To ME or not to ME, that is the question

[mittelst]

I'm trying to save a few $$ on my upcoming December trip. I'm looking at cancelling my $200 rental car, as I just paid that same amount for a trip this past July (had to use those "free" 34 banked points from the resale I just bought!). We used it to/from the airport, AKL, and DTD. Now, after the fact, it doesn't seem like it was worth it.

We've always rented a car, and I'm wary of feeling "stranded" or tied to the buses. But, with the availability of ME, not renting a car seems like an easy cost savings.

We're stay at CSR Fri/Sat, then OKW Sun-Wed. We hope to tour some of the major resorts to see the Christmas decorations. I figure we can bus-it to MK, then monorail/boat to the resorts in that area. If we want to go to BW/BC/YC, we can take a cab, right?

Any advice from those of you who have been car-less?

Thank!

 

[tmt martins]

We are MEing it then renting from a DTD location hotel. Not only does it cut the number of days down but the gas station is right there for the fill-up. We didn't this trip but as you are only using it for grocery runs and to the parks a smaller car can also be a savings.

But your right if it was a budget buster then we would get rid of it right away.Oh it almost was nothing under $400 for 5 days until I found a DTD dollar location that was way cheaper.

You could even look into booking just for your OKW stay and if alls going well the first day just cancel (if 24hr is allowed).

 

[DVC Grammy]

I'm trying to save a few $$ on my upcoming December trip. I'm looking at cancelling my $200 rental car, as I just paid that same amount for a trip this past July (had to use those "free" 34 banked points from the resale I just bought!). We used it to/from the airport, AKL, and DTD. Now, after the fact, it doesn't seem like it was worth it.

We've always rented a car, and I'm wary of feeling "stranded" or tied to the buses. But, with the availability of ME, not renting a car seems like an easy cost savings.

We're stay at CSR Fri/Sat, then OKW Sun-Wed. We hope to tour some of the major resorts to see the Christmas decorations. I figure we can bus-it to MK, then monorail/boat to the resorts in that area. If we want to go to BW/BC/YC, we can take a cab, right?

Any advice from those of you who have been car-less?

Thank!

In almost 30 years of going to WDW, many years with multiple trips, we've never used a car on property, even when we drove there. Maybe it's because we've gone so often that we actually go to WDW to relax. Letting someone else drive a bus or monorail, or pilot a boat, makes the trip even more enjoyable and stress-free.
To us, DME was just more icing on an already delicious cake.

 

[bpmorley]

We do the ME. But then we'll rent a car for a day or two so we're not "stranded" It's cheaper than renting for the whole trip.

 

[ScooterL]

How much of what you are planning to do would you use a car for if you had a car? We usually have a couple of dinners at other Disney resorts, and it's tough to catch a bus to/from without wasting a lot of time. And we usually go over to Downtown Disney, and like having a car for that. But if you're only going to the theme parks, or resorts that can be reached easily from the theme park buses (like the MK resorts) then you should be ok without one.

On touring the BC/YC/BWV resorts for Christmas - remember that you can catch a resort bus to any of those resorts from MK or AK, and a boat from the Studios...and from those resorts you can walk into Epcot and catch a bus back to OKW (or go to the Studios and catch the bus there).

Laura

 

[scootert]

We're thinking of doing the same thing. We may use ME when we arrive and then take a cab back to the airport. If you want to go to the Boardwalk area, you could always take the bus to MGM and then take the boat to Boardwalk -- or use the walkway by the canal.

.

 

[Epcot Mom]

We have never rented a car and never felt the need. We catch the buses and get creative as mentioned about but also, have taken cabs back from remote locations (resort/resort or dtd/home to resort) and never minded the few dollars. Even if you spend $10 on a couple of cab rides, far cheaper than renting a car and you don't have to turn your brain on to get back to your resort or worry about drinking and driving.

Skip the car and relax!!

 

[slp87]

We used ME on our trip in March and rented a car from the Dolphin for 3 days. We planned it for later in the trip when we were wanting to resort hop. DH is not quite the Disney convert that DD and I are and gets "cabin fever". He actually went over to the outlet mall and did some shopping!

 

[Canadian Tom]

Hello: We usually rent a car but the last 2 times we didn't and used ME. We were staying at BCV and SSR and it was fine. I found it very relaxing without the car. We like walking. At SSR, if we wanted to go or return from another resort, we took the bus to DTD and walked over to our resort. My wife wanted to go shopping so I rented a car at the Dolphin for 3 days and I think the cost about $22 per day. I made the deal for the car while I was at WDW, I just went to the hotel phone for national.

The car question is much more difficult since the introduction of ME. If the price is good I'll get a car, If it's not I'll take ME. We're going next month and I have a car(Nation Emerald Aisle) for $124 a week, that's a real good price. Enjoy

 

[bpmorley]

On touring the BC/YC/BWV resorts for Christmas - remember that you can catch a resort bus to any of those resorts from MK or AK, and a boat from the Studios...and from those resorts you can walk into Epcot and catch a bus back to OKW (or go to the Studios and catch the bus there).

Laura

Or even better. Go to EPCOT and leave through the international gateway. That put you right at BCV. We stayed there in January and that was great to be able to walk to EPCOT

 

[bpmorley]

We have never rented a car and never felt the need. We catch the buses and get creative as mentioned about but also, have taken cabs back from remote locations (resort/resort or dtd/home to resort) and never minded the few dollars. Even if you spend $10 on a couple of cab rides, far cheaper than renting a car and you don't have to turn your brain on to get back to your resort or worry about drinking and driving.

Skip the car and relax!!

We used to grab a cab or two and then also get a shuttle to Seaworld or Universal. And believe me it's cheaper to get a car for a day or 2. Mears charged us $30 each to go to seaworld and back. You can get a car for $25/day.

 

[NMW]

We were torn about this too. We always use a limo service. My kids love riding in the limo playing Disney movies and I love knowing that our driver is going to be standing there holding that sign with our name on it! He always has a luggage cart ready and helps get our checked bags. At the resort he unloads them and then turns them over to the bell-hops. Every thing runs so smoothly....

The only, and I mean only, thing appealing about ME to me is that it's free. We decided not to use it. I just don't like not knowing when we are going to see our checked luggage, how long we will have to wait at the airport, how many other resorts we will stop at first. To us, it's worth the money to get the car service and not even think about any of those things.

We have never ever rented a car at Disney! I am a stay at home mom with kids in sports and activities and one in pre-school. I drive all the time, I don't want to do it on my vacation. DH commutes an hour each way for work. He doesn't want to drive on our vacation either. Disney's transportation is one of the most appealing things about going to Disney for me. That's probably why we like the Epcot resorts so much-taking the Friendship boats to Epcot and MGM and being able to walk back to the resort after Illuminations. The buses to MK and AK are great too. We have never had any problems.

 

[tomandrobin]

We use ME, use the Disney transportation for most of our needs. We use a Taxi when we want to go directly to another resort for dinner or visits. Most taxi fees are around $10 each way.

 

[mittelst]

Thanks for all the great input. I know the "regular" deluxe hotels have cabs at the ready - would I need to call for a cab if I wanted to get one at OKW?

Thanks!

 

[bpmorley]

We've taken a cab on each of our last 4 trips. We had to call for one each time.

 

[nhdisnut]

We were in the same situation prior to our recent trip to BWV. Until this trip we had always rented a car - primarlily due to not wanting to feel dependent upon WDW transportation. This trip we used ME and I have to say, as long as ME is included for "free," we will not rent a car again.

ME itself is wonderful! We didn't wait more than 10 minutes to leave MCO, and our bags were in our room when we returned from MK in the evening. When on property we had no problem getting to where we wanted using WDW transportation! Very short wait times for busses (no more than 10 minutes) and travel time to everywhere was very reasonable. It was nice not to have to drive myself around for a few days.

To me the $ savings combined with the efficiency of WDW transportation makes this a pretty easy decision now (although I was worried before I tried it myself).

 

[pickles]

I can hardly understand folks who do rent cars now that ME is available.
I can understand if you are going off property for something, but everything else disney transport can get you there..for free AND you don't have to think hard or worry about you causing an accident, nor worry if you had one to many..no thinking..wonderful!

 

[ScooterL]

I can hardly understand folks who do rent cars now that ME is available.
I can understand if you are going off property for something, but everything else disney transport can get you there..for free AND you don't have to think hard or worry about you causing an accident, nor worry if you had one to many..no thinking..wonderful!

This is one of those "different strokes for different folks" things, I think. We almost always rent a car - we like the freedom to come and go as we please without having to wait for a bus (though we always take the bus to MK). It also means we don't have to leave way early to catch a bus back to the airport...AND we have our bags already with us when we check into the hotel. Since we never arrive on property until after 6:00 in the evening (oh the joys of flying from the west coast...), we really don't want to have to wait several hours for our bags to arrive in our room.

Just my $.02.

Laura

 

[bpmorley]

This is one of those "different strokes for different folks" things, I think.
Just my $.02.

Laura

You hit the nail on the head. Each person will have their own reason why they do/don't take ME. Like I said earlier, we take ME to and from MCO. And if we're not going off property we don't rent a car. If we're there for a week or more we get a car for a day or two to go off property. Usually somewhere in the middle of the trip

 

[happymommy]

While ME is free, it doesn't appeal to me. I'd like to go straight to grocery stop or my resort, and know my luggage is checking into the room with me, not a couple hours later maybe. Just my $.02.

In April, I rented a car for one day from National. Picked it up right at the airport (got a minivan as that was in the Emerald Aisle, which is nice since I drive a minivan at home, so it was familiar to drive). It was only about $35 total. Stopped at Superwalmart for water/snacks for the room, stopped at the Swan, dropped it all off with the bellmen, then returned the car to the bellman at the Dolphin. He just took the car for me and gave me a receipt. I never even put gas in. It was cheaper than a cab, and we only had the car for a couple of hours. You could do this with Alamo also I guess - then return it to the car care center I think.

Renting for just one day is an option. There are lots of locations on WDW where you can return the car, just make sure that it's noted on your reservation where you're returning it (I think). It's cheaper than a cab, but gives you the flexibility and control if you need it for a day.