to rent a car or not?

[Princess Vespa]

Hi. i posted this on another board as well, but would like to get your opinion. So for my upcoming trip in December (first week) I am undecided about renting a car. Wanted to not rent a car, but it is causing me a bit of anxiety. I know a lot of people do not rent cars and use the transportation system Disney provides (Magical Express, buses and such) but I have always rented a car. I am trying to save money so if I axe the car- that will save $150. ($110 for car rental + $40 in gas)
I am traveling with my mom and my children - age 1 and 4. My sister and her 2 kids (ages 7 and 9 ) will be joining us the next day after we arrive. I am staying at AS Sports. I know the bus system picks up for all the All Stars.
How hard is it to get a seat on the bus? At least for the 4 year old and my mom holding the 1 year old?
I will have a lightweight stroller - how much of a pain is it to get that on the bus?
Do the buses get really packed? Like wall to wall people standing?
I live in NY- is it as bad as the buses and trains during rush hour (this is what I am imagining) Especially during park closing time?
Any tips? Advice?

We will be going:
1 day at AS Sports and DTD (which I can just take the bus to DTD)
1 day just to AKL for dinner at Boma (), than shoot over to either Contemporary or Poly to watch the fireworks.
1 day at MK
1 day at EPCOT

Thanks

 

[wdwrich]

Having done WDW both with and without a rental car, we always rent a car now. It's so much more convenient traveling between resorts in the evening (for meals etc.) that it's really a no-brainer for us. Also, not having to stand on a hot/crowded bus going to/from the parks is just more to our liking.

 

[skelooch]

I too always rent a car, I prefer the convenience of being able to come and go as I please. Based on your itinerary the only real headache I see you having is the dinner reservation at Boma and then getting over to CR or Poly for the fireworks, resort to resort travel can be very time consuming. AS to AKL by car is less than 10 min, by bus probably 30 min , and then to try to get to CR or Poly by bus could be impossible at that time because AK will be closed so you won't be able to get a bus to either resort. And then after the fireworks you will need to get over to MK to get a bus back to AS. If you used cabs for those trips it will cost you around $50.
That's a very ambitious evening with two small children.

If you can get a rental car for $110 I would suggest you do so, it's probably a small percentage of your total vacation, and will save you a great deal of time for other things, and I doubt you will spend $40 for gas, (unless your renting a large gas guzzeler ) with all the driving I do in and outside of property I seldom use more than a half tank of gas.

Good luck with whatever you decide and have a great trip.

 

[Dewy]

We always used Disney transportation until we had kids. We first rented when DS was just 6 months old (2nd trip DS was 2 yo & DD was 14 months) and have rented ever since. We wanted the flexibility with our kids being so young. The Disney system isn't bad but you just can't beat the convenience of your own car. It can cut your transportaion time by over half, especially if your traveling form resort to resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

You are going to get many different opinions here. The bottom line is...what are you comfortable with? Is it worth $150 to you to not have to wait for buses to come and go? Are you willing to stand on the bus, and take your chances on your mom and kids being offered seats at busy times?? Are you willing to take your child out of the stroller, fold it up (all before it's time to board the bus), then sit or stand holding that folded stroller, and hope for a seat?
I use the buses all the time. They work fine. But, they are basically public transit. They are designed to move thousands of guests around the WDW area easily. And they do exactly that. But there are going to be times when the bus is going to be packed with people. There are going to be times when you will have to stand. There will be times when you will have to wait for awhile, in a long line, for your bus to come at the end of the park day.
These things don't bother me, but I am not traveling with young children.

You need to decide what that $150 is worth to you.

 

[ssawka]

As PPs have said, it all depends on your comfort level and how your kids will be on the bus. We never rent a car, but we also only stay DVC and most of those resorts have great transportation. I should say that I also am not a big fan of the buses and try to minimize the use of them. It is not that there is anything wrong with the Disney buses, it is just a pain to fold up DD's stroller and bring that on the bus. Also she gets antsy riding on the bus. However, I still will not rent a car, because we live near DC (second worst traffic in the country!) and I absolutely love the fact that I do not have to drive for an entire week.

As PPs have said, having a car is much quicker to get around, except for when going to MK. For MK, the buses are much quicker since you don't have to deal with parking and then taking the boat/monorail.

 

[Princess Vespa]

Thanks for the responses. I am leaning towards renting the car. I have always rented the car in the past, except once which was pre-children. For myself, personally, I don't mind the wait or the bus ride. But its my kids that I am concerned about. After a long day at the parks, waiting for a bus and than traveling on one that may be jammed pack may be a little too much. It will be easier with the car and I don't mind driving.

Thanks everyone!

 

[AlexDurrani]

As PPs have said, it all depends on your comfort level and how your kids will be on the bus. We never rent a car, but we also only stay DVC and most of those resorts have great transportation. I should say that I also am not a big fan of the buses and try to minimize the use of them. It is not that there is anything wrong with the Disney buses, it is just a pain to fold up DD's stroller and bring that on the bus. Also she gets antsy riding on the bus. However, I still will not rent a car, because we live near DC (second worst traffic in the country!) and I absolutely love the fact that I do not have to drive for an entire week.

As PPs have said, having a car is much quicker to get around, except for when going to MK. For MK, the buses are much quicker since you don't have to deal with parking and then taking the boat/monorail.

To Be honest even MK is probably better by car then by bus in the long run. I myself will be renting a SUV for the first time on my trip in December and I am looking forward to the experience. I will be spending my travel day to learn my way around the resorts so when I am expected be places i will be on time.

 

[Dreamin Disney]

Because of the ages you are traveling with ... the rent a car option gets my vote. You want to be able to control your schedule and you can't really do that riding the Disney transportation.