disney to universal without a car

[wrpac00]

For the price of what car hire costs and the extra flexibility it gives you I (having been going to Florida for 14 years) feel car hire is an essential part of the holiday. Without a car you are very restricted in what, where and when you can go to.

Taxi's are expensive and it would be interesting to compare the costs to car hire. A return trip to Sanford will cost you over £80 alone.

One thing that puts some people off of getting a car is driving in the US. It is not daunting at all, in fact I find it easier driving over there than I do in the UK.

[Pegasus928]

I think one of the important points to remember here is that, although this is a Florida forum, it does tend to attract villa owners and renters more than resort and hotel guests. This alone does make the use of a hire car essential in my eyes.

I know people who have stayed in the Disney hotels everytime they have been and haven't hired a car for any of their trips (one couple are in the vacation club and go twice a year for the last 5 years at least. However, you try having a conversation with them about Old Town, Clearwater, Boggy Creek etc. Ask them which places they go to eat at in the evenings. The answer is always the same - hotel/park.

Another family we know actually paid for Universal tickets but then never went because it was too much hassle using the Disney transport - that wouldn't have been the case if they had a car.
It all comes down to what you want out of your holiday, and if you are happy to spend your time being ferried around on full to bursting transport - after waiting god knows how long to get on it in the first place (but we're British so that shouldn't be a problem). Also if you don't mind eating in the same places all the time and not experiencing the REAL taste of Florida, and if all you want to see in Florida is what Mickey and friends have to offer then I'm sure you will have a great time.

On the other hand however if you are a bit more adventurous, want to spread your wings and see beyond Disney/Universal and get more out of your holiday than eating, sleeping and playing in the vacinity of the hotel then a car is a must.

Kenny

[MTP]

Vive la différance!

The forum is great for just exactly this, an exchange of views, suggestions and ideas.

I think that it is more reassuring, Celia, knowing that you have done this before and you know what to expect and I am sure that this could work for many people. Having a car, however, doesn't mean that you have to use it and with readily available sat-nav hire then directions are not a worry.

The main thing is to have a fantastic wedding and honeymoon and another brilliant Florida vacation.

Best wishes.

[Celia]

Well. we're back from honeymoon now and just wanted to add a note about our experiences.

I think a previous post made a good point, this forum is mainly for people staying in villas, however, me and my husband were staying in a Disney hotel where free transport was readily available. Contrary to what other people have written, this transport is not 'full to bursting' and we did not wait 'god knows how long' to get on any buses. If you drive a hire car then you would not know what Disney transportation is like. Maybe we just picked the right hotel or went at a really quiet time, but the we always got a seat and never waited long for a bus (we also had a riverboat from our hotel to Downtown which was really nice).

The comment 'try having a conversation with them about Old Town, Clearwater, Boggy Creek etc. Ask them which places they go to eat at in the evenings. The answer is always the same - hotel/park' is a bit insulting to me as it implies we weren't doing the 'right' thing on our holiday and weren't adventurous?? What is wrong with doing the whole 'Disney' experience? We ate in our hotel 2 or 3 times in 3 weeks. Yes we ate in the parks and at Downtown Disney, which has some fantastic restaurants, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

We did go on other trips and nights out outside Disney, with transport included (and the cost of the transport was minimal) and were able to enjoy them even more because we were both able to enjoy a drink (not that we're alcoholics but it was our honeymoon and don't think that having a romantic meal with a glass of coke is all that good!)

All in all, it's each individual's choice whether to hire a car, if you're in a villa then it is a must, but if you are in a resort and want to be 'boring' and do Disney, then you don't need one.