Quantcast Should we rent a Car?
 
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Mousehut Mail WebDisney News INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Guide
News Discussion Theme Parks Resorts Info Central Shop Interactive Podcast INTERCOT Navigtion
Site Sponsors
  magical journeys travel agency
  INTERCOT shop

INTERCOT Affiliates
  disney magicbands & accessories
  disneystore.com
  disney fathead
  disney check designs
  amazon.com
  priceline.com

News
  site search
  headlines
  past updates
  discussion boards
  email update

INTERCOT Other
  advertising
  sponsors
  link to us
  contact us
     

INTERCOT Ads
 

 
 

Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Wilmington, DE
    Posts
    39
    Post Thanks / Like

    Question Should we rent a Car?

    Just wondering if we should rent a car? What are the cost for renting a car. I know we will have to get a taxi at least two times. Cost should be about $56 I think. What is the cost to rent a car for a couple of days or the week? And where can I get information. I am staying at the CSR.
    Next trip: POR-July 08
    Off-site July 1985 Off-site-Mar 1990 Off-site-Mar 1991
    CB-May 2003 CB-Aug 2005 WLV-Nov 2006 CS-April 2007

  2.     Please Support INTERCOT's Sponsors:
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Pensacola, Fl.
    Posts
    3,197
    Post Thanks / Like

    Smile

    We never rent a car. We live here in Florida and drive to WDW. But we park our car at the
    resort and never use it the entire time we are
    there. The WDW buses take you to all the parks
    and DTD so if you stay within the parks I see no
    need for a car.
    BEEN THERE, DONE THAT AND GOING BACK
    MAY 29!!

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    2,654
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Renting a car varies widely in price. I was looking at over 600.00 for a week in a mini van but then I was given a discount code that brought the price to 250! Big difference!!

    I always look at priceline online to find rates. You type in all of your information and get rates for different cars. Check the FINAL rate, though. The price you often see first for a week doesn't include all kinds of taxes and things!

    It really also depends when you are traveling. We travel prime time so tend to pay more for things that are a LOT cheaper in the off season.
    Kelly


    4/98 Offsite
    11/03 Make a Wish Trip
    8/05, 4/07, 4/08, 4/09, 4/11, 4/12, 4/13, 4.14
    Sheraton Vistana Resort
    11/07 Hilton Grand Vacations Sea World

    Next Trip: 04/15 Sheraton Vistana



    Give the Gift of Life; Be an Organ Donor!!

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    105
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Renting a car is a matter of personal preference. It depends on what you want to do while there, if you have children, and how flixible you can be.

    We have made multiple trips for more years than I can count and we have never rented a car. We don't have children, but even if we did, the buses are fun, easy, and free for those staying on property!

    You can easily get a folding stroller on the bus and the child will be either held by another adult in your party, or sit in seat, depending on age. You will be required to fold the stroller and remove child from stroller for the bus ride.

    Buses run about every 20 minutes from any location. You can change buses at Downtown Disney to get to other resorts. Leaving the parks at night the buses will be packed with standing room only, but if you don't rush out of the park and don't mind waiting a few extra minutes, you can get a bus with seating available. You will never be stranded in a park after closing, CM's will always be sure you get back to your resort.

    You won't ever have to fight the line of cars trying to leave the park at night, no searching for your car, and if you wish to have a few adult beverages, you have your safe ride home.

    I find car rental to be an added and unneccessary expense. If you are going to visit attractions off property, a cab ride is an easy option and won't cost much, although I have not used cab service. Check with your front desk at your resort and they can give you ball park prices.

    I hope this is helpful information.

    More trips than I can list, DVC Members since 2003.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    40,875
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    If you have off-site committments, you'll need to run the numbers to see what might be most economical for you. On one trip, we found it more economical to rent a car for the duration of the trip than for the few specific days we needed it.

    If you want to rent for only a day or two, both Alamo and National are located on Disney World property - at the Car Care Center and the Dolphin.
    Linda aka: Faline
    INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
    [email protected]

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    844
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We just returned from our first non car trip and it was great. We flew and stayed on site and we had no problem not having a car.My DH loved not having to drive at all this trip. The buses at the resort were efficient and never crowded and we never waited more than 5 or 10 minutes for one. We used a taxi one time, the night we had the birthday dinner at the Grand Floridian for our two kiddos and they were dressed up in costume. From the Yacht Club to the GF was about $12 one way, so with tip it cost us about $30 total round trip. Worth it and much cheaper than a car rental for the week and we didn't need one anyway.Our next trip will again be a "carless" one.
    Kim, Mom of Two Russian Angels

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    863
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Our family always rents a car. Our September trip we will be getting a mid size car from National for $307.00 for 9 days. It started out at 474.00 but I keep calling and it has gone down. We really like the flexibility of a car. We eat off properties a few times, go to wallmart for things we need, and the grocery store. We park hop a lot and always go back to the resort during the day. We don't want to waste time waiting for busses. My SIL never rents a car and seems to do fine. She does not want to spend the money on a car but we just budget it in to our vacation.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    863
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I called National again this moring and the rate on our car has gone down to $245.00 for the 9 days.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Dallas, Texas
    Posts
    206
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We always rent a car. I love having that freedom to go off property if you need to and I think it beats the wait times for the buses. When we leave the parks, even waiting a little for the parking tram is better than the mass exodus for monorails or buses - then you're back at your resort in no time - also makes park hopping very easy. There are websites with discount codes as well - I'm renting a mini-van for a full week in May for $108 with tax and everything from dollar rental cars!
    Christmas trip again!! Dec 5-12, 2011 - first time for 3yr old to go along!

  11. #10
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Northern VA
    Posts
    1,312
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We have little kids and always rent a car. We (ok DH ) like to have the flexability to come and go and also to go off prop if we want. We have not had too much trouble getting out of parking lots and find it really easy to park hop with a car. We are going in Nov and I got a full size for $177 for the week. There are lots of discounts available so search around (Costco, Entertainment book, AAA, some credit cards) and see if you can get a price that works for your numbers. If we did not have kids, not sure we would rent a car but with kids we find it essential.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    2,343
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by faline View Post

    If you want to rent for only a day or two, both Alamo and National are located on Disney World property - at the Car Care Center and the Dolphin.
    faline, you beat me too it. I rented a car for a week once, and it ended up sitting in the ASmovies parking lot all week. Last summer we flew into Tampa instead of Orlando (it was $1,000 cheaper) We did 2 one day one way rentals to get us from Tampa to WDW and from WDW to Tampa. If you call Alamo they will send a shuttle to pick you up. I noticed allot of people were doing one day rentals to drive over to the beach.

    Just in case you are wondering, it is about 70 miles from the Tampa airport to WDW, and takes just over an hour to drive.
    "Welcome, Foolish Mortals..."

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    844
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We have never waited for more than 5-10(mostly 5) minutes at any park, anytime of day for a bus, which is a lot faster than hoofing out through the parking lot to a car. Done both so I can compare.
    Never once did we say"geez, I wish we had a car."
    But I also think because we stay at Epcot resorts , with so much within wasy walking distance that a car was not necessary.I might have felt different if we stayed at another deluxe or moderate location.
    Kim, Mom of Two Russian Angels

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Oak Park Heights, MN
    Posts
    2,861
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I would say if you are just doing Disney stuff then you wouldn't need a car but if you want to do things outside off disney like Universal, going to the ocean, kennedy space center, Sea World ect or you may like to go to some of the malls around then you would want a car. Just depends on what your plans are during you stay.

    We always rent a car and have never seen lines of cars after the park is closed at any park.

    One thing about the Disney buses you need to consider some of them make multipule stops. With a car you go straight to the parks and straight back to the resort or where ever you may need to go when you leave the parks. Plus you get free parking at the parks since you will be at a Disney Resort.

    I looked it up on Orbitz and for an ecomony car from Sat 4/14 to 4/21 is only $152 total but I didn't know your dates and how big a car you would need.
    Off Site-- All Star Movies-- Pop Century-- Coronado Springs-- Port Orleans French Quarter
    Walt Disney-"Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money."

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    2,010
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We always drive to WDW and love having the car. WDW transportation is not great for going between resorts or Downtown Disney. That being said, I don't think I would spend the extra money on a rental car when it's not really necessary.
    Mike

    Trips: 1983,1986,1988,1991 - Off-site
    Jan 2001 - WL
    Nov 2004 - WL

    Sep 2005 - AKL
    Sep 2007 - Poly
    May 2009 - CBR
    May 2010 - Poly
    Oct 2010 - Pop
    May 2012 - BC
    Next trip May 2014 - BC

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

 
Company
Advertising
Guest Relations
Community
Discussion Boards
Podcast
Newsletter
Shop
Social
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our newsletter:
INTERCOT Logo PRIVACY STATEMENT / DISCLAIMER | DISCUSSION BOARD RULES
© Since 1997 INTERCOT - a Levelbest Communications Website. This is not an official Disney website.
> Levelbest Network Site