Rental car - group bus/shuttle?

[glassslipper2004]

Hi - this came up in another post and I wanted to start a new thread to see if anyone else had this experience recently -- please let us know if you were able to board a shuttle for an individual rental company, or a group bus for all companies:

Originally Posted by acourtwdw2
We use Avis for the one way rental to and from the ship. They are friendly and were always right there when we got off the ship. We skip breakfast so we can leave as soon as the ship is cleared. They bad part is that disney changed how you can get from the ship to the rental places. They now load you on a bus and Avis is the last drop off. We had to wait for 40 mins while they loaded everyone and the luggage. When Avis picked us up there was never a wait.

 

[mmouse37]

I am curious as to when that poster cruised. I know last year some things were changed around the port during the construction of the parking garage on a temporary basis (things changed week to week with pick ups and drop offs).

Or, if this is a brand new change.

MJ

 

[pdwimmer]

I am curious as well because I chose Avis for two one way rentals for convenience. If we have to wait 40 minutes etc., the convenience factor is gone. I will gladly pay the parking fee at the port and the extra $100 for the car rental for the week if need be. We are a large group traveling together and asking little ones to wait for extended periods of time is not in my plan for a vacation. Please anyone who knows reply!!! Your advice is much appreciated.

 

[acourtwdw]

I am Acourtwdw2's sister and the time frame that she posted about was October 2010 after the WBTA. The guests that needed to take the shuttles to the car rental places, were lined up and we all had to wait for a large bus to take us to the offices. Avis was the last stop after 2 others. From the time we got on the bus until we got to Avis was about an hour. Thank goodness we were one of the first ones off the ship.

 

[mmouse37]

I suspect that arrangement was due to the construction.....I just posted to the other thread that the regular car shuttle system was in place in January and I think still is....though that all could change come August 2nd with the new port opening time....not sure how they will handle anything at that point!!

MJ

 

[pdwimmer]

I suspect that arrangement was due to the construction.....I just posted to the other thread that the regular car shuttle system was in place in January and I think still is....though that all could change come August 2nd with the new port opening time....not sure how they will handle anything at that point!!

MJ

Keep the posts coming guys! I want this trip to be magical. Originally we booked because we hoped it would give my dad a goal to reach down the way. He unfortunately passed this past memorial day. Now it is for my mom to reach a goal. I want everything to be as seamless and comfortable as possible for her. Thank you to everyone for your great feedback!

 

[mmouse37]

Keep reading the boards for the most up to date info....people always post when there is a change in policy or some new arrangement.

MJ

 

[woody73]

I am curious as to when that poster cruised.

. . . the time frame that she posted about was October 2010 after the WBTA. The guests that needed to take the shuttles to the car rental places, were lined up and we all had to wait for a large bus to take us to the offices. . . Thank goodness we were one of the first ones off the ship.

I suspect that arrangement was due to the construction . . .

I was also on that cruise, the WBTA arriving at Port Canaveral in October 2010.

Since we had the second breakfast seating, we disembarked later in the morning. By that time, the rental car shuttles were running their regular schedules.

I suspect a number of factors were at work earlier that morning. First, as mentioned, the construction.

Second, this was the Magic's return after being away in Europe for months. The rental car companies might not have planned as well as they should have for its return.

Third, and I think this is the main reason: Many people took much more luggage on a two-week Transatlantic cruise than for a shorter cruise. I think the rental car shuttles, if they were running that morning, were simply overwhelmed with luggage. They were likely carrying more luggage and fewer passengers per trip.

I think that with the line of people backing up for the rental car shuttles early that morning, Disney simply decided to use busses to get them on their way.

Again, by mid-morning, our experience was that the disembarkation process and boarding the rental car shuttles was just like on other Disney cruises.

Woody

 

[mmouse37]

Good points Woody!!! Makes sense!

MJ

 

[glassslipper2004]

Thanks so much for this info! I admit, I am considering keeping our rental car and paying the extra to rent for the whole time, and pay the parking fee, to avoid the two sets of back and forth shuttle trips. Hmm.