Those who drive

[EPCOTgrl1]

We are normally at 50/50 split on driving or flying. If we drive we normally go to the store to pick up a few items for the room and sometimes we also eat off site. When it comes to getting to the park, if we know we will be drinking that day, we take the busses. We have been down so many times that we are never in a rush to do anything so waiting for a bus is no big deal.

If we choose to fly we ALWAYS send a box of food down to the hotel a week before so that we can still have breakfast and snacks. The only thing that we have to buy at the resort is milk and when you compare the prices it really isn't overpriced at all.

 

[rlovew]

So how does this work? Is there designated restaurant parking? Is it as convenient as any other valet? Do you think there's time to catch a FP or two [End Quote]

You use the valet at the resort you are eating at. Since you have to eat the TS meal you generally would not have time to get to a park and back in the 3 hours plus ride much of anything. You have to have about 1.5 hours for your meal and then add in time to a park and back and you need to pick up your car. You have to actually have the receipt in order to get the free valet so it is not like you can say I am going to this TS and get it with the card- your receipt is your payment.

We drive to Disney- we live in Florida so it takes less time than flying but once we are there we use Disney transportation inside Disney and only drive when going offsite for a meal, visiting the final theme park after checking out, or heading off property for shopping/visiting friends. We find that we are not in a hurry to get anywhere and having timed things a bot woth friends over the years- rarely do you actually arrive inside the theme park gates any faster driving than taking the buses. Also we don't tend to leave at crowded times so we rarely have a full bus when we are leaving the park- we are casual park goers so we spend a few hours and then head out to the hotel or off to other things rather then spending all day and night in the parks.

 

[bwang123]

we have driven most of the time so we have a car but use disney transportation exclusively. much more relaxing to have someone else drive. i'll give up a few minutes waiting for a bus for that. plus, if i want to drink, i dont have to worry about wrecking into you.

 

[dgaston]

As I've posted before to the driving to the parks question, it's a lot faster to drive to the parks. And recently my DH has been using our own wheelchair in the parks, and is sensitive to how wheelchairs are loaded first on the buses, and doesn't want that scrutiny. We fly out of PVD, gate check the wheelchair, rent a minivan at MCO, do our grocery shopping at Publix, and enjoy our WDW trip. I have a Sunpass transponder for FL tolls and just call in the rental license plate from the airport.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We drive and use our car about 50% of the time we are at WDW. If we are going to a park, we bus. If we are out for the day and are going to a resort for breakfast, then a park, then another resort for dinner and need to get back to the resort we are staying.....we drive. Going from resort to resort at any point in our day pretty much dictates if we'll drive or bus it. Of course upon arrival we hit Winn-Dixie for the things we couldn't bring in the car but we're onsite after that.

 

[kdzgon]

Before we moved to FL we nearly always rented a car so that we had the flexibility to go off property to buy food and shop. We almost always used the car to get to the parks, with the exception of the MK, and to other resorts for dining.

Same for us. Disney transportation takes too much time, especially with a scooter.

 

[graueMaus]

We always drive to WDW and then we park the car for almost the whole visit. We grab groceries at BJ's on the way to the resort, so we do not have to drive until we have to leave. We may on check out drive to Animal Kingdom or DTD and leave from either of these. Very little driving the car around WDW though. We use WDW transportation almost exclusively.

 

[jnamadison]

Historically, we've mostly driven from MD. It's nice to have a car and it saves money. Last trip was the first time we (8 in total - 5 A's, 13yo, 8yo, 2yo) flew. Rented two cars but our SUV rental lucked into an 8 passenger Traverse and we took that everywhere from SSR. Our only exception was DTD since we were in the last Congress Park building from the dam (and we needed to walk off the Ghirardelli).

This coming Sept we're planning to do a mix. We have two new additions (when we go) that will have the Ladies (3A's, 14yo,) and the 2 babies (18mo, 4mo) flying while the Guys (2 A's, 18yo, 7yo) drive in the minivan overnight (I work nights so the graveyard shift will be easy for me). We will leave the night before the ladies and probably get there a couple hours beforehand. This will allow us to get luggage and other things (read: baby gear) down there with little fuss and less stopping. Staying at BLT, so MK will be walking (when dry) but the other parks are a toss up. Will definitely use the van for grocery and Universal trip(s). Once the kids are older, I can see it going both ways depending on the group size.

 

[kittylady1972]

We have always rented a vehicle for our trips. With three kids, I just like knowing that if I needed anything for them I could run out off property and get it, including any kind of medical treatment. It's just a peace of mind thing. That being said, we also enjoy not having to wait for buses so we do tend to drive to the parks most of the time during our trips. We also travel often with my in-laws and my MIL has had to rent a scooter a few times so being able to throw it into our car and go is much easier than waiting for her to board the bus.

That being said, I do like the convenience of Disney transportation for those times when we do split up. Last trip I really wanted to hit MK for the afternoon parade, something my DH had ZERO interest in doing. So my daughter and I hopped on a bus just to attend the afternoon parade at MK and then return.

We are driving down this July. I just enjoy the savings of not paying for FIVE plane tickets since we can spend that money elsewhere. We plan to do a lot of time at waterparks, so not riding on an air conditioned bus when we are wet will be a plus of driving.

 

[edk35]

I may have already replied to this since it was started in Jan. but we drive more now than in previous years. WE use buses for MK ALWAYS. We drive to all the parks. We usually eat a couple of meals off property too. We find using our van is much faster than using the buses.

 

[Peggy Sue]

Since joining in 1997 we have always flown and rented a car .. we just like the flexibility it provides us. We are not park commandos, so we like to visit other resorts for dinner, go off site etc. The only exception to driving is the Magic Kingdom, it's just easier all the way around to take the bus .. or if we are staying at the boardwalk we may take the monorail from EPCOT.

However, we just retired and made the drive from MA to Orlando .. and it really wasn't bad at all! Now that we are retired, we will probably continue to drive (from MA) .. it really doesn't save much, between gas and hotel, however, just gives us more control and now in our own car!

 

[gdrj]

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.

As far as buses vs. car once on property, it depends on where we are staying and what are plans for the day are. I'd rather not touch the car once we are there, kind of escape from real life. If we are going to AK and than headed to the lodge for dinner we would drive. If I'm going to MK for the day probably bus. EPCOT monorail or boat depending where I'm staying. HS boat or car. As you can tell I'm totally committed

 

[bams50]

I can't wrap my arms around why anybody would want to wait 15-20 minutes for a bus. Risk the possibility of standing room only. Stopping and waiting at 2-6 stops for others to enter and exit.

I know it's different strokes for different folks but I really don't get it. I've done it both ways and I can't imagine going back to not driving everywhere.

We have been over 35 times in the last approx. 17 years. Like you, we mostly drove when the kids were little and gas was cheap. On the occasions when we did fly, we rented a car. We always thought we were making big time savings.

With the kids grown and just us two, we started flying more. Two years ago, for the first time, we didn't rent a car. I was SHOCKED at how well we did time-wise! We waited for the buses, we were surprised at how quick they were overall. But what I failed to do was take the bus wait times and subtract the time saved on filing into parking lots, getting parked, and riding a tram, etc. to get to the gate. If you drive to the MK, you still have to wait for a tram or walk then a bus, monorail, or 10 minute walk to the gate. Take a bus, you're dropped off almost at the entrance. Same with all destinations. Random i.e.- drive to Beach Club; park and take that long walk to the lobby; and back and forth each time... or have the bus drop you at the front door. Saves a lot more time than I realized. And that doesn't take into consideration the walking saved, especially when you're tired.

I spent a LOT of years being Clark Griswold- I did all the driving, scratched my head trying to navigate Disney's very confusing/misleading road signs, remembered to check the oil and get gas, on and on. Now, instead of getting stuck in a wait right at park close, we sit a few minutes and enjoy a drink while things clear some- there's no rush for us to get back to our room for the night, so a little delay doesn't hurt. At park openings, they do a good job of stepping up the numbers of buses. And now, if I want a Bahama Mama or a coconut drink- or two- I can, since I'm not driving.

There are definitely pros and cons. But overall, I am a convert to not driving

 

[LindaBabe]

When I lived in NY State, and went alone, I would fly and rent a car, especially for the "off property" portion of my trips. Now, I live in Georgia and always drive. Because I use an ecv at Disney and do not have a lift on my van, I always use the bus to go to the parks. I 'group' my off property jaunts so I don't have to get the car out every day - I may go to a state park, have lunch out, grab groceries, collect photos at Walgreens or go to the outlets on a day and then not use the car again for 3-4 days. Because I have a mobility impairment, I do get free valet, but rarely use it unless I am going to another resort for a meal.