travel between disney resorts

[doughie]

hello
were going to disney for the first time on 4th nov staying in carribean beach resort,we have a hire car and i am wondering is it best to use the car each day to go to each disney park or use the disney transport?
is it true parking is free for people staying at a disney resort?
we have a four year old child,should we take our own buggy or rent the disney ones?
is the route from sanford to carribean beach straight forward or is there any watchouts (i was going to use the toll road)it could be dark when were driving there so i want to get the route clear in my head before we go,also is it worth hiring sat nav and taking our own car seat?
questions ,questions questions,so much to think about!
cheers

[wdwgrandma]

As long as you have the parking pass the resort gave you in the front window of your car, yes, parking is free! But Disney transportation is great. No worrying about navigating your way through the very large Disney complex. Oh, the roads are well marked with signs directing you to the resorts and parks. But sometimes it is nice to relax and let someone else handle the driving!

If you rent a stroller, you won't have to lug it around. On the bus, on the tram from parking to the park entrance, etc. However, I imagine that your stroller is probably lots more comfortable than the hard plastic ones that Disney rents.

Can't help you with directions from Sanford to the Caribbean Beach Resort. But I have heard some "horror" stories about trying to get a car seat when you pick up your rental car... Maybe others can give you better advice.

[uscwest]

I would recommend that you bring your own car seat. If you are only going from the resort to one park then I would take Disney Transport but if you plan on leaving the park to go to a resort to eat it may be best to use the car. The route from Sanford to CBR is pretty direct. Just hope on the 417 and it will take you right into Disney Property at exit 3 (I believe). This will take you right past Pop Century and the next major intersection past Pop a right turn will take you to the CBR on the right.

[doughie]

thanks for the useful info,has anyone used the free time check-in when taking there own child car seat? i am just wondering if we keep our car seat in the car after we check in our luggage would we have to leave the car seat there or is there a facility to check in the car seat seperately at the airport.If we have to leave it we'll have to look for a cheap/second hand car seat. cheers

[uscwest]

thanks for the useful info,has anyone used the free time check-in when taking there own child car seat? i am just wondering if we keep our car seat in the car after we check in our luggage would we have to leave the car seat there or is there a facility to check in the car seat seperately at the airport.If we have to leave it we'll have to look for a cheap/second hand car seat. cheersYou should be able to take the car seat right up to the door of the plane with you, they will check it there, and it will be waiting for you when you deplane. At least that is the way it works here in the US.

[jarretth]

Definitely take you own car seats (rental ones are basically moulded polystyrene!) but if if you are using the free-time check in they may make you check the seats in with the rest of your luggage. I'd give them a call to check. You shouldn't need Sat Nav as long as you have a basic sense of direction and an idea of roughly where things are. If you stick to the main tourist areas they are all well signed.

If you are coming down the Greenway from Sanford the only thing to remember is that you will need some cash for the tolls. If possible, try and get a load of quarters for the auto tolls - either before you go or go to a shop on your way through Sanford airport, buy something small and ask for quarters in your change.

As for the buggy, I would take out a cheap lightweight one of your own. Your child will be much more comfortable and they are handy for use at the airport when you arrive as your child can crash in the buggy whilst you get your bags. We take a cheap one out with us and then leave it behind rather than carry it back - it's cheaper than renting them and you can use them off-site as well (ie in restaurants). You might even pick up a good second hand one at a charity shop or in the small ads.

[rsvdaz]

sorry to sort of hijack this thread.
we have DDP for next Aug staying at POFQ we are also hiring a car for flexibility my question is say for the evening with an ADR at another resort how easy is it to use the transport system to get to the ADR and back to our resort?
I would like to know i can have an evening drink and leave the hire car at the hotel :)

[uscwest]

sorry to sort of hijack this thread.
we have DDP for next Aug staying at POFQ we are also hiring a car for flexibility my question is say for the evening with an ADR at another resort how easy is it to use the transport system to get to the ADR and back to our resort?
I would like to know i can have an evening drink and leave the hire car at the hotel :)To get from resort to resort via Disney Transport can be very time consuming. You normally have to either transfer at a theme park or DTD. There is no direct resort-resort transport.