WDW without a car.

[larryz]

Thanks guys for all your help!!!!

Is it worth having a couple days in a universal hotel too? Or just get transport from WDW?

We recently spent 2 nights in the Poly wanna-be Royal Pacific hotel. It's nice, but it isn't Disney.

OTOH, it's within walking distance (5-10 mins) of the CityWalk area, which is mid-way between the two Universal parks, or one can hop a water taxi and be there in 6 or 7 mins. And the room key gets you into the Universal Express line, which will save you HOURS of waiting in line.

Best of both worlds, I'd say. Enjoy your Orlando vacation!

 

[Delta Jane]

what does taxi fare typically run to go from a park to a resort ? Ball park, reasonable ? Pricey ?

 

[iluvpluto27]

We don't drive so always rely on the disney buses, and have never had a problem. Regarding Universal, I always stay for a couple of nights at Universal. I love the FOTL, and it's always a relaxed couple of days as you can sleep in late and not worry about the queues. I also like just being able to walk back to the hotel.

 

[Baam]

We love the Disney Buses and Boats....Other than transportation from resort to resort we think it is the best way to get around the world....We have never rented a car....

 

[anonymousegirl]

I have a car booked for my trip next month, but I am wondering whether I should cancel it.

Pros for car
faster getting back to resort for lunch break
easier to pick up AP/DDE arrival night (must have before dinner that night)
easier to buy cheap booze

Negs for car
rental cost
GAS costs
driving with directional-challenged friend
must bring GPS (see above) & renting a car w/GPS too much $$$
must schlepp stuff out to shuttle and then to car

It seems like Disney's Magical Express is easier and of course, free and the park transportation okay (although we're staying at Port Orleans Riverside which gets a poor review for their buses).

I guess it comes down to time saved or hassle-saved

 

[Goofyish]

Sorry if this is an obvious question, or has been asked a hunderd times. I've not been to WDW since I was 7!

I'm planning on going next October? Is this a good time weahter wise?

I'm not old enough (24) to rent a car outside of Europe, and would like to know if there is easy transport from the hotels at WDW to all of the parks?

We never have a car in WDW and have no problems getting around the parks and resorts

You can use the Disney express to get to and from the airports or do what we do and book a Towncar transfer.
We much prefer the personal service of the Towncar transfer even though it costs more. Your driver will be waiting for you at baggage reclaim and you can also stop off en route to your resort for a grocery stop to pick up those essential room snacks

The Disney transport system is very good. You get the odd glitch during busy times of the day or getting back to tour resort at park closing, but on the whole it's a great service. We always take the view that we are on vacation and there is no need to rush anywhere

If you do need to get to a park quickly or from resort to resort - say for a meal reservation then it's easy and cheap to get a cab - just ask at your resort bell services and they will call you one.

To get off site we either use a cab or a Town car. A cab to US/IOA would be around $35 plus tip each way.

Check out the fare calculator on the Mears site:

http://www.mearstransportation.com/TaxiFareEstimator.asp

Mears also do a shuttle service to US/IOA and I think you can book this through bell services at your resort or call Mears direct to reserve a pick up time.

If you need to go to an outlet mall or the Florida Mall then we book a Towncar - it's nice to know that your are going to get picked up by a known driver with all your bags of shopping

To get to Seaworld, the cheapest option is to hop onto a Lynx bus. You can catch them at the TTC or at DTD. Look for bus number 50 and it will drop you off outside Seaworld. Fare is only a few $$.
Once at Seaworld you can catch the I-Ride trolley bus and explore International Drive for a $$

The amount we spend on cabs and Towncars comes nowhere near the cost of car rental and insurance for 2 weeks

Why not come over to the UK Trip Planning Board to get the views and tips of other Brits - it would be great to see you there

 

[Lamandpercy]

We travel from the UK every year. The only time we did have a rental car it didn't move from the AKL car park for a fortnight. Total waste of money.

The magical express will pick you up at MCO and take you back at the end of your stay. Make sure you're not flying into Sanford! The ME does not operate from there and a taxi would cost the earth. Check also your airline and that ME works with it.

Resort buses/monorails/boats are fine. You sometimes have to wait a little while but it's better than trawling back to a car when you're knackered and having to drive on the wrong side of the road to a place you don't know.

I would recommend using WDW transport - we always do. If you do need to go somewhere (like Universal SHHHH!) get a taxi. It might cost a bit but would be cheaper than car hire for a week or two.