Would a rental car be necessary?

[De Ann]

I was wondering, since as DVC members you're at WDW yearly, if not more, how do you get around? Do you rent a car or do you rely on the WDW transportation? I'm still trying to convince DH to join DVC and we're trying to figure out all the expenses related to vacationing on a yearly basis. Should we budget a rental car into our figures?

 

[drusba]

If you do not mind relying on Disney transportation, you do not need a car. However, we always have one because we (a) like getting to a park in 10 minutes rather than 30, (b) often go to other resorts for which Disney transportation is one step below horrible, (c) often go off-site.t

 

[MN_DizNut]

If we don't drive down, we ALWAYS rent a car, even if we never leave the world. As Drusba points out, a car can often get you there faster, as well as being (IMHO) more convenient if you bump from park to park during a single day. Finally, as a big guy, I deplore public transportation of any kind (even find the bumps to first on the plane a bit tight these days...must be narrower seats...???)

Jon

WDW '85 offsite
DL '85
DL '87
WDW '89 offsite
WL '97
WL '97 (again!)
WH '99
WL '99
AStSp '99 (YUCKY!!!)
DCL/Poly Jun/July '02

 

[SusanU]

We always get a car since it is just as cheap, especially for 6 of us, to do so rather than pay & wait for airport transportation. However, we don't usually use it while at BW. We find we can walk into both Epcot & MGM & bus service is very quick for AK & MK. My husband has used it for golf, however, cab transportation is free to golf when staying there. We have used it for Downtown Disney or the occasional trip to grocery store or Walmart, or going to other resorts to eat or shop. It is definitely not a necessity, but your choice. Many people definitely spare the trouble & expense of a rental.

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: we've done both and much prefer the rental car. it does make it so much more convenient to get around wdw and go off site as well.

 

[Paul in CT]

We always rent a car because we really enjoy going to the other resorts, especially during the holidays when decorations are up. They are part of the WDW attraction for us, even if we don't pool hop. As was said above, Disney transportation to/from the parks is fine, but not resort to resort.

Also, since you will be at DVC with a kitchen, you may want to be able to easily make a few trips for groceries.

We have found car rental rates in Orlando to be pretty good. One tip, once you reserve the car be sure to call several times before your trip to see if you can better rate. More often than not, I have gotten better rates each time I called.

Paul in CT

 

[Goofy's Mum]

Since we are able to go to WDW twice a year, thanks to DVC, we have tried this plan:

On the vacation that we plan to do only Disney parks, we don't rent a car. That also means that we tend to book in a studio since we don't get to the grocery store, but since we save the cost of the car, we put the money toward eating at the parks. A little trade off, but a relaxing trip.

On the vacation that we plan to go to Sea World or other places, we rent a car. We also try to book in a one-bedroom and buy our groceries. That way, we save money by cooking for ourselves. Also a little trade off, but it works for us.

Whatever you do, HAVE FUN!!!

 

[ReneeQ]

We drive to Disney, so we have our car there, but we never use it. We valet park it when we check into the Boardwalk and don't see it again until we call for it the day we leave. Yes, driving our own car would be faster at times, but while in Disney we're not in a hurry. And my husband LOVES the fact that he doesn't have to drive anywhere! It just depends on your personal preferences.

 

[BobBrazeal]

I used to stay off-site so always had a rental car. The first time that I stayed on-site, I had a rental car and never moved it the whole 10 days I was there. Since then (1994) I've been back at least once and most years twice and I've never gotten a rental car. I don't go off-site while I'm there but understand that there are shuttles/buses that you can get to go to the off-site parks. I don't know how well they do or do not work.

I'm single and that may make a difference. I have an AP and go often enough that I want to relax and take my time when I go. I get up when I want to and get to the bus stops whenever I get there. Many days I just get on the first bus that comes by. That will decide where I'm going that day. I move from park to park and from resort to resort. I don't find it frustrating at all. Let me amend that, it doesn't seem to matter where you are staying, there seems to be a problem getting anywhere from DD West Side!

Good luck and with our without a car, have a great time.

<img src=http://members.home.net/bbrazeal1/disney/images/sm14dvcdis.gif>

 

[eva]

We usually drive down. But once we are there we rarely get in our car to go anywhere. We flew last year and had Tiffany Towncar pick us up from the airport. It was great and we didn't miss our car at all. We are flying down in May and will use Tiffany again. Since they allow a 30 minute grocery stop you can pick up your groceries before you check-in. All of the resorts have cold storage if you can't check-in right away. When you check-in the bell staff will deliver your luggage and groceries right to your room. One of the reasons we bought DVC was because it is inside WDW and we can use their transportation. We love to park the car and never see it until we leave. I guess it depends on how long you are staying as to whether Tiffany will save you money. It will cost about $100 round-trip for your entire family with tip included. That is definitely cheaper than a rental for an entire week. Plus Tiffany will meet you at the luggage claim and load all of your baggage right there. You do not have to hunt down the rental counter and haul all of your luggage to the car yourself.

 

[marifran]

We fly down and get Tiffany Towncar to pick us up, then have them stop at a grocery store on our way to OKW to pick up what we need. We don't go off property and have found that over the years the traffic at WDW is getting very congested and since we usually go during holiday seasons (Christmas and Easter) it is less convenient for us to have a car. I've been in traffic jams there that WDW buses have been able to circumvent that drivers in cars were unable to do anything but sit through. We have rented a car many times in the past and no longer do so.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We rent a car because it is cheaper when you have 4 people or more going from the airport. We then use it for going between resorts while we are at WDW, and for going to the grocery etc.

We rely on WDW transportation for the parks, because we hate the trip in from the parking lots at the parks. It is so much easier to just get on a bus and have it drop you off near your villa. We hear lots of complaints about the buses at OKW, but we don't have much trouble with them. The only frustration for us has been trying to do buses to and from DD or to the other resorts. That is when the car comes in handy.

Disneydiane

 

[waltskids]

We always drive down in the summer, so we have a car, but never use it. We will be flying this Nov. and we are not going to rent a car. We have never had a problem getting around WDW (just allow a lot of time if you're going to another resort)

 

[Jimmac]

We always rent a car. When you factor in the cost of transportation from the airport,the convenience of food shopping when you need something (can't imagine remembering everything in just one stop)the option and savings of dinning off site and just the ease of putting the kids in the car as opposed to a bus, the rental car is best for us.

 

[baileybrad]

there is no right or wrong answer to this question. When we don't drive we do rent a car and we use it quite a bit. We are not a big fan of relying on Disney transportation as our only option. We also eat off-site and grocery shop at the Superwalmart on 192. We enjoy the freedom of having an automobile. We find the Disney transportation is great when we seperate our group. It provides great flexibility, just like having a car at your disposal does.