SSR Bus's and Rental Car

[felway17]

So my home resort is SSR. I have stayed at SSR once, and I have stayed at BCV once. When I stayed at SSR, I did believe that the buses took a long time to come around. Staying at BCV, I was spoiled.. I love epcot, and you can not beat the Yatchsman Steakhouse.

I am looking for advice on what to do, I am staying at SSR for Memorial Day weekend May 22nd to 27th. It is my wife, my parents (63,72), and my mother in law (57). All of us are in decent shape, but really like to get to parks early, so that we can come back go into the pool, and take nap's.

Looking at renting a car it is about $50 per day... but then add in tax's, and cost of parking at each park... You are now up to $75-$80 a day . Also I do not believe you can park as Magic Kingdom for the moring, and then go to MGM parking without paying another parking fee.

Any thoughts? Anyone have past experience?

 

[jekjones1558]

Check the Transportation board for some help on getting a cheaper rate:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=16
If you are staying at SSR you park free at the parks. Just show your SSR parking permit.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you are staying at a Disney resort you do not have to pay to park at the theme parks. You are given a sign to put in the window of your car which allows you to park for free.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

You know, I have read horror stories of bus waits for over an hour at SSR, but we have been there at one of the most crowded times (spring break), at one of the most complained about stops (the Springs) and didn't have an issue. Our longest wait was 10 - 15 minutes. We actually did have a car, but chose to take Dis transportation to and from the parks. We figured by the time we drove there, parked and walked in, having the bus practically drop you off at the front door saved a bunch of time. We ended up only using the car to go to dinner, as we ate outside of WDW about 50% of the time.

One other thought...not sure where you (or someone else traveling with you) works, but you may be able to get a discount through your work. I have gotten wonderful rates on rental cars because of the discount.

 

[beccasmom]

I think a car at SSR is a great idea because we've never had great luck with the bus transportation there on our three trips. Also, if you are staying at a building further away from the main areas, it can be a bit of a walk to get there -- not overwhelming, but something to keep in mind. My mom is quite spry for her age, but it was a challenge for her to walk from the Paddocks.

I am a huge fan of Disney transport and we rarely rent a car, but we would when staying at SSR. And with gas prices here in Philly at $3.60 a gallon and heading up every day,( I know they are even higher in other parts of the country) that is not an easy thing for me to say.

 

[ldo]

also at SSR, there is no guarantee of which bldg you'll be in. If you are in a far bldg and want to go to Springs Pool, etc., you might have a bit of a walk. Also, as others have said, parking is free for all parks at WDW if you are staying at DVC.
If you would rather take ME and don't want to get a car at the airport, there is an Avis rental at Hilton hotel at DTD (just take the boat from SSR to DTD and then walk across Hotel Blvd) and also Alamo at either Dolphin or Swan---rates looked about the same as at the airport--you can also drop it at airport on your way home. You could also just rent a car for a couple days. Then, if you get a close bldg at SSR and the bus is working fine, just call and cancel your reservation.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

The wait for the buses can seem to be long sometimes, but don't think a rental car is going to be the perfect solution. Keep in mind:

• When driving to the parks, you need to deal with the theme park parking lot. There will be time associated with walking from the car or waiting for the tram.

• I don't know about others, but I get lost trying to drive around WDW. The signs can be confusing, and I always seem to get turned around the wrong way.

• Have you seen the cost of gas lately? :rofl:

I'm not necessarily saying a rental car isn't the way to go for you -- it's a personal choice. I just wanted to point out a few other things to consider.