car

[debbie 7721]

hi all goin to florida for the first in oct (we can,t wait) we are stay in international drive do we need a car loads of people are telling us diffrent things and we don,t know what to do

[ADRIAN C]

Hi Debbie it all depends on what hotel you are staying at and what transport they offer, we have stayed on Idrive twice and never had a car, and found it a lot cheaper, there is plenty of transport you can book, also most hotels do free transport to certain theme parks, also you have to look at different things like do you want to be retricted to certain times which you will be without a car, also does the driver mind not drinking, I always like a beer with my meal also I drive for a living so I like somebodyelse to drive me around, which ever you decide there is a argument for either, it really is which you feel would suit you best and possibly budget as we found it a lot cheaper not to have a car, I hope this helps.

[dmrevis]

www.golynx.com << local bus company. Very good value for money, clean and promt. Also on I-drive there is the I-ride trolly. Again cheap and chearful. Lynx will get you from I-drive to Disney World, Universal, Seaworld and all the shops. I-ride will get you to Seaworld and to Premium Outlets mall, and all along I-drive aswell.

Like you say you will get differing opinions. To me if you have a car you need to pay for it, pay for insurance, usually extra for "premium" insurance too. Fuel, and what happens if you get a puncture thats another $50 to get a new tyre. You need to make sure there are no valuables left in the car and no maps etc in plain view. Far to much hassle for me.

A weekly unlimited pass on Lynx is $12. Its amazing value.

[Mr Orlando]

Both have pros and cons

Without a car you must reley on public transport and cabs

With a car you can go where you want when you want with ease.

If you are still having doubts may I suggest that you see how you go the first few days if yo decide a car wouldbe good (to go shopping etc) then you could hire one over there for a few days.

[Tiggers Friend]

Hi debbie and welcome to ATD. I'm firmly in the car camp, albeit I recognise why people don't want a car.

Like Adrian says it's what you want to do and how flexible. We're at the stage where we tend not to do the theme parks all the time but travel around. The last few years were done between 600 and 1500 miles.

One thing - don't be put off by the idea of driving in the US, it's fairly easy and in many ways easier than in the UK (once you get use to being on the wrong side of the road :D ).

I think Mr O's suggestion is good, hire a car for a few days and see.

[LindaM]

I would always go with a car its gives you so much more flexibility, you're not restricted to the times of the buses. You can go where you want, when you want.

[dmrevis]

Time of busses only come into it at night. Lynx and I-ride go up and down I-drive all day long, you wont go 15 mins without seeing one or the other going in the direction you want to go in.

Even at night, busses on the most popular routes i.e I-drive/Seaworld/Disney World are still every 30 mins.

[debbie 7721]

hi all thanx for all the information we think it be best to see how it goes first with the buses if not we can alwas hire one there thanx again debbie

[Simon Veness]

In October, if it's not too hot, it is certainly worth trying the public transport and shuttle systems to see if they work for you. As you suggest, it is certainly easy enough to arrange car hire through your hotel if you want greater flexibility.

[palmer gang]

if you have booked through one of the main companys they normally include a car with the package you just have to top up the insurance which is essential.You can survive without a car but its much more flexable with one and the driving is really easy over there trust me im a driving instructor hope this helps and have a really great time :D

[Catlady]

We have always hired a car as we stay in villas and there is no or little public transport. Having said that Hubby drives and enjoys driving over there as he says it is very easy. I did have a go last year driving from TGI Fridays back to the villa and it seems less stressful. The only downside would be if the driver of your party enjoys a drink when they are out. :)

[LindaM]

My husband loves driving in Florida. It's much easier than over here. I wouldn't like to wait 30 minutes for a bus after a long day at the parks.

[dmrevis]

30 mins is the MAX you'd wait if you are unlucky enough to get to the stop just as the last bus was leaving.