Disney World - Orlando, FL...to Rent a Car or Not??

Do NOT rent a car! The transportation there is wonderful and the parking and prices to park are very high. We stayed off property at a place that had shuttle service and still did not take the car. Have a great time and if you lose anything while there, go to the lost and found at the magic kingdom. My daughter left her fanny pack on a ride at safari world and they had it. An efficiently run organization, including transportation.

I didn't read the other responses. The Polynesian is our FAVORITE and we have stayed there at least 8 times since daughter was 2 (she is almost 16 now). Our favorite times were staying in the Conceirge facing MK for nightly fireworks.

The Luau and character breakfast at O'Hana at Polynesian are great too.

You don't need a car, the monorail line is right there at the hotel. THe beautiful thing about MK is that you can take the boat taxi or monorail and the boat taxi ONLY goes to Polynesian and Grand Floridian from MK. It is a quick way to run back to the hotel for a nap, etc.

We always flew into Orlando and took a private cab to the Polynesian. It is about $80 roundtrip. Yes, there is a free shuttle to the resorts but you don't know how many people will be trying to get one, how long it will take to get to your hotel, etc. We preferred the private cab and be at the hotel within an hour.

Everything is easy access from Polynesian. You can walk (short walk) to the main ferry and monorail terminals. The buses for other parks have routine stops and little waiting.

Enjoy your trip! You picked a great hotel!!

I live about 3.5 hours south of Orlando - have been to Orlando at least a 100 times (?). I have flown in there too (when I lived outside of FL).

If it's not a huge drain on your budget GET A RENTAL CAR!

It can take what seems like forever to wait for the Disney bus system (though it is very good compared to other resort areas). Some days, with certain parks, it may make more sense to drive over. One big exception - Magic Kingdom (sometimes with that park it is easier to take Disney transpo).

Also, if you have a car you can go outside Disney to eat which is MUCH CHEAPER! Not to mention, you can make those late night runs to Walgreens (inevitable with little ones your kids' ages).

Good luck and I hope you guys have a magical time!

If you are staying on a Disney property, let them do the driving! So much easier although you do sometimes have to wait when leaving the park.

I agree, take the transfers. Renting a car you still have to get on a bus to get to the lot, then wait in line for the car, then once you get to the park, you must park in their lot then walk to the hotel entrance. This is the advise I give all my clients especially when travelling with small children. Need any more tips, feel free to email me: ____@____.com

The Magical Express would be easier for you since you are already staying on property and it will be easier on your budget. (The info came from my husband who's a Orlando native). It will be tons of fun but make sure there are plenty of nap times for everyone, I was 22 when I first went it wore me out and I had been in the Navy for 4 years at the time!

We drove down to Disney a couple of years ago. We stayed at one of the resort hotels with the magic express. Honestly, the only time we used our personal vehicle was when we decided we wanted to leave the "Disney compound" for real food, non-overpriced tylenol, etc. My aunt and uncle live about 35 minutes, so we visited with them and took our car there too.

If you can get away with not renting a car, I would definitely go that route.

Enjoy your vacation

We've been to Disney w/ our 2 girls (2& 4yrs) 2x already in their short lives. Both times we just used the Magical Express. While sometimes it was a pain to wait for the bus, or found it kinda crowded trying to find room for our double stroller, but I wouldnt do it anyother way.
I'm so jealous!! I want to go back again, but we have a 5 month old, so I think we'll wait again til next spring. And make sure you take advantage of the Magical hours & hit Fantasyland FIRST THING when they open. And the Epcot Character Spot. I can talk about Disney all day! Have a great time!

You don't say if you are staying on property or not. Magical Express is for only if you are staying on property.

We did Disney in June. Once we found the Magical Express area, down on the first level of the Orlando Airport, Terminal B, we then had to STAND around for about 20m waiting for the bus. We stayed at the Polynesian. The monorail goes from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary to the Polynesian and then the Grand Floridian before back to the Magic Kingdom.There is also a monorail from Magic Kingdom to Epcot.

All Disney bus service takes a minimum of 1 hour wait/travel time. If you stay on property, and rent a car you get a parking pass that will work throughout Disney. I also wouldn't waste time with the Downtown Disney. Its mostly for nightlife and half of the stuff is closed during the day.

Since you have 2 young kids, my vote is to rent a car. Especially if you want to go to say from Magic Kingdom area to Animal Kingdom. Driving is faster.

Beware that there are 2 tolls from the Orlando Airport to the main I-4. I think the total is around $2.00.

I would use the Magical Express. It was easy and a lot less of a hassle than a rental. It also saves money, there are buses that run from the resorts to all the parks. Plus the resorts charge about $15/day to park and parking at the parks is $15 also. We have used the Magical Express twice and I wouldn't do it anyother way. Hope this helps!

We just took our 6yo this year and used Disney transport and Magical Express. As long as you register before the trip the only time you need to lug your baggage is to and from your home airport. Yeah! The only time there was a long wait was for the last buses on fireworks nights and only because we stayed at Pop Century. Polynesian will be much better. There are several grocery stores that deliver to the resort if you need anything you can't bring. Renting a car isn't really necessary it's more of a personal choice. Have fun! Not sure how much research you have done, but if you both like thrill rides they do a baby swap. One parent waits at the exit while one rides and then the other goes straight to front of the line. Just tell the cast member that's what you want to do.
We used it on Tower of Terror because my son decided not to ride:)

I've been there twice. I can't tell you how much I regretted not staying on property. They make it so complicated, even for "on property" hotels. At Disneyland, I'd suggest the main hotel right there. At Disneyworld, I am not sure they have one right on site. The place is spread out all over the city. The rail goes here and there, but not all the time and not all places. Where the rail goes through the hotel, nice. But doesn it go to all propertis? Don't know. I saw so many families so tired and their kids sleeping on daddy's shoulder and he has to walk miles to get out of the park and to the train or bus or whatever. First timers don't need to go anywhere but Disneyworld and Epcot so just take a hotel shuttle or cab to a hotel. They probably have a special and specials for tickets on a package deal. Otherwise, you may regret it. It costs more but in the end, you won't hate your trip or pay for transportation and end up in a parking lot 2 miles from the train to wait in the sun for 20 minutes and you can't get on because there were too many people, etc. Hope someone tells you which on property hotel is best for this.

I loved in FL for 5 years and made countless trips with my now 4 year old daughter. We've stayed on property as well as off, have rented a car and have used the magical express. If you don't have to go someewhere else in Orlando, and you don't mind sometimes waiting, go with the magical express. It is so much easier to navigate, and you don't have to worry about parking. It does get a little crowded with strollers (I would definitely recommend bringing your own), but my daughter loved the opportunity to show off her princess dress or what ever she got that day with the other riders. Hope you have a great time!