The other side: Why rent a car instead of using Disney transportation?

[antmaril]

We ALWAYS rent a car at WDW. I do not want to wait for a bus while on vacation - ever!

 

[Chester's Mum]

Although we do use disney transportation most of the time, we always rent a car for 3-4 days in the middle of vacation. There's so much to do in Orlando in addition to Disney, and its kind of hard to get off property without a car. We sometimes go to Seaworld, or Univeral, or just shopping (factory outlets, and florida mall) and dining off site. Its sort of a decompression time. I know we could take cabs, but the flexibility of having the car for at least a few days, works out well for us.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm just one of those people who'd rather not be sitting around wondering when the next bus will come, and whether my kids are going to have to sit in my lap or not. Even when the car isn't faster (and it never is to/from MK, and sometimes isn't to other destinations) it is just "more pleasant" to have the *illusion* of control.

That's just me, though.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I just like to relax and unwind on my trip back from the park--not stand under someone's smelly armpit on a bus 3x too crowded trying to hang on while a driver goes 35 mph around a sharp curve.

 

[KirstenB]

We always have a car whether we drive our own or fly/rental car. I started this habit when dd1 was a baby. By the time I noticed she needed a nap, it still seemed to take forever to get her back to the room with us driving. I can't imagine trying to keep her overtired little self calm on a crowded bus.

Also we like to do one character breakfast each trip, and it's easier to figure out how much time we need to get there when we're driving, rather than guesstimating bus transport.

Finally, I like the flexibility to go offsite for dinner, go to Sea World, or to the outlets. At home we live in a very rural county, so we don't go out to dinner or shopping much. Being able to do this on vacation is a real treat.

 

[connorsmom911]

We had always used Disney transportation when travelling to the world, even on Connor's first trip at 20 months. It was a bit of a pain with his stroller and all his stuff, but we were travelling with my parents and my sister, so there was always lots of spare hands to help. On our trip in April this year, we had to rent a car because we were joining the rest of my family in Daytona after a few days in the World and they didn't have room in their car for all of us. I think it spoiled us. We'll probably get a car from now on!

I really liked the flexibility of having a car, especially for getting water/snacks at the grocery store, and shopping off site (Disney outlet! and Walmart/Target). I also really liked going at our pace and not having to factor in bus wait times. Connor is a really busy boy and doesn't have a lot of patience to wait in line so the less waiting the better.

We also really like eating at resorts (Boma, Chef Mickey's!) and it is soooo much easier to drive than take the bus.

The only time we take the bus is when we are heading to the MK for our nighttime activities and planning to stay till close. I read a tip somewhere that closing time is busier to get back to the parking lot to a car and then your resort than it is to take the bus, even if it's packed or you have to wait more than one bus. We have found this to be true, and the munchkins will usually sleep on the bus ride back anyways. Plus Connor loves busses, so we have to have at least one ride on a Mickey bus each trip!!

This last trip, just dh and I, we stayed at OKW, renting points from a member. I was really glad we had a car because our studio was in a building far from the main bldg and pool area. It would have been a pain to have to wait for a bus just to get up to the pool/shops.

Next 2 trips we will need the rental car to travel to the beach/port, so I think it will be some time before we rely solely on Disney transport again.

 

[Hawk]

For several trips we used WDW Transportation which is great, but has some limitations for us. Since 2000 we have been renting and like it for all the reasons posted above. Both have their plus and minus, for now its renting.

Here's to looking for some good rental deals.

Tim/Hawk

 

[Uncleromulus]

Here's our typical first day at WDW (with a car, of course):
Check in at OKW. Lunch at the Sand Trap. Mini Golf game at either Fantasia or Winter/Summerland. Short trip to DD to check out the Disney Store there. Back to OKW for a quick dip in the pool.Then dinner at a Signature restaurant at one of the resort hotels.
Just try that using WDW transportation!!!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I usually rent a car for the freedom it gives us to leave the world. For our upcoming trip (in only 3 more days!!), we're renting a car for the grocery store, christmas shopping, off-site restaurants, etc.

However, I do use Disney Transporation to get us to and from the parks. I've never had such a bad experience that made me want to drive to the parks.

 

[PlutosFriend]

We always rent a car when we go to WDW too I can usually find good deals. Honestly I just like being in control and not having to wait around. Another plus for me is we can take a quick ride to a grocery store or Walgreens if need be. A meal or two off site is another plus

 

[UConnJack]

I could post to both of these threads because I always rent a car AND use the WDW buses.

I am a control freak and like to control my own transportation to and from the airport. Although a great service to offer, I could never see myself using DME. I like having the car to get groceries (I'm a DVC member so I usually have a kitchen), to go play golf on/off site, go to other resorts for meals (especially Ft. Wilderness), and to go to other off-site attractions.

However, I ALWAYS use the buses/boats to go to and from the parks, and sometimes to other resort for meals if convienient. The time and hassle it takes to get to the car, drive, park, and walk to the gate is more than the 0-30 minute wait for the bus. Busy periods make for a more crowded bus and wait, but self-parking/traffic gets worse too. Also, count me as one who like the anticipation you feel in the bus with other park-goers. And I have met and had conversations with intersting people from all over the world during those bus rides.

 

[AllyBri]

For me, one reason: Barnes and Noble on Sand Lake Road!

I love to read almost as much as I love the world, go through a book a day if I am getting any pool time in, and the resort/MGM bookstore selections are ok for a day or two but not for a long trip. And the amount of books I read creates a pile too heavy to pack in...So a car means I am 15 minutes away from a new book anytime I want. I still take the bus to MK, and PI--I don't not drink at PI--but drive everywhere else...

Celebration now has a book store in Town and it's a little closer then Sand Lake. So c'mon over.