International Drive has two alternate means of transportation -- pedestrian and trolley power. I don't recommend the former because, though there are plenty of sidewalks, you may be taking your life in your hands if you try to cross this extremely busy road. The I-Ride Trolley (tel. 407/248-9590; www.iridetrolley.com) is a safer bet. It makes 54 stops between the Belz Factory Outlets on the north end of the drive and SeaWorld to the south. The trolley runs every 15 minutes, from 8am to 10:30pm, and costs 75¢ for adults and 25¢ for seniors; kids under 12 ride free, and exact change is required. There's an unlimited 1-day pass available for $2 per person. Due to I-Drive's high traffic volume, this is a great way to avoid the bumper-to-bumper driving.

The good news, if you are driving, is that road signs are more accurate than they were a few years back. But to make sure you're heading the right way, follow the directions supplied for the various attractions and hotels. Also, call your destination before leaving and ask whether new construction or other temporary roadblocks might be in your way. Most attractions give directions as a voice-mail option when you call the main number, but you can also ask for an operator to get clarification.

Some hotels offer transportation to and from some theme parks and other tourist destinations; the service may or may not be free, however, so be sure to check with your individual hotel for details. It's not difficult getting around town, but it can get expensive, so check your options when booking your room.

By Disney Transportation System -- If you plan to stay at and spend most of your time in Disney, there's an extensive, free transportation system that runs throughout the WDW property.

Disney resorts and official hotels offer unlimited free transportation via bus, monorail, ferry, or water taxi to all WDW properties throughout the day, and at times, well into the evening. Disney properties offer transportation to other area attractions as well, but you will have to pay extra.

The system is free to guests, saving you money on a rental car, insurance, and gas, as well as parking fees ($7 a day at the theme parks). The drawback however, is that you're at the mercy of Disney's schedules, which are often slow and sometimes very indirect; bus trips from the outlying resorts (especially Fort Wilderness) to the various parks (and vice versa) can take over an hour during peak times.

If you have time before locking in your trip, call tel. 407/934-7639 and ask the information specialist for Disney's new shopping and dining guide, which includes a copy of the Disney World Transportation Guide Map. (It shows where various resorts are in relation to the attractions you want to visit.) You can also pick up a guide map when you land at the Guest Services desks at any of the Disney resorts and theme parks or view a more generic map and download it at www.disneyworld.com (you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader).

The best rule when using Disney transportation: Ask the driver or someone at your hotel's front desk to help you take the most direct route. Keep asking questions along the way. Unlike missing a highway exit, missing a bus stop means you may reach your pension before you reach your destination.

By Car -- To rent or not to rent -- that's the question. First, think about your vacation plans. Decide if you're going to limit your vacation to Disney territory (where a rental car isn't a mandatory item), or if you're going to venture out to International Drive, SeaWorld, or Universal Orlando (if so, renting a car is a good idea). If you want to head out in the evenings to smaller attractions, dinner shows and other activities not located within the realm of Disney, you're going to need wheels.

If you've decided to stay right on Disney property, the question to ask yourself is how, exactly, will you get to the parks? If the Magic Kingdom is accessible only by taking a bus, switching to the monorail, and then catching a ferry, you may want to opt for a car. The least expensive properties, the All-Star resorts, are among the farthest from the Disney parks. Wait times between buses can be considerable -- if not unendurable.

During peak hours in the busiest seasons, you may have trouble getting a seat on the bus, so keep that in mind if you're traveling with seniors or with companions with disabilities. Also, if you're bringing along children and strollers, consider the frustration factor of loading and unloading strollers and all of the paraphernalia that comes with them on and off buses, ferries, and trams.

A car may drastically cut the commute time between the parks and hotels not directly on the monorail routes, so decide how much your time is worth and how much the car will cost plus the $7 per day theme-park parking charge (Disney resort guests are exempt from the parking fees) before making a decision about renting.

In general, if you're going to spend all of your time at Disney and you're laid-back enough to go with the flow of traffic within the transportation network, there's no sense renting a car that will sit in the parking lot. But if you're on an extended stay -- a week or more -- you'll probably want a car for at least a day or two to venture beyond the tourist areas. You can discover downtown Orlando, visit museums, or tour the Space Coast; it'll be good for your soul. The tourist hot spots are kind of like Las Vegas: You can't spend too much time in a world of bright lights and make-believe without needing a good dose of reality.

If you are going to be spending the majority of your vacation outside the House of Mouse, a car is an absolute necessity (unless you plan on staying solely within the bounds of Universal Orlando for your entire trip). While there are plenty of transportation options such as shuttles, trolleys, and taxis, utilizing them every time you venture outside of your hotel can't be done without losing your sanity (and lots of cash) -- don't even think of doing it!

All of the major car-rental companies are represented in Orlando and maintain desks at or near the airport. Many agencies provide discount coupons in publications targeted at tourists. When you're planning your trip and poring over all those brochures, keep watch for discounts on car rentals. You may also want to ask your travel agent if he or she has a recommendation, or whether a discount is included in packages. Also, it never hurts to ask about specials. Note: Disney has an Alamo car-rental desk (tel. 800/327-2996) right on property, so if you're interested in renting for only a few days instead of your entire vacation this may be a good option for you.

By Bus -- Stops for the Lynx bus system (tel. 407/841-5969; www.golynx.com) are marked with a "paw" print. It will get you to Disney, Universal, and I-Drive ($1.25 adults, 50¢ kids 8-18 with valid school ID), but it's generally not very tourist-friendly.

Mears Transportation (tel. 407/423-5566; www.mearstransportation.com) operates buses to all the major attractions, including Kennedy Space Center, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens (yes, in Tampa), among others. Their service is the largest in the area, and with good reason. Rates will vary based on where you are going and where you are coming from of course, so call ahead for the particulars. Many of the area hotels use Mears for their shuttle service to the parks and attractions.

By Motorcycle -- The increasing popularity of Bike Week and a growing number of weekend road warriors have sparked an increase in places specializing in motorcycle rental. The Harley Davidson, in all shapes and sizes, is the most popular. You must be at least 21 and sometimes 25 years of age, have a motorcycle license, and a major credit card. Rental fees start at about $650 for 1 week or $150 per day including helmets, locks, and a brief orientation. You can rent bikes at American V Twin, 5101 International Dr. (tel. 888/268-8946 or 407/903-0058; www.amvtwin.com). But plan ahead, months in advance if you're going to be here during Bike Week, late February to early March, or Biketoberfest in mid-October. Both are in Daytona Beach, but a lot of their visitors stay in Orlando.

By Taxi -- Taxis will line up in front of major hotels in addition to a few smaller properties. The front desk will be more that happy to hail one down for you. If you wish, you can also call Yellow Cab (tel. 407/699-9999) and Ace Metro (tel. 407/855-1111) on your own. Both are good choices; however, rates can run as high as $3.25 for the first mile, $1.75 per mile thereafter, though occasionally you can get a flat rate if you ask. In general, cabs are economical only if you have four or five people aboard and aren't going very far or very many times. You could actually rent your own car (depending on the model) for the price of just a few taxi rides.