Would you rather rent a car or take Disney transportation?

[Bullseye]

I always weigh in on this subject. Disney Transportation is one of the greatest perks they offer. From the time you leave the airport to the time you return they personally chaffeur you everywhere you need to go. That being said...

We always rent a car. It's absolutely faster and less hassle. Even driving to the Magic Kingdom is no big deal. You park, pick up a tram within a couple of minutes, pick up a monorail within a few more. For us, riding the monorail or ferry to the MK is part of the Disney experience.

With a car everyone has their own seat, parking is no problem, much easier for stowing strollers and your stuff plus you have a cooler of cold drinks waitng for you when you return. Too many times we've sat waiting for buses in the hot sun or pouring rain to say, forget it. Driving around LBV is fun and you can't get lost, all roads lead to Disney. Plus you can hit Walmart/Target for some room provisions at normal prices. We feel having a car is liberating!!

 

[Coach81]

Disney Busses..

 

[jensen]

I voted that we get a car. But, it's not so much the waiting that bothers us... it's standing on buses with sleeping kids in our arms. It's much easier to stroll them to the car, plop them in their car seat and drive back to our room. We only used Disney buses one trip and that was enough for us!

 

[countinggirl]

This was probably one of the biggest decisions we made about the whole darn trip! Part of me didn't want to rent a car b/c I didn't want to pay to have the car sit in a parking lot all day. On the other hand, we're taking 3 days to do Universal so we needed to be able to get there. I did try looking at Mears and really couldn't find that much info about it (not that I called...) to tell me how often they run etc.

Using Mousesavers we did get a discount on our rental and are renting for a week for $165 + gas. I'm pretty happy with the price. I like the convenience of going when we want to go and leaving when we want to leave. Plus we are planning on staying at the parks until close every night so it will always be a pain to get the bus back (we're staying at All Music).

We're going to use DME to get from MCO to the resort and pick up the car the next morning. We're returning the car to MCO since our flight is at 8am and I don't want to be there any earlier then necessary. Doing it this way saves us the gas for the trip in and a day off the rental.

Disclaimer - this is our first trip so who knows how we'll feel after!

 

[Pineapple Whip]

sorry to get off topic but....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ov-tldnmc

back to your regularly scheduled debate.

that's effin awesome... So heading to the beach!!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Normal me: Why pay for a car when the buses are free?

Paranoid dad with a 6 month old: Rent a car, just in case we need to bail "right now". Of course, kiddo was fine the entire time, and would have been fine on a bus.

Lesson learned: Disney Transportation
* Disney transportation is always faster to MK. Avoid the TTC.
* Driving from resort to resort is a huge time-saver (no bus transfer at DTD) if you plan on dining throughout WDW.
* Disney transportation has character. The buses from the parks to each resort play resort-themed music. (Pop has a lot of cheesy songs, like the Flinstones theme, Purple People Eater... POFQ had very comforting jazz music.)
* Disney guests are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet. Say "hi" and make some new friends. Especially if your kids are going to share each others toys no matter what you say.
* Fold your stroller like you trained your entire life! Don't look like a noob, get your kid and gear packed up before you board. (I liked using a snugli for my infant and a backpack for the diaper stuff, leaving both my hands free for the stroller.)
* If you're staying until park close, there will be a line for buses. In our experience, there were no unreasonable delays. The only time we waited more than 15 minutes was when four buses in a row needed to load wheelchairs at MK. Did I complain. Nope? Kudos to Disney for making guests with mobility issues their priority. And even in this situation, Disney double-parked a 5th bus to take non-handicapped passengers while the 4th bus was loading a wheelchair guest at the regular stop. Only morons would complain about the service. (A few were staying at our resort.)
* If it's not peak season, mid-day buses run every 20 minutes. If you leave the parks mid-day, you have to be patient because murphy's law dictates that you just miss the bus.
* If a resort has multiple bus stops, there will be people who got on the bus before you. If you're in a group of more than 4 people, chances are you will have to split up to get seats. (This is why I love POFQ and Pop Century -- one bus stop. CSR buses drove me bonkers.)
* Boat rides to resorts are magical. Wilderness Lodge, POR, POFQ, Saratoga Springs, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin... The monorail is nice to, but boat rides are much more intimate.
* DME is an excellent service. I <3 not handling my luggage to and from the airport.

Lesson learned: Driving
* Driving is faster for Epcot, AK and DHS, but only if you can park in the first 5 rows of cars. We travelled during regular season, and arrived early -- no problem parking at the front.
* Even when we park-hopped and parked in the middle of the parking lot, it was faster to walk our stroller straight to the car than to fold it and put it on a tram.
* Shopping off-site is a nice break. And we found some deals too.
* Road signage is pretty good. And the roads are relatively forgiving if you make a wrong turn. (I'm not going to say if it was intentional or not.)
* It was a treat to get a minivan, where we didn't even have to fold the stroller. (That's a luxury we don't have at home.)
* A regular-sized car feels overstuffed when you have four adults and lots of luggage. Orlando rental companies love to sell last-minute upgrades. We sacrificed our dignity and held some luggage on our laps while we drove to the resort, rather than spending $250 on an upgrade.
* Tampa and Winter Garden are not that far away. It's nice to see some non-Disney parks.

 

[katemarcail]

I love busses, though I've done it both ways and, really, we didn't find it any less a hassle to take the tram out to the car lot and find the car. The worst was the one time we forgot to note the row number and spent a good HOUR wandering up and down the aisles trying to figure which of the approximately one zillion silver rented car was ours. Waiting for a bus is lightning fast and stress free compared to that! And there's little hotter than a sun-baked parking lot. Give me a shaded bus stop over that any day of the week!

The one time we found the car helpful was when our party was split between two resorts on two sides of the property. Frankly I would have preferred not having the car even then since it lead to a lot of rushing out to the parking lot, driving over, parking, walking in (total time: 30+ minutes) just to hang out in the hotel with the rest of the party when we would have been just as happy enjoying our own resort. Oh, well.

I guess the short of it is that we haven't found a car to be any sort of a time saver (once you factor in waiting for the tram, walking to the car, parking time) for us and since we're not juggling a stroller or wheelchair or tired kid(s) it's far more convenient for us to bus it. I'd far rather spend that money on a nice dinner or souvenirs or a tour or, really, anything else.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I went Thanksgiving week 2008. I rented a car, my sis did not. I stayed at the Contemp., my sis at GF..both monorail resorts. We had ADRS all over the place...resorts, parks, DTD etc.. and I told my sis to rent a car. She said it wasnt necessary.

I could not WAIT to rub the old "I told you so" in her face at the end of the week.

Sadly, she was rubbibng it in my face. She made it to all the ADRs, did not wait at all for the buses and saved $$$.

This trip, it is just my family. Again, Im staying at a monorail resort and again, Im renting a car...Im just a Nervous Nelly I guess. I like to have control over what Im doing.

As you mentioned, you are going to see how the buses are going before renting one. I think thats the smartest idea. I was fortunate and booked my car about 9 months ago at a great rate (less than $200 for 10 days including all the madatory fees)

 

[badblackpug]

I stated in a PP that I did not consider someone might not like driving. If you hate it, then don't. I can relate to this point as I had spent years commuting on buses and trains and would not want to wait for a bus on vacation.

I've already said if it's your preference not to drive that is fine. Go do you, and have a great trip.

I am contesting the misinformation for not doing something on your trip. It is common on this board and not isolated to you. You happened to present some points that were just way out there. In your original post, your primary point on not renting a car was that your van requirement would cost $1400. Your secondary points were car hunting, traffic, and road rage. Other posters have said things along the lines of hassle, risk, parking, distance, traffic, expense.

I could give a flying fig what method anyone chooses to get around WDW. However there should be factual claims to the pros and cons, otherwise how exactly are we helping people make a choice in either direction?

I advise site noobs to fact-check what they read here.

That is all.

Oh my! I'm sorry I didn't realize you were there when we got the rental car quote! I also didn't realize you knew my husband and what he was like driving in crowds. I apologize!

 

[Vivianne]

that's effin awesome... So heading to the beach!!

Sorry off-topic again,

We did our, so far, one and only Disney Cruise and I LOVED Castaway Cay. We're 2 adults and had lots of fun.

On topic.

If people want to drive why not? There are definite advantages. If everyone
drove then I think it would be a big traffic problem. Besides, there would be less
coupon/codes for us.

So for those who like to take the bus, I get it's the best option for you, nothing wrong with that. I'd probably try the bus if I travelled alone.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Oh my! I'm sorry I didn't realize you were there when we got the rental car quote! I also didn't realize you knew my husband and what he was like driving in crowds. I apologize!

Your apology is accepted, nice to see you finally admit your mistakes.

 

[badblackpug]

Your apology is accepted, nice to see you finally admit your mistakes.

LOL! Then please let Mr. Calm know HE is driving to the Phillies game tonight!

 

[Pineapple Whip]

LOL! Then please let Mr. Calm know HE is driving to the Phillies game tonight!

Now how could someone not be calm after a night out at the game?

 

[jpolak]

We do both. We rent a car becuase I like the flexability it gives us. We go to super walmart to stock up and use the car to go to dinners at the other resort. Also we use the WDW busses to go to parks.

 

[Snork]

I voted for Disney Transportation. In the real world where I work I drive 1.5 hours a day to/from work. At work I am on/off forklifts all day. I get a lot of drive time when I am not at WDW.

So when I am there I like to not have to drive. I am ok with waits for busses because I refuse to drive on vacation. I need the down time.

 

[MegaDisney]

I really think the answer to this question depends on your family and your vacation style.

For us, we always rent a car. The reason being is that we have 3 small kids (last time we went they were 5, 3 and 18 months) and absolutely it is easier for us to have our own car. The thought of dealing with 3 kids, a double stroller, a single stroller, and all other baby gear (and I'm a light packer!!) while trying to navigate the busses was something we just did not want to deal with. It is easier for us to have our own car and deal with any travel hassle on our own terms. Pack the kids into the car at our own pace, drive to the parks, unpack at our own pace, walk to the gates- this was much less stressful for us.

I don't know if we saved or lost any time using our own car, but I can tell you that knowing that I did not have to deal with a bus line at the end of the night, or the pain of folding up strollers, finding a place to sit with 3 kids- priceless. I am also another one of those control freaks and I liked knowing we could just walk out of the parks, over to our car and hop in. And if the kids were asleep all we had to do was pull them out of the stroller and pop them right into their car seats- no trying to hold onto them in a crowded bus.

Now that said, DH and I did a quick 3 night trip a few months ago and we did use ME, and I have to say we were pleasantly surprised how easy it was. However, we are still of the opinion that if the kids were with us we would still rent a car. As they are getting older though, perhaps that will change. It's still hard for me to imagine a trip without a stroller but I'm told it does eventually happen, lol!!

We also like to do Universal and Sea World, so a car is necessary for that obviously.

Anyway, just my opinion. Have a good day all!

 

[Disney93]

We enjoyed the time we brought our van, but flying in this time and cannot see spending the money for Florida rentals - the extra fees they tack on that $40/day rental can double your price (I work with expense reports on a daily basis).
We are staying at AKL with friends. Since AKL is out there, it has it's own dedicated bus - there are busses that share with other resorts or have several bus stops within a resort. This is a dedicated bus, and she said they loved it. And she was with us on our last trip, when we had our van.
We are, however, splitting the price of a town car - we will stop at a grocery for a couple of things and then get straight to the hotel, and no waiting for ME to stop at other stops before it finally drops us off (or sitting at the airport waiting for them to leave).

We always get a car and I'm not sure what kind of car you are renting. We have a midsize car reserved in Oct for 10 days and we are paying $227 total including all taxes. We used our Costco discount which includes a free upgrade and no charge for an additional driver.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this to our transportation board.

 

[rotlex]

We used to exclusively use Disney transportation. No problems with it, however......we have drivin to Disney our past few trips, and now, would NEVER be without a car.

I know there are tons of opinions on this, and yes, Disney transportation works very well. With that said, IMO, once you have had the convenience of a car, and the zero wait times for buses after some very long park days, I could not possibly go back to it.

We are 100% car now, except when traveling around MK resorts, and to and from Epcot from there, as we do enjoy the monorail ride.

 

[skelooch]

Let's face it we all know why Disney offers free DME and onsite transportation.
If it works for you, then by all means use it.

Our family wouldn't consider being at WDW without a car and always rent. We feel the flexibility and convenience more than justifies the cost.

The only park that it might make sense to use the bus for is MK, (to avoid TTC) and then only if we were returning directly to our resort after.

Just my $.02