Help! Leaving in a few weeks and have a car question

[chrisdadrocks]

Hello everyone, I was hoping to get some advise because I am so back and forth on this question. Going solo for a week and staying at ASM. Now because of free dinning I have a few ADR's at hotels one being the Artist Point for the first time and one at the boardwalk. So I am on a budget but found a car for $100 a week this includes taxes and such but they will put a hold of 250 on the card. Was also planing on going to universal this trip to. However I didn't think they were offering the bounce back offer until I saw it here recently and was already planning on going next year with my son first trip and my parents but was originally going to stay off property. Now I want to put a down payment on a trip next year with free dinning and stay on property maybe even stay at a deluxe next time. So to make a long story short.. (to Late):ROFLOL: Should I cancel my car rental and use that $300? Then just use disney transportation? How hard will it be to get to my ADR at Artist Point, Boardwalk not to affraid of because will just go to DHS that day. Should I ust use Mears shuttle for universal? Any advise would be great. Thanks a bunch.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

If you're staying on property...RENT A CAR!!! I always rent a car because it's 10x faster than having to wait for a bus.

 

[Master Yoda]

Rent the car. While you can get from resort to resort using Disney transportation (not directly but it can be done) it eats up a huge amount of time and time is money especially at WDW.

 

[Philo]

I'm always against renting a car. Disney transport isn't that bad so long as you're ready to wait a little while. To me, having to wait a bit is a lot better than having to drive around because I can tire myself out to the point where I'm falling asleep on the journey home or have a drink without worrying about getting back. Having said that, if I was ever to stay at one of the value resorts I may change my mind because those buses can be PACKED

A taxi to Universal isn't to expensive (I have a feeling it was around $30 from AKL).

 

[eroyee]

Use Disney transport. Just plan ahead so you have at least an hour to get to the resort you are dining at. and yes, Mears is a good way to get to Universal and back........

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

If you're staying on property...RENT A CAR!!! I always rent a car because it's 10x faster than having to wait for a bus.

Rent the car. While you can get from resort to resort using Disney transportation (not directly but it can be done) it eats up a huge amount of time and time is money especially at WDW.

Yeah... what they said!!!

 

[slappy magoo]

I prefer having a car myself (we usually drive down anyway, but when we don't, we rent one). But if renting a car is the ONLY thing standing in the way of being able to take advantage of a great price on a second trip, I could probably make do without a car. Arrange some of your plans around your ADRs (go to MK the day you plan to dine at Artist Point, so you can take the ferry to WL; go to Epcot or DHS the day you plan to eat @ Boardwalk), and take a cab to Uni. Especially if, like you said, you're going solo. You'll probably find that you're getting your touring done faster, because you can avoid things you don't want to do, and there isn't family or friends' wants or needs potentially interfering with your own. I know, that sounds awful I love going to WDW with my wife, but she tends to need more nap-time than I do, so last trip, which was split between Wilderness Lodge & Boardwalk, I napped some of the days with her, but sometimes I'd just ferry to MK or walk to Epcot/DHS and experience some of the attractions she's not as interested in, take advantage of single rider lines, etc. You'll probably find yourself taking less time to do what you want, which will afford you the time you need to travel to resorts.

 

[redkoala245]

I would have a car…If you want to go to other Orlando places. I use a car. Every year at the end of my WDW trips I always bring the car and go to other parts of Florida as well. That is a reason why I don't use ME

 

[m&mmom]

Rent a car! We just got back on August 30th and I will tell you that the buses were more delayed than in the past. We waited 50 minutes at he Wilderness Lodge for a busto take us to Hollywood Studios an than another hour and 10 min on the bus. We stopped at Fort Wilderness, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian with standing room only and packed like sardines. The buses seemed to be running between 30-45 mintues. Perhaps we always "just missed a bus" but it was still a 30-45 inute wait. We ended up taking cabs after 5 bad experiences. I really didn't want it to ruin our vacation. I'm already looking into renting a car for next year.

 

[Phonedave]

I have never had a problem with WDW transportation.

If I was planning to go somwhere off property as you are, then yes, may rent a car.

I used to be a die hard renter of cars at WDW. Turns out I would rather not have to drive. I guess if you park hop all over the place that may be a issue, but I go to one or two parks in a day most of the time. I have done all 4 + DTD using WDW transportation, so it's not that big of a factor.

As for getting to Artists Point, will you be going from your resort, or from a park. If you are at a park, then you simply take the bus from that park to the WL. If you are going directly from your resort, then you will have to transfer at a park.

-dave

 

[cm1988]

Time is money

And your vacation should not be waiting for a bus or riding a bus to various stops not in your itinerary.

As a resort guest, you can ride the bus on those occasions when it is handy (e.g. direct trips, or when you are going to have a few drinks and don't want to drive.) If you choose to drive to a theme park, your resort ID will get you free parking.

That car will also come in handy when you wish to check out Universal Florida (or whatever they're calling it these days) and when you go to one of those WDW resort restaurants.

Wishing you a 100% enjoyable vacation!

 

[Laura]

Normally I would say RENT A CAR because it is just no fun losing so much valuable time with the buses. But you said you are going solo - for a WEEK. Going solo is the fastest way to see the parks, and you will be zipping through everything in a matter of a couple days. You'll have plenty of free time, so though it's an inconvenience not to have your own car, it shouldn't hurt your itinerary much. Also anytime you want to go eat a resort just hire a cab for a couple bucks if you don't wanna deal with the Disney buses.

 

[smk]

Normally I would say RENT A CAR because it is just no fun losing so much valuable time with the buses. But you said you are going solo - for a WEEK. Going solo is the fastest way to see the parks, and you will be zipping through everything in a matter of a couple days. You'll have plenty of free time, so though it's an inconvenience not to have your own car, it shouldn't hurt your itinerary much. Also anytime you want to go eat a resort just hire a cab for a couple bucks if you don't wanna deal with the Disney buses.

Ditto! If you are saving of 300 dollars you can take a cab to Universal too (if you must ). That is quite a savings to put towards your bounce back offer!