Orlando - Disney World transportation options?

[imak]

Hey guys, would really appreciate some help with this...

I'm going to Orlando with my girlfriend at the end of August. Thinking of staying in Lake Buena Vista and renting a car. For my transportation to the theme parks, would it be better off to pay for shuttles to/from the park ($5 round trip) and be tied to their schedule? Or just to drive? How much does it cost to park at Disney theme parks?

Also, any good suggestions on where to eat?

Thanks in advance!

[fireguy9]

Pick up the coupon books as they have coupons for everything (restaurants and more)

Got to go to the golden coral!!!! The book has a 10% off coupon in it. Its all you can eat everything for around $13 person. You should see how some people eat in there,,,, its amusing!!!! But a great deal. Your accomadations have a full kitchen in it?

When we went,,, we did 3 days at disney and we rented a car and drove everywhere. Do not like being tied to a bus schedule and like the freedom to go anywhere. Parking at disney was average,,, cannot remember the price anymore though.

What other things are on the agenda that you want to do or see while there?? Golf? kennedy space centre?

[Trooper8111]

Pay the extra dollars and stay in the resort. Free shuttles and early entries to the parks.

[fireguy9]

Pay the extra dollars and stay in the resort. Free shuttles and early entries to the parks.

Lot more to do in Orlando then just Disney,,,, I have done it about a half dozen times the last few yrs and car is a must!

[imak]

Thanks for the suggestions..yeah we were gonna stay outside the resort and just rent a car. But the parking is not free I suppose...

Yeah we were just planning on going to the Disney theme parks, water park 1 afternoon, Pleasure Island at nights and probably some shopping. We are planning on 5 days and 5 nights.

[fireguy9]

Parking is 5 or 10 cant remember but was not bad. We did it 3 days.

Kennedy space centre is a great spot to visit.

Round of golf ! Some great deals there on that.

Air boat tours

enjoy!

[skylighter]

I would suggest walking to downtown disney and take a free shuttle to anywhere inside disney. Your place should be very walkable except with extreme heat (Yeah August is HOT) Then you just need to rent the car after you finish the disney thing. Save at least 100 bucks in rental and parking cost.
(Last time I live in Hilton at downtown disney and it is great)

[webworm]

Don't know if you booked a flight from Toronto but you can save big dollars by flying out of Buffalo with Southwest. It is $69.00 each way or $157.00 return including taxes.:cry:

[imak]

Yes we are booking out of Buffalo, thanks. And its only $40 weekly parking there too. By the way can you post a link to your $157 deal?

The deal we are considering from Priceline is: $579 US: 6 nights at Crowne Royal Resort (on I-drive), Return flight, and car rental for 7 days. Hot or cold?

[tataynik]

Southwest Airlines Air Itinerary and Pricing
Air Itinerary
Trip Date Day Stops Routing Flight Routing Details
Depart Aug 23 Thu N/S BUF-MCO 285 Depart Buffalo (BUF) at 4:40 PM
Arrive in Orlando (MCO) at 7:10 PM
Return Aug 28 Tue N/S MCO-BUF 1578 Depart Orlando (MCO) at 7:35 AM
Arrive in Buffalo (BUF) at 10:05 AM
Pricing
Passenger
Type Trip Routing Type of Fare Base Fare U.S.
Taxes PFC Security
Fee1 Passenger(s) Total
Adult Depart BUF-MCO Internet Special $64.19 $8.21 $3.00 $2.50 2 $155.80
Return MCO-BUF Internet Special $64.19 $8.21 $4.50 $2.50 2 $158.80
Total $128.38 $16.42 $7.50 $5.00 $314.60


Your $579 deal for air/6 nights hotel/7 days car sounds good considering SW air alone is already $315.

[Screwball]

Yes we are booking out of Buffalo, thanks. And its only $40 weekly parking there too. By the way can you post a link to your $157 deal?

The deal we are considering from Priceline is: $579 US: 6 nights at Crowne Royal Resort (on I-drive), Return flight, and car rental for 7 days. Hot or cold?

Make sure that is the total cost and not per person. Just checked the priceline packages and the cheapest $535 US per person.

I have booked the SW flight for $157 each return. I will be using priceline to bid for a car rental as from reading online the rates in Orlando for rentals tend to be real cheap through Priceline. I will post my results later. Now it's time to find either a hotel, or rental house.

[imak]

Yes that was per person. I still thought it was reasonable...

We decided to go with Expedia.ca (CDN values so you dont get killed on credit card currency conversion rates). Fairfield Marriot Inn 6 nights with flight = $530 each person CDN.

Where on earth did you find this $157 return flight lol. What an amazing deal. For my time frame (Aug 25-31) the cheapest was $315.

[tataynik]

Yes that was per person. I still thought it was reasonable...

We decided to go with Expedia.ca (CDN values so you dont get killed on credit card currency conversion rates). Fairfield Marriot Inn 6 nights with flight = $530 each person CDN.

Where on earth did you find this $157 return flight lol. What an amazing deal. For my time frame (Aug 25-31) the cheapest was $315.

If per person, then that is too much.
Return flight was from Southwest.com Those rates can still be had around your timeframe.
If you dont mind spending 2 hours on a TS presentation, check out http://www.thevacationstore.info/silverlake_resort_orlando.htm (courtesy of fireguy) $239 for 6 nights for a 1 BR condo.:D
Doing it this way will be like BOGO free.

If you like marriott, they have discounts for federal employees (yes, even canadian).

[gr8dlr]

Yes that was per person. I still thought it was reasonable...

We decided to go with Expedia.ca (CDN values so you dont get killed on credit card currency conversion rates). Fairfield Marriot Inn 6 nights with flight = $530 each person CDN.

Where on earth did you find this $157 return flight lol. What an amazing deal. For my time frame (Aug 25-31) the cheapest was $315.

If you're flexible, you can get flights for very cheap in the US - you'll have to fly mid week though.

Parking is $10 per day at the parks.

If the hotel, plus car rental, plus $10 daily parking adds up anywhere close to what the resorts costs, I would suggest you stay onsite especially if you're mainly planning on doing only WDW and Downtown Disney and not International Dr shopping etc. The WDW shuttles are very good and quick and air conditioned and they stop at the front of the parks whereas if you drive, you may have to park in the boonies and then tram it in. Hop on and off whenever you want.

[webworm]

If you go to www.southwest.com and then go to Travel Tools and Use Southwest Shortcut you can enter the August dates and you will get fares for the entire month. You have to leave August 24th to get the $69.00 fare now. It is still $157.30 return including taxes and non stop flights each way.

Air Itinerary
Trip Date Day Stops Routing Flight Routing Details
Depart Aug 24 Fri N/S BUF-MCO 285 Depart Buffalo (BUF) at 4:40 PM
Arrive in Orlando (MCO) at 7:10 PM
Return Aug 31 Fri N/S MCO-BUF 1578 Depart Orlando (MCO) at 7:35 AM
Arrive in Buffalo (BUF) at 10:05 AM

Pricing
Passenger
Type Trip Routing Type of Fare Base Fare U.S.
Taxes PFC Security
Fee1 Passenger(s) Total
Adult Depart BUF-MCO Internet Special $64.19 $8.21 $3.00 $2.50 1 $77.90
Return MCO-BUF Internet Special $64.19 $8.21 $4.50 $2.50 1 $79.40

Total $128.38 $16.42 $7.50 $5.00 $157.30

[Trooper8111]

Lot more to do in Orlando then just Disney,,,, I have done it about a half dozen times the last few yrs and car is a must!

Granted, a car is a must if you wanna travel around Orlando and the beaches are about an hour away. There's also Universal Studios and IOA. Loads of outlet shopping can be had too. But if you're just doing the Disney thing, staying within the resort may be the thing.

I, myself, always do the car thing considering my sis lives about 30 mins away from Orlando. Planning a mini trip to Miami also.

[imak]

$10 a day eh. OK I will see about the shuttles..I just like the idea of being able to come and go as you please with the car...its easier that way (incase i want to leave the park for dinner and come back later).

Unfortunately our vacation is very fixed and inflexible...one week and one week only haha. So I guess we'll have to pay a little more to accomodate that...

[gman]

Even if you stay in Disney resort, you should get a car.

We (a family of 4) stayed in Disney resort twice.
First time, no car. Second time, rented a car.
It is cheaper to have a car even I need to pay to rent a car. I think I saved about couple hundred bucks. (I had 4 people instead of 2).

Why?

1. Shuttle bus is not that fast. They are a lot of people waiting for bus like you. In the end of the day, it would be very tire to stand and wait for a the shuttle.

2. Supply. You can go to Walmart to buy a case of water for US$4. A bottle of water in Disney is US$2. You can buy fruit, quick needles, milk, 'emergency pad' (if your GF happens runs out of it), etc much much cheaper outside.

3. Breakfast. Breakfast is cheaper, bigger and better outside.

4. Dining. You can eat a lot cheaper outside and you have much much more choice.

5. Not exactly an advantage comparing with not renting a car. You do get free parking in the theme park if you live in the resort. You can also be early bird although you drive.

6. Smaller back pack. I can keep most of the stuff in the car and resupply from the trunk or just drive back to hotel.

[colacc]

Good points on renting a car.

I am planning to go to Disney this year. One option is to buy a timeshare recort in Orlando from Ebay. then renting a car is a must. Second option is to get a package (park tickets, onsite resort, etc)

Do you have any suggestion on both options? And where did you get the tickets, resort, etc.? Did you buy separately or buy as a package?

[fireguy9]

Good points on renting a car.

I am planning to go to Disney this year. One option is to buy a timeshare recort in Orlando from Ebay. then renting a car is a must. Second option is to get a package (park tickets, onsite resort, etc)

Do you have any suggestion on both options? And where did you get the tickets, resort, etc.? Did you buy separately or buy as a package?

I did ebay for resort rentals,, but this one is better

www.the-vacation-store.com We used them twice and will again,,,, have left testimonial on there site which they used

[imak]

Any good advice on cheap Disney tickets? I've read past threads where people get good deals with Timeshare companies, but I am just a student at this point and don't have any income, thus I don't qualify...

[Sandie5]

I did ebay for resort rentals,, but this one is better

www.the-vacation-store.com We used them twice and will again,,,, have left testimonial on there site which they used

Fireguy, that site is for a timeshare presenation. How could you use them twice? Do you go and listen to their spiel for 90 minutes each time and say "No thanks, see you next year?"

Too bad for me, my dh would rather pay much much more than listen to some sales guy for an hour and half.

edit to add:
Ok, I just looked over some of your old posts, Fireguy. It looks like on some trips you go to repeat presentations to score some more money & free buffet. You're quite the RFD deal addict, lol. Those suckers paying $15K for their timeshares are footing the bill for your vacation!

[colacc]

I did ebay for resort rentals,, but this one is better

www.the-vacation-store.com We used them twice and will again,,,, have left testimonial on there site which they used

Their price seems to be really amzaing. But do you have to attend the timeshare presentaion to get that rate?

[gr8dlr]

Even if you stay in Disney resort, you should get a car.

We (a family of 4) stayed in Disney resort twice.
First time, no car. Second time, rented a car.
It is cheaper to have a car even I need to pay to rent a car. I think I saved about couple hundred bucks. (I had 4 people instead of 2).

Why?

1. Shuttle bus is not that fast. They are a lot of people waiting for bus like you. In the end of the day, it would be very tire to stand and wait for a the shuttle.

2. Supply. You can go to Walmart to buy a case of water for US$4. A bottle of water in Disney is US$2. You can buy fruit, quick needles, milk, 'emergency pad' (if your GF happens runs out of it), etc much much cheaper outside.

3. Breakfast. Breakfast is cheaper, bigger and better outside.

4. Dining. You can eat a lot cheaper outside and you have much much more choice.

5. Not exactly an advantage comparing with not renting a car. You do get free parking in the theme park if you live in the resort. You can also be early bird although you drive.

6. Smaller back pack. I can keep most of the stuff in the car and resupply from the trunk or just drive back to hotel.

The shuttle for Disney resorts is fairly quick - don't think I waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. This is not true for non-Disney resorts like Hilton even if they are on Disney world property - they use Mears Shuttle and it's not that quick because they stop at several hotels.

Supplies like water...you can order from www.gardengrocer.com. They deliver groceries for a fixed delivery fee of $12 (order water, groceries etc enough for the week and pay only one fee).

Breakfast - if you're going to hit the parks before they open (and I suggest you do to get the good rides with long waits out of the way or to get fastpasses early), you probably don't want to wake up an extra 1.5 hours to drive to breakfast, order, wait for food, pay and drive to the parks. Order Cereal, milk, etc from Gardengrocer and eat a quick inexpensive breakfast in the resort before heading out.

Dining - yes it is definitely cheaper to eat outside.

Smaller back pack - I wouldn't go back to the car to replenish my backpack because it takes too much time....I carry what I need for the day (split it up between adults if you have to).

[gman]

The shuttle for Disney resorts is fairly quick - don't think I waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. This is not true for non-Disney resorts like Hilton even if they are on Disney world property - they use Mears Shuttle and it's not that quick because they stop at several hotels.
I was in Disney resort and for sure it was more than 10 minutes interval. It can also stop at several Disney resort Hotels. There were 3 bus stops within each resort Hotels at that time. Non busy hour is like 20 minutes to 30 minutes interval. At night, around 11pm to 12am, I would wait for 20 minutes if I was lucky because I may not be able to get into the first bus. Then, it took another good 20 minutes to 30 minutes to get back to the hotel. Then, another 5 minutes walk to the room.

Supplies like water...you can order from www.gardengrocer.com. They deliver groceries for a fixed delivery fee of $12 (order water, groceries etc enough for the week and pay only one fee).
Don't know about this service but do I need to wait for it? If yes, no thanks. Also, the value Disney hotel does not have a fridge. You can't keep milk there.

Breakfast - if you're going to hit the parks before they open (and I suggest you do to get the good rides with long waits out of the way or to get fastpasses early), you probably don't want to wake up an extra 1.5 hours to drive to breakfast, order, wait for food, pay and drive to the parks. Order Cereal, milk, etc from Gardengrocer and eat a quick inexpensive breakfast in the resort before heading out.

LOL. There is no extra 1.5 hours. It took around 10 minutes to get out of the resort and went into an outside restaurant. From my hotel room of my first trip to the breakfast area would take a good 10 minutes walk. The hotel room of 2nd trip took a good 5 minutes walk to the breakfast area.

My car was right outside of where I lived. Another 10 minutes going back to the theme park from the restaurant directly. If I really want to be fast, I could go to a drive through. In that case, I am pretty I would beat you getting into the theme park. If I really really want to be super fast, I could drive through the McDonald within the Disney area. No, McDonald is not where I want to go for breakfast, it is just an example.

There are line ups in the Hotel breakfast area. There is no inexpensive breakfast in the resort.


Smaller back pack - I wouldn't go back to the car to replenish my backpack because it takes too much time....I carry what I need for the day (split it up between adults if you have to).

I can do the resupply when I decide to go out for lunch or go to another theme park. An option that I do not always have to exercise.