So, I have been to WDW several times and I've always rented a car. To me it looked like the Disney Transport people spent too much time getting from place to place. That being said, it seems like it would be more of an 'experience' to use Disney transport to get around. Do you guys recommend trying to go it without a car, or should I just stick with my rental?
As far as I'm concerned its all about the car. Last bus I remember riding was in high-school and I didn't care for it then. Although we didn't arrive at Disney World at the end of the trip so....
I go back and forth. I spent many years planning for travel time with Disney transport...until I realized that by renting a car I re-gained huge chunks of my vacation days!! (You can get from MGM to Typhoon Lagoon in 10 minutes?!??! No Way!!)
The only reason I can think of to not rent a car is getting to the MK--that can be a fiasco getting from the TTC to the turnstyles. Might as well take the bus!
May 2008 CSR 
IMHO, getting your own car is always a bonus. Yes, environmental impact footprint etc. Yes, cost insurance option liability. Whatever...you're on vacation. The most valuable thing you have is time.
30 minutes waiting for a bus in real life = 30 minutes wasted
30 minutes waiting for a bus on vacation = 3 (relative) hours wasted
Spend the extra cash and be sure to get the GPS or print out some really good maps to know where you're going. May I suggest somebody put together a list of where the best parking lots are for each park?
IMHO, getting your own car is always a bonus. Yes, environmental impact footprint etc. Yes, cost insurance option liability. Whatever...you're on vacation. The most valuable thing you have is time.
We are actually taking a trip for the first time with a small child and considering renting a car for the first time. But, in my opinion the transportation was always great. I have some very fond memories of just winding down on the bus after the long days and thinking about what we would do the next day. It was also fun seeing the families at the bus stops in the mornings. The kids would be extremely excited and would add to the overall atmosphere. The buses were always clean, drivers were fun in some cases, and we never seemed to wait that long. But, you do have to understand the schedules and plan ahead. And the buses are just one way to travel...
One of our best memories was going over to MGM from the Boardwalk. We took the ferry over for Fantasmic. The sun had just gone down and we noticed everyone looking into the sky from the bridges and overpasses. We got off the ferry and turned to see what was going on. Just then the Space Shuttle shot off into the sky. The trail was glowing and everyone was just silent. It was an awesome memory. We watched the show with the vapor trail from the launch blowing off in the wind in the distance... Somehow I don't think that memory would have been the same from the parking lot. 
My vote would be to go all disney transportation if you have no kids.. Either way, have a great time!
Well your sentiment is exactly why I'd consider trying the transport, just to make it more of an 'experience'. But I'm not sure I can count on them to launch Space Shuttles for me! I almost am inclined to rent the car, but use it sparingly...
One of our best memories was going over to MGM from the Boardwalk. We took the ferry over for Fantasmic. The sun had just gone down and we noticed everyone looking into the sky from the bridges and overpasses. We got off the ferry and turned to see what was going on. Just then the Space Shuttle shot off into the sky. The trail was glowing and everyone was just silent. It was an awesome memory. We watched the show with the vapor trail from the launch blowing off in the wind in the distance... Somehow I don't think that memory would have been the same from the parking lot.
Well, if you're staying on property I have never seen the need for a car if all you're going to do is go to the parks or other Disney attractions. But, if you want to do some off-site exploring you will need a car.
We have always found the transportation to and from the parks very quick. Car rental is fairly inexpensive so if you want to do some exploring by all means get the rental.
Steve - Disney Vacation Planner
Visit My Blog at http://wdwfan.wordpress.com
Hi,
Two days before my 17th birthday, I had surgery for a detached retina and spent my birthday in the hospital. After the operation my surgeon forbade my taking the Driver Ed class I'd scheduled for the fall. To this day, 28 years later, I've never taken lessons, so when I visit the World, I always stay on property and get around WDW using Disney Transit. I cannot rent a car unless someone else is driving, and I wouldn't anyway.
I'm used to taking public transit here in New Jersey, so am used to allowing extra time to get to my destination. Disney Transit is extremely efficient. WDW is one of the few places in which I am certain that I can get around without a car cheaply and easily.
Jim
IMHO, getting your own car is always a bonus. Yes, environmental impact footprint etc. Yes, cost insurance option liability. Whatever...you're on vacation. The most valuable thing you have is time.
30 minutes waiting for a bus in real life = 30 minutes wasted
30 minutes waiting for a bus on vacation = 3 (relative) hours wasted
Spend the extra cash and be sure to get the GPS or print out some really good maps to know where you're going. May I suggest somebody put together a list of where the best parking lots are for each park?
There's definitely merit for both ways. I think the biggest downside of the public transit comes when you're basically having to adjust your plans because of it. For example, if you can only get a Le Cellier lunch at 11:30 but wanted to go to Morning EMH at Animal Kingdom, you might have to choose which one you wanted to do. I think (I could be wrong) you can get between those two locales more quickly with a car.
On the flip side, I think that there's something to be said for the whole "Experience" being insulated from "Real world" junk like cars. I mean that's a significant part of the enjoyment of WDW Is going someplace that insulates you from real world annoyances, why bring one with you?