To rent a car or not to maximize park time

[nugov2]

Get a car if you are leaving the resort area. I am one of those that don't find public transportation to be a perk. Long waits(especially leaving), smelly, hot cramped. On your MK day make early reservations for Chef Mickey, valet your car at the CR for the day. Walk to the MK and at night when you leave you stroll to your car hop in and are wherever you need to go faster than you'd even get on a bus. Was the best advice I got on the DIS

 

[JessicaKnits]

We rented one for the first time for our recent 12 night trip. We only rented for 7 days, as we weren't sure how we would like it. We ended up extending for the entire time! It was so much more convenient to get to resorts for meals, and the fact that at the end of the night we could just hop in and GO instead of waiting in line for the bus, was the best part.

We rented from the Car Care Center on site and took the ME both from and to the airport. We got a great rate, but WOW that place is the least Disney place on site. It was a dump but thankfully we were only there a short while.

 

[JanaDee]

If we were going to be there for only 2 days and planning other activities off-site, we'd definitely rent a car.

 

[JanaDee]

We have done both. I must say that we really prefer having a car. Park hopping on Disney buses is maddening. You have to take a bus to a resort then a bus to another park. This takes a lot longer than one would think.

We once had a 1 1/2 transportation time from Wilderness Lodge to Port Orleans Riverside after a lovely dinner at Artists Point. This isn't park to park, but resort to resort, and you get the idea.

There is park to park transportation (either bus or boat from Epcot to DHS).

 

[Karbase8]

I was going to vote no don't rent a car until I read your situation and wanting to do the Titantic exhibit. I would rent a car if you are comfortable. If you were staying longer and not leaving Disney. Disney Transportation is pretty efficient, I actually didn't like it from the Monorail resorts as they share buses. But for value and moderates the bus, boats, etc are fantastic!

 

[poohj80]

Anyone know if rentals.come with car seats? In IL the rule is in a seat until 8 or 80 pounds or something like that. I'll have 2 6 year olds and a 5 year old. I know I can bring their seats with us on the plane but would rather not unless it's too crazy expensive.

Most rental agencies charge for car seats but if you are a AAA member I know one perk is free car seats with some agencies.

 

[hookedonears]

How is the Disney bus transportation from park to park? We just have two days and will probably do park hopping (one hop each day). Also before our park days we'll go to the Titanic Attraction on I-drive and back. // Will be staying at Coronado springs for three nights, so will have magical express.

So would it make sense to rent a car or should I skip it. FYI: I'm quite comfortable driving around Orlando and WDW, so that's not an issue.

You'll get lots of answers on this question. Yes in some cases, renting a car will save you a little time here and there. To us, renting a car takes a tremendous amount of the magic away. Having to drive and search for parking spaces in GIANT parking lots and also having to walk across those same HOT parking lots, both coming and going, just isn't worth it. Disney transportation, which is great, drops you off fairly close to the front entrances which is by far worth it. If you park hop, you're walking across the giant parking lot again, and then having to park in another giant parking lot. Yes, it "might" save you 5 minutes, here or there, but with as much standing in lines and walking in the parks that we do, the additional walking just isn't worth it.

Now we do book a Limo/Town Car for transfers to and from MCO and our resort. They're waiting for you when you get there and pick you up an hour and 45 min. before your flight leaves. They even make a stop for you at a grocery store if you want. This is a convenience that saves you a whole lot of time and is well worth the extra $140-$150.

 

[hookedonears]

Is the Disney bus going to take them to I-Drive?

They can call a cab.

 

[Mad Hattered]

You'll get lots of answers on this question. Yes in some cases, renting a car will save you a little time here and there. To us, renting a car takes a tremendous amount of the magic away. Having to drive and search for parking spaces in GIANT parking lots and also having to walk across those same HOT parking lots, both coming and going, just isn't worth it. Disney transportation, which is great, drops you off fairly close to the front entrances which is by far worth it. If you park hop, you're walking across the giant parking lot again, and then having to park in another giant parking lot. Yes, it "might" save you 5 minutes, here or there, but with as much standing in lines and walking in the parks that we do, the additional walking just isn't worth it.

Now we do book a Limo/Town Car for transfers to and from MCO and our resort. They're waiting for you when you get there and pick you up an hour and 45 min. before your flight leaves. They even make a stop for you at a grocery store if you want. This is a convenience that saves you a whole lot of time and is well worth the extra $140-$150.

I can rent a car for an entire week for the price of your Town Car (and usually much cheaper than that). If there are two of them then they could call a cab. If it's a family that makes it a little tougher.

 

[cw21726]

Having to drive and search for parking spaces in GIANT parking lots and also having to walk across those same HOT parking lots, both coming and going, just isn't worth it.

I've tried the bus twice, all other times I rented a car. What you say is true, but, for us, the car is the only way to go. The lots are huge and more walking isn't a major plus but we bring a stroller and sometimes 2. It's a major PITA to fold those things up to get on a crowded bus for as long 30 minutes. Several times the AC wasn't working right plus it's just as hot at the bus stops as it is in the lots.

 

[hookedonears]

I've tried the bus twice, all other times I rented a car. What you say is true, but, for us, the car is the only way to go. The lots are huge and more walking isn't a major plus but we bring a stroller and sometimes 2. It's a major PITA to fold those things up to get on a crowded bus for as long 30 minutes. Several times the AC wasn't working right plus it's just as hot at the bus stops as it is in the lots.

Having your own car is definitely more convenient, and the bus stops can be pretty warm, even though most of them are covered. We've only rented a car once, and the magic just wasn't the same for us. I'll take a few extra minutes of rest on a bench, bus, boat or monorail for the convenience of being dropped off near the front gate every time.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Are there drop-off zones at each park or at the front of the parking lots? I plan to rent a car for our August 2015 trip, I will just drop off the gang and do most of the walking myself.

We will be visiting other sites (US) and plan on hopping almost every day, so I think a car will be handy especially since we will be splitting between resorts and checking out other resorts for meals.

We will check out the Disney transportation a bit I am sure. We plan on a split stay at AKL/Poly, for now, so I would love to take a boat to MK!

 

[hookedonears]

Are there drop-off zones at each park or at the front of the parking lots? I plan to rent a car for our August 2015 trip, I will just drop off the gang and do most of the walking myself.

We will be visiting other sites (US) and plan on hopping almost every day, so I think a car will be handy especially since we will be splitting between resorts and checking out other resorts for meals.

We will check out the Disney transportation a bit I am sure. We plan on a split stay at AKL/Poly, for now, so I would love to take a boat to MK!

Others can answer this question more accurately, but I believe as soon as you enter a parking lots, attendants funnel you to the place they want you to park, and I don’t believe you’re not given the option of dropping people off.

 

[hookedonears]

Are there drop-off zones at each park or at the front of the parking lots? I plan to rent a car for our August 2015 trip, I will just drop off the gang and do most of the walking myself.

We will be visiting other sites (US) and plan on hopping almost every day, so I think a car will be handy especially since we will be splitting between resorts and checking out other resorts for meals.

We will check out the Disney transportation a bit I am sure. We plan on a split stay at AKL/Poly, for now, so I would love to take a boat to MK!

For those who need them, when in the parking lot. you can wait for a tram to pick you up. But waiting for one of those, kind of defeats the purpose of not waiting for a disney bus. Plus the tram waits are uncovered in a hot parking lot.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

There must be a loading/unloading zone for those of need of a wheelchair?

 

[Itinkso]

There must be a loading/unloading zone for those of need of a wheelchair?

There are drop-off areas for each park. The only one I can remember is for MK - located between Lost and Found building and The Poly.

 

[siskaren]

don't get a car. you don't need one. the busses and boats are extremely efficient.

i think a lot of posters just don't like "sharing" a ride with people on OMG...a buss.

Even when we drive to disney. They car gets parked all week and never moves.

Really?

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50846667&postcount=14

 

[holden]

I say rent the car. Whenever we have chosen not to rent, we have regretted it. On our last trip, we waited 30min. for a but to DHS in the morning before we decided to bag it and take a taxi. Each bus that came to our stop was full - 3 buses! Yes, it was shortly before the park opened (around 8:30am), but that is ridiculous.

I'd rather drive, park and walk to the gate...at least I'm moving in the right direction. Same with going home...walk to the car, drive to the hotel, walk to the room. No waiting, no complaining, no frustration = nice vacation!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Most rental agencies charge for car seats but if you are a AAA member I know one perk is free car seats with some agencies.

Thanks! I am not a member but my sister might be. And it might be worth the cost of a membership too. Something else to add to my need to research list.

 

[sethschroeder]

Really?

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50846667&postcount=14

Huh? The person you quoted there said they park at a resort then use Disney transportation, never parking at the parks?