What are the "must dos" if you have a car and staying at BWV?

[luckytso]

Now I am really in the planning mode for the Feb. trip.

On the transportation board, people convinced me to get a rental car, rather than the towncar service.

Since we have never had a rental car at WDW, I would like to maximize the use of the car. Living in the NYC area for many years, we are very used to public transportations, and driving around WDW is really new to us.

Can you tell me what your "must do" when you have a car in the world? I have 2 girls, 1 & 4 years old, and I think my mother is coming with us too. I think we may stay at BWV in a 2-bedroom, so we will have a full kitchen.

Thanks very much.

 

[DebbieB]

I always rent a car when staying at OKW or BWV. We take the car to AK, DD and sometimes MK. We got groceries at the new WinnDixie last time, they had good prices. There is a new Publix next to Premium Outlets, we may try it out when we stay at BWV next weekend. There are restaurants at the Crossroads if you're looking for less expensive non-Disney places (Unos, TGIF, Jungle Jims). We go to the Disney outlets at Premium Outlets and Belz Outlets, great prices on discontinued park items (first quality). I love the freedom of the car and driving around WDW is easy.

 

[jcodespoti]

As far as must do's. I would say top on my list is hit the grocery store(although you can do this with some town car services).
I also prefer to use a car, it allows for more flexabilty to get from one resort to another. But I have zero kids so i'll end here

Joe in CT

 

[luckytso]

Thanks for your replies. These are great tips!!!

Where is "Crossroads"? Will BWV be able to get me a WDW map so that we know our way around? Uno sounds great for a change. What is Jungle Jim?

I will look for the direction to get to Winn Dixie and Publix on this Board. I remember there were some discussions before regarding directions to these places.

Also, it is free parking everywhere, whether at any of the WDW resorts or the parks, is that right?

I looked up these 2 outlets on the web and I would like to visit the Premium outlet if we have some down time. What is the best route to get there from BWV?

Thanks

 

[EROS]

Lucky, you can get an excellent transportation map of WDW when you check into BWV.

I'd use the car to also see SeaWorld if you're so inclined. We also generally drive to the water parks from BWV; they're closeby. For MGM, it's fun to take the boat over.

 

[sweetp267]

I always get a car. That is my preference for two main reasons.

One: I play golf when I am in WDW. I don't want to be chained to just the WDW courses. Not that they aren't good, but I want to try something different each time I visit.

Two: Probably a little more importantly, I am in control of my destiny getting back to the airport. I almost had a brush with missing my flight because the first shuttle couldn't handle the three of us and our luggage because they stopped elsewhere before our pickup and the next shuttle cut it so close we almost missed the plane.

There are other reasons of course, like when you eat at the hotels, to get from one to another, you have to transfer from one bus to another and you never seem to budget enough travel time so that you don't miss your reservation. You also can get groceries at a store instead of the inflated prices and limited selection at the resorts and we always seem to take at least one day to visit Universal. If we didn't my daughter would probably make the rest of the trip miserable.

If you can afford the rental, I say go for it. If you are on a budget and need that extra $150-250 for other reasons, you would still have a good time using the buses and transfers to and from.

Good luck!

 

[dizfanz]

Everyone will tell you to go grocery shopping, that's a given. I especially enjoy picking up breakfast items instead of going out to b'fast. This alone could save you $20-30/day. Also, buy snacks and bottle water to carry around the parks. Besides that, go to different hotels and try restaurants you may never have tried. It is so nice to just drive in 5 minutes to AKL and dine at one of the restaurants instead of having to wait for the bus and wasting possibly 30 minutes to get there. Another idea, I never wanted to go to Universal, but my last trip I gave it a shot. We just went to City Walk which is free, and so much better than Downtown Disney. Try Emeril's restaurant. Easily the best meal I have had in Orlando.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You do not need a car at BWV. You can walk to Epcot as well as MGM. The two other parks can be had by taking a bus. You will not be going to water parks in February, but you have a wonderful pool right there at BWV for the warm days of Feb. Now getting around in a car at WDW is easy for us that use a car all the time but for someone that is not used to driving there it can get confusing. There are some resorts that a car is necessary like OKW but over at BWV it is really a waste.

 

[DebbieB]

Where is "Crossroads"? Will BWV be able to get me a WDW map so that we know our way around? Uno sounds great for a change. What is Jungle Jim?

The front desk will be able to give you a map. For Crossroads, make a right out of BW, left at the light, go straight until you pass Downtown Disney, make a right at Hotel Resorts Blvd and go straight at the light at rte 535, it takes you right into the Crossroads Shopping Center. Jungle Jim's is a family restaurant, similiar to Fridays.

I will look for the direction to get to Winn Dixie and Publix on this Board. I remember there were some discussions before regarding directions to these places

To get to the Winn Dixie, follow the directions for Crossroads, except turn left at the light at rte 535. It's about a 1/2 mile on the right, just past a liquor store.

Also, it is free parking everywhere, whether at any of the WDW resorts or the parks, is that right?

parking is free at the parks, they give you a pass to put on your dashboard. Self parking is free at the resorts, but they usually give you a 3 hour pass at the MK resorts. Valet is $6 per day except for DVC resorts where it is free to members.

I looked up these 2 outlets on the web and I would like to visit the Premium outlet if we have some down time. What is the best route to get there from BWV?

Follow the directions for Crossroads, except make a right at the rte. 535 light. After turning, get in the left lane and make a left at the next light right after the I-4 overpass (Vineland Road). Premium Outlets is about a mile down the road, just past the Shrine church. There is also a new Publix, I think it is right past the outlets.

While you don't "need" a car at BWV, I enjoy having one, I don't consider it a waste. We don't enjoy being packed in like sardines on the busses (BWV is the last stop, so you often have to stand), we prefer the nice comfortable ride in the car, no waiting. Just our preference, others prefer the busses to driving. We enjoy being able to go offsite. You need airport transportation anyway, so it's only a few more dollars. I find it very easy to get around, here's a copy of the property map:

http://www.disneyzone.net/Maps/roadmap.jpg

 

[luckytso]

DebbieB

Thanks so much. You are amazingly resourceful!!!

I will print out your response and take it with us when we go in Feb.

I am looking forward to having a car now. In the past, we often had to sqeeze onto the bus with the stroller folded when we only had our older one. This time, with 2 strollers, and all the stuff we take with us to the parks, it will be nice to just pack everything into the car and go. Even though people say that you never have to wait for more than 20 minutes for a bus, I remember the times that we sat by the BC bench area waiting for Disney buses for more than 1/2 hour sporatically. It will be nice to be able to hop over to MK and AK at times knowing we will be there quickly.

Thanks again. I really really appreciate it.