Surving WDW without a car? HELP!

[KJ and Crew]

We just booked non-refundable flights for our first trip on resort property (Feb 20-27 at POR)... it just hit me we won't have a car for: getting around, quick trip for in- room groceries and snacks, AND we need to do laundry... is it possible to survive with OUT our car?? Any tips??

Thanks for the help!!! This flight is saving us 30 driving hours (w/ 3 kids) and it's our first family flight. We're excited, but also worried about getting around... all advice appreciated.

Thanks!

KJ
DH, DS - 8, DD - 6, DS - 5

 

[Robindianne]

We just booked non-refundable flights for our first trip on resort property (Feb 20-27 at POR)... it just hit me we won't have a car for: getting around, quick trip for in- room groceries and snacks, AND we need to do laundry... is it possible to survive with OUT our car?? Any tips??

Thanks for the help!!! This flight is saving us 30 driving hours (w/ 3 kids) and it's our first family flight. We're excited, but also worried about getting around... all advice appreciated.

Thanks!

KJ
DH, DS - 8, DD - 6, DS - 5

We have been twice and haven't rented a car. We do laundry in the resort laundry facilities near a pool (adults take turns at pool and switching over clothes) and buy snacks, fruit, juice, and such from the resort shop and grab and go sections. I've heard of others mailing or bringing snacks, cereal, etc to the hotels. Maybe you could do that? I'm sure others will have more and better tips.

We also stayed at POR. Our fave.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've logged 41 trips to WDW since 1977, then with children and lately without, and never once used or rented a car. We go to WDW just because of this reason, transportation is provided everywhere on property, for free, and in ingenious ways, boats, buses and monorails. No directions, no traffic no stress means no worries. Others say the system wastes time, you're going to be standing and waiting somewhere sometime while at WDW so whats the big deal of waiting alittle on free transportation and pocketing the rental car fees.

We have a car service pick us up at the train station and they do a grocery stop but if we didn't, we would use one of the delivery services I've seen mentioned on these boards, gardengrocer or wegoshop, place an order and they bring it to your resort, easy as pie and comparability priced, better than a cab. As for laundry, we've never had to do laundry while at Disney , even though our stays are 9-12 nights, we pack alot, but we've seen the laundry rooms at the resorts and they look great and clean and if you must, reasonably priced.

I wouldn;t worry one bit with not having a car, but if you must, I believe you can easily rent one for the day from the Swan and Dolphin for you chores and get it all done, no sense paying a weekly rental and leaving it sit in the lot. As I stated, we've never regretted not using a car, really enjoy the transportation rides and always have the best time while on property.

 

[wlwilliams9]

We travel to WDW every year and have never needed to rent a car. Magical Express will get you to and from the airport. Before we had our DD, DH and I never ordered or brought groceries, we just ate at the resort or parks, however, having a toddler makes it a little different. The last 2 trips we used gardengrocer.com for water, milk, cereal and snacks for DD. We will use them again this May. You shop on their website and they deliver it to you hotel, even your room! If you are not in your room, bell services will hold the groceries for you. They even keep your milk and other cold items in the fridge for you. Anyway, don't worry about no car, save your $$ and use Disney transportation. It's easy to get everywhere you would want to!

 

[maryjean]

As long your on at a Disney resort no need for a car.They have buses and the monorails to and from the parks,downtown Disney and resorts.The Magic Express gets you to and from the airports.The resorts and parks have lots of great places to eat and there is a little store out on the boardwalk or you can order in your own groceries.
We found no need for a car unless you want leave
Disney.I have heard but never used the public bus system but heard they even come to some of the resorts so easy to get places like Kissimmee.You would have to check with the public buses about that because I am not exactly sure about but have heard from others.

 

[KJ and Crew]

Thank you for the encouragement, everyone!! I feel a lot better about getting groceries delivered (mostly for the milk!) and using the WDW transport!

You are all the best!!!

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Post any questions that you might have about getting from point A to point B via Disney transportation on the transportation board. Somebody will have an anwer.

We have rented a car one time, and while the convenience was nice for evening dinners at other resorts, it stayed parked for days at a time. I didn't miss the car the next couple of times that we've gone.

 

[janiejake]

we won't have a car for: getting around, quick trip for in- room groceries and snacks, AND we need to do laundry... is it possible to survive with OUT our car?? Any tips??

You won't need a car for the laundry bit. At POR, a laundry is located right by each quiet pool. Easy to swim with the kids, or sit and sun/read and do a load or two. Just make sure you pack what you need for products. Dryer sheets, and baggies of laundry powder. Costs a fortune if you buy it on site. The laundry room is accessible with your room card, and so is available to use at all hours.
Not having a vehicle can take some getting used to. I admit to liking having 'wheels' available to me. Our last trip, we used DME, but we wanted to head to the gulf for a day, and do some errands. I reserved a car thru the Car Care Center. We had it for a couple days, but you could get it for 1. They will pick you up at the resort, and the shuttle will drop you off at the resort after you return the car. I was able to get a good deal, using a code/coupon. We were able to make our Gulf trip, stock our fridge, and hit the Character Warehouse. And have an off-site meal. So, you can get by without a vehicle- But, if you decide you need a vehicle for a day or two, that is certainly an option available.

 

[kimis]

My dh loves the fact we don't have to get a car while at WDW. We have only had trouble one time with all of our trips with the bus service and that was because WE didn't allow enough time to get to ADR's. As far as laundry POR has nice laundry rooms next to the quiet pools. I bring enough soap with me to do a few loads while we are there.
As a mentioned the transportation is great. You have the buses to get to the parks, the boat will take you to DTD and to get to other places there is also the monorail. We love it. There are a lot of cm's to ask if you have any questions also you can ask other tourists how to get somewhere. It is really very easy. You just have to allow enough time to travel if you ADR;s.

 

[jayem43]

As long as you don't mind paying a little extra for staples, you really don't need a car at all. Their market prices aren't too terribly expensive. My suggestion would be to pack some of the little necessities you'll need in a small suitcase, it will be empty for when you leave so you can put your souvenirs in the empty suitcase! I didn't read all of the replies, so if someone already suggested this, I apologize.

 

[jayem43]

By the way, we almost always drive to WDW and we almost NEVER even get in the car the entire time we're there. So that shows you how necessary a vehicle is there.

 

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

Its going to be fine. You can get around by the bus service. From the airport take Disney's Magical Express to your hotel. Then take the Disney Bus Service to all the parks. If you want snacks and stuff go to your resorts food courts. Im also going to Disney the 20-27. I have been 10 times so dont worry. Have a magical time!

 

[trekker93]

We have not rented a car the last 3 years and found most of the things we need on site - from laundry service to groceries. One time I did need to get over to CVS for some medicine and all we had to do was walk outside of Pop, talked to the outside maitre d' and he flagged down a taxi. There was a line of taxis waiting there for people to use. If you only have to go to one place, it cost us about $10 to go over to CVS, have him wait for us, and then take us back!
Another method is to go over to Downtown Disney , and catch a city bus to wherever you want to go.

 

[dbarker]

As others have mentioned...you will be fine w/o your car.

We used to drive down. Our first trip we stayed off property, so the car was a must.

Our second trip we stayed on property and I tried to convince DH to fly, but he insisted that we needed our car. We parked the car when we got to AS Sports. We packed up the car and drove to AKL(split stay - Disney would have moved us) and parked the car. We got back in the car when we went home. Yeah, dear, we really needed that car.

We fly now. We use DME and all the WDW transportation. I pack snacks in an extra suit case (needed for souvenirs anyway). IMO Disney transportation is cheap (free), easy and efficient. And an added bonus: DH does not get lost trying to find his way around WDW property.

Have fun w/ you first flight. Don't forget to pack a couple of packs of chewing gum for the flights (ears popping). WDW does not sale gum.

 

[kristinlynn]

We just got back from a 10 day trip without a car and no problems. We found a great price on a flight into Tampa so we did rent a car at the Tampa airport, stopped at the grocery store, checked into our hotel and then dropped the car off at the WDW Dolphin. The car was only $40 I think.

Around day 5 we did run into a jam where I needed some medicine, but we took a bus to DTD and walked to Goodings...it was about a 20 minute walk. I've heard that some people will walk to Goodings, do their shopping, and then call a cab to drive them back to the hotel.

 

[ZoZo]

We always stay on-site, and never rent a car. We just use WDW transportation (monorail, bus, etc.). It would be convenient sometimes to have a car, but we've never wanted to spend that extra money on one. We easily get along without one.

We do use towncar service, though, and the towncar stops at the grocery store on the way from the airport to the hotel, so that solves that problem. The only time I've ever wished I had a car was to resort-hop, and also to go from one of the parks to DTD (there's no way to go straight from a resort to DTD - you have to go to a hotel first, then transfer to DTD via bus).

 

[Twitterpated Dad]

Way back in 1984 and 1985 we didn't have a car. Ah, the ignorance of youth.

Every time you take a bus, your own car will have been quicker. (The only exception is MK other than closing.)

Generally, you will save at least 15 minutes per trip. Only you can say what your time is worth on vacation.

Even if we didn't save time, I'd get a car just for the flexibility.

Can you do it without a car? Yes. Should you? No.

 

[tiggerrulz]

We just got back from a 10 day trip without a car and no problems. We found a great price on a flight into Tampa so we did rent a car at the Tampa airport, stopped at the grocery store, checked into our hotel and then dropped the car off at the WDW Dolphin. The car was only $40 I think.

Around day 5 we did run into a jam where I needed some medicine, but we took a bus to DTD and walked to Goodings...it was about a 20 minute walk. I've heard that some people will walk to Goodings, do their shopping, and then call a cab to drive them back to the hotel.

I tried finding a grocery store after getting to DTD and never did find one within "walking" distance. Where do you go after you get to DTD to find Goodings? I am going back in Jan and the information would be very handy. Thanks.

 

[b-1]

go straight out by once upon a toy and cross onto hotel plaza blvd. The paths are landscaped and lovely . Took my mum and I 20 minutes and I was pushing DD3 in a stroller. Goodings wasn't the nicest store but had the basics.

 

[seashoreCM]

With a car:

1. Easier to go resort to resort.

2. Can bring (and wear) less into the water park.

3. (most important) Meals off site.

(in pre-Magical Espress times) Part of the cost of renting a car is absorbed in the cost of getting from the airport.

If I was going to stay on site the whole time I would not rent a car.

Goodings, I am told, is somewhat more expensive than most area supermarkets. It is not a good idea to buy ice cream or other frozen food except with car or taxi transportation back to your resort.