Those who drive

[TeeterTots]

Did you take him on any rides? If so which ones and how did he do? DH and I are trying to decide what we should attempt take him on and what we should rider swap. We have already decided Haunted Mansion will be rider swap.

Oh my goodness! We took him on everything it seems. Like said before, he was strapped in the bjourn so as long as the safety bar can close you're good. Winnie the Pooh, it's a small world, Peter Pan, little mermaid, pirates of the Caribbean, jungle cruise, dumbo, Aladdin, carousel! I know I'm missing but he'll enjoy everything

 

[DVC Jen]

We use our own car unless we are at BLT or VWL then we take the boat or monorail (or walk) to the MK/Epcot.

My family is not a fan of waiting for a bus at the end of a long hot day and then being packed in like sardines. We would rather go to our own car and sit in peace and quiet for the drive back to the resort.

 

[jerseyduke]

I either drive, or fly and rent a car.

I am not really into waiting on those buses. I do use them at times (if I am going to drink etc), but otherwise, I drive to the parks, downtown etc. Plus i can take detours, resort hop more, etc.

However, I can also understand feeling the opposite way. Some people like to cook on vacation, but I am trying to 'escape' the daily tasks I do not like. Cooking is one of those. Driving to me is not. Others may be the exact opposite.

I also buy into the time is valuable as well.

Another thing, is with the new fast pass system, I do a lot less multi-resort days, so driving does save less time.

 

[squirrel4569]

We have flown and driven and when we fly we use Disney transportation and don't rent a car. We've had good experiences with the buses for the most part, just come prepared that it will take some time to get from point A to point B.

When we drove we did use our car to get around and we left property once to see a friend. We found taking the bus to MK was better than driving, but other than losing my keys at DHS we did enjoy having the car as an option.

I enjoy Disney transportation for the most part. There are a handful of places that are harder to get to and from with Disney transportation than with your own car, so when we drive next time we'll use a hybrid of Disney transportation and our own car. As the kids get older and we explore the dark side (US/IOA) we'll take advantage of our car more as well.

 

[DizDaD7]

Twice we've driven and the other times flown.

When flying we used DME, with them picking up the bags mostly all but 2 times when we came in late. When we drove , and finally parked (at the resort) that's where it stayed for the duration... I feel taking the buses keeps you in the Disney feel. Plus if I want to have a beverage or 2 at Epcot or any other TS around WDW, I can do so w/out having to worry.

I just may use my car once, this upcoming visit, to possibly do a dinner Adr at Boma's on our AK day.

 

[sleepydog25]

We're in VA too and have a 4 and 1 yo! We drive to NY monthly which is 6 hrs so what's another 6 thanks for a reassuring response!

Also VA and also drive nearly every time. We enjoy the flexibility that having a car at WDW gives us. Further, the cost and inconvenience of flying makes driving the most reasonable option. We even spend the night on the way down so that we get in the second day after a short drive feeling ready to jump right in. Even with the room, food, and gas cost, driving 10+ hours is far less expensive than flying. We do use buses, boats, and the monorail while there, but for most park visits, we drive.

 

[El&Asmom]

Haven't read all the responses but even when we have a car, we use Disney transportation except to DTD.
I hate the car ride to MK. One time we took the car there and it took us over an hour from BCV from leaving the hotel to getting into the park. We all were miserable and so grateful we always stay on site with the transportation. Such a waste of time. Even the other parks takes time to park and get into the park.

I don't feel that I lose control by not driving. We get stuck sometimes waiting for a bus after leaving a park, but it's not much worse than waiting for a tram, waiting on all the stops, getting to our car and then driving.

I also hate grocery shopping at WDW. I want to maximize every minute of my vacation and driving around Orlando, in a grocery store is not my idea of fun. I'd rather just pay the premium and do Garden Grocer or whoever it is we order from on line.

 

[dbs1228]

We fly and always rent a car. A couple trips during peak season we actually fly in took DME to the resort and had booked a car locally for that afternoon and or the next morning. The rental company has free pick up and both trips we did this saved about 500.00 on the car rental for a 10 day stay! My adult DD's use the bus transportation when they want to do there own thing or take a shopping trip to DTD other then that we use the car.

 

[Agent P]

We often drive from Michigan, even if we fly we rent a car. Almost always drive to the parks to save time. Unlike many on this thread, I will drive to MK because the kids want to ride the Monorail.

 

[rmcildw2m]

My family AND I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN DOWN TO THE MOUSE HOUSE . BUT ONCE WE GET THERE ITS DISNEY TRANSPORTION ONLY TO GET AROUND THE PARKS,

 

[dkellumw]

We always drive our car to Disneyworld. We use it to go get groceries at Publix, go to the character warehouse at the outlet mall. The rest of the time it stays parked and we use Disney’s transportation. This year we might use it to drive to Hollywood studio to sign DS up for Jedi Training if we are running late.

 

[Luv2trav]

We often drive from Michigan, even if we fly we rent a car. Almost always drive to the parks to save time. Unlike many on this thread, I will drive to MK because the kids want to ride the Monorail.

Yes yes yes this is us. If we stay at bus only resort we have to make a special trip or reason to ride the monorail. That alone is one my sons favorite "ride" of our trip... Loves the monorail.

 

[Anal Annie]

We often drive from Michigan, even if we fly we rent a car. Almost always drive to the parks to save time. Unlike many on this thread, I will drive to MK because the kids want to ride the Monorail.

Yes yes yes this is us. If we stay at bus only resort we have to make a special trip or reason to ride the monorail. That alone is one my sons favorite "ride" of our trip... Loves the monorail.

You can always use the monorail to park hop from MK to Epcot or vice versa…we sometimes do that. That would get your "monorail fix". Or you could just get on it and ride the MK loop...

 

[RachaelA]

We drive from Ohio and own/stay at BLT almost every time. We drive to DHS, AK and to Epcot for rope drop. If we go back to our room for a break on an epcot day or go there in the afternoon then we monorail it. But if we want to be at rope drop and not deal with the monorail its easier to drive (and we always are in the first couple parking rows so its not a crazy walk or anything).

I hate Disney buses. Even the few times we've flown, we spend the money to rent a car. We're trying to figure out what we are doing in December because we are flying. It will be the first time not driving with kids so I'm not sure if we'll just deal with the buses so we don't have to bring car seats. I have a feeling we'll end up renting a car still and just bringing the seats because we hate the buses that much.

 

[gonzalj1]

So we're thinking about driving this year.....for those who drive, do you use your vehicle once at WDW or the buses. Do you find that 1. You have less hurry up and wait and 2. More control of your time? Advantages vs disadvantages? If we have TiW did I read free valet? Does this mean everywhere?
Just weighing my options. We have direct service for a reasonable rate but by the time you get up early, drive to the airport, wait, fly, wait, ME it seems like we could just drive there. Oh and groceries now that we're members.

We drive from Northern NJ every time. We find we save quite a bit over flying and the trip isnt too bad. We use the car for grocery shopping as well. Although, we never get too much - cooking on vacation is not our thing - but we do grab easy items for breakfast, some snacks and some adult beverages at a drastic discount over Disney prices.

We also find that we have much more control over our time. We go where we want when we want without having to wait for Disney transportation.

TiW valet is free only if you present a receipt from a participating restaurant.

 

[gonzalj1]

The free valet service offered by a TiW card only applies when you use your TiW at a restaurant at the resort. You must show your dining receipt with the TiW discount applied to the bill..

FYI - We were able to use a receipt from the bar at the Wave for our valet in August. We purchased no food just adult beverages.

 

[gonzalj1]

A loaded question! I love it!
I don't have to throw 20 bucks at'em either.

That's a massive tip! I will park your car for you anytime!

 

[DizDaD7]

That's a massive tip! I will park your car for you anytime!

LoL..Yes but what are you going to do with that $20 in Wanaque?

I see you'll be down there roughly the same time.... Outta be hot as usual...

 

[Arden01]

We are probably driving from NJ this year (unless airfares come down in price!). We live not far from Newark and friends from my area who have done it told me that the drive is about 16 hours total (not including stops, meal breaks, etc). We will probably leave at 3 or 4am and stop for for the night somewhere in NC or SC. I'm a little nervous since I've never driven this far before. I think the most I've driven in one trip is 7 hours. My DH will help, but he's that not experienced of a driver and probably can only do an hour or two at a time. I really don't know what my "wall" will be - 8 or 9 hours probably. On the plus side, my kids are great in the car and love road trips. For the driving veterans, do you book a hotel ahead of time or call from the road? I just can't predict how far I can go before I need the break (8 hours, 10 hours?) On the other hand, we are going to take 2 days to get back to NJ, stopping in GA or SC and then Maryland to visit family. Not as worried about the return trip.
TIA!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

We are probably driving from NJ this year (unless airfares come down in price!). We live not far from Newark and friends from my area who have done it told me that the drive is about 16 hours total (not including stops, meal breaks, etc). We will probably leave at 3 or 4am and stop for for the night somewhere in NC or SC. I'm a little nervous since I've never driven this far before. I think the most I've driven in one trip is 7 hours. My DH will help, but he's that not experienced of a driver and probably can only do an hour or two at a time. I really don't know what my "wall" will be - 8 or 9 hours probably. On the plus side, my kids are great in the car and love road trips. For the driving veterans, do you book a hotel ahead of time or call from the road? I just can't predict how far I can go before I need the break (8 hours, 10 hours?) On the other hand, we are going to take 2 days to get back to NJ, stopping in GA or SC and then Maryland to visit family. Not as worried about the return trip.
TIA!

Once you get past DC and into southern VA and northern NC, it really is a much better driving experience, well, except for the two-lanes each way thru SC.

Seriously, it's not a bad drive. WDW is the only distance driving I do all year and we do it 3-4 times per year. It takes us about 9.5 hours from home including a couple of stops for gas, bathroom and food. Jersey's a bit far for a one-day drive, IMO, but I bet there are people that do it. My problem is that once I get within a few hours of the place, I'm going and nobody's going to stop me to spend the night somewhere else.

Airfare from NC/RDU has been atrocious for 15+ years now. More than it is out of Newark, believe it or not. For us, it was either stop going, or start driving. It was an easy decision for us because we love it there. Now it's just part of what it takes to get there.

I probably said this earlier in the thread but we leave at 5:00am on the dot and get down there between 2:30 and 2:45. You can set your clock by it. Wife takes the truck to target and I get a couple of beers from the shop at the hotel as we come in. I relax for about an hour while the wife and the Woogie go get groceries for the week. When they get back, we hop in the truck (SUV) and head for a park. We usually stay until midnight or whenever that particular park closes, whichever comes first. The next morning, we sleep until 8 or 9 and I'm good to go.

On the way home, we leave at 11:00, go to DTD and leave there at around 1:30pm. I'm usually walking in the house in time to see the 11:00 local news come on.

It's all in what you get used to doing. It's our routine now and we wouldn't have it any other way. All things considered, at least for us from eastern NC, it's almost tit-for-tat time wise with flying and using a rental car or DME (we've never used DME because it wasn't around when we stopped flying, but friends have). Honestly, I don't even want to fly anymore. I like having my truck and controlling where I go and when I get there. Had I known then what I know now, I would have saved a ton of money flying for all of those years.