Should I rent a car?

[Lunchbox]

Hello! My fiance and I are planning a trip for this May to Disney World. We've gone the past couple of years and have utilized the Magical Express and the buses between our resort and the parks and have had nothing but good things to say about it all and have never felt the need to rent a car.

This year we'd like to see Discovery Cove and SeaWorld while we're in Orlando so I've been considering renting a car.

The problem is, I don't want to waste money on the car since we'd really only need it for 2 out of our 7 days and rely on the Disney Transportation on the other days.

I assume there's no way to rent cars at the resort (Caribbean Beach) and return them to the resort right? We're flying into Orlando Int'l and the cheapest car rental for a week seems to be about $263...

I thought about a taxi between the resort and Discovery Cove/SeaWorld but I was told it's over $50 each way so that'd be $200

I assume there aren't any Disney buses running to the non-Disney parks right?

Any suggestions? I'm not trying to be cheap, just trying to save a little bit...

Thanks a bunch!!!

[JuniorMickey]

You can rent a car at the Disney Car Care center by MK - Alamo

[Lunchbox]

You can rent a car at the Disney Car Care center by MK - Alamo

I just saw some mention of that while checking out this site... Is the Disney Car Care Center easy to get to? Are there buses or monorail stops there?

Thanks!

[JuniorMickey]

there is not transportation by Disney but Alamo will pick you up at your resort and return you

[EmmaH]

Alamo also have a desk in Dolphin Hotel - it doesn't always show on UK website but you can get it if you ring up. Dolphin has transportation so you can just hop on that or I believe you can walk to Epcot from there anyway.

We are planning on collecting a car from Alamo at airport then dropping it off a few days into our holiday and going to Epcot that day.

If you use your car to go to a supermarket to stock up on drinks, snacks etc for your trip, it can save you a fortune.

I will also be going clothes shopping:)

[tweenie123]

We never rent a car and book a taxi for our trips to SeaWorld if we go. I've never paid anywhere near $50 for a single journey - more like $30 (the same near enough to Discovery Cove)

You can get to SeaWorld by bus via the TTC and then using the Lynx service but I wouldn't recommend it - we did it once in the hot Florida sun and I couldn't wait to get back to our resort for some shade. For us taxis are convenient as we don't use them a great deal and we feel that we wouldn't make use of a car to make the hire cost worthwhile.

[Castanea1985]

I can understand not having a car if you are wanting to stay 'on site' 24/7, but there is sooooo much more to see than Disney itself.

So why not plan to have a car for a few days and I'm pretty sure, once you've had one, you'll never want to be without one again!

I once went to stay with my Aunt up in Ohio, and only lasted 2 days without a car. :rolleyes:.... I have not having the freedom to go where we want, when we want!

Like others have said, you can go shopping, and not have to worry how many bags you get!:lol: and maybe plan a trip to the beach or KSC??

It's so easy driving an automatic... honestly!

Tracy xx

[Dzneeprincss]

There are so many options that you can look into. If you plan to go off site more then once I would definitely look into renting a car. The car services at WDW will pick you up at your resort get you settled in your car and off you go. When you return the car they will drive you to wherever you are going.

[mrscopeman]

Its down to lifestyle and holiday choices, but a car is a lot more immediate and direct than Disney Transport. I use the latter when there is drink to be had or I've had one the night before (due to the laws in FL)! :beer2:

We also like to hit the malls and shops at least once and as long as there is no storm this time we might get to the Space Centre.:clap:

Just don't get a car thinking you have to use it all the time, nor ignore the possibilities. A car also means you can catch the late show and get straight in your transport rather than fight for a bus....

You may need to let the desk know when you check in you will be getting a car to get your park pass (if you intend to drive to a park). Don't know how this works part way in, but I am sure someone will!

[JuniorMickey]

If you're staying onsite, they ask at check in if you have a car and they print off a parking pass. Keep it on your dash and you're good to go at all parks

[mrscopeman]

If you're staying onsite, they ask at check in if you have a car and they print off a parking pass. Keep it on your dash and you're good to go at all parks

Its a good system and a very large piece of "A4", but sometimes you still have to pick it up and show the CM at the gate.

But do you know what happens if you don't and get one at a later date? I presume you can still get a pass.

[JuniorMickey]

Yep, you can. I've had friends join me a couple days into a trip and got their pass later

[ALLTIGGEREDOUT]

We always rent a car it gives us the freedom to eat off-site,and go shopping,or visit Celebration or Old Town.We always use it to stock up with cereal ,drinks etc at Publix/Walmart as well.

[Mickeymad]

It all depends on whether you want the freedom of going offsite when you want to? I think car hire has got expensive and sometimes you cant justify £3-400 for 2 wks when you would'nt spend that on transportation going to/from DC or SW. However, i could not rely on transportation (i know how good it is) i just like to do my own thing and escape when i want to. I enjoy the occassional trip to clearwater or shopping malls etc at least a couple of times. I have a thing for Krispy Kremes too and i need my fix even if its 8pm hehe :)

I have thought about doing without a car this year, i might just go for a full size instead and take the ME to/from MCO just for the cases really (they are huge) and prob won't fit in a full size car. Still pondering