To rent a car or not

[disneyfansmandl]

Hello All,

I know this has been brought up before but my wife and I will be spending 7 nights from 10/14 to 10/21 at the CBR. We have been to DW before and stayed at AKL. Should we rent a car? My wife will want to be going all over and we are not familiar with the bus system except from Animal Kingdom which takes forever to get anywhere. Also, if you think we should, what luck have you had getting a car at one of the properties instead of the airport.

Thanks for you're help,

 

[goofyboyzmom]

We have been to Disney 6 times and only once without a car. We will never do that again!!!! It is so much more convenient to have a car. No waiting on buses, can get groceries or necessary items, go off property to eat, drive to McDonald's on property..................and AGAIN, no waiting for buses!!!!

We are getting ours at the airport this time, but last year we picked it up at the Car Care Center on property. Alamo and National rent there. You can also get cars at the Swan and Dolphin. There are a couple of locations right at the hotels off property across from Downtown Disney. These are supposedly cheaper.

 

[Frantasmic]

The times I have rented a car, it stayed in the resort parking lot.

The bus system isn't that difficult to master. With a car, don't you have to pay for parking and whatnot at each park as well? That would get expensive.

I'd suggest using a limo or something to and from the airport with a negotiated stop at a grocery store in the beginning to get your munchies/food items/water.

 

[pamkas]

hi,
we love wdw transportation, but have found having the option of using a
car if things are crowded is great! if you're staying on property parking is
free and the tram is convenient. only the magic kingdom is a pain because
you have to go to the TTC and then on to the MK. it's the only park we'll
use the buses for. we've only ever rented from the airport, though.
-pam

 

[eliza61]

Hello All,

I know this has been brought up before but my wife and I will be spending 7 nights from 10/14 to 10/21 at the CBR. We have been to DW before and stayed at AKL. Should we rent a car? My wife will want to be going all over and we are not familiar with the bus system except from Animal Kingdom which takes forever to get anywhere. Also, if you think we should, what luck have you had getting a car at one of the properties instead of the airport.

Thanks for you're help,

We definitely rent a car. We love dining at other resorts and have found that it is much easier getting from resort to resort by car than by Disney transportation (usually because going from resort to resort requires some sort of transfer which is very time consuming). The bus system is fairly easy to master though. Get your car at the airport, nowadays if you check out the internet travel sites you can get a really great deal. Now that we have been to WDW a few times we venture off site to eat.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'd suggest using a limo or something to and from the airport with a negotiated stop at a grocery store in the beginning to get your munchies/food items/water.

You don't need a car service's grocery stop to get groceries. If you take DIsney's MAgical Express, you can also arrange a grocery delivery from one of three different local services. This saves time, because you don't have to waste time shopping and waiting in line in an unfamiliar store.

 

[mommy*RN]

I'm also in the boat that I will not travel without a car! I love the freedom. I think if I were ever to take a shorter trip to WDW I MIGHT try it without a car, but so far we usually stay 7 nights and having a car is a great option. This trip we are planning a few day excursions to places like SeaWorld and the beach...so a car is a necessity for us! My SIL has been to Disney with her family 3x and two of those were during free dining when the parks were crowded...and she will NEVER get a rental car. I think a lot of it is personal preference...

Since it is just you and your DW traveling you might be able to find a decent rate on an economy or compact car...especially now that your travel dates are drawing near!

I've stayed at CBR and personally would not stay there without a car. It is HUGE and sometimes your room can be quite a hike from Port Royale. It was a nice option in the early AM sending DH to the food court to pick up breakfast for our DS. He didn't need to wait for a bus to pick him up or have to walk...and bring back cold food. Of course, once again our situation differed as we were traveling with a small child...

Gosh - I doubt I was any help at all! Sorry...

 

[blitzkrieg048]

The times I have rented a car, it stayed in the resort parking lot.

The bus system isn't that difficult to master. With a car, don't you have to pay for parking and whatnot at each park as well? That would get expensive.

I'd suggest using a limo or something to and from the airport with a negotiated stop at a grocery store in the beginning to get your munchies/food items/water.

parking is free when you stay on property

 

[HappyCamperToo]

You will find people with strong views on both sides of this question. It comes down to your preferred style, and maybe your budget, but...

We opt for a car. We save BIG BUCKS, even enough to pay for the car, by eating just a few meals off site. Example: character dinner buffet for our family of 5 three years ago (when the kids were still considered kids) was $100. Same meal at a buffet off site was $35. Go figure.

 

[CleveRocks]

You will find people with strong views on both sides of this question. It comes down to your preferred style, and maybe your budget, but...

We opt for a car. We save BIG BUCKS, even enough to pay for the car, by eating just a few meals off site. Example: character dinner buffet for our family of 5 three years ago (when the kids were still considered kids) was $100. Same meal at a buffet off site was $35. Go figure.

Easy to figure out. You paid for the characters' presence at the character meal. Even a similar meal at WDW is cheaper without characters!

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Cheaper, yes, but not $65 cheaper!

Tell me where on site a family of five could eat at a buffet for $35?

Even Trail's End would be more. And I wouldn't want to go there from my resort w/o a car, unless I was prepared to spend a LONG time in transit!

Plus, kids at wdw are now 3-9. Off site, you can get a kid's price for a few more years!

 

[disneyfansmandl]

Thanks to everyone for you're input. I found a car at the Dolphin for a very good price and am going to go ahead and get it for 6 of our days. As I have said before my wife is very much a Disney Nut and I think she will like the added conveniance.

Thanks again to you all!!!!


M&L