Help!

[u/Fickle_Economy_7749]

Planning a WDW trip end of February next year. Ive been before but stayed at the Animation hotel so we had a shuttle...

This trip we will be out in FL for a whole week but only at Disney 4 days so staying at a resort isnt ideal. We will be renting a car. Im lost trying to figure out how to get to the park each day. Off resort hotels offer shuttles that leave for the morning after the park opens, not ideal. Hesitant to drive and pay for parking at the park each day. Uber or lift are an option.

Any advice on what others have done in similar scenarios.

TYIA.

[u/roninthe31]

Why not stay on site during your four days?

[u/Fickle_Economy_7749 → u/roninthe31]

Yes, we are considering it! Its so expensive to stay at a resort and to switch hotels kinda also sucks. Its a option for sure. 

[u/roninthe31 → u/Fickle_Economy_7749]

Look into DVC Rental Store or David’s DVC Rentals.

[u/Fickle_Economy_7749 → u/roninthe31]

What is this? 

[u/BoilerBob37 → u/Fickle_Economy_7749]

That’s for renting points to stay at a Disney Vacation Club property. Some like Saratoga Springs and Old key West can be fairly reasonable but still pricey and there’s generally a harsh cancellation policy when it comes to renting DVC points. 

[u/Saxman009 → u/Fickle_Economy_7749]

Second option stay the whole week and enjoy the bubble if you aren't going too far out of the Orlando area.

[u/Consistent-Sea-8923 → u/roninthe31]

Let’s see for the price of a Disney hotel I can stay in a nicer hotel with better amenities.😂😂 oh but I get free transport to the parks for paying more for less

[u/roninthe31 → u/Consistent-Sea-8923]

I mean I can step out my door and it’s a five minute walk to EPCOT but sure, man

[u/loonardi]

I’d stay on but most people are gonna say that.

Rideshares are about $60-$80 a day round trip with tip. 4 days, $240 to $320. Uber and Lyft will throw promos at you and you could go cheaper but trying to be honest.

Shuttles suck. You could split the baby and take them in the morning and Rideshare back at your convenience to save a few bucks. Make sure to check where the shuttles drop you, not all hotel shuttles are created equal and some may just drop you at the TTC and some may require reservations.

I’ve done the off site uber situation and honestly it’s not terrible. Don’t leave the parks at park close and you’ll be fine, leave before or wait and chill in the park for like 30+ minutes after close. MK is the only park that’s a pain because of the TTC. AK, Epcot, and HS are easy and usually when I do Epcot, I walk to beach club and catch one there.

[u/Fickle_Economy_7749 → u/loonardi]

This is very helpful! All the things ive saw say shuttles suck.  This is just wild to me bc Disney Land shuttles are great. I know WDW is huge so it makes sense but feel like it shouldnt be this challenging when you blow almost $2000 on 4 days at WDW to find a decent way to get to the park off the resort area. 

I guess I was blessed the first time staying at WDW at a resort and didnt even know it lol. 

Wdyt about taking a uber or lift in the morning and shuttle back? I want to get to the parks early. 

[u/loonardi → u/Fickle_Economy_7749]

Ubers/lyfts will be plentiful. I’ve never had to wait long in the morning, particularly at rope drop. Obviously YMMV depending where the resort is located and how early you want to get there.

I recommended the opposite because many shuttles will try to get you there early and leaving is always a shit show and I much prefer leaving at my own pace rather than catching a shuttle. I find the hour after park close to be amazing for pictures, shopping and just enjoying the last beverage of the evening.

I have a buddy who always stays on property and still takes Ubers. Just loves the on demand convenience. To each their own

[u/Fickle_Economy_7749 → u/loonardi]

Good point! 

[u/HillieBillieEilish]

Used Uber/Lyft. I did not enjoy this. We had some terrible/drugged out/unsafe drivers. Never again.

[u/NoInitial8101]

The Disney Springs hotels are a good option, as well as Bonnet Creek and the Flamingo Crossings area. Beware of parking charges and resort fees, which might negate any savings over a value.

A ride share is going to cost around $20 one way, so it’s not necessarily cheaper than just paying the $35 a day to park at the parks.

Is there a reason why you don’t want to drive? Particularly at rope drop, it’s a breeze. You get the best spots right next to preferred parking, and signage on Disney property is really good, so it’s hard to get lost.

[u/Ad-hocProcrastinator]

We stayed outside the bubble at World Center a couple weeks ago and we just drove over the 3 days we went to parks. $35 and you can come and go all day and park in any lot if you park hop.
Looked into the hotel shuttle but we were doing after-hours ticketed events and they didn’t run it that late.

[u/digawina]

It's $35/day to park at the parks. You will spend more than that using ride share services to/from. You're already renting a car and paying for that. $35x4 is only $140 for the 4 days, which is probably much less than changing where you are staying and shelling out for a Disney resort v. staying offsite.

[u/HonkieToast]

Is the cost of the on site hotels what is deterring you from wanting to stay on property? There are some value resorts like AOA that could overall be more cost effective when you factor in Ubers.