To rent a car or not to maximize park time

[kathy884]

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.

 

[Itinkso]

We've always rented a car to easily parkhop and to get to resorts for meals. You can always use MDE and then pick up the car at The Dolphin (National, Alamo) to decrease the rental time. A taxi to the I-drive area can be close to $35-40.

 

[Delirium]

We always rent. Much quicker getting there in the morning for all parks except Magic Kingdom, and much more comfortable leaving after a long day at the park.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I would highly recommend renting a car. Disney transportation can be maddening.

 

[DSLRuser]

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.

 

[Mad Hattered]

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.

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

 

[lazer]

Rent if you want to go to I/drive, but don't drive to magic kingdom. It's a waste of a lot of time and not convenient. Other parks are fine, but we've found MK to be horrible!

 

[Mad Hattered]

Rent if you want to go to I/drive, but don't drive to magic kingdom. It's a waste of a lot of time and not convenient. Other parks are fine, but we've found MK to be horrible!

We would typically get to Magic Kingdom so early that we parked in the first 3 rows and walked to TTC. It all depends on the time of day you arrive. Not to mention that you can be waiting for a MK bus and see 3 buses for AK before one for MK shows up. And then if someone has a scooter it slows it down even more.

 

[lazer]

We would typically get to Magic Kingdom so early that we parked in the first 3 rows and walked to TTC. It all depends on the time of day you arrive. Not to mention that you can be waiting for a MK bus and see 3 buses for AK before one for MK shows up. And then if someone has a scooter it slows it down even more.

I'm more concerned with leaving there. It always takes way too long, no matter the time of day (in our experience).

 

[poohj80]

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.

I disagree especially if the OP is going to I-Drive. Disney transportation is not as convenient park to park as it is park to resort unless hopping between MK & Epcot or Epcot & Hollywood Studios.

 

[DVCFan1994]

I disagree especially if the OP is going to I-Drive. Disney transportation is not as convenient park to park as it is park to resort unless hopping between MK & Epcot or Epcot & Hollywood Studios.

I second this.

 

[CassieF]

I loved having my rental car and on the advice of others didn't drive to MK my first day. I did after waiting 20 minutes to be crammed on to a bus that was horribly humid and at the end of the day, people don't smell nice, especially when it's 85!

 

[ps17]

Hi,

We are also going to be at WDW for 2 days and will be park hopping.

We are staying at Beach Club. On first touring day,, we would like to tour AK and then MK. Should we drive or take Disney transportation? If we get to MK around 11:30AM, is it going to be a real pain to take a car, and park, and then monorail?

 

[ladydi24]

We always rent a car. Love the convience and it does without a doubt save time. I don't want to waste precious time waiting for busses. Shop around and look for coupons for car rentals.

 

[melifeld]

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.

 

[richmo]

I'm going to go with rent a car, if you can get a reasonable rate.

Case in point: last time there we didn't rent a car and was staying at Wilderness Lodge and had a dinner ressie at Boma (AKL). I think it took close to 1.5 hours. Could have driven it in 15 minutes, maybe less.

I'm not saying I'd use a car exclusively...for example, to get to MK from WL, I'd still take the boat.

Disney buses are certainly better than nothing, but I prefer having a car.

 

[poohj80]

I'm going to go with rent a car, if you can get a reasonable rate.

Rates change constantly, so I recommend even after making a reservation, keep checking prices. They usually drop the closer you get to your dates. Also check online for discount codes.

 

[Lavitz]

I would recommend getting a car since you only have 2 days and are park hopping.

Like someone said, it's not so much the getting to the park part that is the problem, it is the returning from the park part. I've found buses much busier at the parks compared to the resorts, so if you're park hopping from one park to another I would recommend a rental.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

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.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

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.

Buses went b/t parks when I was there in Dec. Not b/t resorts though. And I think for MK they dropped ya off at TTC instead of main gate. I didn't have a car...wasn't worth the added expense since I wasn't going anywhere but Disney. My last day in the parks, I park hopped to all 4 and did all my favorites in one day.