Do I need a Rental car?

[chrisdadrocks]

I am physched will be leaving in six weeks but have a question or two about renting a car. Due to budget constraints I am staying off property this time but my hotel has a shuttle service to the parks, so do I need a car still or should irisk just using the shuttle? Also, if I do rent a car how much is parking at the parks and if i park at magick kingdom do i have o pay tthe same day if i go to Epcot? Which rental companies are the best in your opinions? Ok I think thats is all - lol thanks for any info you have.

 

[KingStefan]

But a room is a room when you just need it for the bed, is it not? Whats the point in paying £100s (or $'s sorry guys, habit !) when all you need is a comfy, clean bed. I must admit we look for the "minutes from disney" and the "free shuttle to the parks" but only because we have too. Over here in England - apart from the more deluxe and overpriced hotels in championsgate etc - on offer are either the disney resorts or the typical I-Drive hotels 10 mins from Disney.

What you say definitely has merit. It depends on the nature of your trip, and what you are looking for in a hotel.

A few years ago, I did a whirlwind tour of FL. The main purpose of the trip was the 100th birthday of my wife's best friends' grandmother. Big party! While we were there we visited other relatives (both sides) and of course we had to visit the World.

We were planning on spending virtually no time at all at the hotel. So we booked something near Old Town for like $24/night for 2-3 nights (don't remember the time frame exactly) and it was great for us.

The room consisted of two double beds which almost literally took up the whole room :lol: . There were two pools, but they locked them up at about 10pm, so I missed using them for a dip the first night (they either forgot to lock one the second night, or someone had his palm crossed to leave it open, so I got to have a midnight dip the second night).

However, most vacations, while it is true that we don't spend too much time at the hotel, I still like the take a stroll around the grounds after the kids are in bed, visit the gift shop, etc., and it is really relaxing to have nice theming and a pleasant atmosphere. It's magical. Also, I always end up making at least two trips to guest services, and I like doing face-to-face business instead of over-the-phone. And anyway, sometimes there is a physical change to be made to the keys or tickets or what not. And the kids always like to spend at least some time at the pool. And even though I usually get a car, we often use Disney Transportation anyway for convenience if it suits our plans.

Add to that the EMH, and the proximity, and it makes it worthwhile most of the time to stay on site.

But offsite has its merits, too. And you can find places (like the Carib Royale, for example) that has nice theming and a nice pool, and is much cheaper even including the cost of a car.

In the end we stay on site most of the time, and get a car anyway even though it is really no essential if you stay on site.

 

[mary219]

we stayed on property this time and off previously.we rented a car each time,except for when we drove down.The rental car provides a lot more freedom,we used dollar and got a chrysler seibring (?)for $254.00 for 10 days.It was a great deal and we were very happy we did.We rented it with our debit card(lousy credit )and had no problems,just shop around for a good deal.I had rental rates that ranged from 395.00 to the 254.00 we finally got.And most of them were for smaller compact or economy cars.the seibring was a larger car that held 5 people and quite a large trunk.

 

[Philo]

We can't drive over in the US (well we can but the tour operators charge some ridiculous amount for 'young drivers' as we are both under 25)

I hear you! I think I was quoted an additional $25 per day because I am a young driver.

We stayed off site in January and used a shuttle everytime we wnt to disney. It wasn't great (only three drop-off and pickup times, about 1hour to Epcot, never ontime) but it was free. It was nice to know that I could have a drink without worrying about driving home too (or falling asleep at the wheel after a long day in the park!).

 

[kirst_al UK]

We were planning on spending virtually no time at all at the hotel. So we booked something near Old Town for like $24/night for 2-3 nights (don't remember the time frame exactly) and it was great for us.

However, most vacations, while it is true that we don't spend too much time at the hotel, I still like the take a stroll around the grounds after the kids are in bed, visit the gift shop, etc., and it is really relaxing to have nice theming and a pleasant atmosphere. It's magical. Also, I always end up making at least two trips to guest services, and I like doing face-to-face business instead of over-the-phone. And anyway, sometimes there is a physical change to be made to the keys or tickets or what not. And the kids always like to spend at least some time at the pool. And even though I usually get a car, we often use Disney Transportation anyway for convenience if it suits our plans.

I'm sure that if/when we have kids then staying at a Disney resort would be certainly be worth it but for the two of us.....we go here there and everywhere which results in us not getting back to the hotel until 11-12 at night - obviously with kids thats not always possible. To date the only time i have been in the hotels' pool was on the last day whilst we were topping up our tans :lol: and awaiting the transfer to the airport. Again, having children may well change this - at least i hope so.....i need a holiday to get over my trip to florida :ROFLOL: could do with a bit of relaxation at least for one day !!

I hear you! I think I was quoted an additional $25 per day because I am a young driver.

We stayed off site in January and used a shuttle everytime we wnt to disney. It wasn't great (only three drop-off and pickup times, about 1hour to Epcot, never ontime) but it was free. It was nice to know that I could have a drink without worrying about driving home too (or falling asleep at the wheel after a long day in the park!).

I know its a right rip isnt it........but if your a US resident you can drive @ 16 over there (sorry if i've got that wrong guys but just with watching "sweet 16"...........i wish my ma and da got me a merc for my 16th birthday :ROFLOL: !!!) oh well only another 4 years to go and I wont have to pay that extra !!!

Ye the shuttles arnt great but they do their job don't they? You get what you pay for as with anything. As i say until i have kids and as much as i would love to stay onsite i think i'll stick with I-Drive......at least for the next few years.

 

[KingStefan]

...we go here there and everywhere which results in us not getting back to the hotel until 11-12 at night - obviously with kids thats not always possible. ...but if your a US resident you can drive @ 16 over there (sorry if i've got that wrong guys but just with watching "sweet 16"...)

You'd be surprised. Our last two trips we did some stuff in the morning, took a nap midday, and stayed at MK until 2 AM . I was amazed at how many kids of all ages were there until the end!!!

People from most sensible countries are always surprised to find out that driving laws vary from STATE TO STATE (I know, it's stupid). Anyway, even we have to pay that stupid extra fee if you're under 25, so it doesn't matter much.

 

[Boray]

You are very correct about the condo or rental house. When it comes to the square footage and amenities of a house or a condo for $100-$200 per day or less Disney has nothing on property that can touch those numbers.

Which is exactly why I've never stayed on-site. We either drive (and have a car) or fly and rent a car. I love having the freedom and we usually get into the parks very quickly. From the time we enter the Walt Disney World arch on the drive in, to actually entering the park, usually takes only about 15 minutes (sometimes less). Parking has always been efficient and the trams run so often, that we are at the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes. I see people standing at the bus stops waiting for Disney transportation and wonder who has the more efficient means of travel. I have my own car, and I don't have to wait (I don't like waiting for things - I'm far too impatient!!!) To each his own...

Rent the car, you won't regret it. :wave:

 

[kirst_al UK]

You'd be surprised. Our last two trips we did some stuff in the morning, took a nap midday, and stayed at MK until 2 AM . I was amazed at how many kids of all ages were there until the end!!!

mmmm i guess so - it is their holiday too isnt it!?

People from most sensible countries are always surprised to find out that driving laws vary from STATE TO STATE (I know, it's stupid). Anyway, even we have to pay that stupid extra fee if you're under 25, so it doesn't matter much.

Sensible countries......the UK is sensible.....................mmmm interesting.........:ROFLOL:

 

[dizzney]

We always stay on site since we are vacation club - on that I have to say that it was the best investment we ever made - by our fourth trip we had covered our investment and we've been members since 1999, bought extra points 3 times too. We usually drive and like having the car with us its more convienent.

 

[WishIwasThere]

Since my wife hates the buses. Too many bad experiences waiting for them, wasting time, so she vows never to be without a car. Since I book through AAA, we get the diamond parking pass, which gives us really close parking. And since we stay on site, we don't have to pay. The car allows us to go eat some meals offsite or stock up on breakfast or snack foods to bring into the parks as well.

 

[KingStefan]

... The car allows us to go eat some meals offsite or stock up on breakfast or snack foods to bring into the parks as well.

Yes, something I neglected to mention before - shopping and eating offsite are big reasons to get a car for us as well!