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

[kellera]

So, we are going to WDW for the first time in January...and we are staying at POR. My hubby will be at a conference for 2.5 days, and it will just be me and my 3 girls during that time. Should I rent a car? I know there is the free transportation to/from the airport, but I'm not sure if waiting every time for the busses will be fun with 3 kids...one of which is only 6 months old (stroller issues).

Any input would be appreciated...

Thanks!!!

Amy

 

[Blondie]

We rent a car and it's probably a waste of money for us because the only time we actually use the car is getting to and from the airport and for a grocery/snack item run on the way to the resort.

I think we like having peace of mind that if we need a car, it's there and available at any hour of the day or night.

If I were in your situation, I'd let Disney do the driving getting to the parks.

 

[jobie61]

I ALWAYS rent a car just for the piece of mind. If we want to go off park for any reason we can. We don't really get our moneys worth, but it sure convenient if you want to get to Universal or Sea World. For an extra 200 bucks when your spending over 3000 or 4000 dollars, what the heck. We used it to zip over to DTD, when we wanted to shop and didn't feel like waiting for the bus. We also used when we sick of the Disney Coffee and had to have a starbucks coffee.

If you can afford it, you might as well. We use Thrifty.com they seem to have the best rates. Keep checking the prices they change them frequently.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[rie'smom]

We always rent a car.The busses are not for us. When I'm ready to go to the parks,I know I can go on my time and not have to wait. During the day,same thing when I'm ready to take a break,I don't want to wait for a bus. If you decide to go to DTD,it's much easier having a rental car.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

when you rent a car does it cost to park at the hotels on disney property? What about the parks? Is it hard to find parking when you drive to the parks? I was considering renting a car because I will be AKL. It just seems easier to get to where I need to go. But I am concerned if I drive from AKL to MK will I have a hard time parking at MK? same goes for all the parks. We are going to DW 12/7 to 12/13 so I know it will not be real crowded that time of year.

 

[Kim1964]

We always rent a car. I like coming and going on our own terms. I also like being able to leave a backpack of extra clothes in the car in case one of the kids needs a change of clothing for any reason. Yes, I'd have to walk out to the car, but for me, it beats lugging it around everywhere or having to take a bus back to a hotel with an unhappy child.

Parking for resort guests is free at the resorts and the parks. You have a card that you put on your dashboard so that the parking attendants let you through without charging you.

 

[InstImpres]

As an onsite guest you will not pay to park at the Theme Parks - just show your resort parking pass.

I like to drive to AK and DTD as the lots are small. I find driving to MK to be a hassel as you have to take a tram to the boat or monorail - where the bus drops you right at the gate.

The one thing I always tell people to consider is how comfortable are you driving in a strange spot? Unlike the rest of the world, in WDW you can not always "get home" the way you went. Following signs and having an idea where you are heading is important

 

[MissionMouse]

We always rent a car and you may want to research your 'free' transportation to and from the airport, especially if it is the "Magical Express (Mears)." Your luggage may not get delivered to your room in the amount of time you might expect or perceive.

I would recommend a car since you will be navigating WDW solo and getting on and off a bus would require you to fold the stroller along with toting your bag, plus 6mo child while trying to ensure your other two children are getting on the bus in front of you. Sometimes a bus is a squeeze and some guest may display anti stroller sentiments in the process.

It is not always an easy task with two adults, but with one adult you will not look forward to getting to or leaving any park going solo. It will also allow you to vist DTD for ice cream, LEGOS, World of Disney, or even a local store to get an item or two if the need arises. Buy a special area map too.

 

[Blondie]

Neverbeen2WDW, as long as you're staying onsite, they will be no fee to park.

We let Disney do the driving when we park hop. We don't want to be bothered with finding our car in the parking lot, etc. Usually at the time of year you're going (12/7 to 12/13) lines for the buses and monorail shouldn't be a problem. We'll be there right before you and I'm hoping for low crowds!

 

[benedicttw]

We always rent a car and use it every day. The parking at all resorts and parks are free as long as you are staying on grounds. We are free to move around when we want and not have to wait for ta bus or have to go to several resorts before ours. We also have come to realize the time that we save. When making reservations they always tell you to plan on an hour to travel from one park to another. One day we got into our day at the MK drove to MGM, parked the car, took the tram to MGM and walk to Prime Time in 15 min. By disney transportation it would have been an hour.

By all means rent the car and use it.

 

[kellera]

Thanks for the advice...especially the part about the stroller. I live in So. Ca., so I know how difficult the trams can be with little ones. My oldest is 11, so she really is a terrific help, but still, she is a kid. My husband will also be in Orlando proper, so I can go pick him up from the convention center instead of having him catch a taxi...which I can only assume would be a few $$$

Thanks again! I found a rental for $160 so I am going to jump on it!

Amy

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Another question:

which parks would you drive to and which one would you take their transportation to? I am thinking since I will be at AKL maybe it is a good idea to get a car now. I am not a patient person. I do not like to wait for buses and my son is a handful while waiting. I also am the type of person who wants to get where I want to when I want to. I will also be taking a stroller with my son.

 

[WOODY13]

Another question:

which parks would you drive to and which one would you take their transportation to? I am thinking since I will be at AKL maybe it is a good idea to get a car now. I am not a patient person. I do not like to wait for buses and my son is a handful while waiting. I also am the type of person who wants to get where I want to when I want to. I will also be taking a stroller with my son.

I too am not a patient person so I always rent a car. The only park I would consider taking the bus to is MK. The bus drops you right in front and driving you park then have to take a tram then the monorail or a ferry boat. Having said that I still might drive to MK, just me I like having the car with me. Any other parks and definitely DTD I would drive.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

I too am not a patient person so I always rent a car. The only park I would consider taking the bus to is MK. The bus drops you right in front and driving you park then have to take a tram then the monorail or a ferry boat. Having said that I still might drive to MK, just me I like having the car with me. Any other parks and definitely DTD I would drive.

Okay keeping in mind I have never been to DW and have not a clue what I am about to do. I do live in a major city (Chicago) and I live in the heart of the city so I am a pretty fearless driver. With driving to DTD and all the other places is there plenty of parking or will I have to drive around looking for parking? and when I do park do I have to walk a great distance to get to where I am going? I do not mind a block or even two. But if we are talking football fields I might rethink the idea. I like the idea I can stop at the grocery store and I like the idea that I can also leave and go to starbucks or eat dinner away from DW if I want to. I have the dining plan but I have a feeling the food will not be what I am use to and I dislike being held captive so to speak.

My son is also very frustrating (to me of course) when we have to wait. He bounces of the walls etc. I think I would strangle someone if I had to sit and wait for a bus after being on an airplane for 2 hrs. Would I have to do a map on mapquest from the airport to DW or is it pretty easy to find?

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Hey Woody13 your from Geneva IL? Boy there sure are alot of IL people on this message board!

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

We rent a car even though we really did not need it. It cost us $106 with taxes and fees so, I don't feel like I lost a whole lot of money. In the big scheme of thing $106 was the least amount of money I spent all week, so I don't feel guilty at all. Having car really helps if you want to leave Disney grounds. We went to Downtown Universal one night, offsite for dinner 2x, plus we went to see a relatives house (they were not home though), and of course we stopped by Publix to pick up breakfast items, beer, and bottled water. I felt like it was worth the extra cost.

 

[NCRedding]

I've always rented a car, but then mostly used Disney transportation. Then, this past January, I decided not to rent a car, and just relied upon ME and the buses. Well, by the 2nd day, I was calling National to rent a car.

For our upcoming trip, I plan on doing a good bit of park hopping, and do not plan to stay for the big closing events, so I will be renting a car, and traveling between the parks. I've been often enough that I feel comfortable driving.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

I plan on going back to the hotel mid day (1-3) so my son can take a nap and rest before we go to dinner etc. I am just concerned with being at AKL. But is also sounds like AKL had the most direct buses to all of the parks.

We will be going to MK a few times. Epot and MGM at least once for the day (morning until afternoon). We go back for dinner at both parks one night. But it seems like we will spend the most time at MK which sounds like either way it is not a straight shot to get to. Has anyone stayed at AKL?

 

[U2_rocks!]

I love having a car. I also found Orlando very easy to find my way around in - I've been there solo on business and rented a car. I had no navigator to help out, but I did some planning in advance and printed Mapquest maps out with directions to places I knew I'd be going. I suggest you map out the airport to hotel route, your DH's convention site, your hotel, any where else you may need e.g. the grocery store, Walmart etc. Also, it doesn't hurt to decide which medical center you'd use in an emergency and map that out too. Once you enter the Disney gates there are signs directing you around - the routes you follow may not be the quickest out there, but they will get you where you need to go. If you take a wrong turn you will eventually find another sign to where you want to go. And don't forget to put some quarters in the car as soon as you pick it up - one of the first roads you will likely travel is a toll road.

 

[WOODY13]

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QUOTE=NeverBeen2DW]Hey Woody13 your from Geneva IL? Boy there sure are alot of IL people on this message board

![/QUOTE]Yes I've been in Geneva for the last 20 years and before that Lombard. I never lived in the city but I was a truck driver for a while and always enjoyed driving downtown, it's a beautiful city. as far as parking at DTD, they have a lot that stretches the whole length of DTD. Parking can be hit or miss the last couple of times I had good luck finding good spots. I think it has a lot to do with time of year and time of day. It never hurts to mapquest but it isn't real hard to get there. I think most of the car rental companies have the directions on the paperwork they give you if not you can ask at the car pickup. I know if it is rush hour you want to avoid Orlando so take the 417. Have a great first trip.