Those who stay at Disney Resorts....

[jenseib]

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??

I think that week is just as busy, if I remember right. I was looking at going last Dec and everything I read said that after the first 10 days basically it got pretty busy. I've never been there then, so can't verify it though.

 

[Dis Ohana]

It never takes more than 10 minutes to get to any park, and I will usually use AAA parking which gets you pretty close to the park (Especially at Epcot!)

What is the AAA parking? Is it a parking perk for AAA members?

We're staying 10 days at WDW - 4 of those days at the AKL. We were looking into renting a car for that time since it seems like everything is a little far from there and transportation does not seem to be as reliable. Do you all still use the buses at AKL too?

 

[duffy]

We'd rather use Disney transportation so we can gawk at all the palm trees like the total tourists we are.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Once on property, we use Disney transportation. If we need to get from our hotel to another, for instance dinner, we just call down to the valet who makes sure a taxi is waiting for us when we're ready to go.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

The few times we have flown we have rented a car. We like to drive to MGM and AK. It seems much more convenient than using WDW transportation. We also go to the grocery store for provisions, go to the WDW outlet at Orlando Premium Outlets, and eat sometimes offsite. All that makes for an easier, and cheaper, trip.

 

[Kitzer]

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!

We took the Disney transportation the last two years and while it is a great perk, this year we are driving from the airport so we can stop and get food, beer, and essentials. Plus if you want to go offsite to have a meal you can. Quite honestly, right on this site they show you the average times of the buses are longer then driving. Carrying a stroller on and off the bus is no picnic either especially when it's standing room only. Plus if you ever had to wait in a pouring Florida storm while people are trying to cram past you to get on the bus , then you might find driving to be a better way to go.

Head out to the car, you know you have a seat, cold beverages waiting in the car, crank up the air, and cruise LBV. The last day of the trip will be spent at a park instead of the Hotel lobby waiting for DME back to MCO. The buses are usually fine, but this family is driving.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

both it depends on the trip
and how long we are going and what our plan is

 

[Safari Queen]

If we plan to leave the property, we rent a car. Once every couple of years we visit Sea World and Universal, so the car is necessary. Otherwise, we use Disney transportation. Even with the car, we always use the bus for MK, because you go to the park instead of the TTC. I'd rather not wait for a monorail or ferry, then wait for a tram, then drive and have to look for a parking space. Not a vacation!

 

[eliza61]

Do you rent a car or use disney transportation?

We rent. We just like the convenience of having our own transportation.

 

[boomhauer]

In the past, I've always just used Disney transportation. It's free, almost as fast, and quite magical as well. There's just something about those buses.

For December, our first trip with our twin babies, we're renting a car. It'd just be too difficult to use the buses with a double stroller, 2 babies, diaper bag and a 6 year old.

 

[Mr. Malaprop]

We rent a car and use Disney transportation while at the resort. Have not used DME yet. I just like the freedom of having a car available and being able to do some non-Disney stuff while on vacation.

 

[kimis]

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??

You are right. The week before Christmas is a lot calmer than Christmas Day and the following week. Enjoy

 

[Disneyolic]

We only use Disney transportation. We'd rather save our money. It can be a bit inconvenient at times but we have never had any major problems with their transportation.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

After our December trip, I remain convinced that a rental car is the way to go. Disney transportation does it's job, but it's a huge time-gobbler, IMHO. Each time I ventured out solo I spent too much time in transit (and waiting for said transit!) without the car. Plus I grew up in Philly, and used public transit extensively. I'm no fan of busses!

It's easy to navigate the area on property AND off. Parking is also a breeze at the parks. And I LIKE the trams!

I always love these threads, tho! Like somebody said... it's 50/50.

 

[JamesMom]

Our family is planning on renting a car for our upcoming 11 night Sept 2007 stay. We have ADRs to eat all over the world and don't want to wait for bus transfers or for a taxi with 2 car seats. Plus, like the peace of mind that I have room for the stroller, seats for the kids and a private space for the kids to have fits if they need to after a sugar-fueled, over-stimulated day at the parks. And we can pick up groceries and such since we are staying at OKW. This will be the first time I will have rented a car so we'll see how it goes. But with 2 young kids, I can't really see it any other way (2 and 5 yo).

 

[magic-camps]

We only had a car one time and never used it. One of the perks to staying on disney property is to avoid the rental car, thus not having to rent or bring any car seats. We always take Magical Express and have learned how to get in between resorts for dinners etc. We love having no car.

 

[The Hill Family]

In previous years we rented a car (or brought our own if we were brave enough to make the drive down with the kids!) and found that, for us, there was no true benefit to having our own transporation. We use Garden Grocer to deliver whatever we might need from the grocery store, use the Magical Express service (can't beat not having to drag your luggage through the airport or the hotel lobby) and rely on the boat/bus service offered while onsite. It works great for us, as long as we remember to allow ample travel time when traveling to different parks/resorts for ADRs, etc. We now rely solely on Disney transportation during our vacations.

I think it just depends on whether you intend to take in attractions offsite. We typically don't leave Disney property during our vacation. I can absolutely see the benefit of a car if you want to hit other Orlando (or nearby) attractions. I know that there are some people who don't like the idea of having no independent transportation, which I understand.

 

[erikthewise]

We have always rented a car, in part because we visit relatives on departure day which would otherwise not be possible. But even if we weren't going to do that, we would still rent a car. The freedom to do whatever you want when you want is wonderful.

-- We can go to the grocery store and stock up on breakfast foods and other items.
-- We can go to other resorts for dinner and it only takes 10-15 minutes each way. With Disney transportation we'd still be waiting for the FIRST bus.
-- On years when we have a DCL cruise as part of our vacation, we just drive to Port Canaveral and back, which almost pays for the whole rental in itself.
-- If we stay at a park until closing we don't have to deal with the lines at the bus stop.

No we don't always drive, we sometimes take the bus and that often works well. But only to the parks and back.

 

[Epcot242]

I must be in the minority here, because I hate Disney transportation and will not go without renting a car. I don't think Disney has done a poor job at providing transportation, it's just that it's time-consuming to get from your hotel to anyplace other than one of the parks or DTD, since Disney is such a huge place. I really think that Disney's transportation is the best that it can be, but I can always get someplace quicker in my rental car. I love being able to hop in my car and get to anyplace I want to be within ten minutes or so. I know that lots of people don't like to drive on their vacation, but I find waiting for (and being on) a bus reminiscent of commuting on public transportation at home! I also like being able to go back to my hotel in the middle of the day, and it just seems so much easier to me in a car.

I agree with ya. It's just easier with a car - you're not restricted to the buses or monorails (though the monorail is very fun and we do enjoy taking it). Plus, we go food shopping, so we go off Disney property to do so and having a car makes it that much easier. Overall, it's just more convenient for us. But, to each his/her own!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Disney Transport! we had a car last year and used it every now and then, but it wasn't do or die