Will I regret not having a car??

[superwy]

We've been to Disney several times over the past few years but have always rented a car, whether staying on site or off. This year we thought we'd give ME a try, then take a car service to Universal later in the week and back to the airport. I have a car reservation for less than $250 through dollar, but would have to pay for parking at Universal for the three nights. I am just worried I am going to miss the freedom of having a car. I have rationalized that we will be at the Epcot resorts, so we can walk to two parks, and the others we can do the buses. It is just new for me, so convince me...are the buses okay? We'll be there October 30 - November 6.

Thanks!

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I used ME and Disney transport (for the first time) last October. Been to WDW more times than I can bother to count at this point, and this was my first time without a car. I didn't mind at all.

What I would classify as the worst experience was the trip from BWV to Downtown Disney. It seemed really long due to the stops at Typhoon Lagoon. Other than that minor gripe, everthing else went smooth. Mind you, this was also my first trip without any ADRs, so I didn't have to travel between resorts.

Hope that helps.

 

[dburg30]

I've never used a car there, except when i took a taxi for early resort ADR's. That being said, many times I see people talk themselves out of something and unless everything goes perfect they get the 'I wish I had/hadnt changed something' syndrome..

I have no issues with the bus, I know sometimes I may have to wait a while for one. But I hate driving and I dont really want to drive, so it's not a biggie.

 

[gumbo1009]

OK, some more questions on this topic:

Car Rental and the EP/AK/HS Parking Lots:
-- Realize that the "upsides" are no wait for a bus, and no waiting for other passengers. Downside is you have to *get* to the car. How big are the lots? Could the walk be 1/2 mile or more? (Just trying to decide whether I would rather sit on a bench waiting for a bus or hoofing it with a stroller.)
-- Also, are the parking lots well marked to easily locate your car? (Can easily picture myself forgetting the location of the rental...)

DTD
-- Is there a lot of parking? Anyone ever find a case of full lots? (I do like the idea of a rental to reach DTD -- have never been and think it would be nice to explore.)

Resorts
-- For those staying at a resort, is it correct that parking at any other resort is free? (Would certainly make resort dinners easier).

Thanks!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I can answer your one question easily - the lots at DTD are always full! I hate trying to park there - are we are always at WDW in the off season.

Parking at the resorts is free and it does make it much easier if you plan to eat at other resorts.

As for parking at the parks...there are trams in the lots so you never have to walk all the way to the entrance if you don't want to. Sometimes it's quicker, sometimes it's not. We travel in the off season and go for park opening, so we are usually near the entrance and don't even use the trams. If we go back to a park in the afternoon and park further out, it can be a pain waiting for a tram and then waiting for the tram to wait for other guests.

I'm debating not getting a car this next trip as we don't have any resort ADRs. My problem is getting from DTD to DHS - I hate that we need to bus to a resort and then bus to DHS.

 

[gumbo1009]

Letsbgoofy - thanks for your input, very helpful... based on your feedback, maybe I'll skip the rental and just use cabs when needed...

 

[Csaks]

We've been to Disney several times over the past few years but have always rented a car, whether staying on site or off. This year we thought we'd give ME a try, then take a car service to Universal later in the week and back to the airport. I have a car reservation for less than $250 through dollar, but would have to pay for parking at Universal for the three nights. I am just worried I am going to miss the freedom of having a car. I have rationalized that we will be at the Epcot resorts, so we can walk to two parks, and the others we can do the buses. It is just new for me, so convince me...are the buses okay? We'll be there October 30 - November 6.

Thanks!

For the time you are there it sounds like a good plan.
We drive down so I'll be driving around a lot of the time but if a few wobbly pops are involved at F&W, having a free DD is great. Maybe we'll see you there, that will be our second week.

 

[n2mm]

OP post back what you decide to do. We are the rental car family and would never go to WDW without having a rental car. We like to dine at the resorts and love the fact that it takes about 15 minutes to get to another resort. We don't like the buses at all. Yes, we try them every now and then and we always come back and say we won't do that again. I'm happy that Disney makes transportation available for everyone, but it's not for us. We always start a trip with a stop at Publix or Walmart for adult beverages and groceries and sometimes a second trip. We always go to the Disney outlets (sometimes twice). We like to zip over to Margarittaville for lunch sometimes as it's always great to get a great cheeseburger (but we are AP holders for US/IOA so parking is free for us + plus a 20% discount at Margarittaville). We usually stay at an EPCOT resort, so we do walk to DHS and EPCOT. I can normally get a great rental car price. We just returned and I paid $115 after taxes for a week rental on the National Executive Aisle and had a Sienna minivan. I would've spend that much or more on maragritas and beer if I bought it at the resort pool bar instead of making my own. Yes there are some downsides, like walking from your parking space to the tram or park. We are early birds so normally get a good space at MK or AK, plus we are walkers and enjoy the extra exercise. Sadly, I can't even get my adult kids and family to use DME anymore after a bad experience one year. So when they arrive after us, we drive to the airport and pick them up which only takes about 30 minutes each way and the tolls.

 

[mieuxmew]

OP post back what you decide to do. We are the rental car family and would never go to WDW without having a rental car. We like to dine at the resorts and love the fact that it takes about 15 minutes to get to another resort. We don't like the buses at all. Yes, we try them every now and then and we always come back and say we won't do that again. I'm happy that Disney makes transportation available for everyone, but it's not for us. We always start a trip with a stop at Publix or Walmart for adult beverages and groceries and sometimes a second trip. We always go to the Disney outlets (sometimes twice). We like to zip over to Margarittaville for lunch sometimes as it's always great to get a great cheeseburger (but we are AP holders for US/IOA so parking is free for us + plus a 20% discount at Margarittaville). We usually stay at an EPCOT resort, so we do walk to DHS and EPCOT. I can normally get a great rental car price. We just returned and I paid $115 after taxes for a week rental on the National Executive Aisle and had a Sienna minivan. I would've spend that much or more on maragritas and beer if I bought it at the resort pool bar instead of making my own. Yes there are some downsides, like walking from your parking space to the tram or park. We are early birds so normally get a good space at MK or AK, plus we are walkers and enjoy the extra exercise. Sadly, I can't even get my adult kids and family to use DME anymore after a bad experience one year. So when they arrive after us, we drive to the airport and pick them up which only takes about 30 minutes each way and the tolls.

If I may ask, how did you rent a minivan for a week for $115??? We are leaving in two weeks and THE BEST I can do on a rental is $195 for a compact! Minivan best rate $371. Most rentals for any car are over $300. Please share your wisdom. Thanks.

 

[n2mm]

If I may ask, how did you rent a minivan for a week for $115??? We are leaving in two weeks and THE BEST I can do on a rental is $195 for a compact! Minivan best rate $371. Most rentals for any car are over $300. Please share your wisdom. Thanks.

First off we are Executive Aisle members so can choose any car from any of the National Aisles. We only have to pay the price of a mid-size car, but are guaranteed a full size or larger (whatever we want to choose). The September rates were very cheap and I booked several months ago. After all of the discounts and coupons, my rate was $77 and ended up being $115 total. Now for October, the rates are out of this world!! We have a car booked for Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 (2 weeks) and we got a decent rate. We are paying $300 est total. Again we are booked through the Executive Aisle, so can choose whatever is available.

BTW -- I booked a minivan for my daughter and her family through budget and the price is $303 after taxes for a one week rental (plus there's a coupon that will take an additional $25 off of that price after the rental). She needs a minivan and so far that was the best price we could find for a pick up in October. Using code (BCD) x474200 and coupon $25 = MUWZ023.

Good luck and keep an eye on the transportation board as discounts are posted when we find them!!

 

[DebbieB]

For Downtown Disney, park on the end close to Pleasure Island. I've never had a problem getting a space there, especially since PI clubs are closed.

Whether you regret it is dependent on your tolerance for the busses. I personally have a low tolerance for crowded busses, especially when I have to stand.