Split stay, all adults, should I rent a car?

[picktails]

I have a split stay coming up with my adult daughter and her friend. I am flying in / out separately from them. The first 2 nights are at Gran Destino Tower, followed by 3 nights at the Grand Floridian. We only have 2 park days (this is a "makeup trip" from our stay during Hurricane Ian.) Considering the 4 trips from / to the airport, transferring to GF, dinner one night at AKL (Jiko,) and time at Disney Springs, I'm leaning toward renting a car. I calculate that using Uber / Lyft for those trips would be at least $200, and I can get a midsize car for 6 days using Priceline for about $250.
I am aware that from GF we can monorail to MK then bus to AKL, and we can also bus to Disney Springs, but for the price I'm leaning toward the convenience of a car. Would love to hear thoughts and opinions.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

If you plan on exploring Orlando on your off parks days or plan to eat/shop off property, I would say to get the rental. If you won’t, I would just stick to Uber/Lyft especially if you want to have a couple adult beverages at your dinners.

If primarily staying on property, why pay the extra $50 for the rental and have the stress of driving in a very touristy area when you have a much less stressful option?

 

[fla4fun]

I have a split stay coming up with my adult daughter and her friend. I am flying in / out separately from them. The first 2 nights are at Gran Destino Tower, followed by 3 nights at the Grand Floridian. We only have 2 park days (this is a "makeup trip" from our stay during Hurricane Ian.) Considering the 4 trips from / to the airport, transferring to GF, dinner one night at AKL (Jiko,) and time at Disney Springs, I'm leaning toward renting a car. I calculate that using Uber / Lyft for those trips would be at least $200, and I can get a midsize car for 6 days using Priceline for about $250.
I am aware that from GF we can monorail to MK then bus to AKL, and we can also bus to Disney Springs, but for the price I'm leaning toward the convenience of a car. Would love to hear thoughts and opinions.

It’s really a personal decision. I always have a car, because I drive to WDW, but for the most part, I use Disney transport.

However, based on the info you’ve provided, including the cost and several airport trips, it does sound like it would be more convenient to have a car. You would then have the opportunity to dine off site if you want on those airport runs, or stop at a grocery store for snacks. You could even go to the beach for a few hours, if you were so inclined.

One thing to consider is whether you could be enjoying the parks or resorts while part of the party uses ride share to/from the airport, instead of spending the time driving. The round trip will be about 45-60 minutes, with average traffic. It could be longer. You can also leave your bags with bell services if you use ride share to get to your second hotel and want to go to the parks.

Again, it’s your decision, and since you will be spending approximately the same amount either way, it basically boils down to how much time you want to spend driving vs leaving the driving to someone else. I don’t think either decision is right or wrong in this case.

 

[kylenne]

PP have brought up some good points but I would just add that driving to Disney Springs can be a nightmare. Even in a regular rideshare it's annoying at times, it's one of the very few situations where I'll opt for a Minnie Van if I'm not running late.

 

[reddog21]

We're not a fans of Disney bus transportation so we always rent a car. It's well worth the extra money for us.

 

[RoseGold]

If you're flying separately, I wouldn't bother. Unless you want to be their car service, yikes. Just stick to Lyft. Those round trips to the airport will not be fun for you.

 

[sparrow10_]

I just did a lyft for like 10 bucks to transfer hotels and it was seamless

 

[IndyToThere]

I would lean to not renting a car, if nothing else but to avoid having to be the chauffeur for picking up your daughter/friend at the airport. Yuck. You're already on your vacation. Why take time away to drive back to the airport and drive back to the resort.

 

[picktails]

This is why I love this site, great anecdotes and advice! No car it is. Thanks all!

 

[sparrow10_]

I would lean to not renting a car, if nothing else but to avoid having to be the chauffeur for picking up your daughter/friend at the airport. Yuck. You're already on your vacation. Why take time away to drive back to the airport and drive back to the resort.

To add unto this, when I arrived to MCO, the lines for rentals were insane. I overheard someone saying they had been waiting like 4 hours

 

[dizneedoll]

I am huge advocate of renting a car, no matter the circumstances. It was a total game changer for me. I hate the busses with a passion but that's me. Looking at what your plans are for that week, I would rent a car since its only $50 more. The conveniece, comfort and ease of your own car is so worth it.

 

[CynBeth]

We usually rent a car because we do a few days at other area attractions and it is so easy. We especially liked having it the few times we did a split stay as we could drive over to the other resort with our luggage and not have to rely on bell services which I hear can take time to get you your stuff. We are Alamo Insiders you can sign up for free. You book online and then just go to the kiosk near the counter to print a few things out and then walk right outside to the garage and go to the section of the size car you selected and pick whichever one you want.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

PP have brought up some good points but I would just add that driving to Disney Springs can be a nightmare. Even in a regular rideshare it's annoying at times, it's one of the very few situations where I'll opt for a Minnie Van if I'm not running late.

I am the complete opposite. LOL We drive to WDW so we always have our van, I cannot remember the last time we used it to go to a park, but for DS, we have always drove there and never had any issue driving or finding a parking spot in the garage. Easy peasy comes to mind. LOL

 

[beccasmom]

I was reminded recently of how much I have come to dislike driving when my office required us to be on-site now 3 days a week. We’ve been spoiled working from home and it’s a bit of a transition (and I live in a congested area). So not driving on vacation is a real treat for me! That said, there are times we will rent a car - when extended family and grandkids are coming along - but mostly not. DH would rather have a car, but he likes to drive. I’ve also seen the long rental car lines at MCO. Perhaps it is better on-site st WDW. But I’d probably still opt for ride share or Disney transportation.