[iluvwdw]

We will be going for one of our shortest trips yet...6 days in December. I already have a rental car for the week...a REALLY great rate of $140 for a mid sized SUV!!! I have NO CLUE how I got that rate, but I did!

Since we are staying onsite this trip renting DVC points (we NEVER stay onsite...we have timeshare offsite!), do you think I should save the money from the rental car and just use ME to get to the resort to and from the airport? Then we would need to depend on Disney Transportation for the duration of our trip.

Right now, our ressie is at SSR. We HOPE to change it to either Beach Club or BWV at the 7 month mark. If those 2 are not possible, we would like to stay at WLV. How is the Disney Transportation at these resorts?? If you stayed there, did you WISH you had a rental car?? Is it easy to get to the resorts if you have ADRs at, let's say, 'Ohana, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Faire, etc??

So...do you think I will need a car, or should I just save the cash and use ME and Disney Transportation to FULLY immerse ourselves in the magic of Disney?

[DisneyTeacher]

We've stayed at WL and BC both a couple of times and never had an issue with Disney transportation. BC is so close to MGM and Epcot that I think it's faster not to drive. BC shares the DtD route with all the other Epcot resorts so it a long ride but we usually only go there once or twice during our trip so we don't worry about it. I think the MK route is only shared with YC so it's a pretty quick trip w/o all the extra stops.

We NEVER use our car if we have it with us, I like to not having to worry about driving when I'm on vacation. We used DME last summer and plan to use it again next month. It was easy and we were at WL in less than 90 minutes from touching down.

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

We NEVER use our car if we have it with us, I like to not having to worry about driving when I'm on vacation. We used DME last summer and plan to use it again next month. It was easy and we were at WL in less than 90 minutes from touching down.

See, the problem is, we ALWAYS use the rental when we are down there. But we are usually there for 8 or 9 days though. AND we stay offsite, so we NEED a car. We also like to take a trip or two to the outlets to do some Christmas shopping when we are there.

But since our trip is so short, I am rethinking the rental car deal. HOWEVER, Eugene doesn't want to go to the parks every day, so without a car, we'd be stuck at the resort all day (relaxing, pool, we can always go to DTD, etc). What is everyone's opinion on that?? Will we get around OK using Disney Transportation? Most important, will there be enough for us to do at the resort when we are not in the parks?

[Disneyfever]

I think Disney transportation is fine. We only had long waits two times, and one of those times was right after Wishes. However, we always have a car. We usually do a day or two at Universal while we are there. Plus, sometimes we found it easier to just take our car instead of wait for the bus. I think you could go either way. Sorry, I'm not much help. We like having a car while we are on vacation.

[DisneyTeacher]

If you had a car where would you go on your non-park days?

[Pooh Fan]

Wow. 140 for a rental car. Do you mind me asking what company you got the deal from?

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by Pooh Fan

Wow. 140 for a rental car. Do you mind me asking what company you got the deal from?

I got it from Alamo. It's actually $120 before taxes...comes out to $160 inclusive of all taxes and fees for the week (not $140 like I thought).

BTW, I just tried to use the codes in my confirmation email, that I used to make the ressie. Now, the rate is $240 including taxes!!!! I am saving $80!!!

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

If you had a car where would you go on your non-park days?

If we had a rental car, we'd go outlet shopping most likely. We also like to stop at a grocery store once we check in to the resort. For water, soda, snacks, etc. And what if I needed something from the drug store while we are there? I like having the car to be able to run to Walgreen's...

Decisions, decisions. Anyone else have any opinions??

[palmickey]

We fly down and have never rented a car. We have never had a problem getting around WDW. In fact our trip in Feb. we were pretty proud on how well we have learned to use all of the different types of transportation. We also have never traveled off of Disney property, so I guess I'm not much help but as far as getting around at WDW it isn't a problem. We have also not had a problem finding something to do at Disney!

[leslieh]

I vote for car... the only time we didn't have a car, of course, my little DS had to go to the emergency room with a very strange rash... As much as we enjoy the Disney transportation, I like having a car. Since your rate is so good, I'd keep that car ressie!

[DisneyBride94]

Totally keep the car ressie...that is really SHORT money for an SUV... and IME it has been way better on the trips where we had a minivan at our disposal... especially since you have a little one... it's nice to be able to keep changes of clothes in the car just in case they are needed... And it is nice to be able to get yourself to and from ADRs at all the eateries at other hotels... taking transportaiton between hotels is HORRENDOUS... You have to use a park or DTD as a hub... so that forces you to have to wait TWICE for a bus to get where you are going... It STINKS. No matter how much time you leave thinking you are allowing enough time... you still find yourself stressing out with worry that you won't make it...

And if you go to a water park--it is especially nice to have your own car to take your wet waterlogged selves back to your resort.

You will LOVE LOVE LOVE staying on property...it is SO MUCH better than staying off...even if your time share is phenomenal. Every time we stay off property it is JUST NOT THE SAME. WE eventually will buy a vacation home in the LBV area but have not yet--and then we'll HAVE to stay in our own place or rent it out... but we love being on property...

[DisneyBride94]

Now see...your pic tells me you only have one little one... so you are not in the same boat as us... we have THREE SMALL children... last year they were 15 months, 3 and 5... Getting them off an on buses with strollers and backpack diaper bag and accoutrements was tedious and exhausting for DH and I... especially when we stayed late in parks and TWO of the three fell asleep before we got them on the bus....(after a LONG wait...bus was WAY croweded...I had one sleeping baby on my shoulder in a sling... the three year old asleep on my other arm... backpack on my back...and only could fineggle one seat on the bus...) DH stood with the stroller and all of our purchases and video camera.... my 5 year old was squished into a seat across the aisle..he fell asleep on the way home... it was certainly a challenge to get OFF that bus (even more so then getting on, since my 5 year old at least boarded awake and walking!)... I was afraid the bus would take off before we could get my 5 year old off! LOL. That was the most challenging part of our trip...riding the buses with strollers and young kids... This year they are going to be 2, 4 and 6...still challenging!!!

But with only one child....the buses would be way easier...but the car would still be good if you like to eat around the world....

[angell1975]

That is an awesome rate that you got for that rental! You just have to catch them on the right day at the right time. Anyway, if you like to be able to go out and about, I say stay with the rental. Last year was our first year staying on property and we loved it. We still used our rental car b/c we like to be able to run around on our own time and not have to worry about other transportation. It was also nice for our DD(who was 1 at the time) b/c we could always go back to the car and give her a break plus I felt safer with the car seat and we also had her stroller with us which I think would have been a pain trying to carry off and on buses. Basically, it's whatever you feel comfortable with. Good luck!

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

If we had a rental car, we'd go outlet shopping most likely. We also like to stop at a grocery store once we check in to the resort. For water, soda, snacks, etc. And what if I needed something from the drug store while we are there? I like having the car to be able to run to Walgreen's...

Decisions, decisions. Anyone else have any opinions??

For that little bit of money keep the car if you think you'll do things off site. It the big picture of the vacation that's not a lot of money. I love to shop at outlet malls and the two near WDW look so nice.

[bali]

We're renting a car for the first time this trip--mostly because we're staying at AKL (aka: a million miles from everything) and plan to come back to the hotel daily for rest breaks. Also because we're only there for 5 days and have a newbie with us, so we want to pack everything in and the waiting involved with Disney transportation might not be conducive to that...