To rent or not to rent, that is the ?

[Mom&RN]

OK so I know this is a chocolate vs. vanilla kind of question but I'd love some input. Though I've been to Disney a number of times I have never stayed on site and rented a car, its either been on site with no car or off site with a car. My DS and I are heading to Disney in 8 days and we'll only be there for four days this time. Because the stay is so short I've been trying to come up with every idea I can to save time. Does having a rental car save time in the long run?? How long does it take to get from POP to the airport? Will having a car (instead of taking DME) mean more time in the parks on our last day? I wasn't considering a car initially but just checked hotwire on a whim and there are some REALLY cheap car rental rates right now. Thanks!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

We really enjoyed having a car while onsite. We've never done it the other way, as that was our very first WDW trip. But since our trip was rather long, some days we took the buses, and some days we took the car. The bus days were varied...some good, some "meh", and two rotten moments. The car days were GREAT. We'll be renting a car again, most definitely!

 

[madaboutMickey]

We always rent a car. We are DVC owners so we make a grocery stop. Also usually go off-site for dinner once or twice. We like to drive to all the parks except for MK (since the bus stops are so much closer than the parking lot)because it saves time rather than waiting for the bus.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Never used or rented a car yet.....it's what we found wonderful after our first stay...disney hauls you around for free.....it's also why we keep going back...no expense for renting a car....

Does it save time? We don't really care, we're on vacation and the transportation system is a part of the experience....what could a car save you in a day going to 2 parks...what 20 minutes....nope...not for us, we do not need that control....bus or boat or monorail takes us from our resort right to the parks entrance and same going back...no gas to buy, no walking across a huge parking lot or looking for the car in a huge parking lot....no worries about dents and dings or finding our way out with hundreds of others....

As for traveling resort to resort...we don't do that, maybe one time but it's easy, no problems.....

 

[ToyStory]

We always rent a car. We always use the resort check in for our luggage so we don't need to deal with our luggage at the airport. We just drop off our car and go right through security. Yes I will admit there was a time or two that we were running to the gate to catch our plane.

We usually get the dining plan so it helps out if we want to eat at some of the restaurants at resorts instead of taking a bus to another park and then catch a bus to the resort. We always take the bus to MK to save time, however if we go to MK on our departure day we take the car. Just make sure you consider the time of the monorail to the TTC

We usually have bad luck with the busses. We try to get to the parks prior to rope drop and it always seems that every other bus is for the park we aren't going to so we are waiting. Usually the bus that we want we miss it by a few seconds and have to wait for the next one. Not a bus issue, but just bad luck. Of course DH gets mad at whoever was the one who was dragging their feet or had to run back to get something from the room.

We usually do a grocery run to get water and breakfast items since we eat breakfast in the room to save time in the morning. We use our meal credits for lunch and dinner.

If my mother comes with us we still rent a midsize car instead of a mini van to save money. We can squeeze all of us in the car, but the luggage is the issue. So my mom, my youngest son and I take DME and my DH and oldest son get the rental car. We usually arrive a few minutes after them at the resort. Therfore DME takes the luggage, my son likes watching the video and my husband gets a break from us LOL. Going home isn't an issue because of the ability to check in at the resort and we all take the rental car back to the airport.

 

[Mom&RN]

Thank you all for your input. I guess it really is a matter of preference. In the past I would definately say that I have enjoyed not having to deal with a car and since this is only a four day stay I guess I'm leaning towards not getting a car again.... I think this may not be the trip to try something new. I think I'll wait until next year when we're planning a much longer trip. I really do appreciate everyones input!!

 

[prncess674]

Pros to renting a car:

• You can leave the airport as soon as you get in your car, no waiting on the uncertainty of DME
• Ability to go to resort dining without a Disney transfer
• Never having to worry about standing on line for a WDW bus
• Better safety for small kids who travel in car seats
• Ability to make off site cheap grocery stops
• Ability to eat off site if you so desire
• Ability to visit off site attractions

Cons to renting a car:

• $$ to rent a car
• If you are uncomfortable driving in other cities (with a little research of maps from the airport to WDW you should be fine)
• If you plan to drink at dinner, you wouldn't be able to drive unless you have a DD
• DME doesn't transport your luggage to your resort, hence having to wait at luggage claim (my experience is 15 minutes)
• WDW transpo leaves on THEIR TIME, not yours. (I value my time and am educated enough to follow maps and signage, so letting Disney do the driving isn't a huge relief)
• Super crowded busses if you leave after parades and/or parades, which may mean standing at the end of a long hot day
• Transfers when heading to resort dining (allow 90 minutes when traveling resort to resort.)

Always depending on WDW transpo

 

[rrbar]

One tip I saw was for when Iluminations was over, walk over to the Beach and Yacht club and go to the front entrance and take a taxi back. This might save you a lot of time that one night. You could budget in 1 or 2 taxis to save time- from what people say at the end of fireworks and Illuminations are the longer wait times for buses- but yet not have the full expense of a car. That is what we are planning on doing as we don't mind the buses for the most part.

 

[Mom&RN]

Pros to renting a car:

• You can leave the airport as soon as you get in your car, no waiting on the uncertainty of DME
• Ability to go to resort dining without a Disney transfer
• Never having to worry about standing on line for a WDW bus
• Better safety for small kids who travel in car seats
• Ability to make off site cheap grocery stops
• Ability to eat off site if you so desire
• Ability to visit off site attractions

Cons to renting a car:

• $$ to rent a car
• If you are uncomfortable driving in other cities (with a little research of maps from the airport to WDW you should be fine)
• If you plan to drink at dinner, you wouldn't be able to drive unless you have a DD
• DME doesn't transport your luggage to your resort, hence having to wait at luggage claim (my experience is 15 minutes)
• WDW transpo leaves on THEIR TIME, not yours. (I value my time and am educated enough to follow maps and signage, so letting Disney do the driving isn't a huge relief)
• Super crowded busses if you leave after parades and/or parades, which may mean standing at the end of a long hot day
• Transfers when heading to resort dining (allow 90 minutes when traveling resort to resort.)

Always depending on WDW transpo

Thank you Princess 674 - this is a great list of pros and cons and I appreciate it!!