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JRHmom
LIF Infant
Member since 11/06 268 total posts
Name:
Gia
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Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
There are 4 adults and 3 children in party (under 5) and we are staying at the All star resort. Would you recommend a rental car?
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Posted 3/22/09 4:32 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
YES YES and YES!!
While the buses are convenient for some I HATE the buses!! Folding strollers, lugging kids, WAITING for buses. I will never do Disney again without a car.
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| Posted 3/22/09 4:36 PM |
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Michi
My Love
Member since 5/05 31600 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
if u can afford it i say yes, i think its a lot more relaxing with a car if u have kids
Message edited 3/22/2009 4:40:22 PM.
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| Posted 3/22/09 4:40 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
YES!!! Honestly the bus system is okay but the buses can really waste a lot of time. If you can afford a car I would definitely get one. If you plan to go to the park or leave the park during rush times then the lines to get on are crazy and usually it is standing room only which is hard if you have strollers, bags and children. Financially it is great to not have to rent the car - but you can waste a lot of time waiting and squeezing onto the bus. Also larger resorts have more than one bus stop. If you plan to dine at another resort it is easier to get there with a car.
Parking at the parks are free if you are staying on property - so you won't have to pay to park at a park for the day.
Mousesavers.com has all the codes for all the car rental companies and will tell you how to get the best deal.
Message edited 3/22/2009 5:00:44 PM.
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| Posted 3/22/09 5:00 PM |
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MommyTeffi
Yummy!!!
Member since 2/06 1827 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
We are staying on the monorail but if I wasn't, I would definitely get a car. I heard it is cheaper if you pick the car up at the WDW rental facility. This is what we plan on doing since we only need a car for two days.
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| Posted 3/22/09 5:32 PM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
DH and i stayed at the disney carribbean beach resort and did not rent a car. we thought Disney transportation was great. we had NO problems and never waited long for a bus. however, we were not lugging strollers and what not. the good thing is that since you are staying in a WDW resort, you don't have to pay for parking at the parks.
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| Posted 3/22/09 9:07 PM |
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LIMOMx2
...
Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
No. It would have been a total waste for us. We took the busses and had no problem with them. We never had to wait.
And we never went outside the park. There was no need to.
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| Posted 3/22/09 10:22 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
I find a car incredibly handy in WDW. The buses get annoying after a while and dining in other resorts is a big PITA without a car.
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| Posted 3/23/09 9:30 AM |
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Wendy
Wheeee!
Member since 5/05 13736 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
We always stay on property and ALWAYS rent a car.
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| Posted 3/23/09 10:14 AM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
I would say Yes...especially if staying at an All Star Resort. The buses are MUCH more crowded and longer waits.
We stayed at All Star Sports and I was so frustrated with the buses.
When we stayed at Coronado Springs we used the car for places like Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios...
We took the bus for Magic Kingdom and Epcot...
It was great.
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| Posted 3/23/09 2:07 PM |
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MetsGirl07
LIF O2 Vendor
Member since 12/07 16202 total posts
Name:
Deanna
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Posted by 5ofClubs
No. It would have been a total waste for us. We took the busses and had no problem with them. We never had to wait.
And we never went outside the park. There was no need to.
ITA! i think renting a car is a waste for WDW.. especially if you are staying on disney grounds.. no need for it!
i love going on vacations with NO driving at all...
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| Posted 3/23/09 2:50 PM |
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JennChris
life moves fast
Member since 5/05 4225 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
YES!!!!!! We stayed at a monorail resort and used Disney transportation once, and the last time we went and stayed on Disney property we rented a car... SOOOO convenient... I will NEVER use the buses again!
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| Posted 3/24/09 2:49 PM |
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MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
All of My Dreams Came True
Member since 2/09 1989 total posts
Name:
Kimmie
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Posted by Lillykat
Parking at the parks are free if you are staying on property - so you won't have to pay to park at a park for the day.
i'm almost positive this is wrong. you still have to pay and i believe at this point, it's 11 bucks a day. i stayed on property and had a car in january and i don't know if it's because i'm a cast member and don't have to pay for parking, but they never gave me a pass to park for free or even told me about it when i checked in.
if you're having that many little ones, i probably would recommend renting a car. only because the buses are a PITA for the most part especially if you're staying at a value resort (esp. all stars, they share a bus for all 3 resorts) so the kids might get cranky waiting for a bus or if you don't get a seat, they'll be standing on the bus. for older children and adults, the transportation really isn't needed!
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| Posted 3/24/09 4:50 PM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
I thought we didn't need acar until I stayed w/a friend who rented one and it was sooo much quicker, more relaxing, cooler (as in a/c since those buses can be hot... and SMELLY). I'm planning on renting a car next time.
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| Posted 3/24/09 8:16 PM |
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JennChris
life moves fast
Member since 5/05 4225 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Posted by MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
Posted by Lillykat
Parking at the parks are free if you are staying on property - so you won't have to pay to park at a park for the day.
i'm almost positive this is wrong. you still have to pay and i believe at this point, it's 11 bucks a day. i stayed on property and had a car in january and i don't know if it's because i'm a cast member and don't have to pay for parking, but they never gave me a pass to park for free or even told me about it when i checked in.
Parking is definitely FREE if you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel
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| Posted 3/24/09 11:44 PM |
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Kate
*****
Member since 5/05 7557 total posts
Name:
Kate
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
We just got back from Disney and we stayed at the All Star resort. My parents came to visit one day, so we took their car to the park. Taking the bus was definitely quicker and better. Yeah, you don't have to wait for the bus, but the parking lot is not that close to the park. So you then have to wait for a tram to take you to either the monorail or the ferry. Then the monorail or ferry takes you to the park. We liked the buses better.
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| Posted 3/25/09 1:50 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Posted by MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
Posted by Lillykat
Parking at the parks are free if you are staying on property - so you won't have to pay to park at a park for the day.
i'm almost positive this is wrong. you still have to pay and i believe at this point, it's 11 bucks a day. i stayed on property and had a car in january and i don't know if it's because i'm a cast member and don't have to pay for parking, but they never gave me a pass to park for free or even told me about it when i checked in.
if you're having that many little ones, i probably would recommend renting a car. only because the buses are a PITA for the most part especially if you're staying at a value resort (esp. all stars, they share a bus for all 3 resorts) so the kids might get cranky waiting for a bus or if you don't get a seat, they'll be standing on the bus. for older children and adults, the transportation really isn't needed!
Well I have gone three times without my family (just me and DH in 02, 04 and with DH and DD in Sept/Oct 08). We always have a rental car - and have NEVER paid for parking at the parks - only had to pay if you use valet at the hotel but if you self park at the hotel or drive to the parks you do NOT have to pay. Just make sure you have your parking pass in your window when you go thru the toll gate.
You do have to pay if you are a day guest and staying off property
Message edited 3/25/2009 4:33:40 PM.
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| Posted 3/25/09 4:31 PM |
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MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
All of My Dreams Came True
Member since 2/09 1989 total posts
Name:
Kimmie
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
i guess i stand corrected. i'm a cast member so i never have to pay for parking but they never explained to me when i checked in to use the parking pass to get in for free. that's a great deal considering how ridiculous the parking is now!
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| Posted 3/25/09 5:18 PM |
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EmmaNick
*
Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
Name:
*
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
I say no since it seems to be incredibly inconvenient to have to park in the lot at MK then take a boat or the monorail to the park. I've always taken the busses without issue. We don't go off-site and stay in the park all day.
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| Posted 3/25/09 10:25 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Posted by JennChris
Posted by MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
Posted by Lillykat
Parking at the parks are free if you are staying on property - so you won't have to pay to park at a park for the day.
i'm almost positive this is wrong. you still have to pay and i believe at this point, it's 11 bucks a day. i stayed on property and had a car in january and i don't know if it's because i'm a cast member and don't have to pay for parking, but they never gave me a pass to park for free or even told me about it when i checked in.
Parking is definitely FREE if you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel
Definitely FREE...we have had a rental car every time we have gone...
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| Posted 3/25/09 11:10 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Posted by EmmaNick
I say no since it seems to be incredibly inconvenient to have to park in the lot at MK then take a boat or the monorail to the park. I've always taken the busses without issue. We don't go off-site and stay in the park all day.
MK was definitely the most convenient by bus. BUT we had reservations at MK for 8 am breakfast and thank God we had a car because buses are sparse that early in the am. We left our hotel at 7:30 am we were in the park by 7:45. They had told us it would be about 60-90 minutes with early stuff...
Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Syudios were the best by car...with the Trams, it never really matters how far away you park there because they come so frequently and you are to your car in less than 5 minutes....
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| Posted 3/25/09 11:13 PM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
I don't have kids but this is just my thoughts..
If you are going at a peak time, or really hot time it may be worth it.
If you are going at a slower time of the year, I wouldn't spend the money.
I have been to disney 6+ times, and have never once rented a car while staying on property. The busses have always been very convenient. I have only read complaints about the busses from the all star resorts, but others have raved about it. IMO, your paying for the busses. And the time lost waiting for the bus, etc. is the same as having to park the car, get the car, wait to get out of the park, wait to get in if you stay till closing and come in at opening, and in the heat, walking across those hot parking lots at the end of the day, would make me very frustrated . I can't see you saving more then 10-15 mins time. then add in the cost of the car per day. is that really worth it? if you think so, then you should rent a car.
You could probably try the busses and if you really hate it, call a rental car company, alot of them will drop off a car to you,or you could cab it to a place.
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| Posted 3/28/09 1:24 AM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Posted by HeatherRose
You could probably try the busses and if you really hate it, call a rental car company, alot of them will drop off a car to you,or you could cab it to a place.
This is an idea. I think it's National/Alamo that has locations on property. They would pick you up at your resort so you could get your car.
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| Posted 3/28/09 3:42 AM |
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JRHmom
LIF Infant
Member since 11/06 268 total posts
Name:
Gia
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
Thanks everyone! Your feedback really helps. We ended up renting a c ar for $229 for the full week and the 2 families are splitting it....so for us it will definitely be worth it for most days. We will take everyones feedback and leave the car in the lot when we go to MK.
Thanks again.
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| Posted 3/28/09 8:56 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you recommend a rental car if staying in WDW resort?
I'm not sure when you are going, where you are renting from, how long etc - but I just wanted to let you know we got a 7 passenger minivan for $150 for 9 days in Sept/Oct (my parents got a full size for $90 for 8 days - both with National which was cheaper than Alamo) so if you are farther than 30 days out check back around 30 days before - and different days - b.c the rates do change so you might be able to get a much better deal. If you haven't done it so far - also check out mousesavers.com - she gives all the current codes and tells you how to mix and match them and how to play around until you get better rates.
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| Posted 3/29/09 9:04 AM |
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