Why do you opt not to rent a car?

[loriandmatt]

Times when we take Dinsey Transportation and why:

in the past it was just DH, DS (5 thru 9 on our trips thru the years) and we always took Disney transportation for the most part. (we do drive to WDW, so we have our car available) For us, the transportation was part of the fun, even when we had to wait in line or be on a crowded bus. It was just the 3 of us, DS was a bit older and not a fussy child in the least.

Times when we drove our own car to the parks and why"

On our Oct 2001 trip, DS (then 6) was just getting out of a body cast and his legs were a bit weak. we rented disney stroller for him that entire trip and we drove to all the parks. The standing in line for busses with out the stroller (having to return them before exiting the park) would have done him in.
He did ok going back and forth to the car, but that was about it for him.

Now that we have our little princess (DD - 4 months) we will likely be taking the car to the parks rather than the busses for a few years. I hate having to cram a large stroller (the small umbrella stollers are no good for little ones who have not lurned to sit up well yet) a diaper bag and all other baby needs onto a crowded bus.

- lori

 

[scotthart]

I drive about a thousand miles a week at work, and the last thing I want to do is drive when on vacation! I find the buses relaxing, plus I can have cocktails and not have to worry about driving.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

Because who wants to drive on vacation when someone else will gladly do it for you! We have met many wonderful people on the busses, boats, etc. Why cocoon yourself?

 

[CamColt]

DH and I rented a car on our honeymoon. We drove it to the Poly, parked it, and didnt move it again until we drove back to the airport. It definitely wasnt worth it for us.

Even now sometimes when we drive down and have our own car, we never take it to the parks. Actually we did 1 day when we had an early PS at Chef Mickeys and were going to MGM right after. We found trying to follow the signs, parking, walking to the tram, waiting for the tram, riding to the entrance was more trouble than the bus. Then doing it in reverse, trying to find the car, getting in a thousand degree car, just wasnt fun. Plus if we have a few drinks with dinner, we dont want to have to worry about driving home.

We much prefer the busses.

 

[puffkin]

We generally have very few problems with the bus. I hate to drive, so I would much rather have someone drive for me. Also, I don't feel like spending hours trying to find a rental car bargain. Between hotel and airfare, I usually have my fill of that. I also think it takes a long time to rent the car, pick it up, find your way around, drive to the parks, walk or tram to the entrance, etc.

Part of the reason I love Disney is the total immersion. I love the restaurants and like being taken care of from the moment I arrive. On a whole, the bus transportation is actually quite good. And, as for who is paying for this transportation, I actually find the Disney resorts to be quite a bargain if you look at resorts in other areas of the world. The transportation is an added plus.

 

[CindyAnn]

We're confirmed car renters. I guess we're in the opposite position to some, since DH takes a bus and subway every day to work. On vacation, he loves to be in control of when we leave and where we go. Our family tends to eat at a lot of the resort restaurants, too. We both like driving, though, and have usually managed to navigate our way around WDW with no trouble whatsoever. I will say that we enjoy taking the monorail or a boat, though - again I suppose it's the novelty factor.

 

[n2mm]

We never not rent a car. We could not be without it. I'm just the opposite as Scotthart. I take public transportation in and out of Wash. DC EVERYDAY. I'm on a commuter train 3 hours a day, then rush to the subway and again on a train back and forth to the train station (Union station). No way will I use public transportation while on vacation. Disney does a wonderful job, as does the Orlando area, in directing you to and from Disney property. After you consider the costs of getting a family to and from the airport, it's not much more to rent a car.

 

[paigevz]

The first two times we went we shuttled from the airport and used Disney transportation at the parks. The last time we went, we rented a car, stayed off-site and went to Disney some, then switched to a Universal hotel and used their transportation to their parks. We did get a chance to get a bday cake for ds for MUCH cheaper that way.

We didn't like staying off-site and going to Disney. We didn't like doing both Disney and Universal, either. We have decided we will do one or the other and make them separate trips. We always packed snacks so didn't stop at stores. However, this trip we're using FL Tours, so could stop if we wanted. It's about the same cost as renting. We will get off the plane and walk into our car and be driven to the resort...............no going to rent, no traffic, no need to follow directions..................we will be unloaded at the resort, and can stop in between at the store if we wish. When we go to the parks, we can take disney transportation.....instead of going out into the parking lot, we'll just wait a few minutes and hop on a bus or boat. We won't have to watch where we're going or deal with traffic or find a space or walk to the gate..........we'll be dropped off right in front. We can also get there an hour earlier than those driving...........we can do all of Fantasyland in an hour, most of Tomorrowland, Test Track and Mission Space, ToT adn RNRC and Little Mermaid, Safaris and Dinosaur. All of those have such long waits later in the day, right after opening even, that that extra hour is absolutely worth it and downright necessary with young kids.

Those are our reasons for choosing to forgo the car!

 

[2vets]

1) I don't want to have to worry about driving on vacation (note that I live in a Boston suburb...I hate driving, as people are so aggressive around here - you can literally feel your blood presure elevating in traffic!!). I also don't want to have to worry about whether I can have a beer or two at Epcot, DTD, etc.

2) I get a chance to sit down and take a load off for a few minutes or more - and really talk to whoever I'm with (and whoever is around us). We are always running around at the parks (worse at home), and it is nice to just sit for a minute. I am going with my new DH at the end of the week- he's never been to WDW - and I am so looking forward to that time to hear what he's thinking!!

 

[dgaston]

I like to have the convenience of a rental car. I like to be able to move swiftly between MGM and Epcot (there have been times we've seen Fantasmic and then moved to Epcot for Illuminations). I like to visit the Publix or Winn-Dixie for groceries and especially the Belz outlets and my beloved Sweet Tomatoes for fresh salads.

I enjoy Disney transportation from PI, and also enights if we are lucky enough to visit when they are held. We love the boats (tho they are slow, from Studios to Epcot) and monorail rides at least once a trip.

 

[cobbler]

We don't rent one because we drive down there But saying we did fly we still wouldn't.

Its just nice not having to worry about parking, and to take the bus and enjoy the ride. I figure I am on vacation, I have no place that I need to be in a hurry so I sit back, relax and enjoy.

Even now when we drive, once our van is parked near our room, there it stays until we leave. Seriously it won't move an inch, get started or anything for the whole 7, 9, or however many days we are there.

 

[NMAmy]

We are squarely in the non-rental car group. Neither DH nor I want to drive if we're on vacation. Granted, DD is 14 so it's not like I have to mess with all the bits and bobs that a little one has to bring along.

We stay at the Dolphin and love the convenience of the boats or walking to MGM or Epcot. And, it's not a big deal for us to take the bus to go to MK or AK.

That's just us, though. If we're on vacation--we don't want to be driving around if there's someone else to do it for us!

 

[clkelley]

I don't like driving at WDW either. I am a confirmed early person, late person with a break in between.

So I am usually on the first bus to the parks in the morning. During mid day when I go to a resort for lunch and rest (not necessarily my resort), the busses aren't crowded. (I usually make a lunch PS at one of the resorts, then wander off to find a nice comfy loungechair somewhere and read a mindless book). Sometimes I doze off, which is fine too.

I am usually one of the last out of the parks, as I find a nice spot with a bench and some refreshment until the throngs go by, so the bus crowds are long gone.

Carol

 

[Joyciemc]

Well, practically speaking- I can't rent car. I Just turned 24 and would have to find a company that rents under 25 and pay more. Though DBF will be 25 on our next trip, so I guess it's now an option.

But I also have no desire to rent one. I like being flitted away from baggage claim to my resort. There's no worrying about someone harassing you about extra insurance, or that you'll have to wait for a car, or get a car with something not working (all things that I've experienced through my Dad when we took family trips). Once we get there, we've never had a problem wth Disney Transportation. Granted, we're pretty patient people and waiting 15 minutes isn't that big of a deal to me. We just plan on it (and often it's a MUCH shorter wait). I'm used to using public transport at home, so I really don't even think twice about it. Standing doesn't bother me when it's necessary, and I do offer my seat when I think it's needed. And we've had some great conversations with people on those busses!

Oh, another reason- it is so cool to not carry keys around! That really makes me feel like I'm on vacation!

 

[WEDWDW]

One of the best parts of my trips to WDW is NOT HAVING TO DRIVE ANYWHERE!It is so relaxing to let Disney do the driving.It is also so amazing to be able to talk to people from all over THE WORLD and enjoy their accents while going from to place to place.I can't wait to board a Disney bus 31 days from today!I also agree it is so nice not having to carry keys!

 

[Quadman]

We opt not to rent.

Personally for me.... I love the end of a long day having one of the kids on my lap (or standing and holding on to them) and having the end of the night fun (joking, singing, or just going over the day together), or maybe just haing them fall asleep on us.

It's part of the magical ending to our day that I know we won't be able to enjoy much longer as thye grow so fast. The atmosphere on the buses for the most part at night is so family oriented, so friendley, so warm and fuzzy for almost everyone.

This being said, we've only stayed at moderates, and DVC properties, so the bus routes have been fairly direct, if I had to endure 20 stops before getting off, Im not so sure how we would fare..........

Next trip we are renting, becasue we have to run back to the airport to pick up some guests, but during the days at the parks we'll still rely on Disney transportation to get us around.

 

[LoriMistress]

The only time I had to wait for a long time to get on the bus was a Saturday night when MK closed (we waited for almost a 1/2 hour). I just don't see spending so much money to go to park and back to your hotel, unless if you plan to visit out of the Disney property.

 

[Metallicat]

I have to rent a car. we visit Universal and Seaworld and last time we went to the Holy Land Experience. I do not like waiting on buses or standing on buses, the buses are just too plain slow for me. I will ride them to the MK but thats about it. I can get where I'm going much quicker and get out much quicker by driving myself. one night after MNSSHP I timed how long it would take to get back to POP century. after waiting for 3 buses so we could get on (it was super crowded) and the slow ride back, it took almost an hour to get back to the room.

 

[TDC Nala]

Car rental costs too much.