Susan

Heading to Disney World for first trip, five day whirlwind visit. Debating on renting a car, versus relying on the Disney transportation from All Star hotel. Any suggestions on which way to go? We're traveling with five people and planning a day at Seaworld, so cost seems to be a wash. More an issue of convenience/good use of time. Leaning toward no rental car ...

Tricia

Hi Susan:
We've done the on-site Disney vacation twice and each time chose to use Disney's transportation. Also, the shuttle that comes with a package deal from airport is easy & convenient. (There are also limos @airport available, we used one on our trip to Universal last year & that was the best!) The Disney buses run very often to all their sites, we never waited, it was just sooo nice and relaxing not to have to drive and park, etc. Have heard from friends that they rented car and it just sat. I highly recommend Disney's transporation. Have fun!

Mike Hocksbigg

ditto...what Tricia said

Gail

Rented a car first time there and never used it. Take the Disney transportation. You don't want to deal with driving into the parking lots each day. LOOOOOOONG lines and you have to take a tram to get close to the park anyway.

Dawn Ct

We have been going to WDW for years and ALWAYS rent a car. Time is money at Disney and I don't feel I have time waiting around for the bus to come. A car is essential in getting from resort to resort in a timely way. We find the best restaurants are at the hotels and the Downtown Disney area. If you stay on property, there is no additional charge for parking. If you are really pressed for time, valet park at the hotels and take the nearest boat or monorail.

beentheredonethat

Why would anyone want a car at Disney?

Celeste

If you don't rent a car, you're resigning yourself to paying the high Disney prices for everything you need, food plus anything else. A car gives you the freedom to drive out those gates and see that there are better and much more inexpensive places to eat and shop.

I live in Orlando and several car rental agencies are going under because the tourism figures are so low. Check out www.biddingfortravel.com and it'll show you the low rates people are paying through Priceline for hotels and rental cars. There are lovely hotels going for $35 per night!

Dawn Ct

Also...by the time you pay for airport transfers, the cost of renting a car isn't that much more. Florida probably has the best car rental rates in the U.S.

Sandy

Susan, we always rent a car when traveling to Disney (we just got back from a late December trip). We like the flexibility that it gives you - you can start at the Magic Kingdom, head over to Animal Kingdom for lunch, and watch the fireworks display at Epcot in the evening. I just don't like being tied to a bus schedule. Plus, by staying on-site, I believe that most packages include parking fees, so there's no additional costs, except for your gas. Additionally, as another poster stated, there are lots of inexpensive restaurants just off Disney property, and we saved lots of $$$ by driving to those in the early evening and then returning to WDW for more of the "Mouse". Just my two cents' worth. Have a great trip no matter what you decide to do.

Cindy

an important piece of info is missing from Susan's original posting--When is she going???
If you're going to Disney at an off peak time (dates, that is, not a specific hour), driving can be a huge timesaver. I have gone by car and hit three parks in one day, with virtually no waiting time for parking and no road traffic!
Getting from place to place by bus can take a lot of time, not to mention those lines at the end of the day when everyone leaves at once. You may have to wait for several busses to go before you can get on one! If you are going at a time that is considered 'quiet' (not during a school break), I think the car option is certainly worth considering, escpcially if you want to spend time away from Disney, either at other parks or for meals.

Ann

We spent a week at WDW last year without a car. We did not miss it in general, but occasionally it would have been good. If cost for renting the car is equal to taking the airport to WDW transportation, get the car, but don't use it in the daytime to get from hotel to parks. It will come in handy and save a tremendous amount of time if you want to go to another WDW hotel for dinner (for example). Getting to/from WDW hotels/parks is relatively easy, you won't have to hassle the huge parking lots, etc. etc. But, after your day at the parks, you'll be happy you have the car. Also, if your group wants to split up, just take the bus back to the hotel. Have a great trip.

Kris

Susan, we've stayed at two of the All Star hotels, both were great. Our kids loved them and so did we. As for transportation, we rented a car and never used it, we just hopped on the disney bus and went wherever we wanted to go. So easy. We did drive the car to Seaworld, and left disney for a couple of days. Definetly the way to go. We could have saved 150.00 and not rented the car, but it was easier for us to just get the car at the airport, drive to the hotel, and have it just in case, after all the money we spent on the trip, whats another 150.00? Have a great trip. Safe Travel!

Gail

Disney's transportation system between their parks is great. There is no need for a car. The time you spend waiting in line to park is more time than you'd spend on the shuttle.

mary

We stayed on grounds but also rented a car. Te cost of shuttle transportation to and from the airport was just about the same as 4 days of car rental.
We used Disney transportation when convenient and the rental car when that worked best. For example--we stayed at Wilderness Lodge but had reservations at Spoodles (Boardwalk). Getting to the Boardwalk would have taken "forever" using Disney transportation so we used the car. Each time we went to the parks we used Disney transportation.
We've been to Disney several times and have never visited Seaworld--my question is how will you get there? Disney transportation only serves their property.

Paul

Another vote for having a car when staying at Disney properties. We did the All Star resorts last year and opted for the car. Yes, the Disney transportation is good, and we did use it occasionally. However, your dining options are limited and expensive unless you head into Kissimee or Orlando a couple times. Also, the shedule between parts is quite regular, but there is some bus tranfers required when going to other areas like Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island, etc... Parking is free when staying on site and we never experienced long lines of cars - just zipped right through. Guess it depends on the season too. We where there in the fall.

John

Our last visit to Orlando we stayed off site and rented a car from priceline.com at a great savings. Then parked at downtown Disney and hopped on their bus and took advantage of free parking and free bussing to the parks! They never checked us for on site ID. This was the best of both worlds for my family.

sammy

was at Disney in December... heard that a lot of the buses are not being used since its so slow, since 9/11... heard they were dispatching buses as needed, so wait times are longer... may want to check with Disney for sure?

Joy in Virginia

For latest updates on WDW, transportation facts, etc - go to wdwig.com This is Deb Wills unofficial guide site and lots of folks contribute info & tips. Look carefully at transport info re getting around WDW using Disney transport. It can be very efficient if you are not going to make connections to out of the way places, also can be really crowded at park closing and you may have extra wait or stand on bus at end of the day. The All-Stars have lots of buses coming & going all day. It is nice to be able to check out some of the off-site places to eat - go to www.orlandosentinel.com for the local newspaper with restaurant reviews, more.