Would you rent a car if you were me?

[sara74]

We are staying at AKV - Kidani for 8 nights next month. The kids are 3, 5 and 7. We've stayed at WDW before, most recently at Saratoga, and have had no problems with Disney transportation at all. We've used the buses and even wrangled a single and a double stroller on and off of them with little problem.

So then why do I feel like I should be renting a car this time? Is AK so far out there that renting a car will make a big difference in my plans/enjoyment of the trip? The money isn't really an issue on it - if you Disers tell me to rent a car, consider it done! But there is a little nagging part of me that says 'hey, the buses have worked before, why mess with success?' I am worried that driving and navigating and parking will add stress, rather than relieve it.

What do you suggest?

 

[Glencora]

Honestly, I think you will find it so much nicer to have an air conditioned car that has a seat for everyone, and leaves when you want it to without having to wait that you'll never not rent a car again! And if you hop, you'll get from one park to another in about half the time as with Disney transportation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Don't rent a car. I don't believe you'll need it.

 

[n2mm]

Rent a car! I would never not rent a car. There's no stress as Disney does a wonderful job at marking their roads and ramps. There is no law that says you can't use the buses if you want if you rent a car. I've stayed at AKL/AKV many times and agree, it's pretty far out, but we've always had a rental car, so it's never a problem. It's a straight shot to every place you want to go.

 

[NHdisneylover]

If you are normally happy with the WDW transportation system (which it sounds like you are) then I see no reason to rent a car. We stayed at Kidani in December and used the busses. None of nocticed that is was any more of a hassle (which we do not think it is much of one ever) than from any other resort. It took a while to get to mK but not that long (I believe it would have taken longer to drive, park and then mess with the monorail or ferry) and we were at AK super fast of course.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I am big fan of renting a car, I do not rely on the Disney Transportation unless I'm staying at one of the Monorail resorts and use the Monorail to MK (technicality as well when driving, you need to use either the Monorail or Boat to get to MK).

 

[MEK]

I have stayed at Kidani and SSR. I actually think a car is more convenient at SSR because you walk right out of your building and there is the car.

Let me explain the parking at Kidani. It is below the building. Now I did stay there last June, so perhaps they have the overflow lots open now. But when we stayed there we often could not park close to the elevator nearest to our villa. It is also difficult to judge how far away you actually from the villa when when you are parking underneath. A few times we had a long walk to our villa and it required a bit of memory to figure out were the car was.

As I said, we stayed at Kidani was it was only open a month, so perhaps things have improved.

I honestly hated the underground parking. It was the least Disney moment of the whole trip. I love the parking at SSR - so darn convenient.

On the other hand, I am not a big fan of the bus and its possible to have an equally long walk to the bus.

I think you should really decide how much you will be using the car for getting from park to park and if you think you might venture offsite for shopping. It is immensely helpful to have the car for a grocery store run.

You will love Kidani. so different from SSR. They both have their good and bad points. And BTW - getting from the animal kingdom parking lot to the AKL is a tad tricky. But we finally figured it out!

 

[justplaingoofy]

If you rent a car will you have to bring down car seats/booster seats?

 

[sara74]

If we rent a car we'll have to bring a car seat and a booster with us.

I discussed this with DH and he says he likes the buses and boats as he relaxes on them. Now that I think about it I have several pictures of him asleep on Disney transportation while we are on the way back to the resorts for a break! I think renting and driving (which he would end up doing) might cause stress rather than relieve it.

And, yeah, the whole MK driving issue does get to me - that's where many of our park days will be! I don't want to park the car and then use Disney transportation as well!

Thanks for the tips - I think I have my answer!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, expanding on my response (I posted this recently, thought it was here, fortunately NOT repeating myself ) on a recent trip, I rented a car - I needed it only to get to the airport after a long-awaited lunch, when Magical Express timing wouldn't have worked. It would have cost me $56 to rent the car for one day; I got the same car for EIGHT days for $74! Kind of a no-brainer . I used it once to go grocery shopping, once to run another errand, and the third time to get to lunch and then the airport. NEVER for a park - and I was staying at OKW, so the car was right outside my door.

 

[Hillbeans]

While it's nice to have Magical Express, it's also nice to have your own car. We have done trips with and without a car, and for the most part got along fine utilizing the bus service.

We have a few off-park things planned for our trip this coming November (day visits to Sea World and Nick Hotel) so we are renting a car. I also don't like leaving 3+ hours early on ME on departure day.

 

[connorsmom911]

I agree with many of the previous posters. I always rent a car now, mostly because I like stopping on the way to the resort at Walmart for some snacks/breakfast stuff for the room, and because the last bunch of trips we have done ADR's at resort restaurants and it takes FOREVER to bus it. Now, that being said, I do not drive to MK as the bus is closer, but I do tend to drive to the other parks.

Beware though, once you rent a car, you tend to get spoiled at having the freedom and it makes it hard to go back to not renting one!! That was my downfall!!

 

[uva185]

There is not need to rent a car. You drive everyday back home, why not take a break from that and let Disney do the driving!

I rent cars when I visit certain cities but I have never rented a car for Disney and I never plan to.

 

[elgerber]

We always rent a car. Granted, we don't use it that much once we get there, but I like having one. I don't care for ME, I prefer to go to and from the airport on my own terms. We don't use it to get the to MK, we use the bus. We walk to DHS/Epcot, but we drive to AK for some reason. I also like to have a car for Downtown Disney, I don't like to use the buses to go there.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

There is not need to rent a car. You drive everyday back home, why not take a break from that and let Disney do the driving!

Its a sacrafice many are willing to give (driving on vacation) for convenience.

 

[linzbear]

Honestly, if you're fine with Disney Transportation, AKL buses are some of the best ones on property anyway - they only make 2 stops (Jambo/Kidani which are very close to one another) and then are off to their destination.

So if I was you, I'd stick with Disney Transportation. Do yourself a favor though, and request a room close to the lobby when you check in. Those hallways are looooong!

For the record, I always rent a car now, but that's me!