Staying at WL: Rental car or No Rental Car?

[kermitman18]

DW and I are debating on whether or not to get a rental car for our trip in September. We are staying at WL and I am for NO rental car. We aren't even going to AK this time around and I just thing that $250 could go to better use. She is a bit tainted because two trips ago it took almost an hour to get to DTD from CBR via the bus.

However, the way we have it planned now we might not even need a bus until the fifth day of our trip.

Thoughts??? I'm pretty sure even when going to Epcot we can take the boat to CR and then monorail to TTS and then monorail to Epcot.

I should mention we will have DS in tow who will be 2 years old and DW might be two months pregnant at the most.

 

[justcruisin]

I'd take Disney transportation though it can be a hit or miss on any given day. The worst experience I've ever had was from AK to ALK believe it or not. Besides any resort to DTD is notoriously bad.

You've planned your days to avoid the bus until day 5 so it's not worth the $250 for the rental car IMHO.

Driving and parking isn't without it's hassle.

Congrats on new baby!

 

[keishashadow]

DW and I are debating on whether or not to get a rental car for our trip in September. We are staying at WL and I am for NO rental car. We aren't even going to AK this time around and I just thing that $250 could go to better use. She is a bit tainted because two trips ago it took almost an hour to get to DTD from CBR via the bus.

However, the way we have it planned now we might not even need a bus until the fifth day of our trip.

Thoughts??? I'm pretty sure even when going to Epcot we can take the boat to CR and then monorail to TTS and then monorail to Epcot.

I should mention we will have DS in tow who will be 2 years old and DW might be two months pregnant at the most.

in September if you dig around for best deal, likely can get an intermediate in the $125 - $150 range from MCO. If happy to use ME, options for pickup @ car car center or BW area.

that said, we own @ VWL. While we typically do rent a car, we do grab internal transportation when we've be enjoying adult beverages. I've found the bus service more than adequate even at non-peak hours, even with stops at other resorts. I'd never bother to take boat to CR and then monorail, especially with kids in tow, when you could just take short walk to bus stop.

 

[OKW Lover]

One hour to get from your resort to DTD via Disney transportation is actually fairly typical. If that kind of transit time is going to bother you then spending the extra money on a rental car might be worth while, just to avoid marital *******.

OTOH, we've never found parking at WL to be that convenient as we always seem to be way away from the building.

 

[TikiGoddess07]

I'm pretty sure even when going to Epcot we can take the boat to CR and then monorail to TTS and then monorail to Epcot.

I should mention we will have DS in tow who will be 2 years old and DW might be two months pregnant at the most.

Taking a bus from WL to Epcot will be much shorter than taking the boat and 2 monorails -- especially with a 2 yr old in tow. You'll have to take care of the stroller and all the gear. Why not take a bus?

I can see a bus going to DTD taking a long time. But usually the park buses are much better timewise.

A car does give you some control over how long it takes to get somewhere, but do add on time spent parking, walking/taking tram...

We've done both car and bus, and now prefer bus because it's cool, quick, and we don't have to worry about getting lost.

Kathy

 

[rwdavis2]

We always rent a car, even staying at WL. From there we take the boat to MK, otherwise we drive everywhere else. It's usually quicker, IMHO.

 

[pepe of ohio]

With over 10 stays at WL, we've never used or rented a car... That said, in all our 49 trips to WDW, always relied on Disney Transportation...

When staying at WL, and wanting to visit DTD, we see it as an adventure and combine a few things along the way.... Boat to MK, bus to POFQ, we enjoy their food court, then boat to DTD and then bus back to WL...

For an EPCOT trip, since we consider the monorail and attraction, we will boat to CR and mo or ail to TTC to transfer to the EPCOT monorail for the longer ride and then bus back to the lodge ...

We're on vacation, and speed of travel is never an issue... Breaking up the day with different modes of transportation that Disney offers breaks up the monotony .... We've even left EPCOT via monorail to go from the TTC to the MK just to ride the huge ferry boat .... Why... because its there....so having use of an auto is no interest for us !!

 

[wdwrich]

The PPs have already provided lots of advice on the issue, but haven't mentioned one thing that is important to us. If you plan to have dinners at other resorts, using Disney transportation can be a real pain. Disney transportation is more geared to getting folks between their resorts and the theme parks, so traveling between resorts at night can take a lloooonnngg time, sometimes requiring a bus trip to DTD for a transfer. For this reason, we always rent a car, regardless of which resort we book.

 

[kermitman18]

The PPs have already provided lots of advice on the issue, but haven't mentioned one thing that is important to us. If you plan to have dinners at other resorts, using Disney transportation can be a real pain. Disney transportation is more geared to getting folks between their resorts and the theme parks, so traveling between resorts at night can take a lloooonnngg time, sometimes requiring a bus trip to DTD for a transfer. For this reason, we always rent a car, regardless of which resort we book.

Everyone giving great advice so thank you all. However, you bring up a really good point. Thankfully, I have looked at our reservations we currently have no dining reservations at other resorts. Even in the past we have usually kept them to the Deluxe resorts along the monorail.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

DW and I are debating on whether or not to get a rental car for our trip in September. We are staying at WL and I am for NO rental car. We aren't even going to AK this time around and I just thing that $250 could go to better use. She is a bit tainted because two trips ago it took almost an hour to get to DTD from CBR via the bus.

However, the way we have it planned now we might not even need a bus until the fifth day of our trip.

Thoughts??? I'm pretty sure even when going to Epcot we can take the boat to CR and then monorail to TTS and then monorail to Epcot.

I should mention we will have DS in tow who will be 2 years old and DW might be two months pregnant at the most.

With a 2 year old and a maybe pregnant wife, I'd be getting the rental car.

I go solo alot. I normally don't rent a car - I use Disney Transportation.

But after my last 2 trips, I ended up using Taxi's more because the Disney transportation just didn't cut it for me. Too much standing around waiting for buses, then the buses would be cramped constantly.
And the final straw for me was the DME trip back to the airport when I barely made my flight because of the 3 resort stops and how long it took to get people loaded onto the bus.

We went as a family this June and had our own car since we drove. It was wonderful having our own transportation.

It helped me decide I'm renting a car for September and maybe even every time from now on if that goes well.

 

[kermitman18]

With a 2 year old and a maybe pregnant wife, I'd be getting the rental car.

I go solo alot. I normally don't rent a car - I use Disney Transportation.

But after my last 2 trips, I ended up using Taxi's more because the Disney transportation just didn't cut it for me. Too much standing around waiting for buses, then the buses would be cramped constantly.
And the final straw for me was the DME trip back to the airport when I barely made my flight because of the 3 resort stops and how long it took to get people loaded onto the bus.

We went as a family this June and had our own car since we drove. It was wonderful having our own transportation.

It helped me decide I'm renting a car for September and maybe even every time from now on if that goes well.

Around what time were your last two trips? We specifically picked the week we are going because it is one of the slowest of the entire year. I'm hoping that will mean less people on the buses as well.

I should have mentioned that I also drive 1 and half hours each way to work minimum each day. I just like the thought of not having to drive at all while on vacation.

We rented our last two times and I have to say when I start thinking about the time it takes waiting for trams and the loading and unloading it would probably be about the same as waiting for a bus.

 

[circhead]

IMO parking and waiting for the tram or walking to the entrance takes longer than Disney transportation. That being said it is an individual choice - having your own car can be very convenient especially if you're wife is expecting. There is something psychologically comforting knowing that you don't have to be on anyone else's time frame. The buses to the resorts do run fairly regularly even at non-peak hours but they can be crowded and no seats available.

In September it is still very hot and humid and at least the buses are cool when you get on unlike a car that has been sitting in a Florida parking lot for any number of hours. You can also save your wife some of the walking by dropping her right at the door of VWL before you park the car.

 

[conniehar90]

We always rent a car no matter what. We like to be in control of our own destiny. We arrive early at the parks so usually are within walking distance and don't have to take a tram. Trams with strollers are a pain. However, sometimes when we return after our break, we have to park far and take the tram. We stayed at WL once and after trying out the buses, decided we would only use the bus for MK. Took the car everywhere else - especially to DTD. Also tried the boats at WL and it seemed like we were always waiting a long time for them to come.

I do understand the desire to not drive if you drive a lot every day, but I would get the car if I knew my spouse might get upset about wait/drive times.

Good luck with the decision - it is a personal one.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I'd get a rental car, especially if dw may be early preggo... If she is anything like a lot of women that 1st trimester some smells are terrible, and I can't imagine being crammed on a bus with a bunch of sweaty people and early preggo, yikes... Rental car, get to sit for sure, breathe fresh air, no smelly friends in close quarters!

 

[kermitman18]

Well. It looks like everyone convinced the DW to get a rental car.

I made one stipulation though, booking the car is her mission.