Transportation to MCO - super early morning - no DME

[CindyIsMyFave]

I have a 6:15 am flight out of MCO later this month on a Monday morning. Long story short - I'll be at Disney for a weekend event, but I'll be staying offsite at Downtown Disney's Holiday Inn. The rest of my group leaves late afternoon on Sunday, so I will be amusing myself from about 4 pm on. (This part is not the problem.)

I figure that I'm set until midnight. Then, I was planning on hanging out in one of the monorail hotel's lobbies (probably GF) for a couple of hours, making sure I was headed to the airport some time between 2 and 3 am (no later than 3) to be sure I'm there by 4 am.

I'm trying to figure out what my options are to get to MCO? I'm starting to wonder if a taxi will be the only choice. Mears estimated $55. This is at least cheaper than a town car. I had hoped the Mears shared shuttle would be an option, but it doesn't seem so. Unless it would be worthwhile to take a taxi from the GF to some place offsite where I could then pick up a shuttle.

I chose this lovely plan b/c the Monday flight was so much cheaper and I sort of hate to now lose it on the transport! But oh well. TIA for any suggestions!

 

[Tony NY]

I would go with a taxi this way you have a stright shot to mco without wating on make other stopes with a shuttle.

I would call mars and ask about shutle bus prices I know they do make stop at Downtown disney off site hotels. if you want to save some money.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Why not rent a car for one day. You should be able to get a car for around $40

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

I am thinking of calling Mears . . . I'd even be happy to buy a round trip shared ride ticket and just not use Leg 1 if they'd let me. Saving money is the most important thing to me even if it means more legwork on my part.

I did think about a 1 day car rental . . . but I'm having serveral issues with it. Picking it up - I'll be with the group until 4 or 5 pm on Sunday and I don't think the Sunday hours are very long for the 2 onsite pickup locations, and I'm not sure how I'd get there.
Then, I know I can drive and park at a resort to eat there and have my 3 hours, but I'm not sure what to do about my desire to then drive to the GF and sit in their lobby for 1 or 2 hours after midnight . . . that would still fall w/i a new 3 hour window, but I wouldn't be going there to eat. There are a couple other car rental pitfalls too. So I'm considering but kind of on the fence.

I don't suppose the Holiday Inn at DTD has an airport shuttle? Wasn't mentioned on the website.

 

[DebbieB]

What are you doing with your luggage? Since the Swan & Dolphin don't have DME, they should have a Mears shuttle pickup pretty often.

I'm not sure how a resort like GF feels about someone sitting in their lobby in the middle of the night, not a registered guest.

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Why do I always forget about the Swan and Dolphin? Good idea on Mears from there!

I'll only have a small shoulder bag carryon, so I will have it with me.

And . . . I guess I would hope that a public hotel wouldn't mind me sitting there quietly reading a book for an hour or 2. But if a cast member was actually to kick me out, I guess I'd just head for the airport earlier.

 

[LidoDeck]

I'd check the room rate for a Disney value resort for Sunday night, have a place to relax, shower, swim, sleep and a free ride to the airport in the middle of the night.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'd check the room rate for a Disney value resort for Sunday night, have a place to relax, shower, swim, sleep and a free ride to the airport in the middle of the night.

This is what I was thinking too....with room only discounts it could end up being similar in price to getting a cab to the airport but you would be getting more for your money.

If you strictly want the cheapest option then that would be renting a car.

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

I'd check the room rate for a Disney value resort for Sunday night, have a place to relax, shower, swim, sleep and a free ride to the airport in the middle of the night.

You guys are good! This is one thing I did think of before I posted. Unfortunately, the values are coming in at $121 for that night.

If my call to Mears doesn't work out, then maybe I really should think about the car rental...and just figure out a way to get to the onsite location before my group leaves and adjust my amusement plan accordingly to accommodate parking!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You are staying at the Holiday Inn and just a few doors down is the Hilton hotel that has an Avis rental onsite that is open till 6:00 p.m on Sunday. If your flight leaves at 6:00 a.m you can pick up your rental call first thing in the morning on Sunday since techinically your one day rented can start as soon as the rental company opens which is 7:30 a.m. since you will be turning the car in at about 4:00 a.m at the airport.

Here is the link

http://www.avis.com/car-rental/location/details.ac?LOCATIONCODE=LB3

The is also a Dollar rental car locatation the Regal Sun resort which is across from DTD.

Alamo has a rental office at the Disney Car Care Center and at the Dolphin. They will pick you up and take you to their rental office. You just need to call them at least 24 hours in advance.

 

[dancin Disney style]

You guys are good! This is one thing I did think of before I posted. Unfortunately, the values are coming in at $121 for that night.

If my call to Mears doesn't work out, then maybe I really should think about the car rental...and just figure out a way to get to the onsite location before my group leaves and adjust my amusement plan accordingly to accommodate parking!

Did you check the 'special offers' page on the WDW site? That's were you will find the room only discounts.

You are staying at the Holiday Inn and just a few doors down is the Hilton hotel that has an Avis rental onsite that is open till 6:00 p.m on Sunday. If your flight leaves at 6:00 a.m you can pick up your rental call first thing in the morning on Sunday since techinically your one day rented can start as soon as the rental company opens which is 7:30 a.m. since you will be turning the car in at about 4:00 a.m at the airport.

Here is the link

http://www.avis.com/car-rental/location/details.ac?LOCATIONCODE=LB3

The is also a Dollar rental car locatation the Regal Sun resort which is across from DTD.

Alamo has a rental office at the Disney Car Care Center and at the Dolphin. They will pick you up and take you to their rental office. You just need to call them at least 24 hours in advance.

The Regal Sun is now the Wyndham LBV.

There is also an Alamo/National rental office in the Buena Vista Palace which is right beside the Wyndham. Check out carrentalsavers.com the site does all the searching for you with available coupons....it's very easy.

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

You are staying at the Holiday Inn and just a few doors down is the Hilton hotel that has an Avis rental onsite that is open till 6:00 p.m on Sunday. If your flight leaves at 6:00 a.m you can pick up your rental call first thing in the morning on Sunday since techinically your one day rented can start as soon as the rental company opens which is 7:30 a.m. since you will be turning the car in at about 4:00 a.m at the airport.

Here is the link

http://www.avis.com/car-rental/location/details.ac?LOCATIONCODE=LB3.

Thank you Shelly - this is great to know. I could easily walk over there before we head to brunch!

Did you check the 'special offers' page on the WDW site? That's were you will find the room only discounts.
.

Yes, I checked there. $121 is it. If I remember correctly, I think any April deals had to be booked by March. The $121 is still oddly tempting though for the free ride - and b/c I just saw that MK is open 'til 3 am Sunday night!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you Shelly - this is great to know. I could easily walk over there before we head to brunch!



Yes, I checked there. $121 is it. If I remember correctly, I think any April deals had to be booked by March. The $121 is still oddly tempting though for the free ride - and b/c I just saw that MK is open 'til 3 am Sunday night!

Are you kidding??? MK is open until 3am and you're hesitating??? I would book a value for $121 a night just to get the EMHs...spend the time at MK vs the lobby of the GF, reading. You could check in at a value resort, then head to MK. Leave there about 2am, go back to the resort and hop on the DME bus around 3ish. That would be worth it to me.

Or just head to MK and stay until they close to the public at midnight...or you can stay there and amble around, without going on any attractions since you aren't staying onsite. Then, head back to the airport via a cab...you should be able to get one at the CR...a short walk from MK.

 

[dancin Disney style]

If you have AAA you can get a discount on the room...if they have one available with that discount.

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Are you kidding??? MK is open until 3am and you're hesitating??? I would book a value for $121 a night just to get the EMHs...spend the time at MK vs the lobby of the GF, reading. You could check in at a value resort, then head to MK. Leave there about 2am, go back to the resort and hop on the DME bus around 3ish. That would be worth it to me.

Or just head to MK and stay until they close to the public at midnight...or you can stay there and amble around, without going on any attractions since you aren't staying onsite. Then, head back to the airport via a cab...you should be able to get one at the CR...a short walk from MK.

I know, I know, I know. It is truly only a money thing. I'm doing this ridiculous Mon. morning flight to save money, and now I'm tempted by going to a park. (It'd be $121 plus $90 for a 1 day ticket.) And budget is important for multiple reasons I shouldn't get into here. But I'm going to talk to DH about it and see what he thinks . . . .

But yes the regular midnight hours are still a possibility. The ticket plus a cab saves me $60ish at least. And I forgot that I could still go shopping there after midnight - it's just the rides I'd have to avoid with EMH.

If you have AAA you can get a discount on the room...if they have one available with that discount.

Just thought of AAA before I checked back in! Thank you!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We did our first ever EMH at MK and we stayed till they closed at 2:00 a.m. It was great! Not lines for anything. If felt as if we had the park all to ourselves! There are lots of people who have the 6 a.m flights who stay at the park till it almost time to catch the DME and head to the airport. They avoid paying the extra night at a hotel and just stay in the park. Oh course you would need to stay at a Disney resort to do this.

You could rent DVC point and stay at OKW for as little at $100 a night if you can find someone who is renting point for $9.00 a point. Then you wont need a rental car. or a ticket to disney.