worth renting a car?

[jayhjay]

I am trying to figure out if we should rent a car again this year. Last time we went we traveled to US/IOA and it was definitely worth it to avoid paying to get there. But we are doing just WDW this year so that isn't an issue.

We have two DDs (5 and 2 1/2). Older DD can probably use a booster (she is not heavy enough yet but may be by then) and younger DD is in a carseat. With all our luggage, the double stroller, and the need to fit in one or two car seats, we rented a SUV. Pricing it out now looks like about $300-400 (or course there are probably discounts we haven't explored). Another option is going with a regular sedan, but with all our stuff it is tough to fit.

We really liked having our own car b/c with the young ones, it was easy to take the stroller, they had their own seats if they fell asleep on teh way home, we could keep so much stuff in there during the day rather than drag it all with us (change of clothes, etc). But wondering if we should just deal with buses (or a smaller car) instead. We'd probably hire a towncar to/from airport if we don't rent a car. Anyone have any advice? JJ

 

[thelionqueen]

I would definitely rent a car! Irregardless of the size of a family (especially yours, sounds much like our family) it saves so much time and aggravation it is worth every penny.

Here is my breakdown and analysis. At WDW, time is money. I figured a very ball park amount of $30.00 per hour (includes hotel, park tix, etc) If it takes me an extra 3 hours (which it easily could) every day to get where I'm going, I'm looking @ around $90+ per day..not counting the valuable time I am missing due to the long commute times. Then you add the cost of taking a towncar to/from airport that will easily be another $100.00.

Honestly, we do use the Disney buses sometimes, but I cannot imagine not being without a car. You cannot go from resort to resort without 1st going to a park. Since we like to have 1 ts per day, this is imperative. We also like being able to go off site for groceries, emergency supplies, etc.

Just my .02. Whatever you pay for a rental car, is well worth the time and peace of mind.

BTW, go to Costco.com and check rates there. There is a coupon for $25 off your rental (SUV or Minivan) plus it's around 25% off other posted rates. You do not need to be a Costco member to reserve a car on Costco.com.

Good luck!

 

[funcinderella]

I agree, it is so worth it to have car. Alamo has had some awesome rates recently on SUVs. We got a mid size SUV for 16 days in august for 268 including all taxes and fees. So keep checking your dates, they go up and down all the time.


One time, we went to Vegas and did not rent a car, thinking we wouldn't need it. We regretted it every day. It's too difficult to rely solely on buses.

 

[DemoBri1]

I will third the notion of renting a car. We've never been down at WDW w/o the use of a minivan. It is so nice not to be saddled with waiting for a bus or the monorail to leave a park, or to get to a park. I've heard of some horror stories regarding bus transit times to some of the parks from our favorite resorts, and I know we can make it to a park in less time.

Plus, it also allows us to go for a meal off-property or take a trip to the store if necessary. If you can afford to swing it, I'd definitely rent.

 

[kycat]

We've done it both ways...

When my wife wants to save some money...we take magical express...and use the buses when it's convenient. But most of the time...we hop in a taxi when we exit the parks at night...and get back to the resort pretty fast.

Just a thought

 

[jayhjay]

Thanks for all your advice. I think you are probably right about the car. I wasn't even thinking about the whole resort to resort thing (we have several nights where we are planning to do that). I'll keep my eyes open for good rates and definitely check out costco. JJ

 

[LuvTigger]

If it was just 2 adults, I would say a car isn't necessary, but given your situation, I think it would be worth it.

I would look into a van rather than an SUV. You are more likely to find discounts on minivans, and they should still be able to provide the kind of space you require. Check www.mousesavers.com for tips on discounts.

 

[PrinceKevin]

WOW...I checked Costco for my dates and its over 150.00 savings over what I have found on my own for a mid-size SUV. That is crazy... It also qualifies for ONLINE check-in...

So...do I have to BECOME a Costco member to get this rate. I have it reserved.

Anyone have any experience with this???

I appreciate it...this is a trip of a lifetime for us...and I really would like to combo rental car and WDW transportation for the trip. I was going to do taxis for some of the dinners...but 98.00 for an SUV is definitely worth it.
Plus NO ME waiting to get to the resort.

Thanks everyone in advance!

Kevin

 

[jayhjay]

There is a huge thread on this board about rental car deals, specifically on Alamo I think, where they discuss the costco issue. I am already a member so I didn't read with too much detail, but there were varying opinions on whether you need a membership card. You might want to check it out for more info. JJ

 

[ddesousa323]

Always rent a car!

Disney is so much easier having your own car. Its great to hop in your car after a long day and head back to your room. Alamo always has great deals so you may pay less than that. Disney is great and has a lot to do but head out of disney and you can save a lot of money on food and even just snacks for your room. Head to Disney village and go all the way down World Drive, bare right on Resort Drive and when you come to the light there are a lot of stuff on that road to eat, and even buy.

Go with the car..

 

[CleveRocks]

Always rent a car!

Disney is so much easier having your own car. Its great to hop in your car after a long day and head back to your room. Alamo always has great deals so you may pay less than that. Disney is great and has a lot to do but head out of disney and you can save a lot of money on food and even just snacks for your room.

I have the exact opposite opinion.

Always use the buses!

Disney is so much easier not having your own car. It's great to hop on a bus after a long day and head back to my room, letting someone else deal with traffic and where to turn, etc.

I also NEVER leave WDW property when I'm there. Forgive me, Orlando residents, but I have no want or need to see the Orlando metro area. I like the idea of being in the Disney cocoon for a week. I realize that eating at Denny's or IHOP is going to save me a few bucks, but I just enjoy being totally immersed in Disney all week.

So my not wanting to leave the property combined with my love for letting someone else drive me around makes DME and Disney Transport perfect for me.

All this being said, I agree that if you will be doing a substantial amount of resort-to-resort trips for dining, then Disney Transport is a very inefficient system and a car would work great. For us, especially with our little kids we're much more comfortable doing counter service anyway, so we have no need for resort hopping.

I know it sounds weird, but I just can't describe the WONDERFUL intangible of enjoying an entire week without my car key in my pocket. I know it sounds weird Part 2, some of my great memories from my May trip are of conversations with fellow guests at bus stops and on buses. I, an Eagles fan, even enjoyed conversations with very proud Patriots fans three months after the Eagles lost the Super Bowl to the Pats. Even THOSE are good memories for me. And the buses made that possible, because Lord knows I wasn't going to let a stinking Patriots fan in my car!!!

 

[scoolover]

When I last stayed on property, I did not have a car and everything was fine. The transportation was great and we did not need a car. I had no issues with going without a car.
That being said, we are renting a car this year. I would like a little more freedom to explore and when the rest of the family gets back to the room at night I will go take pictures all over Disney property.
If money is a big issue you will no problem using Disney transportation but if you rent a car, that will be fine also. You will adapt to whatever you decide and have a great time.

 

[drgnfly30]

We have a car no matter what... you never know when you'll need it... during our last trip DS10 got sick... we had to take him to Emergency Care, fill prescriptions, etc....

Plus you can operate on your schedule not WDW's, no matter how 'convenient' their transportation is, I've never used it without some sort of wait (sometimes up to an hour with wait time & extra stops) & could have easily made the trip several times by driving.

BTW..I think you can find a better price... I'm renting a minivan to drive down this year & got a 10 day rental for $534.xx.

 

[jayhjay]

Thanks for all your great feedback. We have decided to rent a car, mostly for those times that disney transpo is not convenient (ie between resorts). We will probably also drive to AK and then AKL for dinner b/c getting back to WL will be a pain after that. And then we will use the bus/boat the rest of the time (I actually enjoy the bus/boat rides, but with two little kids cars are sometimes easier).

I did some looking and found an alamo mid-size suv for $250 for 8 days. I am hoping rates will go down more as we get closer, but this is better than we had seen so we decided to grab it.

Thanks for all your advice! JJ