Transportation dilemma

[pooky_uk]

Hi All

After some advice/opinions.....

We have booked a 10day stay in Disney All Stars and a 4 day cruise - the travel agent suggested transportation (from Airport - hotel - cruise - airport) as this is the more popular and easier method (opposed to car hire)....however....after reading many many posting on here and the cruise forum I am wondering if Car Hire would be better:

1. Personally I hate sticking to timetables (and sticking to a bus schedule will really bug me!)
2. We plan to do DC, SW, US & IOA( as well as the disney parks)...and take in some retail therapy so I tought having a car would be more convinient
3. I have read on the cruise forum that you should try and get to the terminal as early as poss. as you can usually get on board the ship earlier than the scheduled emabarkation time. Therefore, if we stick with our transportation we may miss out on some quiet/explotration time on the cruise as the caoches tend to arrive later
4. Rather than getting the transportation from the cruise terminal to the airport - we could drive back into WDW - head for DTD, spend out last hours there and check in our luggage at the virgin desk there (beleive this has to be before 1pm?)

Downsides of hiring a car
1. Getting used to driving on the right!
2. Drving!
3. Charges of leaving the car in the cruise terminal
4. Getting lost!

Cost wise it will be an extra £30 for the car hire as opposed to transportation...so really not an issue!

Would love your views on this.......

Many thanks

Laura

 

[Celestine]

WE are in a similar position - stay & then cruise & never considered noy having a car. Even when on-site we don't use the transport we always drive as we tend to find we're more in control, esp. if DD is having a tantrum or is rather sleepy. You also aren't tied to paying Disney prices for all your meals. We met a family last year who thought they would use the transport, but always ended up cabbing it home! If moeny is an issue, see if you can end the rental at Port Canaveral & then do another hire to get you back to the airport? Don'tr worry about the driving - Americans seem to be quite easy going & used to us getting a bit confused - just make sure you turn out of a junction onto the correct side of the road!!!

 

[pooky_uk]

Thanks Celestine - I really do think I am going to go with the car option - precisely for the reason you have stated, it appears to give more freedom of choice...

This will be our first time to WDW......



Just a bit concerned about the actual driving!!!! But I guess we will get used to it - like you say, just hope we don't end up turning in the wrong direction

Thanks

Laura

 

[allie5]

Hi Laura

I think the car is the best option for you. You have stated all the obvious benefits, the main one being flexibility.

It is really easy to drive in Florida. I am not a very confident driver but even I had a crack at it last year and it was EASY!! The roads are much wider than ours and traffic moves slower. There is plenty of time to anticipate turns and all the cars are autos, so its like driving a toy car...just stop and go!!

I would invest in a DECENT map and dont ask Americans for directions!!!!! Also, ignore all of the tourist maps and maps in the holiday brochures as they are more of an "artists impression" and dont resemble anything like the real road network. The roads are fairly well signed and you quickly learn your way around. Road are also set out "gridlike" so if you miss a turn its easy to get back to where you were! Honestly, it really is not a problem! If you do do the worst and turn into the wrong lane, there are PLENTY of cut throughs (put there especially for UK tourists I think) and you can get out of trouble fast. We did it once on our first trip but never since!

Allie

 

[Miffy2003]

Originally posted by pooky_uk
the travel agent suggested transportation (from Airport - hotel - cruise - airport) as this is the more popular and easier method (opposed to car hire

Hi Laura,

I'm really surprised about this. Amost everyone I know that has been to or goes to Florida on a regular basis drives. Yes you can go and have a good time without a car, especially if you are staying onsite (which you are). But if you want to go and visit places offsite (which you say you do) I personally think you will find it a million times easier with a car.

JMO!

By the way, driving over there is a piece of cake. Much easier than in the UK

Karen