Do I need a car

[Klousey]

Visiting between April 2nd and 23rd ( first visit can't wait) traveling with wife and boys aged14 and10, staying at Renaissance hotel sea world wondering if we need a car as I have heard public transport can be nightmare

[Albert the Frog]

It's not so much that public transport is a nightmare it's just that the whole state is geared for cars and it is so big. So my view is that if you can drive get a car-driving sensibly is a pleasure.

[SDJ]

Most hotels provide courtesy buses to the Parks, and if you have your own hire vehicle it will cost you an extra $14/$16 per day at the parks for parking. If you intend to want to go further afield and explore some of Florida, then a car would be useful but if it is just parks and shopping, then you don't necessarily need a car. If you do decide to hire a car, you need look no further than this site as it is an extremely reliable site.

Have a great time and if you decide you have not seen much of what Orlando and Florida have to offer, come back another year and maybe hire a villa where you will have all your own amenities including pool and many other complimentary extras that you don't always get in a hotel. All the villa owners on this site are more than happy to give advice.

Sandra

[Katys Grandad]

While you don't NEED a car, having 1 available to you would give you more options especially as you'll be there for 3 weeks. Have you thought about renting for, say, a week in the middle of your trip?

There are rental depots in a number of locations and you don't have to take it back to the one you picked it up from. You might also save money if you rented in the last week and used the car to get you back to the airport instead of using other transport.

Just a word of caution - its is very common for US hotels to charge guests for parking and it's often quite pricey. I'll bet the Renaissance charges at least $10 a day so you might want to check that first.

[Tony G]

Sea World is on the south side of International Drive, which is served well by the I-Ride trolley - basically, it's a frequent bus service that travels up and down International Drive for just over a dollar a go, or a daily pass. You won't have any trouble travelling on International Drive without a car, then.

However, a trip to Orlando being restricted to just International Drive would mean you'd be missing out on so much else!

I'd definitely recommend getting a car - the freedom one affords you will certainly enhance your trip.

[steph_goodrum]

It's doable without a car in the location you are in but you will get so much more out of your holiday if you have the flexibility of having one, even if for some of the time. A couple of taxi trips, if you decide to stay late to watch fireworks etc. can easily amount to what a car would cost for the week. Some hotels even have car hire desks in not sure about the Renaissance.
It's surprising how tiring the days at the parks can be and even at their age youur boys will appreciate it. It ill give you chance if you want to go to the beach etc. or visit a State Park to see a bit more natural Florida. There's plenty of places that don't cost the earth that have lots of activities and bbq areas will actually allow for a lot more bonding family time than the parks often do. Everyone is usually to busy worrying about the next ride or how long the queue will be.

[Lyn]

As already said, the I Trolley will get you up and down International Drive and hotels often offer a shuttle service to the main parks. However, if you want to visit other places such as Kennedy Space Centre, Old Town, Celebration etc. plus shopping trips to Wal Mart etc you will need a car. Confining yourselves to the International Drive area will not get you a true idea of what Florida has to offer.

[gpullan]

If you're asking for peoples opinions then mine is that you NEED a car!

True, if you want to wait for buses, be confined to a small radius of places to eat and things to see then public transport and taxis would be fine but there is soooo much more.

I would say that if you don't have issues driving, you have the budget for it, and you want the freedom to see so much more than I-drive and Disney has to offer then get a car. We have been for the last 3 years and would not dream of not getting a car.

Hope this helps and it is only my opinion that works for us. Enjoy it whatever you decide to do. [msnsmile2]

[ellie]

I agree with everything you have said, Gary. But might I add that if you are worried about driving (and some people are!) then don't be. I used to be terrified of driving in the USA but once I HAD to do it I truly loved it....mind you, I still go to jelly if my husband is sitting next to me, but that has nothing to do with driving on the wrong side of the road (know the feeling, eh, girls?[msnwink]).

[Lyn]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ellie
I agree with everything you have said, Gary. But might I add that if you are worried about driving (and some people are!) then don't be. I used to be terrified of driving in the USA but once I HAD to do it I truly loved it....mind you, I still go to jelly if my husband is sitting next to me, but that has nothing to do with driving on the wrong side of the road (know the feeling, eh, girls?[msnwink]).
[/quote]

Oh yes I know that feeling very well[msnscared]