<p>I admit that I always have a car at WDW. For some parks/routes it is easier to ride the bus or monorail, but sometimes a car is nice. (It can take a long time to get to Downtown Disney from many of the resorts.) I go to Priceline and put in super low ball bids on the smallest car we can cram into.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>We go to Disney about once a year, and many times I have thought about renting a car but have always decided that it would probably be more of a hassle than it’s worth - from picking up the rental at MCO (that airport always seems to be chaotic) to having to wait to drive into the parks through the toll booth things to having to park, possibly far away from the park entrance . . . Missy, how much do you use the car, and am I over-weighing the cons of driving? It would be nice not to have to wait for a bus.</p>
<p>We’ve had a car when we went, even on property, and I think it saved us time over the whole trip.</p>
<p>Take advantage of the Disney Fast Pass system. Upon entering the park, pick up some fast passes to an attraction… one person can pick up passes for the entire party as long as she has everyone’s admission ticket. Your fast pass will allow you to bypass a wait by returning at a scheduled time later in the day. There is an hour window… don’t be late. If you can’t or decide not to use your fast passes, give them to someone else. It’s the nice thing to do. You can pick up another batch of fast passes either, 1. after you use the first batch; or 2. after 2 hours from the time you picked up your first batch. In this way, if you keep picking up fast passes at least every 2 hours, you should be able to see the high-traffic attractions, sandwiched in between shopping, eating, and enjoying the “less popular” attractions. </p>
<p>Another way to avoid waits is to go stand-by or solo. </p>
<p>Regarding park-hopping, or how to see the most in the least amount of time: Magic Kingdom and Epcot are definitely “all day” parks. If you’re going to try to do two parks in one day, the best bet would be Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios… especially on a day when one or the other has extra hours. Avoid Magic Kingdom on Mickey’s Halloween Night, unless you have hopper tickets, in which case you can go someplace else after you get kicked out early. IMO the best nighttime show is Magic Kingdom Wishes; watch it from the front (Main Street) of the castle. Go to the live shows at the parks… they’re the best part! My faves: Nemo, Lion King (both at Animal Kingdom) and Belle (Hollywood). </p>
<p>Along with a park map, ALWAYS get the little white schedule of events at each park. It will tell you the times and locations for all the live shows and parades. Avoid Animal Kingdom during parade time. It’s a tight squeeze and you will be forced into watching the parade whether you want to or not. Also regarding parades… don’t plan on moving quickly from one place to another during a parade; you won’t travel fast or at all. Plan ahead if you have reservations and need to get somewhere quickly… don’t get trapped.</p>