Do You Rent a Car When you Stay On Property?

[RNR&TOT]

We were there for 10 days and didn't want to spend the money on a rental car. We were a little hesitant about it, but once we got there, we LOVED Disney transportation -- DME, busses, monorails, and boats. We stayed at POP.

I know a lot of people like the convenience of having a car, but we loved the freedom of just sitting back and letting someone else do the work -- no maps to read, gas to buy, keys to keep up with, traffic to fight. We kept saying it was truly a vacation since we didn't have to THINK for 10 days.

[SurferStitch]

I know a lot of people like the convenience of having a car, but we loved the freedom of just sitting back and letting someone else do the work -- no maps to read, gas to buy, keys to keep up with, traffic to fight. We kept saying it was truly a vacation since we didn't have to THINK for 10 days.

[BriarRose]

The choices didn't really fit what we do. We take a towncar to and from the airport because they are there exclusively for you and will stop at a store if you need anything. We also take a towncar to and from "non-Disney" parks because they will pick you up and drop you off to and from the parks whenever you want, plus you don't have to pay for parking or wearily shuffle back to your car.

As far as between the Disney Parks, we use the busses and monorail.

[rblais1968]

We have rented cars, taken buses and done the towncar. The towncar option is the best. A private ride to and from the airport for about the same price as the bus. Once at WDW stick with the Disney transportation.

[ktflisa]

The only time we rented a car was when we split out Disney visit with a visit to the mom-in-law in Tampa. But we only used it when we drove to see her on Saturday and went back to WDW on Monday morning... it sat at the hotel otherwise. It's a big hassle to drive to the parks, I think!

Out of 10 trips - we've never needed it. We use a car service to and from the airport which is just a little perk we like. It's the only time we ever do that.

~~~Jonesin' for my next Disney trip!!~~~

[mecarroll]

DW and I have only been to Disney once (last year) and rented a car then. We stayed at CSR and loved the ability to just jump in the car and go to whichever park we wanted, when we wanted, and stop off somewhere along the way (if we wanted). Between the "last minute" rate and the coupon I had, it didn't cost that much for the week.

[prttynpnk]

We never rent a car- I like the total removal from responsibility, no gas, no map. Just hop on the bus and let the nice people deliver me to my mouse.

[caryrae]

We rent a car every time and we the know the area well enough we never need a map and rarely have to get gas except just before we return the car at the airport.

Disney has tons of signs to get you were you need to go around the WDW area. The only other time we may need gas is if we go out to Cocoa Beach for the day.

We have never found it a hassle to drive, it's very easy to get around in your own car. I am also one of those people who love to drive. For some reason I hate being a passenger even driving around where we live.

We also like to spend a little extra and get a convertible. It is awesome driving around with the top down. Last time we had a new Mustang Convertible, that was very nice and it was only about $250 for the week last Sept.

[Goes4FastPass]

The replies to this question have been interesting.

I'm surprised, honestly, that so many 'Disney Fanatics' book Disney Resort Vacations with all the trimmings to be immersed in the magic - then drive around Walt Disney World. Yes, there are many signs and driving there isn't difficult.

We love DME. The day our color coded bag tags arrive we do the 'doc dance'. We drop our bags off at our home airport and we're done.

I seem to hear a lot of "We always..." particularly among car renters. I'm wondering if some of those "We always" are more 'tradition' than 'decision'. Like "We always go to Illuminations the last night of our trip."

Flame me for asking, but am I hearing some people say, "I don't stand at the bus stop at home so I'm not going to be bus rider on vacation either."?

Of coure, it's a matter of choice.

So let me ask a follow-up question. How many WDW vacation car renters tried DME and going 'car-less', didn't like it and went back to renting a car?

['Guest' of the MasterControlProgram]

Well, we drive, so DME isn't in the picture. Sure we could then take the WDW buses ... but others say it is relaxing, but I don't find buses relaxing. Well, a long distance bus is fine by me. I've taken the bus from AC to NYC and back. Those buses are tour-style and those the the DME style buses too from what I've seen of DME buses. But the city/urban mass transit buses are not fun. I didn't spend all that $ to go take a stinkin' bus

In another thread there is a discussion about tipping (using DD). I mentioned my dissatisfaction being paid in casino currency during my brief yet all too long post-911 period w/o a career. My car also decided to be unreliable then too. I had delivered pizza before that until the car got too bad. Although I had a ride to work, some nights my now-wife had to work and I had to take the bus. The bus ain't fun. Period. WDW doesn't make it better. The one time we had our car's belts fixed at the CCC (by the TTC) we used the WDW buses. No fun!

We can only agree to disagree. We actually *like* to drive. It is fun to see how big WDW is and what all the nooks and crannies look like. And the drive to WDW is fun for us too.

And it is interesting to hear that not understanding how buses (at home) work might be a factor. I will confess this much: I have NO clue how airlines and airports work! I don't understand tickets, miles/points, connecting flights, luggage issues, security, why you have to arrive hours before hand and drive an hour+ to get to the airport, terminals, gates, why you have to wait an hour or more for your luggage to come back if it does at all, and a lot lot more.

To the family coming with us to WDW this fall, I guess it is the same to them regarding how much there is to know about WDW and the in's and out's. I overloaded my brother in law with "ADR,TTC,TTA,MK,MGM,AKL,DTD,WS,FW,..." etc etc. But to me it's fun. I enjoy it all, that'w why I'm here.

Someday we'll get to Disneyland. And we'll fly. But until then...

[disneyvivi1980]

We never have to rent a car simply because we have our own vehicule.
When staying onsite at WDW, we now always stay at Fort Wilderness. We use the pcik-up truck to get in and out the campground for groceries on the first day. The rest of the time, we use WDW Transportation, it's just a nice feeling of not having to drive around and enjoy the sightings...

[Vinny]

I too always rent a car when going to WDW. As others have mentioned, it gives you alot more flexibility to come and go when you want. While I still use the Disney buses to get to the four parks, taking a car to Downtown Disney is much faster than a bus. Also, I like to have some meals during vacation at restaurants that are off of WDW property. Renting a car eliminates the need for scheduling taxis and budgeting $ for such a purpose. Being able to just pick up, walk to the parking lot, get in the car and go is worth the cost of the rental when considering the alternatives.

[LudwigVonDrake]

Disney Transportation is the only way to go for me

[Hammer]

The replies to this question have been interesting.

I'm surprised, honestly, that so many 'Disney Fanatics' book Disney Resort Vacations with all the trimmings to be immersed in the magic - then drive around Walt Disney World. Yes, there are many signs and driving there isn't difficult.

So let me ask a follow-up question. How many WDW vacation car renters tried DME and going 'car-less', didn't like it and went back to renting a car?

I have done both and honestly prefer to rent a car, especially when I travel with my sister. We like going to resorts for dinner and it would be cumbersome to keep needing to call a cab. It caused more stress for us to keep looking at the clock to be sure we alloted enough time to get to our dining location (with the need to switch buses) that it cuts into our daily afternoon resort time.

When I travel with my sister, she does the driving, as she now lives right outside NYC and she does not get to drive often and enjoys the opportunity. I have done trips solo that I haven't rented the car and I find I don't explore as many resorts on those trips.

[dumbo ears]

we usually just drive down to WDW, since we are only 6 hours or less away. unless you wanted to drive out of WDW you really wouldn't need a car. the magical express is just awesome.

[Wayne]

Never have...probably never will.

[ihavealipfreckle]

Since my trips from when I was little are kind of blurry, I am going to base this on our trips during May-2005, May-2006 and our upcoming May-2007 trips. We flew , and got a Tiffany Towncar. Great service. I highly recommend them. We stopped at Publix to pick up some food, then off to FW! Once on-site, we stay there. We consider it almost blasphemy to go off-site. I hate it. I don't like going off-site when I'm at disney. In 2006 we did to go have dinner with a friend of the family who works at AK, and she drove, and another time, we went to visit our cousin and her fiance and his kids who were visiting Disney. They were staying off-site so they picked us up in their rental. I love disney buses and the monorail. There is something about them. It's just so *Disney*. I wouldn't change it for the world. This May, we are taking the Amtrak Auto-Train. My dad is using it one night to go visit some friends, and we are using it as a group to go to the grocery store . But the only time we are planning on using it to go to the parks maybe is during the Ironman, b/c it goes around FW and last year the bus schedule was screwed up. I love Disney transportation, and wouldn't have it any other way. Just call me a die-hard Disney world freak.


14 days and a wake up!!