To rent a car or not to rent a car?

[photogineer]

So hey all, I'm Adam, and I'm planning my next trip to the World for this coming March 2016. *waves*

In the course of doing so I've come up to the age old question, do I rent a car or take DME?

Here's the sitch: Flying in to MCO on a Sunday morning, staying at POR for 7 days, then flying back through MCO on a Saturday evening. My last few trips were in September 2012 and 2013, and before that August 2008 and 2009. For all but the 2008 trip I've always used DME with my party, and used Disney transport while on site. I've never stayed at any place but Pop Century or the All Stars, so moving up to a moderate is a big deal for me!

What I remember in September was that the busses were often the slowest part of my day, waiting for them and waiting for all the stops they had to make. I remember having to wait a few busses at night after closing (especially at MK) before getting on one that was usually still pretty crowded and uncomfortable. What I remember from August was that the busses were horribly overpacked, late and took forever. By comparison the September busses were slow, but otherwise fine for the most part. I also found that the DTD busses were always horribly overpacked, too many stops and came far too infrequently, as in waiting over 40 minutes for a bus in either direction! It was kind of awful, but isolated to DTD. Every single time I had a bad bus ride I swore next trip I'd bite the bullet and rent a car.

Now my next trip is in March during F&G, and I'm worried that it's going to be as bad as, or worse than the August busses used to be, since attendance is significantly higher now than in 2009, and March is spring break season. On the flip side, I'm staying at a moderate resort that has boat service to DTD, so maybe that means far less bus stops and better bus service? And not having to deal with busses to/from DTD?

I know for sure I'm not up for dealing with transport any worse than my last two September trips, this is my first trip with DGF and she doesn't do well with densely packed spaces or waiting in the sun for long stretches of time. So I think this might be the time to try the car rental thing. We will be checking bags, but we don't mind grabbing them ourselves, so that's no big deal. We are not big drinkers, and if we do any it'll be at Raglan Road mostly, so the boat service to DTD is hopefully sufficient for that.

What does everyone think?

Adam

 

[Chief Powhatan]

This is a pretty evenly divided issue on the DIS. If your DGF does not like densely packed spaces, I think that pretty much answers your question. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Lynne G]

I'd rent a car and use the boat/bus to DTD, and drive to the other parks.

 

[LaurEm378]

Rent a car.

I'm like your GF--I don't like crowds, and I also don't like waiting in long lines to get out of a park. Makes me anxious. Even if it didn't save me time, I'd rather have a car to feel more in control of my own vacation.

The ride from MCO to WDW is easy if you take 417. Navigating around WDW can be a little tricky at first, but you get the hang of it within a day or two. Bonus--you can stop at the Hess (Speedway) stations on property for cheap drinks and snacks.

An economy car would be fine since it's just two of you, so the price should be reasonable. Reserve now at a price that is okay to you (but don't pre-pay). Keep checking all the agencies to see how prices change (and they will, a lot). Search the forums for a March 2016 car rental thread and subscribe to it. I like National and Alamo--they're not always the cheapest but they allow you to check in online and bypass the counter at MCO. You just get your luggage and walk out and pick your own car. Happy planning!

 

[rwdavis2]

As others have said, rent the car. IMHO, it's far more convenient to have one. Of all the trips listed in my signature I have ridden a Disney bus 1 time.

 

[Boopuff]

What I've read is that busses at the value can be crazy. I think moving up to mod you'll find the bus situation to be a bit better and not as chaotic.

 

[Rosebud123]

Why wouldn't you rent one? Check the car rental thread for your month (often, even daily once it appears) and you'll get a great price.

Waiting 40 minutes for a bus on ONE vacation day would bug me, never mind multiple days.

 

[photogineer]

I'd rent a car and use the boat/bus to DTD, and drive to the other parks.

A local friend of mine expressed some "displeasure" for the TTC and said that driving was so much worse than busses because of that, and when I say displeasure I mean she used language that is not DIS-compatible! Would you say that is a concern or really just DTD I should avoid driving to?

What I've read is that busses at the value can be crazy. I think moving up to mod you'll find the bus situation to be a bit better and not as chaotic.

This is what I was wondering, if the moderates had vastly improved bus service it would change my mind, but it doesn't sound like they are that much better.

Why wouldn't you rent one? Check the car rental thread for your month (often, even daily once it appears) and you'll get a great price.

Waiting 40 minutes for a bus on ONE vacation day would bug me, never mind multiple days.

I will keep a look out for the thread, it doesn't appear to be out yet, but I'll keep checking! Waiting for busses always annoyed me in the past, I get that I'm supposed to be relaxing on my vacation but standing in the sun baking is not relaxing! The only reason not to rent one is the cost really, and also that it's in some ways less convenient because now I have to drive myself around and actually know where I'm going, but it sounds like it's worth it. The only thing I'm concerned about is the TTC stuff I mentioned above. We will spend more time at MK than any other park so if driving to MK is going to be more stressful than Disney transport that might take the wind out of my sails.

Adam

 

[Lynne G]

I would also bus to MK if you are staying late. I would say the TTC is not a big deal breaker, as you can take either the monorail or boat. But as with any crowds, if you stay until closing, take your time, shop and people watch for awhile. Crowds lessen the later after closing. I hope you have a great trip whichever you decide.

 

[Rosebud123]

We always arrive at the MK at RD or early evening after a break. Never had an issue with the TTC.

 

[nacho113]

We quit using Disney transportation about 10 years ago and have never looked back.
I never really minded the Disney buses on our way to the parks in the morning, but we dreaded the ride back at the end of the day with overcrowded buses and hot noisy cranky kids (and adults). It is so much nicer to get into your own car and drive back slowly with the AC running and your own little bit of peace and quiet. Sometimes, especially after a very long hot park day, We would just sit for a few minutes in the quiet car. We always buy one of those cheap styrofoam coolers from Target or Walmart ($2-3) and fill it with ice, drinks and snacks when we leave the resort in the morning (my DW and DD are the healthy "bottled water and fruit and veggie snacks" but I'm the beer and beef jerky kinda guy. Both are great after 12-16 hours on your feet in the Florida sun
A rental car gives you the freedom to come and go as you please.
We can stop for a meal and grocery stop on our way from the airport to the resort.
We can spend a day at Universal or SeaWorld or even drive out to Tampa for Busch Gardens or just a day at Clearwater beach or Aquarium.
We always take a drive out to Daytona Beach (sometimes even book a couple of nights ocean side)
FYI, the drive from Daytona Beach up hwy A1A to St Augustine has to be one of the most scenic drives we have ever enjoyed and a tour of old St Augustine is a must.

I never minded the TTC, it's just a way of slowing the crowds at the gate so everyone doesn't arrive at the same time and overwhelm the gates. Whichever you pick to get to the park entrance (monorail or Ferry) just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, it's all part of the experience.

 

[Pooh2]

We stayed at POR in Jan and rented the car. Would not go without renting for future trips!
We did take the boat to DTD and Raglan Road one night. The boat is not a fast way to get around but was relaxing.
Have a great trip!

 

[kj2mom]

I wonder if the people who have issues with the TTC could because they don't expect it? Could it be because they
are expecting parking to be like the other parks? We did have a little trouble after our first night because we parked soo close that morning that we did not need to tram, we just used the walkway. Turns out they close that walkway due to tram activity at night so we roamed around a bit (after walking 11+ miles in the park we were kinda done with walking) trying to get to our car. This was our problem though, we made a bad decision and should have just riden a tram. This trip was the first time we had a car, stayed off site and had to, and it will be a difficult decision if we ever stay on property again whether to rent or bus. I found driving to be very easy and enjoyable.

 

[photogineer]

I never minded the TTC, it's just a way of slowing the crowds at the gate so everyone doesn't arrive at the same time and overwhelm the gates. Whichever you pick to get to the park entrance (monorail or Ferry) just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, it's all part of the experience.

That's what I figured, I can't imagine it's any worse than taking the bus, though it may not offer much help on the end of the night at least it's a short hop from gates to parking before we don't have to deal with the masses anymore.

I wonder if the people who have issues with the TTC could because they don't expect it? Could it be because they
are expecting parking to be like the other parks? We did have a little trouble after our first night because we parked soo close that morning that we did not need to tram, we just used the walkway. Turns out they close that walkway due to tram activity at night so we roamed around a bit (after walking 11+ miles in the park we were kinda done with walking) trying to get to our car. This was our problem though, we made a bad decision and should have just riden a tram. This trip was the first time we had a car, stayed off site and had to, and it will be a difficult decision if we ever stay on property again whether to rent or bus. I found driving to be very easy and enjoyable.

The warning came from a CM that works and visits MK often, so I'm sure it's not that it catches her by surprise, I am thinking maybe she is just overexposed to it. I imagine that kind of busy driving could get tiring if you were doing it several times a week all year long. I think we're settled on renting the car.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[wdwrich]

After multiple trips both with and without a rental car, we always rent a car now. Besides the points already covered by previous posters, the big advantage for having a car is when you dine at resorts (not parks) other than your own in the evenings. Using Disney transportation for resort-to-resort travel in the evenings can take forever since you must transfer at a theme park (if open) or at DTD. Much nicer to hop in one's vehicle and make the trip back in 10-15 minutes as opposed to 60-90 minutes on Disney transportation.

 

[Rosebud123]

I wonder if the people who have issues with the TTC could because they don't expect it? Could it be because they
are expecting parking to be like the other parks?

You hit the nail on the head! My cousins joined us for a few days on our last trip, and they were almost an hour late meeting us in the MK, mostly because we planned to meet at 10 and they didn't know about the TTC and needing to take an additional form of transport to the MK. It was a zoo at that hour.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Personally renting a car is a waste of money, why rent when transportation is provided free....what are you going to save in time renting a car? I think it's a wash, driving to park, waiting thru the parking line, walking or trimming to the park gate and reverse leaving especially at closing with an endless line of other cars...

We've done 54 trips to WDW, never rented or used a car even when we drove there, left our car in the resort lot...and POFQ, didn't share buses with anyone, one bus stop....though you state staying at POR, which has 4 bus stops ( depends on where you board, bus can be full ) through all our stays, deludes to moderates...bus service has worked fine, some longer waits but most 15 minutes or less and we're 150.00 ahead by not renting..

 

[wdwrich]

Personally renting a car is a waste of money, why rent when transportation is provided free....what are you going to save in time renting a car? I think it's a wash, driving to park, waiting thru the parking line, walking or trimming to the park gate and reverse leaving especially at closing with an endless line of other cars...

We've done 54 trips to WDW, never rented or used a car even when we drove there, left our car in the resort lot...and POFQ, didn't share buses with anyone, one bus stop....though you state staying at POR, which has 4 bus stops ( depends on where you board, bus can be full ) through all our stays, deludes to moderates...bus service has worked fine, some longer waits but most 15 minutes or less and we're 150.00 ahead by not renting..

This topic always seems to get about a 50/50 split on these boards. As mentioned in my post above, we prefer having a car. Having done both, having a car wins hands down in our book. Traveling to/from the theme parks is much quicker with a car, with the exception of MK where our tests show it to be a tie between car and bus. We always get to the parks at rope drop, so we never need to use the parking trams. The OP mentioned that the other person in the party doesn't do well in densely packed spaces. Another reason I like having a car is that I don't have to be crammed into a packed bus at park closing with hot, tired, sweaty, grumpy strangers. The time we save and the comfort we enjoy is well worth the cost to rent a car, especially when you consider the overall cost of a WDW vacation.

 

[kj2mom]

Personally renting a car is a waste of money, why rent when transportation is provided free....what are you going to save in time renting a car? I think it's a wash, driving to park, waiting thru the parking line, walking or trimming to the park gate and reverse leaving especially at closing with an endless line of other cars...

We've done 54 trips to WDW, never rented or used a car even when we drove there, left our car in the resort lot...and POFQ, didn't share buses with anyone, one bus stop....though you state staying at POR, which has 4 bus stops ( depends on where you board, bus can be full ) through all our stays, deludes to moderates...bus service has worked fine, some longer waits but most 15 minutes or less and we're 150.00 ahead by not renting..

Where is there an endless line of other cars? We were there the week of 4th of July and never saw a line anywhere (not entering, not exiting, not on the highway).

I admit, I was a bit fearful leaving MK on July 4th wondering what we were going to encounter (we were offsite and had no choice) since I had heard stories of traffic until 3am etc etc but we were pleasantly surprised and back at our resort in no time. It remained that way for the entire week which was soo pleasant!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Where is there an endless line of other cars? We were there the week of 4th of July and never saw a line anywhere (not entering, not exiting, not on the highway).

I admit, I was a bit fearful leaving MK on July 4th wondering what we were going to encounter (we were offsite and had no choice) since I had heard stories of traffic until 3am etc etc but we were pleasantly surprised and back at our resort in no time. It remained that way for the entire week which was soo pleasant!

Endless stream of tail lights....maybe open your eyes at closing....everyone trying to leave at closing of any park, we've seen it from the buses, ....do I want to be in that chaos...no...but if that's your bag...so be it...