For those who drive to WDW or rent a car how often do you go off site?

[slappy magoo]

With one exception, we've always been on-property with a car, usually one of our own.
Our very first trip in Summer of 2004, we flew, rented a car (pretty sure this was before DME), we arrived shortly after one big hurricane and another barreled down on us near the tail end of our trip. So we cut it short a day (parks had already been announced as not-to-open that day; airports were closed too). I think WDW credited us more than one day because they needed the room for everyone else who couldn't leave and who were nonetheless still arriving. We contacted the rental company and let them know we'd like to drive it home but could drop it off at Philly airport. We wound up getting a $100 credit; I think Alamo was grateful their inventory was getting out of harm's way.

After that we always drove. My wife is an educator/school librarian, and we usually go in late August (when most schools in the nation are back in session, but NJ schools don't go back until after Labor Day). We don't usually go off site but we often opt to drive to a park versus wait for the buses.

The one time we didn't have a car was a December 2016 trip. And buses from VAK were awful; on two occasions we were more than a half hour late for meal reservations because buses just didn't show up. We were surprised because that 1st trip was also at AK Lodge and while we didn't use buses often, we never had waits.

Next trip, we're going down via Auto Train and driving back; our last thing to do is a late brunch at Chef Mickey's, and then only driving to Jacksonville, after breakfast we'll do the rest of the long slog. At some point we're going to have to make our way back to Universal at least, but prices have skyrocketed since we last went (Summer of 05). Of course there is more to do, but I'm thinking we'll have to do a split stay, stay onsite at Uni for a few days then move over to WDW, where we'll probably use our car but only to get around on-site, barring a necessity we must get off-site.

 

[OneofThree]

At some point we're going to have to make our way back to Universal at least

Even beyond Universal, there is so much to see in Central Florida from other parks like Sea World and Busch Gardens, to smaller attractions like Ripley's and others on I-Drive. Kennedy Space Center is a must see IMO, and if you've never done Medieval Times dinner show I think you're missing out. Then you've got historic St. Augustine and gorgeous beaches like Cocoa. Again, if you've never been or only have a few days I can see not leaving, otherwise. . .

 

[TARDIS]

We always drive since its cheaper than flying and we can pack everything we want and buy what we want with no baggage fee issues (We live 18hrs away). We stay on property and leave once or twice for universal.

 

[CP_alum08]

Last time there we flew, rented a car, and stayed on site. We left once to get some groceries and once to visit Uni.

We used to be locals and always drove so I much prefer driving on property versus taking busses. Even if it's the same amount of time, I've just never been a fan of the busses.

 

[Beacon Joe]

Typically, zero. We did drive to the Publix off of Reams Road once to pick up a few items we forgot. That was it, and it was barely outside of the bubble.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

We fly and always rent a car. But I will preface that by saying for years I was able to use Hertz points for my rental due to my frequent traveling for business. We always take buses to the parks, but for getting to the golf courses (for me), or some of the other resorts we have ADRs for, it's easier. We also usually take an afternoon and head over to the Hard Rock in Tampa.

With the new parking fees (and the disappearance of my Hertz points - job change), that all may change. I could afford the rental, but to shell out $19 per night for the true infrequent nature of using the car is just not worth it. I know they offer complimentary cab service for golf, and we could use the Minnie Vans if needed. We will adjust and keep the money in our pockets.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Maybe I'm in the minority...but I like venturing off property. Something I find alluring about I-Drive (don't know why...my wife thinks I need help). I have an AP to Uni so from time to time I'll venture over there. Once in a blue moon we'll get up early and trek over to Busch and get back in time to hear (and see from a distance) the fireworks.

 

[Minnie Mum]

This is going to be long - sorry about that.

Our driving habits at WDW are about to change. A lot. We've been going to WDW since 1975. And aside from our first trip, when we were young, comparatively poorer, and with 2 young kids, we've always stayed on site. Flying and renting a car was necessary in the early years (no DME then), but we never went off site. Later, we just took DME, and again, never went off site.

Since we retired 10 years ago, we've taken advantage of all the free time on our hands and drive down, stopping at other places along the way (in both directions). We usually stayed off site the first night, since we didnn't arrive til dinner time. But once we arrived at our resort, the car stayed in the parking lot until it was time to leave. Truly believed in the benefits of that whole Disney Bubble propaganda.

Then came the parking fees. The Bubble burst. The camel's back broke. The rose coloured glasses fell off our faces. We suddenly developed an immunity to pixie dust. Because we sat down and crunched the numbers. Our usual first night hotel was only a 5 min drive to WDW property. Drving to and from the parks was actually quicker than taking the bus from a Disney resort, much of the time. We can stay there free on loyalty points for up to a week in a much larger, more comfortable room. For longer stays, their rates are a bit less than half that of our usual Disney mod resorts. Plus we get free breakfasts. And NO parking fee.

Why had we been spending thousands more per trip just to get earlier access to FP bookings and Disney theming at our resort?? We aren't cheapskates. Our next vacation is a cruise that will easily top out at $30,000. But we don't throw our money around, either. We need to see value for the money spent. For us, that vaue just isn't there any more. So we'll be off site more than on from now on.

Climbing down off my soapbox now.

 

[Think Tink]

I typically go to Universal Studios for a day during the trip, but I have also gone to the beach, so it really just depends on that particular trip.

 

[allgiggles]

We drive to Disney because it's cheaper than flying for our family. Once we arrive, the car stays parked until we leave for home. Sometimes we stop for snacks, water, and breakfast food before we get to Disney but the last few trips we had enough space in the car to buy those things at home and just bring them with us.

 

[DisneyFreak]

We always drive as we live only 2.5-3.0 hours south of WDW. If we stay on site we will only drive off property once for groceries.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We don't drive offsite much, but there's often a trip to Walgreens or something like that to pick up something we forgot. DH asked that we fly for all future trips though, so I'm going to need a better plan

 

[KaliSplash]

We always drive to the park because it's not that far away. And we never leave until we absolutely have to

 

[jonabyte]

We mostly drive to FL from home and usually drive off the Parks on the days that we don't go to the parks which can be 4 or 5 days that trip.

 

[John park hopper]

We live 5 1/2 hours away no direct flights faster to drive way cheaper. Once there we don't go off site; we pack the truck with way more than we will ever need i.e.. cloths, food, microwave, coolers

 

[Rsj88]

We drive because it’s cheaper. We are about 12 hours away but driving allows us to take everything we need and the money we save allows us to stay longer. We don’t drive while we are there. I don’t want to cook on vacation and my husband doesn’t want to drive lol. We will be staying at Pop again this year but with the parking fees I am looking into off sight properties now.

 

[HwdStudio]

We stay onsite and off. We are DVC but also top tier with all of the major Hotel companies because of the amount we travel for work. We always rent a car but even so use Uber if we want to split up. Magical Express just isn’t magical for us. Not knocking it for those who use it, to each his own. There is so much more than Disney in Orlando. The Disney bubble is just to confining for us but we are in Orlando one or more times each month so I totally understand it for those who don’t travel as often. We only use Disney busses to get to MK if not staying at a monorail resort. We drive to all other parks.

 

[DisDadWoz]

Zero. Unless its an emergency where we forgot something. Having the car is more for driving to certain resorts/parks based on our schedule. It's rare we take a bus onsite just because we want to be in control of our transportation.

 

[JohnD]

I drove off site once to do a day trip to Sea World last year. Thought about doing the same thing with. UOR this year. I decided against it and decide to stay onsite there. It did it mid-week with WDW on each side.

 

[G00fyDad]

We rent a car when we land at MCO and drive to WDW. For us it is a HUGE time saver. We do not have to wait on the buses that take way too long to drop off at a resort and we do not have to wait to board that bus for a long time like most people. We go to the car, get in, drive to the resort, park and go inside. We can get from EPCOT to the Pop Century resort in 20 minutes (that includes a 5 minute walk to the car) where it would take a bus 45-60 minutes to get us the same distance.

As for driving off property, we do that nearly every day. However, these are usually just little runs to Wal-Mart, a goofy souvenir shop, or to get a pizza because we ate dinner way too early. We do pick one day of the 10 day trip to go off property and head to Madeira Beach and John's Pass before driving up to Clearwater Beach for the rest of the day and to catch a sunset over he Gulf of Mexico.