To car hire or not to car hire!

[FelineVintage]

I was all set on using Lynx or hotel transport and am staying on International Dr.

However, I am now dithering about whether I'd really be better off just hiring a car.

I'm reticent about it because as a solo driver it will eat a lot of my spending money with car hire plus Disney parking fees and petrol. I'm staying off-site and was going to use buses to save money after all. I am also a little nervous about the whole driving on the other side of the road thing.

On the other hand it would make life easier for getting about the parks and out for the evening without stressing about making it back for buses.

Thoughts?

 

[Grimbold]

The driving over there is fine. Have done it a few times, along with France and Spain.
Plus it will be an auto, so easy to drive.

If money is an issue, then yep the parking will add up. However you can then come and go as you please and park hop, even if it is driving to another park. I believe that car park is for all car parks, so pay once for the day.
Have you weighed up how much it is with a car and then with out it? what about if you don't have a car but stay in a value resort?

Then you can use onsite transport. But dining costs may increase.

 

[chmurf]

What you need to consider is cost vs. convinience

You're staying on Idrive, so let me break it down for you.

You take the Lynx from your hotel to Downtown Disney. Depending on where you stay, you may have a change at Seaworld to catch the 50 to downtown Disney.
You need to consider 45 minutes to reach DTD. Then from DTD you'll need to catch a Disney bus to a Disney hotel (can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes) and then take a disney bus to a park.

All in all, you're looking at, at least, 60 minutes each way, and possibly up to 90+ minutes, from your hotel to a disney park, and the same to go back to your hotel.

So somewhere between 2 and 3 hours on a bus each day.

Try to put a price tag on those 2 or 3 hours a day and compare this to the cost of a car hire.

Hotel shuttles are hit or miss. Chances are you will need to call a cab on some nights to get back to your hotel.

All things considered, a stay at a value resort onsite, when you don't have a car, is sometimes less expensive.

I believe that car park is for all car parks, so pay once for the day.

you're correct. Just show the parking receipt at the other park's toll booth.
you only pay once per day.

 

[FelineVintage]

I'm already booked so on-site not an option. However, it was considerably more expensive to stay on-site, so as much as I'd love to do that it's not an option.

I guess I'm just wondering how tedious it is getting buses back at night more than getting there in the morning. I don't drive at home so am used to public transport and all that entails generally.

 

[FelineVintage]

What you need to consider is cost vs. convinience

You're staying on Idrive, so let me break it down for you.

You take the Lynx from your hotel to Downtown Disney. Depending on where you stay, you may have a change at Seaworld to catch the 50 to downtown Disney.
You need to consider 45 minutes to reach DTD. Then from DTD you'll need to catch a Disney bus to a Disney hotel (can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes) and then take a disney bus to a park.

All in all, you're looking at, at least, 60 minutes each way, and possibly up to 90+ minutes, from your hotel to a disney park, and the same to go back to your hotel.

So somewhere between 2 and 3 hours on a bus each day.

Try to put a price tag on those 2 or 3 hours a day and compare this to the cost of a car hire.

Hotel shuttles are hit or miss. Chances are you will need to call a cab on some nights to get back to your hotel.

All things considered, a stay at a value resort onsite, when you don't have a car, is sometimes less expensive.

I looked into on-site but even with a car it was a lot more.

I've looked into the buses and I thought they went to the transport hub at Disney? So awkward to get to some of the parks but not so much for others?

 

[queendisney]

I've looked into the buses and I thought they went to the transport hub at Disney? So awkward to get to some of the parks but not so much for others?

Yes you are correct the Lynx 50 does go to the TTC so it is very easy to get to parks from there. However, and others will know this, I am always the one that says 'no you don't need a car while at WDW' BUT I say this from a person that always stays on resort. If I was staying off resort then I would definitely hire a car. It just not that practical without one. Ie..if you wanted to do rope drop at MK just think how early you'd have to set off without one, how long the day would be because you couldn't pop back for a break by the pool, how tired you'd be after that long day if you stayed to watch the fireworks then having to catch the bus back to Idrive. The next day having to do it all again. So yes I'd def go for car hire. Of course some people can't hire cars for whatever reason and they all manage just fine but its a lot of their time sitting looking at not so pretty scenery on a Lynx bus.
Contrary to what anybody says you CAN DO Orlando without a car.

Taxi fares would also soon add up to where it would be better to hire a car. There are many people on here that can def help look for some good value car hire for you. I am sure they will be along soon.

 

[Pegasus928]

We have never done Florida without a car. It's not just about getting from hotel to park and back - it's the convenience of hopping in the car and not knowing where you are going until you get there. Most of or favourite places have been found by accident - some of which aren't considered to be your typical touristy places. But then we love the adventure of exploring whereas others prefer to get inside the safety of the Disney bubble and not leave for 2 weeks. Different strokes and all that.
I would say get the car. Yes it will add to the cost of the trip - but in terms of convenience and the hours saved by not being on a bus it is worth it.

 

[Minniesgal]

We have never done Florida without a car and I would hate to. In fact the only way I would do it would be If I was staying onsite a resort near a park an even then. But then we do heaps of things offsite we go to universal we eat at a lot if offsite restaurants and I like going shopping and grocery shopping. The fuel is so cheap over there you hardly notice the cost ad if you balance a few offsite meals with the cost of Disney meals the car doesn't cost you much.

 

[wayneg]

A car is part of a holiday to Florida for us, no interest in going without one but you can manage without if that's what you prefer.
A friend stayed on IDrive a couple of years ago, he used the buses for 2 days and that was it, couldn't cope with them, they ended up getting taxis every day the rest of the holiday. Unfortunately they were under 25 so car rental was expensive.
If you are over 25 2 weeks rental would be £200 less Quidco, final cost about £185. You would also save of getting to and from the airport.

 

[FelineVintage]

I have gone ahead and booked a car. Slightly bricking it about the whole other side of the car and road thing but I'm a fairly adaptable driver otherwise so hopefully I'll get the hang of it before I leave the airport parking lot!

It has reduced my budget but I think, on balance, I will prefer being able to come and go as I please and do a late night without worrying and trying to catch buses as a lone female in unfamiliar surroundings.

I got a good deal, not through Quidco et al though so that's a bit rubbish but it's £183 for the fortnight.

Beans on toast for a couple of weeks when I get back..............

 

[queendisney]

I have gone ahead and booked a car. Slightly bricking it about the whole other side of the car and road thing but I'm a fairly adaptable driver otherwise so hopefully I'll get the hang of it before I leave the airport parking lot!

It has reduced my budget but I think, on balance, I will prefer being able to come and go as I please and do a late night without worrying and trying to catch buses as a lone female in unfamiliar surroundings.

I got a good deal, not through Quidco et al though so that's a bit rubbish but it's £183 for the fortnight.

Beans on toast for a couple of weeks when I get back..............

That's good. I am positive you won't regret doing that. You could always look into getting a sat nav to help alleviate 'the bricking it' bit
Beans on toast are really good for you..if that helps

 

[Pegasus928]

You have made the right choice I think. Flexibility is such a good thing to have on holiday, and you will now have it in droves. Have a good look at some of the driving rules before you go and you won't go far wrong. A couple of tips: You can turn right on a red light as long as you are clear. A lot of the petrol stations are 'pay before you pump' Ask the attendant when you pick up your car to give you a quick run through the controls. I remember once it took me ages to find the handbrake - and even longer again to figure out how to disengage it.

 

[Kath2003]

I'm all for the bus but I Drive to WDW is a pain on the bus - fine if, like us, you go down for the odd meal or wander around DTD, but not if you're hitting the parks every day. GREAT for I Drive to the malls, Universal, Sea World, airport etc though. We have used the buses during my last 6 trips (totalling something like 60 nights) and in that time have taken two taxis, so they do work well!

 

[disneyholic family]

i can't comment on 'wrong side of the road driving" as there's no difference for me in the US.

But i agree about the flexibility of having a car. I can't imagine not renting a car even when staying on property, so certainly when staying off property.

it makes life so much easier. You can just pop anywhere. Run out of sunscreen - pop on over to walmart or walgreens or whatever.
feel like having a slurpee - jump in the car and drive over to 7-11...etc etc
it's easy shmeezy when you have a car.
And a whole lot faster than attempting it with a bus.

 

[queendisney]

I'm all for the bus but I Drive to WDW is a pain on the bus - fine if, like us, you go down for the odd meal or wander around DTD, but not if you're hitting the parks every day. GREAT for I Drive to the malls, Universal, Sea World, airport etc though. We have used the buses during my last 6 trips (totalling something like 60 nights) and in that time have taken two taxis, so they do work well!

yes this...

We find the buses fantastic from WDW to SeaWorld and shops and definitely do not see the need for a car at all while on resort. We normally just get a Mears shuttle to Universal/IOA. I suppose it depends what you like to do really, ie if its your first or second trip then you tend to stick to the theme parks, if you been loads then you tend to venture further afield and for that you definitely need a car. If not on resort then again a car is good but I don't subscribe to the 'I wouldn't go if I didn't have a car' theory. It's still very do-able.

 

[pigby]

yes this...

We find the buses fantastic from WDW to SeaWorld and shops and definitely do not see the need for a car at all while on resort. We normally just get a Mears shuttle to Universal/IOA. I suppose it depends what you like to do really, ie if its your first or second trip then you tend to stick to the theme parks, if you been loads then you tend to venture further afield and for that you definitely need a car. If not on resort then again a car is good but I don't subscribe to the 'I wouldn't go if I didn't have a car' theory. It's still very do-able.

Agree with this 100% - but then again we always stay on-site. We did hire a car first time and it stayed on the hotel car park most of the time.

 

[FelineVintage]

I have been three times previously but the last time I was 18 and it was 14 years ago! So It will essentially be new to me as most things have changed in that time parks wise.

BUT I am a natural explorer and I think I will enjoy having the car should going to see something off the beaten track takes my fancy. I have travelled quite a lot and am not in the least bit worried about being in a new place so once I'm used to the driving I imagine I will be off for little explores on non-park or partial park days.

 

[disneyholic family]

I have been three times previously but the last time I was 18 and it was 14 years ago! So It will essentially be new to me as most things have changed in that time parks wise.

BUT I am a natural explorer and I think I will enjoy having the car should going to see something off the beaten track takes my fancy. I have travelled quite a lot and am not in the least bit worried about being in a new place so once I'm used to the driving I imagine I will be off for little explores on non-park or partial park days.

since you'll have wheels, i have one word for you...oh...actually two...
sweet tomatoes...

 

[Minniesgal]

Beans on toast yum!

 

[FelineVintage]

since you'll have wheels, i have one word for you...oh...actually two...
sweet tomatoes...

I just consulted Google, on the list

I also just found someone on eBay who rents satnav for your holiday, I was weighing up my options on this, not really wanting to pay the hire car company charges for one but not really wanting to pay for the added mobile bill when I have free wifi in the hotel. This is a nice alternative if it all goes smoothly!