Advice on hiring a car

[Sarah84]

We are going on a twin centre holiday next september and our first week is in Orlanda staying in the Wydham resort and spa in lake beauna vista, this week includes car hire but we are considering going for the non driving option for a number of reasons but the main one being basically wether would benefit from it or not.
As I said its included in our holiday package with Virgin though its costing us around an extra £200 due to our ages (all being under 25) and we are adding a couple of extra days on to our stay in Orlando.
I was basically after advice on wether people who have hired cars found them useful to have or wish they hadn't bothered and those who didn't hire cars were glad they hadn't or wish they had.
I was wondering wether its just easier and cheaper to get taxis and buses around disney and universal? i was trying to weigh up the ups and downs like parking costs, possiblities of getting lost, but freedom of just being able to get in the car to go back to our hotel when ever we wanted instea dof having to wait around on shuttles, buses and taxi's etc.
We are also planning to visit a few of the shopping malls while we are out there, are they easy enough to get to without a car, again by taxi or something?
I've never been to Orlando/Disnye and don't know what to expect wether parks close late and transport not being very reliable after a certain hour or if theres excellent transport services with the disney shuttles etc?
Sorry my post has so many questions, but its my first trip and I want to make sure I get everything as to near perfect as I can

[Isafari]

You won't just get the one opinion on this subject Sarah - everyone may be different in what they prefer.

Personally, I wouldn't be without a car. It gives us the freedom to go where ever we want in Florida. We also come and go when we want to, not when the buses etc let us. In my opinion, it saves a lot of time - and we go off peak season - peak season will have you waiting around for transport even longer. My time at WDW is precious and I don't want to waste it standing waiting for transport.

That, was my humble opinion

[Sarah84]

One important thing I forgot to ask are the cars rented with virgin holidays usually automatic or manual?? this is very impoart as two of us can only drive automatic so if it was manual, one person would have to do all the driving.

[clio]

I wouldn't be without a car. Most (if not all) rental cars are automatic.

As Isafari said, there are a lot of opinions on the subject, and if you do a search you should find plenty of previous threads.

[JuniorMickey]

I drive to Orlando and I drive 95% of the time once I'm there. I love having the freedom. Maybe because I have never done it another way, but I would feel trapped without a car

[Sarah84]

Originally Posted by Isafari

It gives us the freedom to go where ever we want in Florida. We also come and go when we want to, not when the buses etc let us. In my opinion, it saves a lot of time - and we go off peak season - peak season will have you waiting around for transport even longer. My time at WDW is precious and I don't want to waste it standing waiting for transport.

That was exactly what I was thinking, but just wanted to hear some other peoples opinions on the subject.
Thanks to you both for your advice/opinion

[Sarah84]

When I'm home I totally rely on my car and go nowhere without it, and although this is going to be a holiday was thinking that would be so nice just to have the freedom off the car.
What are costs for parking in the parks at disney world and universal??

[AlecK]

Originally Posted by JuniorMickey

I drive 95% of the time once I'm there. I love having the freedom. Maybe because I have never done it another way, but I would feel trapped without a car

Parking is $8 day at most major parks.

[Sungal]

Sarah, take the car. It means that you aren't tied down to catching buses and taxis (very pricey). Also we were in Orlando this september and I really felt sorry for those guys waiting at bus stops in the evening rain...just like England but not what you want on holiday!

I don't drive, but DH found it a pleasure to drive because the roads are so big and there's no road rage And as Clio said most of the hire cars are automatic...if they give you a manual transmission just go back and ask for an automatic.

As for the costs of parking...at the Disney parks its about $8 and this covers you if you park hop during the day. Universal parking varies whether you want priority parking or not (we went for priority at $12 because we wanted to get in and out of the parks without much fuss).

Wow you've got a year of planning to do but it will sure go quick...ours did and I want to go back now! Enjoy your planning

[Sarah84]

OMG its so much cheaper for parking than i expected.
Thanks for your advice everyone.

Summer breeze what tiem in september do you normally go?? so far we are planning 23rd sep-14th october witht he first 10 days being in Orlando and was just a bit worried about the weather, and if we were choosing the right time of year to go,