Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

poet123

NESSIEHUNTER wrote: »

Going to Orlando next year (June/July), first time going and I have been told by one travel agent that as we are staying near International Drive we wont need a car, I have now booked the holiday and after speaking to friends who go to Orlando a lot, they tell me a car is essential, now I am wondering if I should have got the car. Can I have a little bit of input from you kind people who have been/done Orlando should I get the car now?. Thanks

I would get a car, it gives you so much more flexibility.

Cade_Foster

Managed fine on International drive area without a car and found it less tying, used the i trolley most of the time and the odd taxi, booked excursions to KSC and to Miami.

johnnyroper

I stayed at quality inn on I-drive in march and had a car,it is not essential to have a car as there is the trolley bus on I-drive and most hotels have transport to Disney,universal and sea world.
However if your budget can stretch to a car and you don't mind driving I would advise you have one,you are not fixed to arriving/leaving times at the attractions like you would be if needed to get bus.
You can also venture further away to places like Kennedy and busch if you want and also go to walmart to stock up to avoid paying Disney prices for drinks etc.

blue_monkey_2

You don't 'need' a car. We got taxis whenever we went anywhere and we spent less than £200 on taxis in 2 weeks and just 'insuring' the car would have been £350 before even starting on an upgrade, parking fees, fuel and tolls.

Get the card of a driver in the first few days and if you always use him it'll cost you less as they give you a fixed price rather than it being on the meter. You can usually get loads of tips from them as well to save money.

Also check out the Lynx bus to see if there is a route that goes near your hotel: http://www.golynx.com/ Ours was the last stop before World Drive so we always used the bus to get to MK and they are reliable. At night if the kids were shattered we would just get a cab from Transportation Centre (MK Car Park) - it cost $10 back to the hotel, less than it would have cost to park a car if we had one.

Plus they know where to find you when you leave your bag in their car.....!!!!!!! [ahem]

You could always get a car for a few days if you decide you are going somewhere you might need it. This is what we are going to do but we intentionally stay one week in Int Drive and another week near Disney. We use our moving day as a relaxing day and spent it by the pool before we have to check in later in the day.

I, personally, could not imagine anything worse than driving when we are there, we go on holiday for a break, and that includes from driving. Some people like it that way, the should not feel that they have to get a car as it is totally accessible without one. If you went for 14 days and spent $40 a day on taxis ($560) it would still be less than it would cost to hire a car, pay to park at WDW/Universal for a 7 days, buy fuel and pay tolls. Not everyone wants to go on holiday and drive. Just plan to do several things in the same area on that day rather than hopping here there and everywhere.

PS. 87 days to go!!!!!

blue_monkey_2

johnnyroper wrote: »

I stayed at quality inn on I-drive in march and had a car,it is not essential to have a car as there is the trolley bus on I-drive and most hotels have transport to Disney,universal and sea world.
However if your budget can stretch to a car and you don't mind driving I would advise you have one,you are not fixed to arriving/leaving times at the attractions like you would be if needed to get bus.
You can also venture further away to places like Kennedy and busch if you want and also go to walmart to stock up to avoid paying Disney prices for drinks etc.

I'd never use the hotel shuttle again to be honest, we always get cabs - this was after we missed the shuttle one day and saw the driver parked a little up the road, standing at the back of the bus banging the back lights to get them to work..... :eek::eek::eek:

There are always cabs at the big attraction points. Although, I've never seen many at Downtown Disney for some reason (maybe we have always been there too early).

atro1

Johnyroper. Sorry to be a little facetious but its 'want' versus 'need'. You surely do not need a car but you want one! If you work it out by pennies and pounds then it can be done cheaper without a car, but if you have a wife and children like mine who can never get the trainers quite right the dress quite right or the handbag just right and I end up going several times to the same mall!!
One of the most important things you have to look at is time that spent awaiting buses and cabs is time that could be spent elsewhere!
But I have to admit I have never stayed on IDrive, usually in villas outside Orlando.
You sound as if you are worried you cannot arrange a car now you have booked, in fact its the best way to do it.Have a look on USCARENTAL, and price up for your group.
Have a great time!

johnnyroper

atro1 wrote: »

Johnyroper. Sorry to be a little facetious but its 'want' versus 'need'. You surely do not need a car but you want one! If you work it out by pennies and pounds then it can be done cheaper without a car, but if you have a wife and children like mine who can never get the trainers quite right the dress quite right or the handbag just right and I end up going several times to the same mall!!
One of the most important things you have to look at is time that spent awaiting buses and cabs is time that could be spent elsewhere!
But I have to admit I have never stayed on IDrive, usually in villas outside Orlando.
You sound as if you are worried you cannot arrange a car now you have booked, in fact its the best way to do it.Have a look on USCARENTAL, and price up for your group.
Have a great time!

i have no idea what budget the poster has they may well be restricted in terms of finance hence not having the car already?
so was merely pointing out it can be done without a car if needed but it would be better to have one.
i know exactly what you mean about wife/kids etc mine are the same,for me having a car when i went was a god send and personally would not do it without,the cost never came in to it for me i am not bothered that i could save some £'s by using taxi's shuttles or whatever and paying parking i prefer the freedom of the car.

for car hire in US car hire 3000 is supposed to be reasonable.

atro1

Sorry JR thought you were the OP but its Nessihunter!!

johnnyroper

atro1 wrote: »

Sorry JR thought you were the OP but its Nessihunter!!

no problem there have been several posts since nessihunter first posted.

renfrew999

Going to Florida for the first time in October. It'll be 5 of us including a 7, 11 and 13yr old. Getting a bit confused about what tickets would be best. I think I'm veering towards the Flexticket but it seems funny to go to Florida and not go to Disney! Also, if I go for the Flexticket is it worth paying an extra £160 for the Flexticket Plus to go to Busch Gardens or would it be a better option to just go for the Flexticket and try and pick up one day tickets for the Magic Kingdom? I know it's very subjective but it would be good to see if their was a general consensus.