Using (or not) a Rental Car on Property

[Robinjay]

Hello all you wonderfully helpful people!

Do any of the following plans warrant the use of a rental car on property or should we simply rely on the shuttles? We are at CBR 12/23-28 then transferring to Universal Sunday bright and early (hence the rental car). We also wanted to have a little freedom with shops and groceries.

12/23 Tuesday - MK all day after flight arrives (6 am, arrive MK at 8-9).
12/24 Wed - HWS at opening, change to MK about 6:00 pm
12/25 Thurs - MK for EMH (7am-10) then off to Epcot until 10 or so
12/26 Fri - MK all day (EMH 7am-10?)
12/27 Sat - AK for EMH (7am-10am only) then MK 11-5, then HWS 6-closing

I know I am crazy, but no kids, just hubs and me. First trip, maybe only trip. Worried about waiting around for shuttles all morning. I have touring plans printed and ready to somewhat follow (flexible but ready).

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated as I am used to Disneyland (hear the fireworks every night) and this is a new experience entirely! I have read many of the reports and stickies, but due to the time of year and craziness (and location), would love to hear from the experts.

Thanks so much!!

 

[DebbieB]

Hello all you wonderfully helpful people!

Do any of the following plans warrant the use of a rental car on property or should we simply rely on the shuttles? We are at CBR 12/23-28 then transferring to Universal Sunday bright and early (hence the rental car). We also wanted to have a little freedom with shops and groceries.

12/23 Tuesday - MK all day after flight arrives (6 am, arrive MK at 8-9).
12/24 Wed - HWS at opening, change to MK about 6:00 pm
12/25 Thurs - MK for EMH (7am-10) then off to Epcot until 10 or so
12/26 Fri - MK all day (EMH 7am-10?)
12/27 Sat - AK for EMH (7am-10am only) then MK 11-5, then HWS 6-closing

I know I am crazy, but no kids, just hubs and me. First trip, maybe only trip. Worried about waiting around for shuttles all morning. I have touring plans printed and ready to somewhat follow (flexible but ready).

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated as I am used to Disneyland (hear the fireworks every night) and this is a new experience entirely! I have read many of the reports and stickies, but due to the time of year and craziness (and location), would love to hear from the experts.

Thanks so much!!

I rent a car sometimes, especially when at a resort like CBR which is all bus service (no park within walking distance). But considering you are going at the busiest time of the year, I would take the bus. The MK parking lot is likely to close for capacity early, so you may not get in midday.

 

[Alesia]

I wouldn't bother to rent a car during Christmas. In fact, I wouldn't even drive if I had my own car unless it was absolutely necessary.

You can have groceries delivered. Look into either gardengrocer.com or wegoshop.com

 

[Robinjay]

When we booked our car, our flight was coming in at 4:45 am. It has since changed to 6:12 am. We really just decided we needed a case of water to be happy since we are on the DDP.

When we transfer to Universal, we need to leave CBR and be at the Royal Pacific Resort before 6 am to check in, get our tickets and be at the gate before 7 for Early Park Admission (HP fans). We thought it would be easier with a car (and the two day car rental was obnoxiously high, the weekly rate was decent). Since I never really use taxis, are they easy to get in the 5:00 hour?

Thank you so much for the information! Have been on the fence about the rental car since day one. Since we leave in 25 hours, I guess I better decide!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I have a rental car now because I'm changing hotels and doing offsite parks. I typically rely entirely on Disney transportation. I have to say I HATE driving on Disney property. The signs are confusing and no one (myself included) knows where they are going. It's a recipe for disaster. That being said, when I woke up at 4 for my early morning flight down with a cold and realized I didn't have cold meds, it was a relief knowing that if I needed to go off property I could. I also found that utilizing dollar express (where you just walk into the garage and find your car assignment on the board, get into the car and leave...no lines), I made it to Disney faster than others who were on the same flight as me that took DME.

If the rate is really good, park the car and have it ready for universal. But don't try to drive at Disney.

 

[Alesia]

When we booked our car, our flight was coming in at 4:45 am. It has since changed to 6:12 am. We really just decided we needed a case of water to be happy since we are on the DDP.

When we transfer to Universal, we need to leave CBR and be at the Royal Pacific Resort before 6 am to check in, get our tickets and be at the gate before 7 for Early Park Admission (HP fans). We thought it would be easier with a car (and the two day car rental was obnoxiously high, the weekly rate was decent). Since I never really use taxis, are they easy to get in the 5:00 hour?

Thank you so much for the information! Have been on the fence about the rental car since day one. Since we leave in 25 hours, I guess I better decide!

Taxis are plentiful around the clock. All you have to do is äsk someone at bell services to call one up for you.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Since you're spending so many days or parts of days at MK, I'd say use Disney transportation. Driving, you'll repeatedly be going through the TTC. Using buses and monorail, your only indirect access will be that one move on Thursday from MK to Epcot. All the other transfers will be park-to-park by bus.

You can order water from Staples, or even buy a gallon or two from the resort gift shop. That, combined with a taxi to US, will be a lot more cost-effective than renting a car.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't think a car is NEEDED for your schedule. However, you're talking some LONG days in CROWDED parks. The only benefit I see to a car is it MIGHT be somewhat quicker, especially going between parks.

HOWEVER, I think you're going to be tired starting on day 2 (if not the evening of day 1), and tired + driving + unfamiliar roads + high traffic = bad combination.

Add in parking lots may be full when you switch parks.

I know you're going to be excited and "hopped up" on day 1, but I *HIGHLY* suggest making that a partial day in the park and/or sleeping in on day 2.

 

[Robinjay]

I don't think a car is NEEDED for your schedule. However, you're talking some LONG days in CROWDED parks. The only benefit I see to a car is it MIGHT be somewhat quicker, especially going between parks.

HOWEVER, I think you're going to be tired starting on day 2 (if not the evening of day 1), and tired + driving + unfamiliar roads + high traffic = bad combination.

Add in parking lots may be full when you switch parks.

I know you're going to be excited and "hopped up" on day 1, but I *HIGHLY* suggest making that a partial day in the park and/or sleeping in on day 2.

Yes, you are an expert and reevaluating we will likely cut short our first day. Our plan is ambitious and what we would like to do, definitely not a must do! Thanks for the honest advice. The EMH in the AM at MK are also something we may cut too - just depends on what we can get done and how tired we are. Thanks for putting it into perspective!

 

[bumbershoot]

HOWEVER, I think you're going to be tired starting on day 2 (if not the evening of day 1), and tired + driving + unfamiliar roads + high traffic = bad combination.

Add in parking lots may be full when you switch parks.

I know you're going to be excited and "hopped up" on day 1, but I *HIGHLY* suggest making that a partial day in the park and/or sleeping in on day 2.

"all day after flight arrives (6 am, arrive MK at 8-9). "...they are going to be exhausted from the start.

I have to say I HATE driving on Disney property. The signs are confusing and no one (myself included) knows where they are going. It's a recipe for disaster.

Go to the concierge desk at your resort and ask for a GOOD map of the property. They have a variety of maps, and our first time it took us a couple tries to get it. Get the bigger one.

The important thing is to know what area you are in; are you in the DTD area, the WWoS area, AK area, etc? Then know where you are going.

For instance, are you going from SSR to Epcot? That's DTD area to, well, Epcot area. Follow the signs out from where you are to the area where you're going.

This won't always be the most direct route, but once you get the areas right, you won't actually get lost.

Have someone read the signs and another person follow the sign-reader. If the navigator is someone who communicates poorly or with sighs or those sudden intakes of breath to indicate the driver is doing something wrong, or if it gets passive-aggressive in the car, SWITCH. Clear and concise reading of signs is important, clear and concise "get in the left lane about now" sort of communication is important, and the driver actually listening to the navigator is important.

It's not too late to turn it around! Unless you're leaving today. Then it is. But maybe you can get back to the airport like a rockstar.

 

[Robinjay]

Another issue with letting go of the car for us is how far away from check in and check out the units are at CBR. When we go to leave, would we have to get a shuttle to get to the check out station or do they let you check out like in a hotel from your unit? Would a taxi pick your up at your unit as well?

Thanks again for all the valuable information everyone!!

 

[Robinjay]

"all day after flight arrives (6 am, arrive MK at 8-9). "...they are going to be exhausted from the start.



Go to the concierge desk at your resort and ask for a GOOD map of the property. They have a variety of maps, and our first time it took us a couple tries to get it. Get the bigger one.

The important thing is to know what area you are in; are you in the DTD area, the WWoS area, AK area, etc? Then know where you are going.

For instance, are you going from SSR to Epcot? That's DTD area to, well, Epcot area. Follow the signs out from where you are to the area where you're going.

This won't always be the most direct route, but once you get the areas right, you won't actually get lost.

Have someone read the signs and another person follow the sign-reader. If the navigator is someone who communicates poorly or with sighs or those sudden intakes of breath to indicate the driver is doing something wrong, or if it gets passive-aggressive in the car, SWITCH. Clear and concise reading of signs is important, clear and concise "get in the left lane about now" sort of communication is important, and the driver actually listening to the navigator is important.

It's not too late to turn it around! Unless you're leaving today. Then it is. But maybe you can get back to the airport like a rockstar.

Yes, we are leaving in 3 1/2 hours for the airport You convinced us NOT to drive on property (well, everyone else did, but you solidified it). We will use shuttles and save our marriage!!! One of us doesn't know clear and concise and the other is passive-aggressive.

Thanks for the brutally honest overviews all! I truly have learned so much in the past 6 months of reading the boards!

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, we are leaving in 3 1/2 hours for the airport You convinced us NOT to drive on property (well, everyone else did, but you solidified it). We will use shuttles and save our marriage!!! One of us doesn't know clear and concise and the other is passive-aggressive.

Thanks for the brutally honest overviews all! I truly have learned so much in the past 6 months of reading the boards!

We can only drive on property after years of nearly killing each other while navigating.

Our wedding nearly didn't happen because we live in WA and got married in OR, and the area where our florist, photographer, and site were in Portland involved incredibly complicated streets and we got into awful arguments each and every time we had a wedding-planning trip.

And I once drove in Ireland (other side of the road, other side of the car, stick shift with my left hand!) with a then-best friend whose sole method of navigation was the quick intake of breath method. I never knew if I had missed a turn, had moved to the wrong side of the road, or was about to run into a flock of sheep.

Although now I do like driving on property, there's been a lot of practice leading to the ability to do it.

Arguments can happen at WDW anyway; might as well avoid the ones you can!