Torn on getting a rental car for our trip in May, convince me one way or the other.

[kiteri]

Okay... I have only been to Disney twice. Once in May of 99 and once in September of 2007.

The first trip in May of 1999 we didn't have any kids, and rode and LOVED the busses. They were rarely packed, came often and we just loved not having to drive anywhere.

The second trip in September of 2007 I had a 7 year old and a 5 year old. We would wait for a really long time for a bus to show up, and it would fill up with ECV's and people with huge double strollers, and then we would have to wait for the next bus. We assumed it was just because we went during a busy time with it being Labor Day week during free dining.

I really don't want to drive, but don't want to wait in really long lines for busses that fill up with just a few people with ECV's/strollers.

Has anyone else gone in May and found the lower crowds made the busses easier to use?

Is driving really that much faster and more convenient than the busses?

Any input from the DIS gurus is GREATLY appreciated.

P.S. We are staying at ASMu if that matters for ease of driving vs. riding the busses.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

We love having our own car to come and go if we please. We have not done the busses because we have always had a car. It is nice to go off property when you want to check things out or you really need something from Target or Walmart. We do not like relying on someone else to get around. It is very easy to navigate around disney with your own car. If you do a search for disney transportation you should find some opinions on it. From what I've read, it is not as good as it used to be. Cost can be a deciding factor also. Rentals seem very high priced right now. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[wdwrich]

Having visited WDW over the years both with and without a rental car, we now always rent a car. Getting to/from the parks (with the possible exception of MK, but even that's open to debate) is faster with your own vehicle. Going from resort to resort (especially in the evening for ADRs) is light years easier and faster with your own car. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Brian Noble]

We almost always have a car---we just budget for it, and we prefer having one. We have taken one "bonus budget" trip down where we went without, and it wasn't the end of the world, but we still prefer having a car.

If you are only going to the four main theme parks, it's a little bit less of an issue---a car is nicer, but probably not totally necessary. If you plan to go to other Disney destinations than once or twice, it's even better to have a car. If you have any desire to go offsite for any reason, a car is mandatory.

 

[VAN]

We try to keep costs down for our visits and have gone without a rental car.

We now get a rental car ... it really takes the stress out of our visits. There is an excellent site map on the back of the resort map that allows us to drive in the most efficient manner to our destination. Love, love, love not having to wait for a bus!!!

It's certainly do-able without a car; however, based on experience, we now get a rental car! I think its worth every penny!

 

[jharrowell]

To add to what the others have said. Whenever cost isn't a factor, I get a rental car.

Using car, getting around is easy at Disney with all travel times apart to MK usually being shorter. It also means you can pop off property to another park or do a run to Publix/Walmart and pick up bottled water, or bottles of Coke, etc. for a fraction of the price you pay in the parks.

If money is an issue, Disney Transportation is acceptable, but the freedom of having your own car is so much better that given a choice I'd save a little extra and get the car.

 

[mill4023]

Sometimes it's nice to not have to worry about driving. But we like the flexibility that having a car gives us. Being able to run to Walmart and pick up bottled water, snacks, or whatever else we need, is really nice. We also occasionally venture away from the world and a car makes that much easier.

 

[Poohbug]

We went to WDW last May and I have to say the waits for buses were the worst of any trip we have been on.

Maybe I am getting more impatient in my old age, but it seemed to take forever for the bus to get to the destination(wait for bus, extra stops, etc). We did rent a car because we flew into Sanford and we ended up using it alot because it was just easier.

I did see alot of buses filling up with ECVs and I think we actually got to sit down one time during the whole trip. They also seemed to like to cram as many people as possible in those buses. Not so much fun with three kids and a stroller.

My ideal would be to have the car if we needed it. You can always use the buses also and just use the car when you want to.