Should We Take The Hire Car Or The Bus In Florida?

angela110660

Going to KISSIMEE with the family for the first time in four weeks on a package of a villa and a hire car. Unable to organise the insurance side of things until we land at Sanford as travel firm has stopped arranging this end. Expect to have to fork out at least £350 for the cover for a two week period. Wonder if we would be better off to forget the car and use the money for taxis to and from airport and use local transport to get to International Drive and all the parks? As not expecting to go anywhere sightseeing per se, we reckon that we don't need to pay £350 plus all the daily car park fees to leave the car sat in the sunshine each and every day. If you have knowledge of the area and what is achievable would love to hear your advice. Thanks.

pandas66

You need hindsight for this one or if you can find out just how far it is to the nearest Hotel then you can work out whether its worth it or not. I personally do begrudge having a car sat in the hot car park all day. Having been before I know how easy it is to use public transport. As I say if your in walking distance of a major hotel then most of the buses to the theme parks stop to pick up guests. Not sure if you have to book your park tickets with the hotel or agent within the hotel, if thats the case you may struggle to get the bus and I don't know how costly taxis can be. From Kissimee you can be half an hour or so from Disney. Other attractions are further. Then theres the shopping element, need space for that, perhaps you should take the car!

balt

Depending which airport and where in Kissimmee you are Taxis etc will cost more in the end also standing around in the heat will be a killer for the family.
You will also have to buy groceries and do the Malls etc!
Take a car but not the one from the agents. Look on Holidayautos or seach mse for car hire threads. Hertz do a Ford Focus for two weeks all in at £220 worth a look. Have a great time.

angela110660

Thank you for that info. Don't know how near or far we will be from hotels in Kissimee at this villa we have booked. Have already bought our Disney tickets but we would be prepared to use local buses if they are available. Having been on holidays in Europe it struck us that you do not necessarily book a car before you get there. You tend to do that during the holiday when you have got a feel for the place and identify a need for one. Don't want to get to Florida and see loads of alternative transport zooming around and feel that we just jumped on the hire car bandwagon because they push it on you as part of the holiday deal.

nelly_2

A car gives you absolute freedom to come and go when you choose, we got a car and wouldnt do it any other way, your queing up, enough, in the parks so having to queue for a bus there and back as well is another hassel you can do without id say. But I am a seriously lazy get though

737100

Forget Buses They Are None.there Is None From Kissimee That We Could Find
Public Transport ???? , Only Bus We See Was On I Drive Just Returned On Friday From Kissimee

coolio_2

get a car. for cheaper you can just hire car direct which will include all your insurance. we used https://www.airline-network.co.uk for vegas, it was £110 iirc for a week convertible, all insurance you could imagine

pompeyrich

Another vote for the car here, it usually states that a car is essential when staying in one of the "Disney area villas", you will see why when you get there. The villas are all beautiful so no worries there but they are a good 5-10 minute drive from the nearest shop, restaurant or anything you might want. You may have to pick up the villa keys in one location then drive to the villa, Orlando Airport is a good 20 mile drive from this area and Sanford nearer 40 miles so imagine a taxi would be quite expensive just to get to and from the Airport.
As said Airline Network have always worked out well for us, upgrade to their "platinum" insurance which should cover everything, extra drivers, a tank of fuel but not child seats or drivers under 25. This usually works out cheaper, for the car and insurance than travel companies insurance plans for their "free car" options.
Hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions re car size or whatever.

angela110660

All answers very interesting and gratefully received. As buses seem out of the question, will definitely have a look at the alternative car hire recommendations. The company we are travelling to Sanford with use Dollar as their preferred hire company.

Finishrich

I definatley go with the car but not the free one included in the holiday they kill you with the extra taxes. Last year they wanted £350 for a 2 door economy, I shopped around and used Florida Car Hire paid £218 total inc taxes, additional driver, airport user fees etc etc for 2 weeks.

Also in my experience the size of there boots are huge. We just managed at this end to get to our 2 big suitcases into the boot of a scenic, so I was expecting to have a case on the back seat when we got there, but they fitted in the boot of the 2 door ecomony no bother plus there was space for the rucksacks too.

pompeyrich

Airline Network use Dollar too, I have just checked their site and you can upgrade, to the platinum insurance package, for free at the moment. Prices from £224 to £300, depending on the car size,for 2 weeks, minivans more. Agree with finishrich, we had a full size car for the 5 of us and our 5 cases, buggy and all the hand luggage fitted in the boot with room to spare, also plenty of room in the car for the 3 in the back.