Should you Rent a Car at Walt Disney World?

Whether to have a car at Disney has got to be one of the most frequently asked questions on Disney chat boards. I have arrived at some of my own conclusions. But before I share, let’s look at the factors that influence my decision: The reality of the bus routes, and the vacation goals of the individual guest.

First, are the buses quick and dependable? Well, Disney transportation is great to the theme parks. Yes, you need to wait for them, and you are not the master of your own timing, but once you relax and accept that, it is very nice to be driven around. 

However, Disney transportation is NOT great if you want to go to anything but the four theme parks. The buses to Downtown Disney are unpredictable, and because you are often sharing, the rides can be long. An hour is not the norm, but it is not the least bit unusual. And there is a reason Disney tells you to allow 90 minutes to get to your dinner reservation in a resort. There are no resort to resort buses, so you need to transfer. Yep -- you'll need to wait for a bus - twice. Actually, 4 times. As you need to get there, and you need to get back.

Second,  let’s think about guest planning. What is the one thing that folks can, and need to plan ahead? That’s right. Meals. Much of pre- vacation time goes into thinking about where you want to eat. I mean, there just isn’t that much else you can plan 5 months in advance. So, we focus on meals because it’s all we can focus on. Ooo --- the Princess meal at the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort looks good! And there’s Goofy's Beach Club Breakfast at Cape May Cafe! And Boma - that resort looks fabulous! So, folks book these amazing meals.

And there’s the rub. Without a car, getting to these locations is a pain. And I am certain most people don’t think of this when they book. But when they get to Orlando, oh my does it affect the quality of the day! Getting to Cape May Cafe without a car is almost impossible unless you have hopper tickets. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge? Forget it. 

Think about it. Do you really want to give three hours of your day to getting to and from a meal?

So, here’s my conclusion about whether you need a car at DIsney: It depends and it has a major impact. Which of these best fits your vacation?

Are you there for the rides? Do you not really care about specific restaurants, character meals or Downtown Disney? Can you ignore the Boardwalk? Are you on the monorail? Will your vacation happily consist of theme parks, your resort and your resort pool? Yes? Then, you really don’t need a car. Relax. Let Disney drive you. It will be great.

Is Disney more to you than theme parks? Do you want multiple or specific dining experiences? Are you staying at a value resort, yet want to go out to dinner? Does visiting the other resorts, Downtown Disney, Boardwalk, or Mini golf sound fun? Do you want have the entire Disney Resort area at your disposal? Yes? Then you need a car. Otherwise, logistics will take over your days.

Before you quickly decide that you are fine with just the theme parks, let me offer you a scenario. 

Your 6 year old wants to be transformed into a princess at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and you want her to do it before your meal with The Royals. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Well, if you planned far enough in advance and are willing to pay for the Castle meal, then you can do both Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and lunch in the Castle. But, darn -- in your case, there are no longer any spots available at the Castle. So, you have to go to Downtown Disney and the Princess Storybook Dining in Epcot. Now, we are talking About maybe 2.5 - 3 hours in transit to make this happen. Remember-- there are no buses from Downtown Disney to theme parks. You’ll have to transfer. Thank about it. Envision it. Magical, right?

So, be sure that you really mean it when you say you will be fine simply going from resort to theme park.

Of course, there is always the third option. Don’t rent a car, but budget for taxi service. The most it will cost you, one way, will be $25. Of course, if you want to get back, that’s $50. Do that a couple of times, and a rental car sounds cheaper to me! When I don't have a car, I usually use a taxi at least once. It's a very convenient option.

Almost 100% of the people we work with never even think about how transportation will effect their vacation. And, as they have hired Help Around the Mouse, they really don’t need to. We will. But don’t kid yourself. Transportation choice does not play a minor role in your vacation. At best, its a supporting player we never even notice because it is blends seamlessly. At worse, it's a bull in a china shop. Go in understanding that, and you will be fine. Frustration and disappointment happen when you are unexpectedly surprised by a logistical nightmare. Don’t let that happen.

Me? I enjoy Disney vacations with a car, and without one. But I make sure my vacation plans and my transportation choices are in alignment. And you should, too.

Planning for Disney Magic

I moderate several Disney Itinerary forums, and we often get questions from folks about how to plan the 'perfect' Disney vacation. They get so stressed about making a mistake that will ruin the trip, that it paralyzes them. Or, they worry that they won't know the 'perfect' place to sit, to stand, to be to experience the 'perfect' Disney magic.


Even though I own and operate a Disney planning business, I agree that too much or the wrong kind of planning does no good for anyone. And, although I believe you to plan empty spaces for Magic to grow and be experienced. I don't believe you can plan the exact spot or time where it will materialize.


My friend Pam, who authored a 'Disney on the Cheap' guide wrote this responce. I though it was... 'perfect'.


“Try to remember this is only one week of your life (or 10 days, or two weeks).

Nothing that happens will be life changing, it is just a vacation. Those "once in a lifetime" vacations only happen on TV. Real families aren't perfect enough to live up to hype like that.

Because it is simply part of your life, it will be similar to everything else that happens on a daily basis. In other words, if your hubby gets grumpy when he's hungry at home, he'll do the same on vacation, but it'll probably bug you more. If one of your kids has trouble sleeping when they're excited, it'll happen at Disney (in spades!). If you have trouble with achy feet after a long day at work, Disney is likely to leave you with blisters and such.

I think it's really tough to not get frustrated and depressed when things like this happen, but you'll always be ahead of the game if you can simply relax and go with the flow.

And sometimes, magic happens in spite of it all. Not because we've planned for it, but just....because. Not life changing TV-show-perfect magic, just kindness from a stranger, the happy smile on your kids faces when they discover they like a new food, or a hug from your hubby because he appreciates all your hard work. In fact, the magic may be so tiny you don't even realize it happened until you're back to your regular life and something reminds you - and you get a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. 

THAT's why we go to Disney World, and why it really doesn't matter where we stay, what we eat, or how we plan our day as much as it matters to relax and let those good things happen -- even as your feet are killing you, your husband is complaining about being hungry, and your kids are walking around like zombies with too-little sleep.

My theory is that these good things do happen to drama queens or jaded folks who feel entitled to things because "I paid a TON for this trip!", but they're too wrapped up frustration to notice the magic. How incredibly sad for those people and their kids - surrounded by this beautiful place, staffed by caring and wonderful people, and still not able to take a step back and simply be HAPPY.”

The Garden View Tea Room

The Garden View Tea Room is tucked quietly away in the back of the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort lobby. It's easy to miss as you make your mad dash to the ever popular 1900 Park Fare. But somehow, this seems completely appropriate. Far from a ‘mad dash’, the Garden View Tea Room is a quiet gem that I can easily recommend you tuck away for your next Disney visit. 
My first visit to the Garden View Tea Room was quite a few years ago now. We were on an trip with my parents, and I thought it would be a nice thing for my mom, my daughter, and myself to do on a free day in our itinerary. All the generations enjoyed our experience so much - I knew I would be back. Just last month, I visited Walt Disney with a girlfriend who had never been to the World before. I thought this the perfect fit for us, and booked the reservation for 3:20 on our arrival day. 

As you enter the Grand Floridian from the monorail, the Garden View Tea Room is downstairs at the opposite end of the lobby. The Tea Room itself is hidden behind a half wall, and easily goes unnoticed as your eye goes to the windows, and not the room itself. 

Because the travel gods were on our side today, our arrival day tour of the monorail resorts had us in Grand Floridian about an hour ahead of schedule. We inquired at the podium if it would be possible to check In early. They asked us to give them a chance to seat those who arrived on time for their reservations, and then they would seat us early if they had room. This all worked out, so instead of 3:20, we actually were seated at 2:15. 

The room itself is feminine and lovely. Pinks, greens, flowers, and serenity. Although children are welcome (and incredibly adorable), this is very much an experience for a little prince or princess, not a rough and rowdy little pirate.  There are gentlemen in attendance, but by far, women of all ages were the main clientele. 


You can order a full tea service with multiple light food courses from the menu, or simply order a la carte. Because we were hungry and had no firm dinner plans, we both chose the full tea. But I think an afternoon of tea and dessert would be lovely as well. My companion and I both chose the Buckingham -- tea service, finger sandwiches, scones, and dessert. There are many varieties of tea to choose from. I couldn't decide, but knew that I wanted something decaffeinated. Sleeping in a strange place is hard enough... I didn't need caffeine in my system. The server was wonderful, gave me a wink, and asked me to let her surprise me. 
She returned with her personal concoction of a mixture of orange, passion fruit, vanilla, pomegranate and black current teas. It was perfect. But as with any high tea, the presentation here is half the fun The tea cozies, lumps of sugar, Royal Albert Bone China, and fine silver are utterly civilized.

The finger sandwiches were watercress and cucumber, curried chicken, roast pear and gorgonzola, egg salad on garlic potato bread, and shrimp salad. They were accompanied by a sweet onion tartlet. 

After we had lazed over our tea and finger sandwiches for while, our server brought our next course: scones, strawberry jam, strawberry tartlet, and devonshire cream. There was not enough cream to my companions liking, so I gave her mine. And she gave me her tartlet. It was a win - win. 

For dessert, even though it was not on the menu, my server brought me the trifle. My companion was looking forward to the strawberries and cream. 

As in many Disney restaurants, the people watching here is a part of the fun. Across the room from us sat several women with 3 little princesses, all in their finest. They girls were not Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiqued, but simply had on lovely Minnie Mouse themed dresses, with bows in their hair. It was precious. We struck up a conversation with the mother and adult daughter next to us who had been coming to the Tea Room together every year for 20 years - and had the same server every time! The daughter had come as a child, became a part of the student intern program, began her professional career as an employee of Disney in their entertainment division (she looked like she could have been very good friends with Cinderella, but all I got from that comment was a wink). Now, she worked in public relations.

But the most impressive sight was the couple who had gotten married at Disney earlier in the week. They decided to truly make a memory and came to tea totally dressed for the occasion. It was fun to see.

Help Around the Mouse always encourages folks to make room in their itineraries for free space. Disney is so much more than theme parks! The Garden View Tea is a perfect example of a treaSure that can so easily be missed if you spend all of your vacation running from attraction to attraction. Take some time to smell the roses! Including the ones on the Royal Dalton China. 

CHILD SWAPS AT DISNEY WORLD

Our thanks to friend and Help Around the Mouse tour pro Christine for the data behind this blog post.

Well I sure wish I knew about this awesome little trick way back in the 90’s. There were plenty of times I would have liked to swap my daughter for a more cheerful, cooperative child...

But unfortunately that’s not really what child swapping means. Apparently you have to keep the child you came to Disney with after all. 

But I digress...

The official term is Rider Switch Pass.

It’s often called child swap, parent swap, rider swap, etc. We’ll just refer to it as Swaps here.

What is a Swap?

A Swap is a special ticket that is available from the Cast Member at any FASTPASS enabled and Height Restricted attraction. 

If there is a someone in your party that does not meet the height requirements to ride (we’ll call him “the little guy”) you may obtain a Swap that allows up to 3 riders to enter via the FASTPASS line and ride, while someone (not the CM!) entertains the little guy.

That sounds handy! How do I get a Swap?

Approach the CM at the ride entrance and ask nicely! You must show the little guy and he will likely be measured. If the little guy does not meet the height requirement, the CM will then give you a Swap. 

How do I use a Swap?

The most efficient way to use a Swap is in conjunction with a FASTPASS.

Obtain a set of FPs for the ride at any point. When you return to ride, show your FPs and the little guy to the CM. The CM will collect those FPs and trade them for a Swap.

Those riding now- the first group- will enter thru the FP line. 

Those waiting with little guy can go do something else- no need to stand around waiting! 

The second group can return to ride with the Swap whenever they like and will also enter thru the FP line. 

The Swap is good til the end of that day. 

If you do not have a FP for the ride- you can still obtain a Swap but the first group will then enter immediately thru the Standby Line. 

Second group can use the FP line later with the Swap. 

(This is really only efficient if done right at park opening or when there is no wait or only a short Standby wait)

Remember- each Rider Swap allows up to 3 riders, so nobody rides alone. The big kids in your party will come to appreciate how handy the little guy is!

Do all Swaps work the same way?

Depends. 

Sometimes they will do a rider swap right at the ride loading area. In that case there is no need to obtain the Swap from the CM. When you approach the CM at the ride entrance they will let you know how swaps are being handled at that particular ride at that particular time.

My son is tall enough for Expedition Everest but is scared to ride, can I get a Swap?

Technically no. 

It never hurts to ask nicely but Rider Swaps are meant to be used for those not eligible to ride due to height restrictions.

In a case like this- there are usually ways to utilize FP so that nobody rides alone and somebody can wait with your son.

What's a Future Rider Card?

With your Swap, you may want to ask for a Future Rider Card

These cute little cards are available for the litle guys to save til their next Disney trip. When they return, and are tall enough for the attraction, they can present this card and they can ride the attraction with their family, just as if everyone had gotten a Fastpass. Neat, huh?

And don’t worry, Mom. Word on the street is that they let you keep the card so you can put it right back in the little guy’s scrapbook.


Help Around the Mouse is a planning service that uses knowledge such as this to keep our clients out of lines at Walt Disney World. Have you ever used the Rider Swap? How did it work for you? 

Richard Petty Driving Experience

Before Christmas last year, Richard Petty offered discounted prices on Ride Along vouchers. Since we had a trip coming up in February, I thought it a fine idea for my husband and our soon to be 16 year old daughter -- so I purchased two vouchers. I think the price was around $60 for each one. I little pricey, but everything I had read said that this was quite a memory for the participants, and I thought it was a unique experience they could share.

You don't need reservations if all you want to do is the Ride Along. But-- they don't run every day, so do call before your vacation and check to see the days and hours they are running. And, if you have your heart set on doing it, don't save the experience for the end of your trip. If it rains-- you'll be out of luck.

Luckily-- we had a car. Getting to the track with one was easy. If you have ever driven to the Magic Kingdom and parked in the Ticket and Transportation Center parking lot, you may have driven by the entrance to the track on your way out of the parking lot. If you don't have a car, I hear you get to the Ticket and Transportation Center, and they have shuttles that take you to the track. Personally, I am glad we had a car.

Entering the track is kinda cool.

Enter by driving under the track....

. 

...And back up the other side.

From there, the folks at the front desk will sign you in and sign you up. You suit up in coveralls, and then, within a few minutes, head out to the track. Jamie took a little while to find the one that would fit her. The small was not a men's small-- just small!

Another employee will finish suiting you up, ask you to sign your  life away, and then, pose for pictures.

Jon went first. A quick hop in the car, an official photo, and then, bam-- he was off. Three laps later, it was Jamie's turn.

The time on the track was over in minutes.

After the ride, you go back inside, leave your gear behind, and they have a plaque waiting for you complete with your picture to commemorate the trip. We passed.

The entire event - from entering to exiting the Richard Petty Experience easily took less than 30 minutes.

I am glad we did this in February when the weather was perfect. I can't imagine this in August.The heat and humidity, fumes and noise would not be a pleasant combination for families on a summer vacation. There is no air conditioning under the tent while you wait outside. And did you note the coveralls and helmet? Not fun if your already hot!

Was it worth it? Yeah. It was a different experience. I don't think I would have been happy if I had paid full price. But, for $120 total, they had a once in a life time experience.

At last I hope it's once in a life time. Jamie gets her license soon..... !!

How to Create a Disney Tour Plan

“In its most basic form, white space is the unoccupied area between two elements. And despite its namesake, it doesn’t necessarily have to be white. Regardless of the background that you’re working with, white space can be an extremely effective tool when you want to divide elements from one another. It can also come in handy when you’re trying to draw attention to a specific item.” www.newsdesigns.com

What does white space on a newspaper have to do with a Disney tour plan? Plenty.

Every day, I work with folks who, in their quest to fit as much as possible in their Disney tour plan, insist on creating a newspaper full of words. Paragraph after paragraph, column after column of words. No White Space At All. Their days are one long run on sentence that terminates with them in a heap on the bed. Nothing in the day was memorable, because nothing was treated as memorable.  In their quest to fit in as many thoughts as possible, they succeeding in creating nothing but an inundating cacophony of words.

In order for your Walt Disney World story to be memorable, you need to employ some white space in your tour plan. How to do this? Spend a few hours at a park. Then, leave. Yes. Leave. Go back to the resort and rest, swim, and relax. A few hours later, go back to the parks. This down time will become the  white space in your Disney tour plan. The morning will stand apart, and the evening become special. Memories will be made because this white space made them possible.

If you’ve always wanted to have a Disney dinner with Mickey, then, put some white space around your meeting with The Big Cheese. Don't wedge this potentially amazing memory (and expensive one to boot!) between a rushed afternoon and a hectic evening. Try this tour plan idea instead. Visit Mickey on a morning off. Sleep in a little. Have a fun morning jumping on the beds with the kids. Then head off to meet Mickey happy, rested, and excited about what is to come. Afterwards, if you want to include a Disney theme park in your tour plan, fine. The point is, if you want a moment to be special-- you need to treat it like it’s special when you create your tour plan.

A professional Disney tour plan, like those created by Help Around the Mouse, will skillfully distribute white space. Efficient, relaxed, well paced, and presented in a format that flows well.... this is how a professional, customized tour plan will read as you move through your Disney day. Daily breaks are not optional tour plan components, or a waste of time. Instead, this white space is an incredibly important, fundamental ingredient to any successful Disney vacation. Without well designed white space punctuating your plan, nothing on your Disney vacation will be able to stand out. 

Not even a 5 foot mouse. 

The Best Time to Go to Walt Disney World

When should we go to Disney to avoid  crowds?

When folks tell me they want to visit Disney when the crowds are the lowest, I can’t help but feel they are operating from a mistaken assumption. I can almost see the sugar plums dancing in their heads... empty parks, no lines, and ride after ride on Space Mountain.

And I know this is not what they will find. I have been to Disney in the traditionally best, low crowd time.  I know that even if they don't have to wait 45 minutes for a 2 minute ride on Peter Pan (which they probably will), they will find a host of other things that I bet they haven’t even considered.

Let’s look at January--  a much less crowded time than say, June. But, let’s consider the realities of January travel. It can be cold. Yes -- mitten and hat cold. Those beautiful resort pools will probably sit empty. And, park hours are much shorter. Animal Kingdom, for example, closes at 5:00 PM!  And, since the attractions need to be refurbished on occasion, guess when Disney accomplishes more than the normal amount of these refurbishments? You got it. January. This is best?

September is another traditionally best time to go to Disney World. But, if there’s going to be a hurricane, guess when the chances are best? That’s right-- September. And September is about as hot and humid as it gets in Central Florida. You won’t want to be in the parks in the afternoon. It isn’t fun. It’s steamy, heavy, hot and uncomfortable. And the Free Dining (Hurricane Sale) that Disney offers to increase attendance at this time makes the restaurants crowded, and reservations very difficult to come by. Again... this is best?

As for the lines at the attractions, just because there are fewer people in the parks, don’t assume that the lines will be shorter for the rides. When they are busy, Disney has more Cast Members working the attractions, and all the cars are on the tracks. But, when its slower, they cut back on staffing. This mean the number of cars on the tracks are reduced. And consequently, it takes longer to get through the line, and the lines grow. And those refurbishments? What do you think happens to the lines at Space Mountain when Splash Mountain is closed? Hmmm.... this is best?

Now, let’s be clear. My point is not: Don’t go to Disney in January. My point is: Have a realistic picture of Disney in January. Or September. Or August. Or December.  Then, tailor your trip to the playing field. In January, plan to enjoy some comfortable afternoons in the parks. In September, reserve your dining early. In August, enjoy the pools in the afternoons, when no one but a tourist would be walking on black top in Central Florida!

I think the best time to go to Disney is when it fits your budget and your calendar. Period. I don’t ever consider crowds. Ever. I have been during the incredibly busy, decidedly not best time of Thanksgiving, Easter, Presidents Week. And I have been in the slower best time of January, October, and early December. The criteria that really matter are weather, park hours, and show times.  I can not manage these away. Crowds? A good plan can make them a complete non -issue, any time of year. Yes, even at Christmas.

The question is not when can we avoid crowds, it is how!  Visit Walt Disney World when it fits your life. Don’t wait for the best time. Go when you want to, and create the best time!

Let us know--- when do you enjoy going to Walt Disney World?