lisamonster85
Member
I'm going to WDW in October for my honeymoon and we want to try different restaurants -- like Narcossee... so I don't know if I should get a rental car? What do you think?
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Rental Car?
- Thread starter lisamonster85
- Start date
wdwfan100
Active Member
I like having a vehicle on our stays. For the very reason you mentioned. While the transportation system at the resort is excellent. It is cumbersome traveling just between the resorts some times. Especially if you are out later than park hours. It is an additional cost. We can justify that with the time saved and additional convenience.
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wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Hi Lisa, I have done it both ways. If I have other activities such as shopping or going out off site, I definitely rent a car. To rent a car for simply visiting a restaurant within the property, I dont know if that is necessary. If you are going to be dressing for dinner then I can certainly see the reasoning for that more so. What resort are you staying at? That would make a big difference for me as if you are concentrating on the Magic Kingdom Area, but you are staying there as well, it might not matter as much.
Other than that I really do love Magical Express and think it is a great offering for Disney's guests. I always feel like a princess when I dont have to drag my luggage around and other people take care of that for me. My vacation starts at the airport then and I can leave the real world behind me!!! Marie
Other than that I really do love Magical Express and think it is a great offering for Disney's guests. I always feel like a princess when I dont have to drag my luggage around and other people take care of that for me. My vacation starts at the airport then and I can leave the real world behind me!!! Marie
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Disney_Belle
Well-Known Member
We usually take advantage of Magical Express. As Marie said - we love not having to drag our luggage around! DH and I usually rent a car for most of our stay (the day after we arrive to the day before we depart). It really gives us a lot more freedom when it comes to trying new restaurants, activities, etc. We like to mini-golf, shop at the resorts, etc, so it makes it much easier. However, some people love to be completely immersed in the Disney experience and like to take the buses and not have to worry about driving. I find we save a lot of time by renting a car.
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magicalmemories
Member
Does anyone know about how much it would be for a cab from Downtown Disney over to the Premier Outlet mall just outside property?
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Rob562
Well-Known Member
$16, according to the fare calculator on the Mears website:
http://www.mearstransportation.com/services/taxi-fare-estimator.asp
-Rob
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LaughingGravy
Well-Known Member
We rented a car for our last trip for the first time.
As we stay 'till park closing time, it was really really nice to have the car and not have to wait for the long lines at the buses, the crowds, and the bus noise.
Keep shopping around for the car though. Reserve one at the best price you can find, then cancel that reservation if you find a better one. I've never been hit with a cancel fee for a car rental.
As we stay 'till park closing time, it was really really nice to have the car and not have to wait for the long lines at the buses, the crowds, and the bus noise.
Keep shopping around for the car though. Reserve one at the best price you can find, then cancel that reservation if you find a better one. I've never been hit with a cancel fee for a car rental.
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marcriss
Member
Also check mousesavers.com. They do a really good listing of rental offers. Our best deal came through Costco this time, I wouldn't have even thought to check them if not for mousesavers. As the previous poster said, make a reservation and then keep checking new deals out. Unless you go with someone like Hotwire who locks you in, you can modify or cancel right up to the day you arrive. Two years ago I saved $300 by checking a deal the night before we left. You never know.
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docdebbi
Well-Known Member
first- i did disney without a car once. hassle, hassle, hassle. maybe i'm spoiled, but the freedom to go wherever, whenever without waiting for buses is important to me.
compared to the price of an admission ticket, it's well worth the cost. unless you really only want to get to a restaurant a couple of times, then it is indeed cheaper to take a taxi.
i find it helpful especially in the AM. if you are at a resort where the restaurant/food court is not in the same building, it can be quite a walk or bus ride to get there. with the car, i hop in and go bring food back while everyone is getting dressed and ready. (yeah, i'm the early riser in the group). we eat in the room, while still getting ready, and off we go.
as far as mousesavers, i agree wholeheartedly.
be aware, a lot of rentals require getting in a shuttle and going to their site. again, hassle! mousesavers tells you which ones are in the terminal itself.
i highly recommend national. have tried several, stuck with national for few years now. through mousesavers you can join the emerald club for free. you don't have to go to any desk, just go right to the garage, pick any car in the aisle (just like the commercial says- they aren't lying!!) and get in it and take off. no paperwork, no time spent. and we always manage to get a minivan for the price of an intermediate. there is a major price different if you just rent straight!
my time is my most important commodity when i'm at disney, it's all about efficency for me!!!
compared to the price of an admission ticket, it's well worth the cost. unless you really only want to get to a restaurant a couple of times, then it is indeed cheaper to take a taxi.
i find it helpful especially in the AM. if you are at a resort where the restaurant/food court is not in the same building, it can be quite a walk or bus ride to get there. with the car, i hop in and go bring food back while everyone is getting dressed and ready. (yeah, i'm the early riser in the group). we eat in the room, while still getting ready, and off we go.
as far as mousesavers, i agree wholeheartedly.
be aware, a lot of rentals require getting in a shuttle and going to their site. again, hassle! mousesavers tells you which ones are in the terminal itself.
i highly recommend national. have tried several, stuck with national for few years now. through mousesavers you can join the emerald club for free. you don't have to go to any desk, just go right to the garage, pick any car in the aisle (just like the commercial says- they aren't lying!!) and get in it and take off. no paperwork, no time spent. and we always manage to get a minivan for the price of an intermediate. there is a major price different if you just rent straight!
my time is my most important commodity when i'm at disney, it's all about efficency for me!!!
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dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
It all depends on where you are staying, where you want to get to, and how often you plan on going there. Large numbers of the resort restaurants are easily accessible from a theme park. So in many cases, you can just walk over, or take the smaller launch transportation to the resort, and then back to park for return to your hotel. This method may take you a bit of time. If you are only going to only eat at a different hotel once or twice, then a cab will almost definitely be a better deal than renting a car. A cab ride a day will be about the same as many car rentals. So if you are only going to do it once or twice, a cab may be much more affordable if you don't want to rely on Disney buses.
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I have done it both ways, with a car and without. I personally like to have a car because i have numerous dining reservations in different areas (hotels, parks, downtown disney, etc.). Without a car it is difficult and time consuming to get to certain places since there is no hotel to hotel bus service. Also the freedom to leave the property when you want and not pay disney prices for certain things (food, souvenirs, etc.).
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We always rent a car...always.
...and if you book your trip through AAA, you also get AAA premier parking which gets you up front at the parks, works especially good at Animal Kingdom...even when not booking with AAA, we still rent...especially flexible not only for park hopping, but resort hopping for meals etc...
...and if you book your trip through AAA, you also get AAA premier parking which gets you up front at the parks, works especially good at Animal Kingdom...even when not booking with AAA, we still rent...especially flexible not only for park hopping, but resort hopping for meals etc...
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disneygirl76
Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
I don't think having a car is needed. My DH and I have traveled to the World with and without a car and in many respects, it was easier not to have a car. We actually found that when we drove to the World, we would not ever use the car. Not once. Especially with restaurants at resorts that are on the monorail. They are very easy to get to.
Enjoy your honeymoon! My DH and I went to the World for our honeymoon and it was amazing!
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