staying off site without a car? and more ?s

[urglewurgle]

is that feasable? lol... i want to go for two weeks... and do both WDW and Universal, sea world etc. and looking @ brochures i got today (for universal) it seems cheapest to stay offsite... it does mention shuttle busses but i dunno how reliable they'd be... and how easy it is to get from the airport to the hotels etc. any advice?

also... would it be easier (as a first timer!) to book through a travel agent.. someoen who could get everything sorted for me... or would i make enough of a saving book seperatley online etc. to be worth the hassle?

oh, i'm thinking of going April 07 time... for 14 days.

and another question (sorry!) for those of you travelling from the North of England... do you find it's cheaper to get down to London and fly from there? or do you just fly from your local airport?

TIA guys!

becks

 

[binkyboots]

my sister and I stayed offsite without a car, the shuttles, they were ok, slow and slightly unreliable, the main thing was the lack of flexibility, you had to be up and out for xam and ready to leave (from the same park) at xpm.

not great really, it poured down on us in ak, but we were stuck there till the shuttle returned!

 

[Goofyish]

One option that we did on a past trip is to split your stay. Spend 7 days on site in WDW and then move to I-Drive for 7 days. You get the best of both worlds then.

We used a towncar transfer to and from the airport, and a taxi to change from WDW to I-Drive accommodation.

When on I-Drive we never bothered with the shuttles to US, IOS or SW. We used taxis. From the bottom end of I-Drive it was around $10 each way to US/IOA. To get to SW we used the I-Ride trolley bus ($7 for a 7 day unlimited ticket).

 

[Soprano]

I have been three times, always staying off site and without a car.
If you do not get a car, whoever you book with should offer you free airport-hotel transportation.

We stayed on International Drive, which is very central to great shops and attractions. A bit of a distance from Disney, but not too far. Some parts are a bit tacky with their souvenir shops, but the place over all is clean.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn International. This hotel offers FREE transportation to Disneyworld, Universal and Sea World. Lots of hotels offer shuttles to Uni and SW, but few to Disney.

Their free Disney coach went 4 times in the morning and four times back. You get the time table and just turn up whenever you like. The coach did not stopping at other hotels so was very quick.

Universal Studios is within WALKING distance, so we found it much quicker to walk as the Universal shuttle went around a lot of hotels.

We just took a bus to Sea World as we presumed this would be quicker than the shuttle which went around the hotels. The local bus service is very cheap and cheerful.

Since its your first time, I would book everything through a travel agent. Doing it yourself may be too much. Speak to someone and tell them what you want. We now always travel with Virgin. They may be a few pounds dearer than others, but to represent good value for money.

I would guess you know you are going during Easter, which is both expensive and busy.

Sorry, can't help you with your other questions, but feel free to ask more.

HTH

 

[wilma-bride]

If you do not get a car, whoever you book with should offer you free airport-hotel transportation

That is not actually the case. Virign Holidays offer free transport if you do not take their car but the majority of other tour operators charge for transfers. If you are on a DIY holiday (ie not booked through a TO, then you have to make your own arrangements)

We stayed at the Holiday Inn International. This hotel offers FREE transportation to Disneyworld, Universal and Sea World. Lots of hotels offer shuttles to Uni and SW, but few to Disney.

Their free Disney coach went 4 times in the morning and four times back. You get the time table and just turn up whenever you like. The coach did not stopping at other hotels so was very quick.

Sorry to be so contrary but we stayed at the Holiday Inn just last September. Yes, they offer free transportation and yes, there are various times but there is only one coach to/from each Disney park a day ie to MK at 08:00 and back from MK @ 21:30, to Epcot at 09:00 and back at 22:00 etc.

In addition (certainly, when we were there) the transport for every destination, had to be booked at least the day before. The coaches DID stop at other hotels and we were usually the first stop on the way and the last stop coming back. We found the transport to Disney so inflexible that we stayed on-site one night so we could see Wishes (as we couldn't guarantee being back at TTC by 9.30 pm or at Epcot by 10) and the other times we got a taxi back. Not sure how long ago you stayed there but it definitely wasn't working for us.

The hotel we are staying at this year (Renaissance @ Sea World) has much more flexible transport with busses to/from each park (plus water parks and DTD) every hour. You only need to give them 90 minutes' notice to get booked on the transport so we are hoping this year we will not feel so pressured to stick rigidly to a timetable.

 

[carolfoy]

We stayed at THE cLARION Maingate a couple of years ago, it was a nice hotel with a great breakfast and really helpful staff. They had a regular shuttle bus that went to all parks and there was also a lynx stop outside if we had missed a bus. There were several restaurants etc in walking distance to the hotel as well.

 

[Soprano]

That is not actually the case. Virign Holidays offer free transport if you do not take their car but the majority of other tour operators charge for transfers. If you are on a DIY holiday (ie not booked through a TO, then you have to make your own arrangements)

Yes, you are right, I was referring to booking through a TO and didn't make myself clear enough. My first trip back in '98 was with airtours and a horrid charter with Monarch both offered airport-hotel xfers free.

Sorry to be so contrary but we stayed at the Holiday Inn just last September. Yes, they offer free transportation and yes, there are various times but there is only one coach to/from each Disney park a day ie to MK at 08:00 and back from MK @ 21:30, to Epcot at 09:00 and back at 22:00 etc.

In addition (certainly, when we were there) the transport for every destination, had to be booked at least the day before. The coaches DID stop at other hotels and we were usually the first stop on the way and the last stop coming back. We found the transport to Disney so inflexible that we stayed on-site one night so we could see Wishes (as we couldn't guarantee being back at TTC by 9.30 pm or at Epcot by 10) and the other times we got a taxi back. Not sure how long ago you stayed there but it definitely wasn't working for us.

The hotel we are staying at this year (Renaissance @ Sea World) has much more flexible transport with busses to/from each park (plus water parks and DTD) every hour. You only need to give them 90 minutes' notice to get booked on the transport so we are hoping this year we will not feel so pressured to stick rigidly to a timetable.

Hmm, looks like they may have changed a few things. Was there in Feb 04. and the coaches were direct hotel-Disney going to the parks, they may have been a stop on the way back, but not everytime either.

I took no notice where the coaches were going as they (in Feb) all went to the Disney transportation centre as well as another park so we just took which ever one was closest after breakfast, then went on to whichever park we wanted.

We were told we were supposed to book a day in advance, but we didn't usually. It being Feb, the shuttles were quiet.

The experience for us, using their transportation, was fine, really. But you do hightlight one problem with their timetable. We missed out on Fantasmic because we had to rush back and get the last coach home.

This will be the first time we are taking a car so we can be fully flexible. If all goes well, we will take a car every time.

Back to the OP's question, I think its fair to say getting around in Orlando can be done without car without much hassle.

 

[wilma-bride]

Back to the OP's question, I think its fair to say getting around in Orlando can be done without car without much hassle.

I would agree with that statement. Even if staying in a hotel that DOESN'T offer transport to Disney, you can get the I-Ride trolley down to stop number 38 and catch the Lynx bus #50 to the TTC. There are often taxi drivers hanging around at this stop, who will offer to take you to any Dsiney park for $2.50 each.

 

[carolfoy]

The first year we went we relied solely on the lynx system, after discovering it by accident on our first morning. We were up ridiculously early and wandered over to Dennys for breakfast and got talking to a lady there who worked as a CM, She overheard our conversation and was wonderful, directing us to the right bus and 'escorting' us to the TTC, she explained the whole transportation system and took us through a CM only door to get us on the monorail quickly so we could get to the MK for the opening . Our first taste of disney magic, and it worked 'cos we're going back for the fourth time.

 

[urglewurgle]

thanks guys! you lot are a MINE of info! lol...

 

[Miffy2003]

I like Tim's idea of doing a week on I Drive (for Seaworld, Universal etc) then a week at WDW onsite. The values really aren't that much more I found (depending on when you are going etc)

Best of both worlds maybe?

 

[jtlover]

We stayed off site without a car once and found it to be a pain. Although a lot of the hotels offer free shuttle buses there are only buses in the morning to the parks - therefore you cant go and come back to your hotel and then go back to the park late afternoon. It does limit your day unless you are going to stay out all day and then come back on the late shuttle bus. Obviously once you get to Disney you can use the disney transportation to travel all around.

If you are going to do this then it would be good to split your stay at 2 hotels fairly near to the parks - but you will then have a taxi ride to take you to the second hotel nearer to universal.

We stayed at the red roof hotel on maingate to Disney which was pretty close to MK.

If you are not going to do Disney and Universal every day then I would say this would be fine and is certainly a cheaper way.

 

[maureen4200040]

I've been 4 times and always use the lynx bus service to get around. I find it the best options for me. The thought of driving puts me into a cold sweat.

I agree it can be a hassle at the end of the day when your tired and you have to face the journey home on the bus.

Maureen4200040

 

[momof3disneyholics]

The Lynx bus system is not that reliable in my opinion. Use it only if you have no other choice. If you decide to stay at a hotel that has a free shuttle, make sure to actually call that hotel before you book to find out the details on it and to make sure that it runs year round. Some only run during peak times.
Also, if you stay on I-drive, you can really take advantage of the I-Ride Trolley. You can take the I-ride to Seaworld. It is stop #39. Wet and Wild is #15. You can get off near Wet and Wild, walk around a mile and be at Universal also. If you want to go to Disney, take the I-Ride to stop #49, get off at the Premium Outlets, go out to the street, catch the lynx bus to DTD, then use the free buses inside Disney to wherever you want to go.
You can get I-Ride passes at your Guest Services desk at your hotel. Right now, a 7 day pass is running $9.00.

 

[urglewurgle]

the idea of a two hotel stay seems like a good one... i don't think it'd bump the price up much if at all... and would make things easier!

 

[Soprano]

the idea of a two hotel stay seems like a good one... i don't think it'd bump the price up much if at all... and would make things easier!

It works for some people, but I didn't like it. When I arrive and unpack, I don't really want to pack up and move again midway through my hoilday. Too much wasting time packing, checking out moving, checking in again, unpacking. We lost most of a day doing this, but maybe it was down to not being very organised.

Staying at Disney, then I drive, would be an anti-climax. If you are staying at Disney, you are likely to visit Disney every day, which may be overkill for some, rather than mixing the days up.

I would do it if I was staying at Clearwater for 3 or 4 days, then on to Orlando. I read someone trip report and that seemed like a great idea. But then I would want to stay more than my usual 19 days

 

[JohnnySharp2]

It works for some people, but I didn't like it. When I arrive and unpack, I don't really want to pack up and move again midway through my hoilday. Too much wasting time packing, checking out moving, checking in again, unpacking. We lost most of a day doing this, but maybe it was down to not being very organised.

Staying at Disney, then I drive, would be an anti-climax. If you are staying at Disney, you are likely to visit Disney every day, which may be overkill for some, rather than mixing the days up.

I would do it if I was staying at Clearwater for 3 or 4 days, then on to Orlando. I read someone trip report and that seemed like a great idea. But then I would want to stay more than my usual 19 days

I know what you mean, prior to Joshua being born we tended to tour around a lot and have been fortunate to see many parts of Florida, more recently though now he is a little older it has seemed like a traditional 2 centre holiday would be unfair on him. Almost like taking him away from the fun.

As we are going for 3 weeks in August though we are having 3 nights in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area - it is a long time since we have been there.

Packing and unpacking can be tiresome, especially as most hotels/villas etc generally have a check in time of 4pm or similar.

 

[Miffy2003]

Becks - if I were you I would save the bit you think will be the best unti last! If you think Universal is going to be your "thing" then do I Drive last.

soprano is right that you have to be a little bit organised but honestly not much!

We changed resorts 4 times last holiday and it was fine, in fact I really enjoyed it. This was with two children as well so we did have quite a bit of stuff

For me enjoying the different resorts (and for you, the different parts of Orlando as you won't have a car) completely outweighs losing an hour to unpack and another hour to repack extra. But whether it is worth it to you or not, only you can know

 

[minnie29uk]

I dont drive in US and so get taxi to our villa.The shuttle from our resort is $12 per person to Disney.If there are 4 or more of you,you are better off getting taxi.ours charges $50 return to Disney and $80 to Universal.Our villa is on US 27.
So there are options and we have a great holiday - so will you,

Lynn