What's this I hear about complimentary airport shuttle service being discontinued?!

[DPgrlz]

Just another example of why it's better to rent a car.

When I went to WDEW in March, I walked past the car rental line to get to ME. I counted over 20 groups of people waiting in line for car rental. Not 20 people, 20 groups. Every single one of them looked miserable. Even if there was no ME, I would chose an Uber or Lyft. Or some other organized airport shuttle

 

[decheez]

My disdain for WDW transportation is well known. Renting a car is necessary unless you want to wait forever to get to the park in the morning, wait forever to get back to your room, sit in an icebox because the driver keeps the AC at a crisp -40°, sit next to other sweaty people, listen to kids screaming because they don't want to leave the parks, etc. The list goes on. Rent a vehicle and pay the money grab for parking at the resorts. It is well worth it in the end.

I'm kind of half and half. We've now travelled to WDW so many times that we no longer feel the need to be 'trapped' on property and like to go do other things which a rental car makes much easier. I also have some local friends that I'll often meet for dinner at some point during the trip. As well if we have a rental car we find ourselves going off site to eat more often. This saves money compared to eating at Disney. But we don't rent a vehicle every trip, or even for the whole trip. We balance how expensive the rental is against the benefits we would enjoy.

Then as stated above, having a rental car normally allows faster transportation at your own control. We can pop out to Walmart to grab something we missed that isn't sold at the resort (happens so often!), or to grocery shop. At the end of the day when I'm exhausted, I don't have to worry about my urges to strangle screaming children or fighting adults. I don't have to stand on my feet for 20 minutes while the bus takes me back to the hotel and my hip is killing me because I've been walking all day, but I'm not visibly disabled so nobody is willing to give up their seat for me (I have an ongoing SI joint issue that can be quite painful).

The benefits of renting a car are quite extensive but it all depends on the way you vacation. If you never leave property, or can deal with the drawbacks of Disney's transportation system then you probably don't need one. Everybody can make their own choice!

 

[Wandering Oaken]

When I went to WDEW in March, I walked past the car rental line to get to ME. I counted over 20 groups of people waiting in line for car rental. Not 20 people, 20 groups. Every single one of them looked miserable. Even if there was no ME, I would chose an Uber or Lyft. Or some other organized airport shuttle

That was this year. Our next trip will be next year and the car rental agencies will be back to normal. So I would still choose a car rental and bypass the counter. I've seen long lines at the rental counters too. I just laugh as I wheel my luggage right past them and go directly to the garage to get in my car and check out at the exit booth.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

I'm kind of half and half. We've now travelled to WDW so many times that we no longer feel the need to be 'trapped' on property and like to go do other things which a rental car makes much easier. I also have some local friends that I'll often meet for dinner at some point during the trip. As well if we have a rental car we find ourselves going off site to eat more often. This saves money compared to eating at Disney. But we don't rent a vehicle every trip, or even for the whole trip. We balance how expensive the rental is against the benefits we would enjoy.

Then as stated above, having a rental car normally allows faster transportation at your own control. We can pop out to Walmart to grab something we missed that isn't sold at the resort (happens so often!), or to grocery shop. At the end of the day when I'm exhausted, I don't have to worry about my urges to strangle screaming children or fighting adults. I don't have to stand on my feet for 20 minutes while the bus takes me back to the hotel and my hip is killing me because I've been walking all day, but I'm not visibly disabled so nobody is willing to give up their seat for me (I have an ongoing SI joint issue that can be quite painful).

The benefits of renting a car are quite extensive but it all depends on the way you vacation. If you never leave property, or can deal with the drawbacks of Disney's transportation system then you probably don't need one. Everybody can make their own choice!

^^ THIS ^^

We go off-site a lot. We typically go off-site at least once a day and in the past we have spent an entire day away from the parks at Clearwater Beach. This trip we are staying at Clearwater Beach for two days. We go to "the Wal-Mart" at least once during our stays too. And as mentioned I can get to my room way faster than Disney transportation. We went with friends once and they did not rent a car but we all stayed in the same resort (Pop) and we typically beat them back to the room between 20 to 40 minutes and they had to deal with screaming kids (no offense to the tired little ones), sweaty and inconsiderate people, and inhumane bus temps.

 

[joelkfla]

My disdain for WDW transportation is well known. Renting a car is necessary unless you want to wait forever to get to the park in the morning, wait forever to get back to your room, sit in an icebox because the driver keeps the AC at a crisp -40°, sit next to other sweaty people, listen to kids screaming because they don't want to leave the parks, etc. The list goes on. Rent a vehicle and pay the money grab for parking at the resorts. It is well worth it in the end.

The bus driver has no control over the a/c setting. It's either on or off, and off quickly becomes unbearable. Believe me, they are as frustrated with how the mechanics set the a/c as you are.

 

[MillauFr]

When I went to WDEW in March, I walked past the car rental line to get to ME. I counted over 20 groups of people waiting in line for car rental. Not 20 people, 20 groups. Every single one of them looked miserable. Even if there was no ME, I would chose an Uber or Lyft. Or some other organized airport shuttle

Always sign up for the car rental loyalty club that allows you to bypass the counter. The employees staffing the car rental counters are ex time share salespeople.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

The bus driver has no control over the a/c setting. It's either on or off, and off quickly becomes unbearable. Believe me, they are as frustrated with how the mechanics set the a/c as you are.

Ahhhhh. That explains so much! Thank you! I remember once while coming back from HDDR seeing three older ladies hunched together shivering. We asked that the AC be turned down and he just ignored us. Didn't even say a word. I know for a fact that he heard us. I wish he would have simply said that he has no control over it. Why is that the case? Why don't they have a knob or something to regulate it?

 

[joelkfla]

Ahhhhh. That explains so much! Thank you! I remember once while coming back from HDDR seeing three older ladies hunched together shivering. We asked that the AC be turned down and he just ignored us. Didn't even say a word. I know for a fact that he heard us. I wish he would have simply said that he has no control over it. Why is that the case? Why don't they have a knob or something to regulate it?

You'll have to ask the bus manufacturers. AFAIK that's standard on all transit buses. I think some luxury coaches have driver controls.

ETA: On some of the old buses, when I was a driver, I could surreptitiously reach the temperature control with a thin stick, but it's further buried or locked out on the newer ones.

 

[DVCjj]

When I went to WDEW in March, I walked past the car rental line to get to ME. I counted over 20 groups of people waiting in line for car rental. Not 20 people, 20 groups. Every single one of them looked miserable. Even if there was no ME, I would chose an Uber or Lyft. Or some other organized airport shuttle

Every time I’m tempted to rent a car for first time, I heard cars are now in A instead or normal B (where we come in), and a pain to find the car return without cutting off cars to cross lanes. So many people say one big pain. Especially now with massive lines. And this is before trying to find 528 the first time you need it.

It sounds more complicated than the value given. I would hate starting a wonderful trip with stress.

 

[Cheburashka]

Every time I’m tempted to rent a car for first time, I heard cars are now in A instead or normal B (where we come in), and a pain to find the car return without cutting off cars to cross lanes.

FWIW, I've returned rental cars to MCO twice within the past year, and each time found the return process to be easy. We did have a long wait in line to actually rent the car in December (Christmas week), but for both trips, returning the car was quick & easy.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Ahhhhh. That explains so much! Thank you! I remember once while coming back from HDDR seeing three older ladies hunched together shivering. We asked that the AC be turned down and he just ignored us. Didn't even say a word. I know for a fact that he heard us. I wish he would have simply said that he has no control over it. Why is that the case? Why don't they have a knob or something to regulate it?

I am guessing he did not answer as most people would not believe him and then complain at desk because he did not turn down AC