To rent a car or to not rent a car...that is the question...

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I have been using ME for years...basically since its inception...but am considering renting a car for our trip in December. We are staying on Disney property so we really don't need one, just want one so I can come and go as I please this time. I just don't know if I want to spend the money. Decisions, decisions...anyone have any other pros and cons of ME vs car rental besides the obvious $$? Thanks.

 

[ancestry]

It sounds like you are a seasoned Disney traveler. In that case only you really know if you need a rental car or not. Personally we like relying on Disney transportation. We have never had any issues with it but we usually stay Deluxe especially during peak travel times which means we have alternatives to a few of the parks other than buses.

If I was to stay at a mod or value during a busy period I probably would rent a car as I think relying solely on the buses to all of the parks would drive me a bit nuts. If it was a slower time then I would stick with Disney transportation. However we don't have young kids that require strollers and lots of bags which can be a bit challenging on the buses at times.

People say their cars are faster but I'm not so sure of that. By the time they walk out to their car or catch their tram to their car and get in the car and drive out of the parking lot we can usually be on a bus, monorail, or boat and on our way.

Good Luck on what ever you decide.

 

[debster812]

We actually do both when we go to WDW. DH is NOT a big fan of public transportation, but definitely appreciates not having to drive to and from the airport.

We'll arrive at MCO, and take DME to our resort. We will rent a car for pick up the following day at National/Alamo at the Car Care Center. They have a free shuttle that will pick you up anywhere on WDW Resort property (resort hotels, theme parks, etc).

We will usually return the car to the Car Care Center the day before we are heading home, and take DME back to the airport as well.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We wouldn't be without a car at WDW. So much more convenient--and much faster as well.

 

[leebee]

We have been to WDW 24 times, and have stayed onsite only 4 times, two of those without a car. I HATE being at WDW without a car. I don't mind driving, and find WDW well-signed, so we don't get lost. It also doesn't take long to drive to WDW from most of the area hotels, certainly no longer than waiting for the bus of your choice, or having to make connections through a theme park or DTD to get where you need to be. However, the connection issues are minor inconveniences to me compared to the special H-E-double-hockey-sticks that occurs at park closing! I can't remember a night when we stood in line less than a half-hour, waiting for a bus that was endlessly overpacked, meaning we stood for another 20 mins on the bus to get back to POP. I cursed myself every single night for being too cheap to rent a car and save my aching feet and back. I love using DME, and last August a midsize rental would have cost $400 for 10 days, but I really, really think that if we stay onsite again, I will get a rental car, just so that when the park closes, we can hop on a tram, hop into our car, park near our room, and be in bed WAAAAY before we would have if we were waiting for Disney busses! (and yes, even staying off-site, it's possible to get from the closing gate to the parking lot and your hotel within 30-40 mins- and you are OFF YOUR FEET!!).

 

[LoveKermit]

We had a bad park-closing experience in Aug. We were waiting for the monorail. Decided to take the resort one because the line looked shorter. There was some delay. It took forever. Packed ramp. No breeze. Out of water. Fortunately DD was zonked. It took almost an hour to get to the parking lot.

We're avoiding that next August by staying at BLT.

Otherwise, DH HAS to drive. If I ever go alone with DD, especially post-stroller, I would not hesitate to use the buses.

But now that we stay DVC, we want to go off-property for some staples.

We feel it's necessary if AK is to be visited. But those our are opinions.