MainSt1993
New Member
My friends and I are planning a trip to WDW soon, and I'm torn on renting a car or taking ME and using resort transportation. We're either going to stay at the Poly or AKL. What are the pluses/minuses?
I'm pretty sure there's one there - I've never eaten there, but I hear it's good. ... like we don't have enough Italian restaurants here...Is there? Huh... when I first heard of MG, I looked up the website and could have sworn there weren't any around. I'll check it out again, thanks =)
*edit - Just looked it up again, and there is one there! I'll have to convince the boy to make a trip to Warwick with me.
I'm pretty sure there's one there - I've never eaten there, but I hear it's good. ... like we don't have enough Italian restaurants here...
I know, we're already headed to Vinny T's for a birthday dinner tonight. I'm not a huge fan, but it's tough to mess up fetuccine alfredo.
Anyway, I'd take waiting for a bus for free over having to pay to drive around Florida (which I know nothing about) any day. :animwink:
I'm actually the opposite. We've tried both several times and this last time we decided we're always going to have a rental car from now on. A few reasons:
- You never have to worry about the massive wait for a bus at park close. That can be BIG TIME frustrating, especially if you've got little ones that are worn out.
- There are some places that are just down right a PAIN to get between using Disney transportation. Direct routes aren't always possible. This can take a lot of time to get where you're going. For example, resort to resort. MAJOR pain. And if you're on the Dining Plan, some of the best hidden gem restaurants are in resorts. Get me from Wilderness Lodge to the Beach Club for dinner at Yachtsman's using Disney transport. Better budget an hour at LEAST. With a car, it's 10 minutes.
- Magical Express is great for going TO your resort... But you have to leave your resort HOURS before your flight when the trip is over, picking up people at multiple resorts. We're the type that squeezes out every minute we can, and we like to head to the airport as close to our flight time as is safely possible.
- We like to park hop quite a bit. We're usually there for 10 days, so about 5 days in, we'll just hit a few favorites in a park, then head to another. With your own car, you can usually buzz in and out of parks quickly, and don't have to wait for a bus to pick you up.
- If you want to do anything off-site (Sea World, Pirate Golf, go to the beach for a day) you can't do it without a car. Not easily, anyway.
That being said, when we have a car, we don't ALWAYS use it everywhere we go. It's based on what we're doing that day, and where we're staying. If we're at Poly, there's no way I drive to MK or Epcot. There's nothing better than the Monorail. But if I'm staying at Poly and I want to get to AK??? I'm hoppin' in the minivan. Staying at Port Orleans and going to Downtown Disney? I'm taking the boat, just because it's different and fun.
Edit: Parking at the parks is free to resort guests.
Anyway, hope this helps! :wave:
Thanks for all the great advice!! I have the patience and self control of a 7 year old when it comes to Disney, so knowing the pros and cons of each really helps. I've never actually stayed on property, so this will be our first time. I have friends who work there so I usually stay with them and ride into work with them.
I'm not quite understanding what you're saying. Could you please clarify?We were @ WDW last week and it was a 2 1/2 hour wait @ the airport and it took 3 hours to get to the airport fro Port Orleans. We ended up taking a taxi from the airport and Disney credited me back the $50 bucks. Never again will I magical express!!!!!!!!!!!
We were at AKL in Nov, and never had any problems with the bus service. The longest wait we had was about 10 min, and this was during Thanksgiving week.Hmmmm tricky one. If you are staying at the Poly or are only planning on park days, I would use DME. If you are planning on checking out resorts or going off site, you may wish to rent a car.
We just got back from 2 weeks at AKL and loved the place. But the bus service was a joke (this is something that is better in Paris, unbelievable!!!!). 40 -50 minute waits. A bus breakdown. One day 4 MK buses arrived and picked up a handful of passengers while about 30 of us waited for a bus to the Studios. In the end, we started to take cabs on the last few days (btw - Minivan cabs have baby seats!!!).
It's all down to how you like to do it. DME itself was excellent though.
We were at AKL in Nov, and never had any problems with the bus service. The longest wait we had was about 10 min, and this was during Thanksgiving week.
2 weeks at AKL? You're so lucky! We really needed another week there, we absoultely loved it!!
Thanks for all the great advice!! I have the patience and self control of a 7 year old when it comes to Disney, so knowing the pros and cons of each really helps. I've never actually stayed on property, so this will be our first time. I have friends who work there so I usually stay with them and ride into work with them.
After hearing all this, I think I'd have a hard time justifying a car if we stay at the Poly. However if we're at AKL, does that change anyone's mind? Do resort guests pay for parking at each of the theme parks?
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