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

[ajtux]

We've always rented a car. We don't use it every day, but most days we go outside Disney for breakfast and we save quite a bit right there. Plus we like to do a dinner show or Sea World and having a car gives us the freedom to come and go as we please. My vote: Rent a car.

 

[jstmee]

I have gone to WDW by renting a vehicle and the last time magical express. I have 4 children. We loved the magical express, wonderful feature, but we will definately go back to renting a car, WE do not like waiting, and transferring, and going from here to there. I like the freedom of choosing a car or bus. Some things are fine by bus some are more difficult. I like driving to everywhere though. I find parking to be a breeze. The little tram at the parking lot to the entrance easy and directions easy to follow from the hotels. I also have to add though that I am not a fearful driver and get well prepared ahead of time.

Good luck on your choice and enjoy the magic and pixie dust.

Wendy

 

[jodifla]

Definitely get a car. Being alone with three kids and negotiating the buses would be a recipe for disaster in my book. Too many people thronging to get on the bus, and you've got three kids, a stroller, diaper bag, etc. How old is the middle child?

The only place worth taking the bus to is the Magic Kingdom, because the bus drops you right in front of the park, instead of across the lagoon.

A car gives you endless freedom to get where you need to go. A taxi to and from the Orlando convention center would practically pay for a car right there. WDW is huge, the taxi bill is $20 before you even leave WDW property.

There is plenty of parking everywhere. And if you stay onsite, parking is included with your resort parking.

 

[funcinderella]

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?

If you get to the parks in the morning (I'd say up until about 12) it is very orderly for parking, you just follow in a line and they point you to your parking spot, and then the longest you have to walk for the tram is the length of the aisle. Sometimes you get lucky and you're at the beginning of the aisle and sometimes you get stuck at the end (always my luck!)

As far as finding WDW from the airport, all rental agencies will give you a map, and there are signs everywhere. I don't think you'll have a hard time getting from MCO to WDW. Mapquest is overkill, unless you're someone who really likes to be prepared ahead of time.

 

[Martha7]

To the OP: I wonder if the rental car wouldn't be considered a reimbursable expense for your DH?

 

[soontobewed07]

Is there any special parking for expectant mothers? I will be almost 8 months along and well I would like to conserve energy for the parks.

 

[jewels2007]

When people are talking $106 or so, is that for 7 days or how long? What kind of rental places are there? ALamo, Hertz, etc?? Thanks!!

 

[Kitzer]

The last two years we took the buses and while they are a great perk, this year we are renting a car. Last year we sometimes had to wait for three buses because the first two were packed when they arrived. On one occasion it was pouring. At the resorts, since there's no line barriers, if theres a lot of people waiting it turns into "general admission seating at a rock concert."
Everybodys mashing in to get a place on the bus; this can be really annoying if you have small children, stroller, coolers, etc.

This year I'm renting a car at airport and using all week. Not only good for going to parks, but you can avoid the exorbitant prices for beer, groceries, and dining at the resorts. This will help justify the cost of the car. Quite honestly you can still use Magic Express to deliver your luggage to your room without actually riding the bus to the resort. (But, that doesn't work on the way back since they leave you at the curb with your luggage on the return trip.)

As far as navigating around Disney, there are directions right on this website, as well as map quest, as well as huge signs in the area directing you everywhere. Get a car and roll on your terms baby.

 

[WOODY13]

Quite honestly you can still use Magic Express to deliver your luggage to your room without actually riding the bus to the resort.

Everything I have heard or read says you have to take the DME bus to get your luggage delivered. Which is okay because you can rent your car on property. Alamo and National have locations at the car care center and at the Dolphin. You can call either one of those and have them pick you up and take you to get the car. Same thing for returning. I would suggest to set up the rental to drop it off at the airport unless you are flying on a paticipating airline. If you are you can check your luggage at the hotel for the trip home and skip checking it at the airport. If you are flying a non-participating airline you can still take the DME bus you just have to load your luggage on that bus and check it when you arrive at the airport. Participating airlines: Alaska airlines,American,Continental,Delta,Jetblue,Northwest, and United/Ted.

 

[Kitzer]

Quite honestly you can still use Magic Express to deliver your luggage to your room without actually riding the bus to the resort.

Everything I have heard or read says you have to take the DME bus to get your luggage delivered. Which is okay because you can rent your car on property. Alamo and National have locations at the car care center and at the Dolphin. You can call either one of those and have them pick you up and take you to get the car. Same thing for returning. I would suggest to set up the rental to drop it off at the airport unless you are flying on a paticipating airline. If you are you can check your luggage at the hotel for the trip home and skip checking it at the airport. If you are flying a non-participating airline you can still take the DME bus you just have to load your luggage on that bus and check it when you arrive at the airport. Participating airlines: Alaska airlines,American,Continental,Delta,Jetblue,Northwest, and United/Ted.

Woody,
I actually confirmed with the help line at Disney that you can use DME to deliver your luggage without taking the bus. If you sign up for Disney magic express, they just load everbody's luggage in box trucks and transport them to the various resorts. It's not like they're waiting for you to check in for the bus at the airport before they ship your luggage over. The bus service is a courtesy, but not necessity. Give Disney a call to confirm 407-824-2222. R.

 

[WOODY13]

You can not book luggage transfer only. You must be on the motorcoach to have your luggage transported

. Kitzer, I read this on allearsnet but I hope you are right because I always rent a car and the way you say I could rent my car and we could just drive to the hotel and wait for our luggage. here's hoping you got a CM that knew what they were talking about.

 

[WOODY13]

I would like to here from anyone who has transfered luggage only on DME without riding it because I would like to do that my next trip.

 

[jewels2007]

So you can or can't use DME just for your luggage? We are renting a vehicle for the duration of our stay. Is it easier to rent and just pick up and drop off our car from the airport or use DME and then get a vehicle at the resort? I am new to this and unsure of what to do. Also what car rental is the best deal out there? Thanks to anyone that can help.

 

[WOODY13]

As far as can you use DME for luggage only,Kitzer's report was the first i've heard of that. In my experience with CM's you can call one and sometimes get one answer and call another and get another answer. That is why I asked if anyone on Dis had actually done it. As far as where to rent the car it is up to you but I prefer to get it at the airport and drop it at the airport. Depending on the luggage only question one person in your party may have to get car and the others take the bus on the way to WDW. One the way back to the airport I think it is more convienent because you can leave whenever you want but I would make sure you rent from a rental company that you drop off the car at the airport. Another thing to consider is if you are flying a participating airline. If that is the case you can check your luggage for going home at the hotel. In this case it would be better to drop off the car at WDW. There is also price to consider see which way you get the best deal. I like National they have places to pickup and drop off in WDW and I usually get a pretty good rate. Rentalcodes.com is a web site that you can get some discounts on car rentals. After you book the car keep checking the web site because lots of times the rates go down. You can keep changing your booking to the best price.

 

[Kitzer]

. Kitzer, I read this on allearsnet but I hope you are right because I always rent a car and the way you say I could rent my car and we could just drive to the hotel and wait for our luggage. here's hoping you got a CM that knew what they were talking about.

Woody,

I'll call again just to doublecheck and probably another time after that to triplecheck because you're correct, one CM might not give the same answer as another. It just makes sense to me though that Disney can transport me and my bags or just my bags. (i.e. If I landed and wanted to wait 1.5 hours at the airport to greet my elderly parents flying in from somewhere else, Disney isn't going to wait to transport my luggage). On the other hand though I know everytime I checked in at Disney express they asked for my luggage tags. I'll call a couple more times, get a definitive answer, and get back to you.

 

[Kitzer]

As far as can you use DME for luggage only,Kitzer's report was the first i've heard of that. In my experience with CM's you can call one and sometimes get one answer and call another and get another answer. That is why I asked if anyone on Dis had actually done it. As far as where to rent the car it is up to you but I prefer to get it at the airport and drop it at the airport. Depending on the luggage only question one person in your party may have to get car and the others take the bus on the way to WDW. One the way back to the airport I think it is more convienent because you can leave whenever you want but I would make sure you rent from a rental company that you drop off the car at the airport. Another thing to consider is if you are flying a participating airline. If that is the case you can check your luggage for going home at the hotel. In this case it would be better to drop off the car at WDW. There is also price to consider see which way you get the best deal. I like National they have places to pickup and drop off in WDW and I usually get a pretty good rate. Rentalcodes.com is a web site that you can get some discounts on car rentals. After you book the car keep checking the web site because lots of times the rates go down. You can keep changing your booking to the best price.

Woody,

Made two seperate calls today to Disney help line and both confirmed that you do indeed have to ride the bus for them to deliver your luggage. This is basis of the same thinking the airlines use for terrorists activity;not going to deliver bags without the owner. So yes I stand corrected and I'm glad you called me out on that.

Not all members of your party have to sign up for Disney express though. My intent is to still rent the car at the airport, and pick up grocery and supply on the way to resort (there's a super target on the way). My wife will still ride the bus because my lil girl enjoys the formality of the tour bus ride.

Anyway sorry for the misinformation, but that was the original info provided by Disney on my first call. (Measure twice, cut once, right!!).

 

[WOODY13]

Kitzer, I always rent the car at the airport. That way like you said I can stop on the way to the hotel and pick up what we need. As far as my luggage I usually put the sticker with my wife's or kids name on it(each person in the party gets two stickers)that way I don't have to go to baggage claim, also I often carry on a bag. We use National emerald club and so far I have always gotten my car with no problem and usually beat my wife and the bus to the hotel. Several years ago I used Payless (not at the airport) and I won't do that again. I was a running a little late and couldn't find the return location then after finally finding it I had to take the shuttle to the airport. Not worth it for the cheap rate. I have always gotten good rates with National I just book it and keep changing it if it goes down. One time I booked a mid size car and got a Sienna on the emerald aisle. I also keep the car all week I like to have the freedom to come and go as I please. I also like to drive back to the airport as we usually fly Southwest and they are not a participating airline.

 

[Kitzer]

Kitzer, I always rent the car at the airport. That way like you said I can stop on the way to the hotel and pick up what we need. As far as my luggage I usually put the sticker with my wife's or kids name on it(each person in the party gets two stickers)that way I don't have to go to baggage claim, also I often carry on a bag. We use National emerald club and so far I have always gotten my car with no problem and usually beat my wife and the bus to the hotel. Several years ago I used Payless (not at the airport) and I won't do that again. I was a running a little late and couldn't find the return location then after finally finding it I had to take the shuttle to the airport. Not worth it for the cheap rate. I have always gotten good rates with National I just book it and keep changing it if it goes down. One time I booked a mid size car and got a Sienna on the emerald aisle. I also keep the car all week I like to have the freedom to come and go as I please. I also like to drive back to the airport as we usually fly Southwest and they are not a participating airline.

Woody,
It sounds like we are following the same game plan because I too am flying Southwest and will keep the car to transport back to the airport. Last year the last day was spent just hanging around waiting for DME back to MCO. This year were not flying out until the evening so were going to hit a park for at least half a day. I also changed my mind on shuttling to the Thrifty in favor of renting from Dollar at the airport. I don't know what their service record is but I got a minivan for $100 bucks cheaper than anywhere else using the "kiss2" code found on DIS.
As far as the luggage tag thing I was planning on doing the same thing. Have them push through with my bag also so I don't have to hit baggage claim.
Great minds must think alike. By the way I am right down the road from you in Plainfield, there's a lot of us Illinoisans on this site. Also, someone on another thread said Southwest is supposed to be joining other airlines in a few weeks for the precheck on baggage with Disney.

 

[WOODY13]

Woody,
It sounds like we are following the same game plan because I too am flying Southwest and will keep the car to transport back to the airport. Last year the last day was spent just hanging around waiting for DME back to MCO. This year were not flying out until the evening so were going to hit a park for at least half a day. I also changed my mind on shuttling to the Thrifty in favor of renting from Dollar at the airport. I don't know what their service record is but I got a minivan for $100 bucks cheaper than anywhere else using the "kiss2" code found on DIS.
As far as the luggage tag thing I was planning on doing the same thing. Have them push through with my bag also so I don't have to hit baggage claim.
Great minds must think alike. By the way I am right down the road from you in Plainfield, there's a lot of us Illinoisans on this site. Also, someone on another thread said Southwest is supposed to be joining other airlines in a few weeks for the precheck on baggage with Disney.

Kitzer, yes there is a lot of Illinoisans on this site. We love Southwest and we always seem to get a very good price with them plus you can rebook if the fair goes down. I hope they do become a participating airline that would be great. That sounds like a good plan to keep the car and spend part of the day at a park. I'm sure Dollar will be fine and it sounds like you got a good rate. When are you going?

 

[Kitzer]

June 2007