Transportation, always the bane of Disney trips for us

[Zim]

Since I've come to the conclusion that the nickel and diming of car parking daily EVERYWHERE just doesn't make it feasible to rent one for the week of activities (as I understand it even Disney hotels charge to park your car there?) - between that, US/IOA parking fees and port parking fees I figured it would end up costing more.

So, we're doing 2 days in Disney, a day at Universal and a 3-night Dream cruise. I THINK I've come up with our best options. But anyone who has a better suggest for any part of this please let me know (hence why this is on the budget board)...

Tuesday of our trip in early December - a regular taxi to and from AoA to Universal. Figuring on $40 +tip each way. We're trying to do both parks in one day with an Express pass, so we wanted transportation that got us there first thing in the morning and will get us back when we feel like it

Thursday we head out to the port and signed up for Tony Hinds transport. Just a bit more thank DCL and I thought a direct drive there without potential waits on the bus at other hotels would make it worth it for the four of us.

When we get off the ship we're renting a car to get to the airport for a late afternoon flight. Since we get off the boat so early we're hoping to make a pitstop at Full Sail University for my DD15 to check it out. I can't think of a better transport option that allows us this pit stop on the way to MCO, and at $56 seemed pretty reasonable.

If someone thinks renting a car for the full week and dealing with parking fees is better based on your experience let me know - seems I can rent a car for the entire week for about $170

Thanks in advance!

 

[scrapquitler]

Since I've come to the conclusion that the nickel and diming of car parking daily EVERYWHERE just doesn't make it feasible to rent one for the week of activities (as I understand it even Disney hotels charge to park your car there?) - between that, US/IOA parking fees and port parking fees I figured it would end up costing more.

So, we're doing 2 days in Disney, a day at Universal and a 3-night Dream cruise. I THINK I've come up with our best options. But anyone who has a better suggest for any part of this please let me know (hence why this is on the budget board)...

Tuesday of our trip in early December - a regular taxi to and from AoA to Universal. Figuring on $40 +tip each way. We're trying to do both parks in one day with an Express pass, so we wanted transportation that got us there first thing in the morning and will get us back when we feel like it

Thursday we head out to the port and signed up for Tony Hinds transport. Just a bit more thank DCL and I thought a direct drive there without potential waits on the bus at other hotels would make it worth it for the four of us.

When we get off the ship we're renting a car to get to the airport for a late afternoon flight. Since we get off the boat so early we're hoping to make a pitstop at Full Sail University for my DD15 to check it out. I can't think of a better transport option that allows us this pit stop on the way to MCO, and at $56 seemed pretty reasonable.

If someone thinks renting a car for the full week and dealing with parking fees is better based on your experience let me know - seems I can rent a car for the entire week for about $170

Thanks in advance!

If you are staying in a Disney Hotel, you don't pay to park at your hotel or at the parks.

 

[beansmom]

^^ this is correct. DIsney hotel guests don't pay parking at parks or hotels.

 

[NC State Tigger]

Check out the cruise threads on DIS. There is a parking facility just before you get to the terminal that charges about $6 a day for parking (I think we used a coupon we got off line, too). They make reservations, so you know you have a spot to park.

I can't remember the name of the facility, but they will take you to the terminal, drop you right at the door and pick you up after the cruise to take you back to your car. We parked there 2 times in the past and saved on parking rather then parking at the terminal. It would cost less than the transport charge and you would be able to stop going to the port if you wanted to pick up anything for the cruise before boarding and whatever you want to do going back to MCO.

Not sure when you are traveling, but be sure to keep checking for rates for your car rental. Often rates go down and there are sometimes last minute specials. Don't forget about discount codes and Costco often has great rates.

 

[wiigirl]

If you are staying in a Disney Hotel, you don't pay to park at your hotel or at the parks.

 

[ceecee]

Maybe you could rent the car for just what you need it for then drop it off at the car care center and use Disney transportation for the remaining time. We have done that the last 2 times, rented a car at Tampa for 4 nights then dropped off our luggage at the hotel and then took the car to the car care center, super easy! Several minutes and you're done, they will take you to a park or the hotel. The gas station is right next door so you fill the tank there. Alamo is what we used all the times we've rented. Alamo and National are the preferred rentals that you can drop off at WDW, some of the hotels have drop offs as well so you don't even take the car anywhere. You can get some great deals on rentals as well, depending on when you travel, just keep checking.

 

[Leigha]

Maybe you've been reading about the Swan & Dolphin. They charge for parking but aren't Disney owned.

 

[OhMari]

if you call the same cab driver, (if he is still working) they will give you a deal. You need to ask for his phone number to call him when you want to go back.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I say rent a car for the week. You are then free to do what ever you want whenever. The only parking fee you will have to pay is at Universal and at the Port.


You are planning to spend $80 - $90 just to get to/from Universal yet you said you can rent a car for $170. for a week. So the cab fare will cost you half of what a weekly car rental will be and the cab fee is for one day. Looks like the best option is the car rental.

Keep looking on the Transportation thread for discount/coupon codes for Dec.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3055826

 

[Zim]

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. I thought I read somewhere that Disney charged $12 per day for cars at their hotel. Now that I think about it I believe that was Universal hotels.

The good thing is all the stuff I've set up can be canceled. I'll definitely take everyone's advice and watch for codes on the transportation thread.

 

[Mickey527]

I have never taken a cruise directly from Disney but don't they have a bus that will take you from the parks to Port the same as Magic Express and then from Port to the airport? If you are not staying at a Disney resort this alone would make it worth the cost of the resort.
If you are interested in renting a car check out the Transportation site. Look up the KLM code for National Car rental. You have to join KLM but when you rent a car using that code they cover all insurance and the rates are lower than if you rent without using that code. I got a car for 1 week for under $200 with full coverage. Just do a search for KLM.

 

[Badamon]

I would cut all the hassle of juggling transportation and rent a car.
Also, interested in what you think of Full Sail University! We're looking at schools with our DS.
Have a great vacation!

 

[bumbershoot]

I have never taken a cruise directly from Disney but don't they have a bus that will take you from the parks to Port the same as Magic Express and then from Port to the airport? If you are not staying at a Disney resort this alone would make it worth the cost of the resort.

DCL runs a bus that can take you from Disney resort to Port and back, or airport to port and back. (you can do just one way if you need)

But it's $35 per person EACH way. Not a budget option, though it's what we have used so far simply because we LIKE it.



OP at Universal if you're parking at the themepark lot, yes you pay. If you're staying overnight at a hotel and parking in the hotel lot, yes you pay. You wouldn't pay for both, however, because it makes no sense at all to drive from the hotel lot to the park lot; you just walk, boat, shuttle, or pedicab to the parks from the hotel.

 

[Zim]

I would cut all the hassle of juggling transportation and rent a car.
Also, interested in what you think of Full Sail University! We're looking at schools with our DS.
Have a great vacation!

See now that's the thing, I feel like the rental car will be more inconvenient. Right now getting the best price ($167 through Costco or $158 through Hotwire) require off site car rental places. And you never know how long the lines will be, how long you'll wait for luggage, we've been spoiled by ME!

Then I factored $14 for US / IOA and $8/day at that off site Port parking plus gas fill up. Renting a car will essentially save me about $40-$50.

However, I really liked the drop off at port side last time we went. I like not having to worry about printing off loads of directions to here and there, and not fretting about rental car lines. I think if I don't get some crazy amazing deal on a rental car between now and our trip, I may stick with what I've got.

On the Full Sail - I'll definitely post a report (hm, which thread do I add THAT to??) My DD LOVES media and is in all these extended courses. She fell in love with the recruiter schpeel. I'm very hesitant as it's essentially a 2 year trade school at regular school prices (you do go ALL year, including summer). I get the impression from some boards online that there is high student AND teacher burn out as a result. But I'll keep an open mind, I swear!

 

[disneymayz]

Disneyland resorts charge parking. I would go with renting a car. That just me. The value of having the car there whenever I need it is well worth it. Don't have to wait for buses at the end of a long day at a park. It's not hard to get to any of the places you named. Parking at terminal - check out what PP said. Watch using "off-terminal" rental places as they have bad reviews. Not all but I would not rent a car without knowing first hand which company.

 

[Zim]

Woot! I just got a $148 for the week deal at Alamo... so now I have both options booked and can relax while I wonder which to keep.

I'm leaning toward the rental car now!! Thanks for everyone's help!!

 

[disneymayz]

Woot! I just got a $148 for the week deal at Alamo... so now I have both options booked and can relax while I wonder which to keep.

I'm leaning toward the rental car now!! Thanks for everyone's help!!

Good deal!!!! Keep watching because you may get it cheaper and/or you maybe able to move up a class for the same price.

 

[Zim]

Good deal!!!! Keep watching because you may get it cheaper and/or you maybe able to move up a class for the same price.

Thanks for the advice, Costco prices just dropped... changed to Budget through them for $125! I lost my 'skip to lines' option, but save another $25!