Orlando - Travel by Bus or Car Rental? (Orlando, FL)

Hello all!

I tried looking through forums for any advice on this but only few were very helpful.

For anyone reading this who has experience traveling in Orlando with car rentals and its public transportation, any response will be much appreciated.

I am traveling Mar 21- 26 from Los Angeles to Orlando. Two of those days may be spent at theme parks, all of which (I BELIEVE, not sure!) are accessible via bus.

I figure that it would be a better idea to ride the bus than have a rental car. Will the convenience outweigh the cost? I'd like to save money where I can ... but not if the inconvenience will not be tolerable.

How much can one save using public transportation and how much time can be saved by renting a car?

Thanks for looking!

Hello all!

I tried looking through forums for any advice on this but only few were very helpful.

For anyone reading this who has experience traveling in Orlando with car rentals and its public transportation, any response will be much appreciated.

I am traveling Mar 21- 26 from Los Angeles to Orlando. Two of those days may be spent at theme parks, all of which (I BELIEVE, not sure!) are accessible via bus.

I figure that it would be a better idea to ride the bus than have a rental car. Will the convenience outweigh the cost? I'd like to save money where I can ... but not if the inconvenience will not be tolerable.

How much can one save using public transportation and how much time can be saved by renting a car?

Thanks for looking!
Rent a car. They're really cheap. While there is a bus from the airport straight to Disney, from my experience Orlando's bus system is VERY slow. Orlando is not really a public transportation friendly place. Orlando is similar to LA. Buses are cheap but SLOW!

concretebru,

you received only one answer in Budget Travel, and we have an Orlando forum, so I am moving the thread there. I'm sure the experts will help you with your query.

EmailKid
Budget Travel moderator

In order to better help you, what part of Orlando are you staying in?

No problem!

Thanks for the replies thus far. I am pretty certain it is going to be Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista. (8442 Palm Parkway)..

I haven't made a solid decision but after some research I think I am pretty set on that location. (My second choice is an apartment in Mirabella's Reisdences -- though I am open to any better suggestions since I am unfamiliar with how the areas are, how traffic is, yadda yadda)

If you won't be staying at one of the on-site theme park hotels (Disney, Universal, etc) then definitely rent a car. There really isn't much in the way of convenient public transport.

Staying off-site is probably cheaper on hotel costs but means more cost needed for transport. The theme parks are a long way from the airport. A taxi both ways will cost about as much as renting a car for the days you are there.

Where you stay really depends on what you are wanting to do. If you don't want to be driving then staying at an on-site hotel, or an affiliate hotel, is the way to go.

Many hotels offer shuttles to the theme parks but the service may be very limited, ie. once first thing in morning and once at park closing time. So make sure you understand the free shuttle being offered.

There are also good perks staying at on-site hotels. The Universal hotels give you unlimited front of the line access. This can be a big plus!

We went to Florida for a week beginning of January of this year.

Where you stay is very important.
We stayed at the Best Western Lakeside and it was great location.

5 minutes away from Animal Kingdom
10 minutes from Magic Kingdom

Lots of restaurants and shops near by. Close access to the interstate.

Shuttle was operated by Platinum Shuttles and was pretty good. Some other hotel shuttles have one departure leaving at 7am, one return at 11:30pm. We heard from other guests they can be crowded and unsafe.


We used the hotel shuttle for the first little bit. We rented a car for 3 days and did Universal (parking is $15 a car) and the outlets.

We used public transportation once to leave Magic Kingdom for our hotel. Had to transfer once. LYNX is the bus system for Kissimmiee. ~$2 each.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the responses again.

I guess if I can avoid driving, I'd like to do so. I drive so much here in LA... but these are familiar streets. I am apprehensive about driving in Orlando traffic especially around the Disney or Universal area because I bet there is a lot of car and foot traffic -- don't want to run the risk of any violations!


jasonkevin77, I was actually looking into renting partial. Did you take a cab to your hotel?

You still haven't mentioned which theme parks. As well, is you plan for 2 days, it's going to be tough to see very much. I would restrict myself to 1 or 2 parks to get the most out of it.

I would drive. It's not that expensive and the main artery between Disney and Universal is I-4 and it's very clearly marked to point you in the right direction. You won't even have a problem getting from the airport, as all roads lead to Disney :)

You don't have much time and a car is going to be a big help in making the most of what you have.

Keep in mind that you will have to pay for parking at both major theme parks, and it's in the $12 per day vicinity.

I will have to agree with the other posters, a car rental seems like the better option. When staying outside of theme park properties, a car will offer the most freedom to do what you want with your time. No need to worry about schedules, routes and fares. You will have to think about the cost of the rental (gas + parking fees). Traffic can cause slow downs, but should be no issue for someone who is familiar with LA driving. Rental pick up and drop off @ MCO is normally quick and easy.
Not getting a rental car is still a viable option while in Orlando. Use an airport shuttle or taxi to/from the airport. You can use the hotel shuttles from the Clarion to the major parks and shopping. You can use the LYNX bus system to reach other areas of town. And you can use the IRIDE Trolleys to access International Drive from Seaworld (on the North end) to the outlet shops (on the South end). This option would also be attractive if you plan to spend a lot of your time at the hotel relaxing, and only want to venture out 2 or 3 times.

Short time at theme parks = get rental car. Parking was $14 over Christmas Break per day. Another poster said $15 per day.. this will need to be confirmed.

Hmm. I never knew that I'd need 1 or 2 days to get worth out of a park. I've had no trouble knocking down Dland + California Adventure in less than a day as well as other theme parks... HOW BIG ARE THE THEME PARKS IN ORLANDO? :P

Now I'm a bit concerned about how much ground can be covered within those theme parks... The GF and I are primarily interested in going to Universal.. and if there are no more interesting things to do, we have Disney as a strong back up :).

Lol, and yes I do think that LA driving has prepared me well for all sorts of driving conditions but if I don't have to drive while on vacation, I would prefer not to have the responsibility.

Is public transportation very reliable and safe?

If you're primarily interested in Universal, well, then spend your 2 days there. You will not be able to see a fraction of Disney's parks in those 2 days - depending upon what day of the week it is.

I know you said you were on a budget, but I strongly advise staying at least 1 night in a Universal Hotel. That will give you front of the line access for 2 days at both of their parks. That perk alone is worth the price of the hotel room. Oh, and that's unlimited front of the line access with your room key.

Public transportation is reliable and safe - it's just an enormous waste of time. If you limit yourself to Universals parks, then you can take a bus from the airport to their parks and back for about $40 r/t each. Not a whole lot cheaper than renting a car.

To answer your question about the size of the parks... how about huge? There are 4 major parks plus 2 water parks, and a host of other activities. You could easily spend 2 weeks on Disney property, be very well amused, and never feel the need to go elsewhere - and that includes entering a theme park.

Take a look at www.allears.net to give you an idea of what is available at Disney, and you'll get a sense of why I'm telling you to spend your time at Universal :D

Is public transportation very reliable and safe?

As has been mentioned, the public buses are very safe and fairly reliable. The problem is that many routes are only served once an hour, and many trips require connections to other routes that are not very well synchronized so that you can waste a lot of time. If you really don't want to rent a car, consider taxis over public transport.

I think I am convinced that I would prefer to rent a car :P.

Mary, you mean the three hotels? Are there other Universal hotels? How does the room key front of line access work?

Good to hear.

Yes, any of the 3 Loew's hotels at Universal will get you front of the line access.

There is a separate line for people with FOTL access, and showing your room key gets you on it and through the rides much faster. I managed to get on every ride in Universal in less than a day on a holiday weekend. I couldn't believe it.

From what I understand, they are now selling that access, but it is restricted to once per ride and I think it's about $99 per person.

IMHO, you're better off spending the night in one of their hotels and using the access for your entire checkin AND check out days.

I managed to get on every ride in Universal in less than a day on a holiday weekend. I couldn't believe it.

:D :D


IMHO, you're better off spending the night in one of their hotels and using the access for your entire checkin AND check out days.
I just want to clarify -- if I kept the room key, I'd be able to use it on a day I'm not staying with the hotel?

:D :D


I just want to clarify -- if I kept the room key, I'd be able to use it on a day I'm not staying with the hotel?

The room key has a bar code, your name, and the valid dates on it. It is good from the first day you check-in thru the day you check out.

So even if check-in time is 3pm. You can show up at the hotel at 7am and they will give you your room key. You may not be able to check-in to your actual room, but they give you a room key to use for the parks. You can then go to the park with unlimited FOTL access. When you go back to the hotel and check-in to get your room, they may change your key and give you one good for your entire stay.

Your room key is also good for the entire last day of your stay. So you can check out at 8am and still use your key all day at the parks for FOTL access. The key is yours to keep forever and ever, but it will only work at the parks on the dates specified. You do need to make sure that everyone in your party is listed on the room. Every person in the room gets their own key to use at the parks.

Staying onsite gives you unlimited front of the line access. They do sell a FOTL access pass but it is only good for one time each ride.

The hotels are very nice. We always stay the the Royal Pacific beacuse it is usually the least expensive. All three hotels are walking distance to the parks and Citywalk.

TchopTchop at Royal Pacific is an awsome restuarant! Citywalk has many food choices, but never eat at Pastamore. It has been horrible both times we tried it! Margartiaville is always a great choice. The Hardrock Cafe is just like all the other Hardrock Cafes, so at least you know wahat you're getting.

I'll be there next week and am looking forward to it!

Very nice! Thanks for all the great responses, everyone. Now, I've got to book everything!