Suggestions please - Disney w/o a car - is it a smart move?

[FlyingBelle]

The only time we rent a car is if we're planning on doing a lot of golfing. There's no Disney transport to the courses - and our experience with the cabs has been really frustrating.


The 1st time we went as adults we drove down - the car sat in the lot the entire time until we were ready to go.

Yes - it can take a long time to get from resort to resort - but we make it part of the experience - taking the boat or monorail whenever we can.

 

[MPLsDad]

I don't usually rent a car. This Feb we're flying into Sanford and will rent a car from the airport to the hotel, but only b/c it's cheaper then a town car. I will return it immediately and then do a rental for the day back. Since we never leave the property, a car is unneccesary for us.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

Everybody keeps mentioning resort to resort dinner trips. I am so confused as to why folks leave the parks to go back to their resort, then try to get to another resort for dinner!!!! Plan your meals around your park touring, and around park clsoing times!!

For myself I would not want to head over to dinner at the California Grill in shorts and a tee shirt. We like to go back to the hotel, shower and change into nicer clothes for most of our dinners. Same thing applies if we are eating dinner at DD and then going to a show or nightclub. Not going to wear the same clothes there either.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Everybody keeps mentioning resort to resort dinner trips. I am so confused as to why folks leave the parks to go back to their resort, then try to get to another resort for dinner!!!! Plan your meals around your park touring, and around park clsoing times!!

We usually plan at least 1 day that not at the parks... that may be what people are talking about.

 

[beccasmom]

We've always stayed on-site, only rarely with a car. This has worked well for us. IMHO, WDW transportation is generally reliable. The caveat I would make is to allow time if connections are needed. Tight connections are stressful using WDW buses, but even the best plans can hit unexpected delays.

Some folks would rather have the flexibility of a car. At some resorts, I think a car is nearly a requirement. Since we normally spend our visits at OKW, WDW transportation suffices well for us.

Remember, you always have the option of renting a car on-site if you choose.

 

[CPT Tripss]

We have done the "world" with and without a car. I prefer having my own way to get from one park to another or from one resort to another. WDW transportation is really POOR for resort to resort trips . . . you kill a lot of time. If you dine in a resort and time it around park hours you can not only limit your park time, but you might go out to eat needing
That said, if the right deal came up and I could not get a car for the price I wanted, I would do DME and WDW transport within the world . . .

 

[disneybride96]

DH and I went through this in September. Well, after 2 days of Disney bus transportation from Pop I just called Alamo and extended the rental car for the rest of our trip(4 days for $98). I was surprised at how much I hated the bus system. I couldn't help but feel like cattle. And I witnessed some of the rudest behavior our entire trip while waiting in the bus queue.

We do not find a need for a car, but are more relaxed in our touring style. It is strange how different the bus system is at different resorts and times of the year. Value and Moderate resorts can definately be a cattle call. (AKA our stays at All Stars and CSR.) This year we have stayed at SSR & YC and never had more than 8 or 10 people waiting at the bus stop. We actually find the bus stops and busses a nice place to chat with other guests.

 

[solgent]

We stayed onsite without a car in August. Had no problems. One time opted for a cab from resort where we had dinner back to resort where we were staying.

I prefer Disney transport
*Waits were generally short (less than 5 minutes). A couple of waits were longer but less than 15 minutes. One wait was about 25 minutes.
*Waits don't bother us. We just talk to one another.
*No need to worry about directions. No potential stress of traffic, getting lost, finding parking, remembering where you parked.
*Free
*Better for environment
*Nicer to get into cool bus than into hot car on parking lot
*Always have option to take a cab or get rental car if not satisfied with Disney transport

 

[Michael623]

The only Disney vacation I ever had that I didn't completely enjoy was the one that we didn't rent a car. I have no patience for the Disney busses and I like the freedom to be able to go directly where I want to go when I want to go there. I typically find a car for $150 a week or less and to me it is a small price to pay for absolute convenience. I also only stay on-site.