Will we regret not having a car??

[WDWorBUST]

We're going from 8/31 - 9/10 and I'm seriously considering skipping a rental car and just using Magical Express. I had a rental for $211 (which was still high for Orlando in my experience) - but it was for 9/1 - 9/10. Now that we're going a day early (for the Wiggles ) I'm not finding anything really even close to that (and it's still the same number of days because I planned on returning 9/9). We have a few ADR's for hotel properties - and we love the Pepper Market (we're staying at Pop) and usually eat there several times (especially with the dining plan). Will all the travel between resorts be as big of a pain as I'm afraid it may be. Will I hate not having a car??

 

[Disneyjosh229]

My biggest consideration when not renting a car is the lost time of using Disney transportation to go everywhere. To me, that extra 20 mins you get in the room, or at the park is worth the fee of renting a car. September is still pretty far away, as the promos are only into mid-june now. If I were you, I would hold on to your car and keep checking prices as the time grows closer...

 

[manning]

This may not be important to you and more than not a none issue. You will be there during hurricane season. Just about all rental companies are now holding you responsible for weather related damages to cars. I only know this because I got notified by Hertz about this (gold club member).

I find this ridicules. I can see being held responsible for running into a tree..... but having a tree falling onto a car??

 

[kstinw19]

We ran into the hurricane problem two years ago. We rented a minivan at a very good price in Sept. but due to the impending hurricane and us being told we were responsible for damages, we had to buy the insurance which added another $500 onto our bill.

This year we are foregoing the car. We might regret it later, especially with such young kids, but if that's true it will be a learning experience, I guess. I haven't done Disney w/o a car since before we had kids. We will see!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just remember this caveat--in the Disney handout they give you in the room (with restaurants, things to do, etc) it says somethig like: "It MAY take up to an hour and a half to get to your destinnton using Disney transportation".
Of course that's a rare occurance--but just keep it in mind especially if you are not just going from hotel to theme park and back.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We always use our own auto policy.....I wonder if insurance on cars typically in Oklahoma would cover hurricane damage on a rental in Florida. I think that's a question for my agent.....because that would be a concern also. The lost time issue is my biggest one as well. Disney transportation will get me where I want to go....but the calculator here on the board says give it 90 minutes to get from Pop to Ohana....that's just CRAZY!! I guess I'll have to keep watching rates and check with my insurance agent.
Thanks!

 

[justplaingoofy]

The only way I find Disney transportation "easy" is when going to a theme park. Especially, Magic Kingdom... so much easier to take the bus straight to the park then to drive to the ttc, and take the monorail/boat over.

In my opinion if you want to go from resort to resort I'd get the car. That sounds awfully high for a price. I got a midsize in Sept.for 8 days, pick up/drop off at MCO with a Bjs code for $151. There are some discount codes floating around...

Also, I called our insurance company and they told me to bring a copy of my policy to show that I am insured so that I will not be "strong armed" into buying their insurance.

 

[go cowboys]

Have you thought about a town car? we always use one as not to wait for ME to stop at several other resorts before ours. I spend about 90.00 and get a grocery stop! We have never rented and IF we ever need to go off property a taxi from DTD is not much. I bet you would save money and time!

BTW, I am in Edmond. Where are you?

 

[WDWorBUST]

I'm in Tulsa - I think we will probably stick with a rental. I can't imagine me not losing patience with transportation between resorts. I do like taking the buses from the resort to the parks - but even to DTD I prefer to drive. So I guess I'll keep looking for a decent rate on a rental. Thanks everyone

 

[party_of_five]

We rented a car last year but also gave disney transportation a try. I am so glad that we had the rental! Loading onto the bus in the morning was not such a problem but after our day at the park, trying to get three tired kids (8,2,3) two strollers one diaper bag plus all of the extras we aquired from the day was enough to make me pay any price just for the rental.

 

[MrsToad]

These posts remind me how different solutions fit different people. We LOVE not having a car at WDW. We take Disney transportation to all the parks (well, we walk to Epcot and take the boat to DTD as we stay at BCV through DVC). Last trip when we decided to go to DTD while standing by Spaceship Earth at Epcot, we walked out the main gate and took a cab. When we went from our resort to another resort for dinner, we also took a cab. Our cab fares never added up to what it would have cost us to rent a car. Even better, we didn't have to read driving dirctions but instead, got to relax and leave the driving to someone else!

PS...our trips are now usually just DH and I, or the two of us with neice(11) and nephew (14), but I can see where not having a car could be less convenient for larger parties with younger children.

Have a great trip!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

These posts remind me how different solutions fit different people. We LOVE not having a car at WDW. We take Disney transportation to all the parks (well, we walk to Epcot and take the boat to DTD as we stay at BCV through DVC). Last trip when we decided to go to DTD while standing by Spaceship Earth at Epcot, we walked out the main gate and took a cab. When we went from our resort to another resort for dinner, we also took a cab. Our cab fares never added up to what it would have cost us to rent a car. Even better, we didn't have to read driving dirctions but instead, got to relax and leave the driving to someone else!

PS...our trips are now usually just DH and I, or the two of us with neice(11) and nephew (14), but I can see where not having a car could be less convenient for larger parties with younger children.

Have a great trip!

Great point made...Different strokes for different folks

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

In my opinion if you want to go from resort to resort I'd get the car.

We stayed w/o a rental car and it was a bit of a pain. Ended up hitching rides most of the time from family staying at different hotels rather than using WDW transport .

 

[Dopey Sharon]

We also don't rent a car, depending on Disney buses for everything, and we love it!

This past Easter, we went to Orlando. Didn't stay in WDW so we had to rent a car. Never again! The traffic was horrible and the other drivers were nuts!

We both said that we like leaving the driving to Disney.

But, we also don't have small children and our kids usually stay home, so it's just DH and myself.

 

[LauraAnn630]

Our first year there we ending up getting a cab to goto the store 2 times. The cab ran us about 90.00 for 2 trips to the store.

The second year. We rented a car twice during our trip. So we could goto the store and see some sites. this ran about 120.00

The third year...this year... we are driving down...it was so great having a car...we cannot go back to the buses! IMO they are unsafe if you are standing with little ones. The drivers wouldnt turn the a/c on in June and we were roasting! This happend several times to us. People were yelling turn the a/c on! Im sweating on the bus saying, " I dont think the air is on!?"

Once you use a car and not the buses, your spoiled!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I have no problem with using Disney Transportation, we do and we drive to Disney. Not driving is part of my vacation. My other thought is it is hurricane season, so having a car that you could use to evacuate with might be a plus. Rental cars are at a premium then.

 

[OzFan]

As firm believers in Disney Transportation for the last 6 years, we did bite the bullet and rented a car last September. I am gald we did. We stayed at the POP and we used the car to go to all parks except MK. We did alot of dining at different resorts and having our own car was WONDERFUL! Not having to wait for buses and having to stand, was a GODSEND! Our September trip we are renting a minivan. I got a pretty good rate of 178.00 for the week with National. Keep checking the Dis Boards for coupon codes and rate changes you might get a better price, making your decision alot easier!

 

[Lewisc]

I think going to Pepper Market a few times without a car will waste a lot of time. I'd either rethink renting a car or try some alternate CS restaurants.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't find the car rental cost effective because well, there's just me, and I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere usually. I will say that travel between resorts is MUCH easier with a car. Travel to Downtown Disney is MUCH easier with a car. The bus system is really set up to service the theme parks conveniently, and not much else. If you want to go anywhere offsite, the car is pretty much a must. I'll still, personally, go against the car rental because my travel to other resorts or DD usually involves imbibing adult beverages and there's nothing better than the bus system for that.

 

[TDC Nala]

(well, we walk to Epcot and take the boat to DTD as we stay at BCV through DVC).

This is just to note, for those reading the thread, that I can't think of any way to take a boat to DTD from BCV. The DVC resorts with a boat to DTD are Saratoga Springs and OKW.