

 

[apagano]

It really depends on what your intentions are once you get there. If you pretty much plan to travel just between the Poly and the parks each day and you're not planning on making a lot of trips, then save the $$ and rely on the Disney transport. If, on the other hand, you're planning to do a lot of traveling from park to park on the same day, or you want to go back to the resort for afternoon breaks each day, or if you plan to leave Disney property, then you're better off getting a car.

 

[MiJo]

rented a car once and used towncar services three times. We only rented a car the year we drove up to Universal for 2 nights. I hate to drive on vacation and we have found the Disney transportation services to be very good, even when we have resort hopped for meals, etc. I guess it is personal preference but I would try to get by without a car. The towncar services are a great way to go.

 

[diznefreak]

HopeCU
If it is just the three of you you could rent compact car. Nat'l car rates have one for $145(8days in may).If you compare that to a roundtrip town car after tips it is really only $40 extra. You would have a car for your entire trip-so if you wanted to travel to other hotels or downtown disney it will be at your convenience. I think it is worth checking into

 

[Gillian]

The thing with transportation times is that the World is very large. Depending on where you want to go, it can take 5 minutes or 50 minutes.

From the Polynesian is is easy to get to the Magic Kingdom (monorail from grand ceremonial house or boat) or Epcot (fastest is walk to transporation & ticket center and take epcot monorail). For AK or MGM you will have to take a bus. Ditto for the water parks or downtown disney. Travel times for those vary.

As others have said, the worst is getting around to other resorts in the evening. Going to Pioneer hall for the hoop dee do review can be a pain, but it's not much better with a car!

If this is your first visit and you have planned on a lot of park time, I'd skip the car. It's not necessary for the parks. If you have plans for Cirque or someting else time-sensitive, you could take a taxi to get there on time and a bus back to the resort.

 

[HopeCU]

Thanks for all the great information. All of your help is very appreciated. Maybe you can help with one more thing. Sorry, It's our first time to WDW. If we decide not to rent a car what is our best bet for getting from the airport to the Poly? Thanks again!!!

 

[Jen D]

There are a number of Town Car Services, everyone will recommend their favorite. I'm a Tiffany person; there are plenty of Yourride fans here too. There are a few others. It's getting to be a competitive business, which is good, because all the services are clean, classy and friendly.

I love getting a Town Car. If I rented a car I'd really miss that opening of my trip, riding in that plush towncar headed for Disney!

 

[RobinLyn]

Hi Hope,

Lots of good advice here: www.wdwig.com/airport.htm

There are many discounts out right now for car rentals at the airport (Dollar, Avis, National, Budget & Alamo are onsite at MCO, so is L&M but don't rent from them, IMHO) It may be cheaper to rent a car than to use a taxi, mears or a towncar for both ways. I'm one of those who recommends renting. We didn't always rent but once we did we never go to WDW without renting a car at the airport. I guess we got spoiled! Check out mousesavers.com for rental car discounts:www.mousesavers.com/groundtrans.html