Using a car instead of Disney transportation About This Page:

[WDW1102]

On our last two trips we did not have a car at WDW. We are thinking about getting a rental car for our next trip, mostly because of some of the wait times for the busses at the end of the day and the (very) few people on the busses that make riding miserable.
I would like to know the "in's and out's" and the "pros and cons" of using a car at WDW. I am clueless about this one!
Thanks

[MarriedLadyTara]

I'm wondering the same thing. In the past we've taken the buses, but this time we're thinking about driving - at least some of the time!

[stonewall]

We always use a car, but, then again, I also have a "handicapped" permit which allows us to park up close. The only time that we use the Disney system is when traveling from the WL to the MK, and then we just hop on the boat. Anyway, the CMs at the lot entry points are very helpful and tell you to "follow the (color) line until you get to the open parking area). It seemed to me that there were always plenty of spots open at Epcot, MGM, and AK, but the water parks, such as Typhoon Lagoon are a bit short on parking room so you might have to cruise around for a bit, or just park it and hike. We enjoy having a car to go to the other resorts for a meal, or just to look around

[Jennifer2003]

I have an example for you!

On our honeymoon in December, we did not rent a car. We found the transportation to be fine. The only trouble we had was the one night trying to get to the MK for the Christmas party...and that was only due to the bus driver not knowing how to work the wheelchair lift. We had to stand a lot, and they do pack you in, so it's not that comfortable, but it is free.

On our trip in May, we rented a car. It worked out very well! We'll do it again. You can come and go as you please, and if you don't want to lose your parking spot at a park, you can take the busses around and go back for your car. You can also resort hop, which I LOVED doing!

HOWEVER...(see, there is a however!) we learned that taking the BUS to the MK instead of your rental car works out MUCH nicer because the bus drops you off at the gates and you don't have to mess with parking and the TTC.

Have fun!!!

Jennifer

[wdwlovers]

We love taking our car to the parks as we feel it's easier for us, and sometimes faster. When we stay at a moderate, we park right outside our room and don't have to walk from the bus stop. We used valet services at AKL in May, so we didn't have to walk to the parking lot at the resort. We will always rent a car while at WDW, just for the simple freedom we like ot have available.

[chezp]

We always have a rental car. We weren't going to bother in December, but as we've got some extra money, we are going to get one. As we usually stay at the Beach Club, we take the boat or walk to Epcot and MGM, but we always go by car to Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney and the other resorts. That's one of the main reasons we have a car, as we love to explore other properties and go for meals at them.

Sometimes we take the bus to Magic Kingdom, as it does drop you off right by the entrance, but we learnt our lesson this last time and on really busy nights (for example, when they have SpectroMagic in the slow seaon and it's only once or twice a week), do not take a bus, as they were packed when we came out of the park. If we're now going for the evening, we tend to park at the Poly, as we never have a problem getting a resort monorail back there or the Contemporary, as we can walk back there.

We find having a car gives us so much more freedom - this last trip we visited Pop Century, Coronado Springs and Old Key West and even Celebration to have a look around and there is no way we could've done that on the spur of the moment without our car.

The only "con" I can see is the price, especially if you're British and have to pay for all the insurances.

[vsonnier]

We absolutely love taking our car to the parks. Our biggest problem so far has been remembering our parking area. I like knowing that I can come and go as I please and make a quick trip to Walmart if I need to. Just keep in mind that you will have to pay parking if you don't have an AP (I *think* you may be able to park free if you are staying at a Disney resort...someone help me out here?) Parking fees will add up quickly, but I definitely think it is worth it.

[Stephanie P.]

[ QUOTE ]
Just keep in mind that you will have to pay parking if you don't have an AP (I *think* you may be able to park free if you are staying at a Disney resort...someone help me out here?)

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are staying at a Disney resort, parking is free for the parks - you get a parking pass upon check-in at your resort, which you display in your windshield. This pass will get you free parking at the parks or at other Disney resorts if you decide to check out other resorts in your stay.

[vsonnier]

I thought so! Thanks Stephanie! We have AP's so I haven't had to deal with that.

[J603]

I always rent a car, I just find it alot easier for my son and I. As long as you are staying on the property then you don't have to worry about paying for any parking. I also like being able to go to the grocery store and picking up snacks and drinks for the room. Our last trip I used less than a quarter of a tank for a week in Disney. Have fun deciding.

[Luv2plan]

We rented a car at WDW for the first time on our recent trip in March. Since we were planning on a pretty short trip - 3 nights - and only 1 day at the parks, we knew we'd want easy transportation for resort hopping and DTD. It was absolutely a good decision as we could never have gone resort-to-resort as easily as we did with the car.

That said, I don't think we'll rent a car in May when we stay at Polynesian. We've always found Disney transportation to be just fine, as long as you are prepared to have something of a wait in the evenings! Or perhaps be ready to take a taxi back from a late dinner at a resort, etc.

My parents also had a rental car only once - a time when the trip & car were a gift from a client - and in their week-long stay only used it twice as they were comfortable using Disney transportation.

Good luck with planning your trip!!

[LisaJ]

While I have always had a car when at WDW, I can honestly say that you can certainly get around without one. And if you need to use a cab a couple of times, it will still work out to be cheaper than a rental for a week.

It's a nice convenience to have one though, but if money is tight, or you don't feel like spending it on a rental, you can certainly still enjoy your stay.

[Mel & Richard]

We love having one. We like to eat both breakfast and dinner at various resorts so it's a lot easier to get around with a car. We do still take WDW transportation too when we feel like it.

Mel

[DopeyGirl]

We drive (since we live in the FL) but it is nice to always have the car there "just in case" You never know when you are going to need it!!! Also, it is so much nicer than having to sit and wait for a bus if there are large crowds for them . . . hop in your car and go . . . sure there might be crowds elsewhere, but at least you might be a tad ahead by using your own transportation!!!

[HillPete]

You didn't mention the size/ages of your family so I can't be too specific. We rented a car because we had a 3 y/o and a 1 y/o with us and needed to get out of the parks quickly and easily for naps. We went in the off-season so parking was easy and close at all times of the day. We will definitely get a car the next few trips. It was very relaxing knowing that we didn't have to wait for a bus or wonder if there was room for us in it!