Those who stay at Disney Resorts....

[lilkitty819]

Have done both, but now we only use Disney Tran. It's easy and I have only had one time when we waited longer then 15 minutes for a bus. When we rent a car it sits in the parking lot, I find it a waste of money. I have also figured out that even tho its cause more money to buy food at Disney's little markets in the resort, it's still cheaper then renting a car.We buy stuff for sandwiches, munchies, soda and beer there and we usually throw alot of it out cause we eat mostly at the parks. As you can see we usually go during the Wine and food fest. So theres alot of good munchies around the showcase.

 

[jimenyfan]

We rent a car. I don't like relying on Disney busses. If you get to the parks early enough,you can park pretty close to the entrance of each park. When I'm ready to go,I don't want to wait for a bus.

This is exactly what we do. DH doesnt mind driving and is a little claustrophbic and doesnt do well on the buses. I also prefer the car.

 

[ktink]

We strictly use WDW transportation. It just adds to the vacation, and I can't wait to take advantage of the wonderful transportation Poly has to offer.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

We rent a car. We like the convenience of going to the store, eating off property if desired, going to an offsite photo place for our pictures, and not waiting for busses. We have to budget about an extra $300-$350 for the week. But we think it is worth it. Now if I was by myself with the kids, I would use Disney Tranportation because I know I would get lost!!!!
Angela

 

[lorasmom]

We drive to the World, but have only used the Disney transportation. We may use our car this time, as we're planning on going to DTD, but that's on our way out of the World after check out, so I'm not sure that even counts!

 

[jenseib]

We used both. We had to rent a car, because we came into Sanford airport. We mostly used Disney transportation though. We drove to the Contemporary for breakfast one morning. DH drove over to the Richard Petty driving experience, jsut to check it out, one morning. And we drove to DTD the last night. The plus for us having the rental was our 2 YO would fall asleep in it each time we took her out in it, and she was really fighting naps and sleep in general the whole trip, so it helped get her "out" a couple of times.

 

[bettydau]

Definitely Disney transportation-it's great! We fly in and stay at POLY, use the monorail, boat, buses, all easy. We used a van at the Hotel to take us to HDDR. Yes, we don't travel outside the main parks, but the Disney Trans. is a treat for us!

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I drive up to whichever resort I am staying at, park the car and never use it again until it's time to go home. I prefer to just relax on vacation and not have to worry about driving if I've had a drink or two.

 

[Dalpal]

This is exactly what we do. DH doesnt mind driving and is a little claustrophbic and doesnt do well on the buses. I also prefer the car.

I T A

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Last year we rented a car and found it to be huge waste of money. We enjoyed using Disney transportation on site. We rented it to go to SeaWorld, we are AP's of Busch Gardens. Well, now that we have done that, we decided that the rental was a huge waste of money for us. So, this year we are using ME, and relying completely on Disney transportation, which we view as being very cost effective. I am so glad to not have to have my kids lug around their luggage once we get to the airport flying out. We get it boarded then ME picks it up, then Bell Svc. gets it to my room. Just a no brainer!!

 

[melanell]

We have always rented a car, and now that we are going with a little one, we definitely rent one.

We like being able to grab our car at the airport and just drive to WDW. We also like to be able to stop for a few groceries on the way, or later on, if we want.

We like not waiting in those bus lines in the evening, when we're tired.

We like knowing we will definitely all get to sit on our ride back to the resort!

We like being able to keep stuff like the stroller and car seat in the car and not have them taking up room in the room.

The car is never crowded or loud. Etc., etc., etc.

And we don't mind driving. We like it!

 

[PlutosFriend]

We have always rented a car. Since Magical Express, I have entertained the idea of not doing the rental car. I am a chicken tho We love to be able to stop at the store on the way in, and just have our own wheels to come and go as we please and not wait around

 

[EvanMaddieMouse]

We drove down from Michigan the first time, the second we decided to fly in (much better idea!) and we rented a car. We are doing the same this time. I think we'll always prefer to have a car. We're the type of family that when we want to go, we want to go. That may change as the kids get older, but right now, it's just so much more convenient to be able to go on our schedule, and not have to wait for a bus, and drag kids, stroller, etc on board. Plus, on every vacation we go on (Disney or not) we always make sure to have a fridge or a cooler with milk, juice, lunchmeat, and also cereal, candy, bread, etc, for snacks in the room in case anyone gets hungry. I find that spending the few extra hundred on the convenience of a car rental really makes sense for us.

Now I'm going to read my way through this thread and see what everyone else does!

 

[Laurafoster]

Ive never rented a car when ive stayed onsite and ive never really needed to! We ususally get a package deal in the UK with tranfers to/from the airport included.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Thanks everyone for all your responses!!

We'll be there in December coming home Dec. 26. I think we'll be okay if we don't rent car since it'll be week before Christmas and it shouldn't be as busy as week of Christmas. Still have time to decide though.

Anyone else have opinions??

 

[jobie61]

You'll find it 50-50. The debate goes on and on.

Disney transportation is great and easy, however if you rent a car you'll find you have a lot more freedom.

I always rent a car even though I don't use it very much. I like the idea of being able to go outside the park and do other things. Universal Sea World all better when you rent a car.

The only place I will only use Disney transportation is when we go to MK. The buses drop you off at the door instaed of having to take the monorail. That saves you time.

Its all a personal preference, it costs less than 200 dollars to rent a car for the week. When you spending over 3000 or 4000 on a vacation, whats an extra 200 bucks for the convenience of have your own transportation.

I will always rent a car.

 

[Amyg]

Disney transportation! It's free and efficient, no worry's about finding parking, paying rental, navigating roads, etc. For resort to resort we paid for cab service just so we didn't have to go from our resort to a park then to the resort for our dinner.

 

[pawla68]

We have gone to Disney twice now. The first time, we stayed offsite and used a rental car. The second trip we stayed onsite and used Disney transportation. We used a town car company to get from the airport to the hotel and back. We loved Disney transportation and will use it again. Like others have said, it is easy and best of all FREE!!! It is much easier than trying to remember where you parked the car!!!! LOL!!!!

 

[Disneymaddness]

We use the Disney transportation and have never had a problem. It's like another part of the vacation. Some of our best and funniest memories are of people we have met on the busses!

 

[flowergirl]

We use a towncar service to and from the airport and use Disney transportation during our stay. We have occasionally used a taxi to make sure we arrived on time for a reservation. We always stay on Disney property, we do not visit other parks while we are there.