To rent or not to rent???

[Buzzfan]

We are staying at CSR in December (4-10) and wondered whether or not to rent a car. Here are my questions...

1. Do you pay for parking at the parks when staying at an on-site resort?

2. What is the bus system like at CSR?

3. If we want to take a rest break in the afternoon - is it easy to get a bus back to our resort? How often do the buses leave from the parks throughout the day?

4. We have tickets to MVMCP - will getting a bus back to the resort after the party at 12:00 be crazy busy?

We don't plan on leaving the resort to go anywhere else off-site (except possibly a grocery stop) - so what are your thoughts, should we rent a car????

Thanks so much.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I can tell you that Disney resort guests do not pay to park at any of the theme parks. Whether to rent or not is always coming up on the boards. We have not rented a car in many years. Disney transportation is very good and runs about every 15-20 minutes with more buses at peak times. I don't think that CSR shares with any other resorts so you would have direct buses to all the parks from your resort. We always go back to our room after spending a few morning hours in the parks. We have never had a problem taking a bus back to our resort in the middle of the day. I don't know about what it would be like after the MVMCP. Normally Disney adjusts for special events and the large crowds that exit at park closings so there are a lot of buses running.
One last thought....I am assuming that MVMCP is held at the Magic Kingdom. Only Disney buses are allowed near the entrance of the MK. If you drive you would have to park at the TTC so you would need to take the boat or monorail over to the TTC after the party. Depending on how far away you parked you might need the tram to your car. IMHO this would take a lot longer than hopping on your resort bus. All Disney buses load right outside the MK entrance....a very short walk to the bus stops.

 

[daisax]

For me, personally, the tram to the parking lot and a short pleasant drive in my own blissfully quiet air conditioned car is preferable to sharing a bus with 100 hot, tired, cranky people (especially hot, tired, cranky pre-verbal people!)

But then as a family we tend to be antisocial -- I get enough "people" in the parks. Don't need them coming and going as well.

On the other hand, some people hate driving with a passion and to them dealing with the crowds is nothing compared to having to drive.

Something for everyone.

I do find CSR very convenient to practically everywhere -- right off the highway.

 

[soccerchick]

We stayed at CSR during spring break one year - our first on-site. It was wonderful. We were near bus stop #4 and never waited long. I can't remember where the stops for CSR were at all of the parks, but it seemed like it was always pretty close - I don't remember a long walk or long wait anywhere.

 

[dzneelvr]

Don't rent a car...it really is a waste of time and money. You can pick a limo or towncar service and include a grocery stop on the way to the resort. After that, you won't need anything outside of Disney transportation. They really do a remarkable job. I can't imagine trying to navigate through all the traffic and exits with a rental car as one advertisement used to say....leave the driving to us!

 

[holdem]

do you know if a 17 year old can drive a rental car?

 

[DVC-Don]

We always rent (cept one trip) as we grocery shop and wander offsite often. The only park we always take the bus to is the MK.

 

[CarolA]

The one place I never drive to is MK and I drive everyplace. Let's see you can take a boat to the parking lot and then a tram and then sit in traffic... Or you can wait in line for the monorail...etc... I find the bus service there great. Front door drop off and pick up, no boats, monorails, trams....

 

[MiniMe]

Holdem - I beleive some rental car places have age requirements, but some will let you pay an additional fee for a younger driver. Check the website of different companies to see what there policy is.

 

[holdem]

thanks for the help

 

[CarolA]

do you know if a 17 year old can drive a rental car?

No and if any driver is between 18 and 25 you must pay a surcharge.

 

[holdem]

thanks. do you know any timeshare properties that offer shuttle service to the parks?