Hire car or DME?

[chmurf]

1 thing you mention in your opening post

family of 5

DME might be easier if you all have luggage, for the trip from and to the airport

Then it all depends on what the family is made of.
If it's all adults and teens, then disney transportation will be enough, and you stil can catch an odd uber ride if you need to go places outside of the bublle.

But if strollers or younger kids are involved, I would strongly recommend renting a car.
Except for Magic Kingdom where Disney Transportation is the way to go, you'll save a lot of time if you need to take breaks for afternoon naps for example. Strollers have to be folded on transportation, and carrying sleepy/sleeping kids while standing on overcrowded buses will make you wish you had a car.


there are pros and cons.
if you mainly want to stay in the bubble, and everyone is 12+ (for example), then using DME and Disney Transportation is absolutely doable.
But, if you have young kids, or family with mobility issue, or whatever that might become a challenge on occasions, or you are doing half park days with breaks, then the car will be very helpful.