Pros Cons of renting a car

[phxbbw6ft1]

This will be our first time going to WDW. We were not planning to rent a car ( except to 2 days to go to Daytona) Part of the staying onsite is using the buses. But we have been thinking about renting a car. We're there 13 days. I found a low rate, but after everything it's at $503. Now I realize it's another $17 a day to park at the hotel and parks? Now i'm $724....Those of you who have/have not rented a car- Give me some pros and cons.....I need to decide! Thanks

 

[Clamman73]

This will be our first time going to WDW. We were not planning to rent a car ( except to 2 days to go to Daytona) Part of the staying onsite is using the buses. But we have been thinking about renting a car. We're there 13 days. I found a low rate, but after everything it's at $503. Now I realize it's another $17 a day to park at the hotel and parks? Now i'm $724....Those of you who have/have not rented a car- Give me some pros and cons.....I need to decide! Thanks

Staying onsite...parking is free.

 

[phxbbw6ft1]

I read that wrong- I seen :
Theme Parks
Guests pay one fee per day to receive a parking pass good for all theme park parking lots.

• Car/Motorcycle/Taxi/Shuttle/Limo: $17/day
• Camper/Trailer/RV: $18/day
• Bus/Tractor Trailer: $21/day

I thought that meant us? I guess it means, if we have a guest?

 

[zurgandfriend]

The pro is of course you can go where you want without waiting for buses, boats etc or waiting for and paying for a cab if going offsite.

The con is parking it, I know parking is free after one payment a day but you still have to park and go to and from the car via foot or tram. We rented a car our first trip I drove it to the resort and then drove from Dixie Landing (I'm dating myself) to the Magic Kindgom and back to our resort later that day. After that I didn't touch it again until I drove it back to the airport a week later.

 

[lilclerk]

I thought that meant us? I guess it means, if we have a guest?

You're the guest =) If you're staying on site, there are no parking fees if you self-park. There are fees for valet parking, but you don't have to use that.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

Resort Hotel Guests
Self-parking at theme parks and Resort hotels is complimentary for Resort Guests.

Personally, I love renting a car. The freedom to come and go as we please, without standing around, waiting to stand on a bus, is great. We've been thoroughly spoiled. I don't want to rent a car on our trip next year because we're also cruising and I don't want to drive to the port, but I'm already rethinking it. *sigh*

The tram rides aren't bad, and if you get to the parks early or in the late afternoon/evening, you can often get a parking spot close enough that you don't need the tram at all.

 

[phxbbw6ft1]

You're the guest =) If you're staying on site, there are no parking fees if you self-park. There are fees for valet parking, but you don't have to use that.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/


Personally, I love renting a car. The freedom to come and go as we please, without standing around, waiting to stand on a bus, is great. We've been thoroughly spoiled. I don't want to rent a car on our trip next year because we're also cruising and I don't want to drive to the port, but I'm already rethinking it. *sigh*

Thanks!

 

[phxbbw6ft1]

Thanks everyone! Now that I have it straight and as a guest of the resort, we don't have to pay to park- I think we will keep our resv for the rental car. Thanks for the help!

 

[lilclerk]

Thanks!

No problem!
Also, most car rental places will let you change your reservation with no fee, so keep checking to see if your rate goes down. Check out mousesavers.com for discount codes, too.

Ooh also, I just noticed that this is your first trip. It's easier to take the bus to and from the Magic Kingdom. If you drive, you need to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center, then take the ferry or monorail to the park; while the buses will drop you off right at the park gate. That's really the only time the buses are easier than driving yourself.

I still drive because I like riding the monorail but it's something to keep in mind.

 

[phxbbw6ft1]

We are staying At All stars Music- so the bus is still easier to MK than our car. That's a great tip! Thank you so much!!

 

[Sonconato]

One advantage of having a car is that you can also drive to some of the other Hotels on site for dinner or just to see them. Many of them are quite beautiful and nice to walk around. I'm a local and I have been at the Boardwalk and overheard people trying to figure out how to get back to the All Star Resorts and the only way was via cab. For an example of what there is to do, in the evening at the Boardwalk, they have various performers that are fun to see as well as Surrey bikes that are fun to ride around the lake. You can also access the Boardwalk from Epcot. You also have a couple of Miniature Golf courses and the two Water Parks that I think would be easier to get to with a car. Depending on when you are visiting, there might be special events at the higher end resorts. During Christmas, they often have large Ginger Bread Houses...usually they are large enough to sell treats out of.

One other small tip when renting a car. If you will be filling up your car with fuel before returning it, be careful what place you choose near the airport. The closer to the airport, the higher the price. Big time price gouging! Some places are double the price you pay elsewhere. So don't go to the first few places nearest to the airport, pick ones a little farther away.

 

[SMS55]

We drive because we live only 3.5 hours away. One of the benefits of a car is you can dive off site to eat. It does save you money to eat at a restaurant on 192. We usually get gift cards for chain restaurants as birthday and christmas gifts and use them. Saves some money.

 

[draybook]

We have always rented a car and we love it. As stated before, we like having the freedom of going straight to the car(excluding the MK), and it makes it easy to go off site and save money by eating at a fast food joint or a chain restaurant. And after dealing with some of the no deodorant wearing people that we come across in the parks, we have NO intentions of sharing a bus with them.....

 

[JeffBostock]

One advantage of having a car is that you can also drive to some of the other Hotels on site for dinner or just to see them. Many of them are quite beautiful and nice to walk around. I'm a local and I have been at the Boardwalk and overheard people trying to figure out how to get back to the All Star Resorts and the only way was via cab. For an example of what there is to do, in the evening at the Boardwalk, they have various performers that are fun to see as well as Surrey bikes that are fun to ride around the lake. You can also access the Boardwalk from Epcot. You also have a couple of Miniature Golf courses and the two Water Parks that I think would be easier to get to with a car. Depending on when you are visiting, there might be special events at the higher end resorts. During Christmas, they often have large Ginger Bread Houses...usually they are large enough to sell treats out of.

One other small tip when renting a car. If you will be filling up your car with fuel before returning it, be careful what place you choose near the airport. The closer to the airport, the higher the price. Big time price gouging! Some places are double the price you pay elsewhere. So don't go to the first few places nearest to the airport, pick ones a little farther away.

I agree, definitely take some time on your first trip to drive to some of the resort hotels on Disney property and check them out. Especially the Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the monorail resorts (Which I would take the bus to MK and then hop on the monorail to resort hop, and take the boat over to Wilderness Lodge). You won't regret renting a car. Coming and going to wherever you want, whenever you want gives you much more freedom than having to wait for a bus. Many have complained of full busses and having to wait for one with enough room on it. That wastes valuable time.

Also since this is your first trip, know that when visiting these other hotel resorts that they all have entrance gates, just tell the attendant you are going to do some shopping or eating at a restaurant and they will let you through (except at the MK resorts where you usually need a dining reservation in order for them to let you park there so this is another reason why you should take the bus to MK first to see these particular resorts). But with as many days that your trip will be, visiting the Boardwalk and other resorts will definitely be something you will want to do and renting a car is definitely the best way to see them.

 

[JeffBostock]

I agree, definitely take some time on your first trip to drive to some of the resort hotels on Disney property and check them out. Especially the Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the monorail resorts (Which I would take the bus to MK and then hop on the monorail to resort hop, and take the boat over to Wilderness Lodge). You won't regret renting a car. Coming and going to wherever you want, whenever you want gives you much more freedom than having to wait for a bus. Many have complained of full busses and having to wait for one with enough room on it. That wastes valuable time.

Also since this is your first trip, know that when visiting these other hotel resorts that they all have entrance gates, just tell the attendant you are going to do some shopping or eating at a restaurant and they will let you through (except at the MK resorts where you usually need a dining reservation in order for them to let you park there so this is another reason why you should take the bus to MK first to see these particular resorts). But with as many days that your trip will be, visiting the Boardwalk and other resorts will definitely be something you will want to do and renting a car is definitely the best way to see them.

Also when re-fueling, use one of the Speedway gas stations (formerly Hess) on Disney property as they are usually cheaper than any other station in the area. You can use the Gas Buddy app on your smartphone to double check as well. Just be aware there are a few stations on 192 that have exorbitant prices that rip off those not paying attention.