I plan on not renting a car while going down there in late December. I know there will be a shuttle at the hotel I am staying at to take me to Universal and the airport. But what is the public transporation like if I wanted to go else where without dealing with a taxis.

You need to do your research and find a hotel that has access to public transit - or good shuttle service.

But frankly, renting a car in Orlando is so cheap I would never consider wasting all that time dealing with random public transit.

We are only staying 4 nights so I dont want to be bother with a car. This is my first time traveling to Orlando. I just dont want to be bothered with driving down there. And I am going on xmas day I heard its a zoo at that time. We are going to be staying on international drive.

pgh, seriously, the fact that you're staying only 4 nights is the primary reason you should have a car. Otherwise, you'll be spending (or wasting) too much time getting places.

pgh 1974
Our trip over Labor day was much better because we had a car. We used mapquest and GPS and drove directly to all of our destinations. So, rent a car. Public transportation is available but very slow. We had the same idea as you but regretted not having a car on a previous trip. Public traspo was extremely slow, so we ended up taking taxis, which are expensive. A one day car rental was less than a one way, twenty minute taxi ride. It is very easy to get around Orlando. It seems that most everything touristy is off of I-4.

The so-called "free" hotel shuttles are really unreliable, in my experience, not to mention inconvenient. And parking at Universal is actually relatively cheap compared to WDW. There's a public bus system called IRide that runs along International Drive, but I'm not sure if it's really useful or not. Hopefully someone will be able to tell you.

I've done a Universal trip and stayed in the I-Drive area, and I was very happy to have a car. It allowed us to go to and from the park whenever we wanted and to eat at restaurants of our choice at night. You really don't want to be limited to the Universal CityWalk restaurants and the coffee shop at your hotel.

Cars are cheap in Orlando. Rent one and you'll be happier.

I'm really trying to understand the whole concept of looking for public transport in an area such as Orlando because you don't want to be "bothered" with renting a car. Sorry, it really doesn't make any sense unless you don't have a driver's license or don't know how to drive. I can't think of another good reason not to rent a car for four days in the area.

Thanks for everyones advice. Its seems like Orlando is another Myrtle Beach. We went there I didnt rent a car and did regret it. I will check on that. Taxis are expensive one round trip taxis ride sometimes equals to two or three day car rental. I just hate to drive somewhere I am not familar with.

I understand that, but in all honesty, the entire area is totally geared for people unfamiliar with the area. Everything is well marked and quite easy. Of course you'll want some good directions to your hotel and major points. This is not like trying to navigate downtown Paris or New York City!

Public transporation in Orlando is practically non-existent, and worse on holidays. It's very easy to drive in Orlando. If you are worried, just spend the few extra bucks to get the navigation system.

I agree with all recommending a car rental. We've been to Orlando quite a bit recently, and public transportation doesn't look too efficient. Cabs are very expensive. Additionally, you should know that car rentals are a snap at the airport. Most of the major players are on site at the airport. You basically walk across the street to the rental terminal and get your vehicle. Just make sure you rent from an agency that is on site. Look on mousesavers.com for all sorts of info on car rentals. The author has an entire section devoted to it.

hills27, I'm with you - when I read the title of this post, I said to myself "what public transportation?" There's a pretty convenient trolley that will get people up and down I-Drive, (http://www.iridetrolley.com/index.html) but the county's bus system is not practical for tourists to use.

ITA with the free shuttles are unreliable. If you aren't staying on Disney property, I'd rent a car or be prepared to pay a lot for taxi's.