I don't want to take DME

[springandmac]

and I don't want to pay $233 for 5 day car rental either!

This is soooo frustrating! My trip is in 10 days and I want a rental car, I've always had one on all my trips and this trip is for DD's sweet 16 and I want it to be perfect for her. I've also just spent a small fortune to throw a Sweet 16 party for her and 55 of friends and family. So money is a little tight now and my other problem is I cut up all my credit cards so I only have a debit card (no flames, I'm very aware of the problem this has created). I have plenty of money for a hold but a credit check would be a problem.

I have a reservation with Advantage for $136 but we've all read the reviews. I certainly don't want to start the trip begin with a hassle or a nasty car. Plus there's the debit card issue.

I have a reservation with Alamo for $145 but it's with a code I found out I don't qualify for so I'm canceling those. I don't want to start the trip off getting busted trying to use something I'm not entitled too.

I have a reservation with Dollar (at the Regal) for $125 but it's a day after my arrival (11/9)and I'd have to take ME from the airport and Disney Transportation to DTD and walk over to the Regal. I have the return set up at MCO.

I'm leaning toward keeping that reservation since it's in my budget, it's with legitimate codes but I'm worried about the Debit card problem. I was hoping for Alamo or National since their debit card is a little more lenient.

Ugh, what to do? Does anybody know of any other deals that might work for me?

My dates are 11/8 - 11/13

[Traveliz]

Originally Posted by springandmac

and I don't want to pay $233 for 5 day car rental either!

This is soooo frustrating! My trip is in 10 days and I want a rental car, I've always had one on all my trips and this trip is for DD's sweet 16 and I want it to be perfect for her. I've also just spent a small fortune to throw a Sweet 16 party for her and 55 of friends and family. So money is a little tight now and my other problem is I cut up all my credit cards so I only have a debit card (no flames, I'm very aware of the problem this has created). I have plenty of money for a hold but a credit check would be a problem.

I have a reservation with Advantage for $136 but we've all read the reviews. I certainly don't want to start the trip begin with a hassle or a nasty car. Plus there's the debit card issue.

I have a reservation with Alamo for $145 but it's with a code I found out I don't qualify for so I'm canceling those. I don't want to start the trip off getting busted trying to use something I'm not entitled too.

I have a reservation with Dollar (at the Regal) for $125 but it's a day after my arrival (11/9)and I'd have to take ME from the airport and Disney Transportation to DTD and walk over to the Regal. I have the return set up at MCO.

I'm leaning toward keeping that reservation since it's in my budget, it's with legitimate codes but I'm worried about the Debit card problem. I was hoping for Alamo or National since their debit card is a little more lenient.

Ugh, what to do? Does anybody know of any other deals that might work for me?

My dates are 11/8 - 11/13

Well if you just cut up your cards - you didn't close the accounts so you could call and request new cards.

I would either do that or just use DME and Disney transportation. It won't make it any less magical of a trip.

Liz

[Lewisc]

You're staying at BWV? You can walk to 2 parks. Go with DME. Use some of the money saved by not renting a car toward taxis.
JMO but the time you'll spend getting your rental car at the Regal will probably offset time spent waiting for Disney buses.

edited to add---You said you don't want to take DME but your plan is to take DME to your resort. Next day bus to DTD, walk to Regal and rent a car. I don't see the benefit vs also using DME for your return.

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Oh no - I vote in the other direction.....stay with the affordable car rental. Can you call and confirm the policy on debit cards prior to departure?

DH and I gave up on WDW busses of ALL types years ago. You have so much more freedom and travel is relaxed in a rental car.

If you happen to have many AMEX points from an AMEX credit card, PM me and I'll explain how you can get a car rental for taxes only - if you have enough time before you depart.

Skip DME - you will NEVER regret it - no more .... mooing.

[2binak]

We're traveling that same week and we're biting the bullet and getting a rental car from Avis for the entire week. We thought about a 2 day rental for a trip to KSC, but then we factored in leaving the parks to get & return the car at the Dolphin and the few ME & Disney internal bus issues we had on our last trip and realized that the $240 will be worth it to us. I'm frugal so paying that money is tough for me, but we have it in our budget so...

[Lewisc]

Did you take the trouble to read the OP?

She cut up her credit cards. I doubt she has any AMEX points.

She's planning on taking DME to WDW. Next day taking a bus to DTD then walking to Regal to pick up her rental car. The 2-3 hours wasted should more then offset savings from renting a car when you consider

She's staying a BWV and can walk to two different parks. She can take a taxi to or from the MK for less then what she'll be spending on a rental car.

Originally Posted by Mouseaholic!!!

Oh no - I vote in the other direction.....stay with the affordable car rental. Can you call and confirm the policy on debit cards prior to departure?

DH and I gave up on WDW busses of ALL types years ago. You have so much more freedom and travel is relaxed in a rental car.

If you happen to have many AMEX points from an AMEX credit card, PM me and I'll explain how you can get a car rental for taxes only - if you have enough time before you depart.

Skip DME - you will NEVER regret it - no more .... mooing.

[JennSaint]

Why do you feel you need a rental car? Do you not have any dining reservations onsite? Do you plan to eat offsite alot? I also agree with LewisC you can take a couple of taxis for the cost of a rental car. Why do you feel having a rental car will make your DD's trip more special? We rented a car last year and didn't really see the advantage except maybe for going to the waterparks. I actually think driving to MK is such a pain. Alot of transfering from tram to monorail or ferry. It took us one hour to get to our car after we left the park. Plus you can walk to Epcot & HS or take a boat. For a 5 night trip do you really need a car.

[tjmw2727]

Since I actualy like DME I would use it ~ as well as the WDW resort transportation!

We have never had a DME trip longer than 70 minutes and I like just heading from the airplane to the bus and not having to worry about luggage or getting a car and driving in an unfamiliar place.

For me vacation = not driving and if the bus or boat takes an extra 10 minutes here and there we just relax and enjoy the time away from home.

As a pp mentioned from the BW you can walk or boat to epcot and the studios. We usualy take the bus to MK and then come back via the monorail and a quik trip through Epcot for a fav WS show, meal or snack.

If you are in a hurry or need to go resort to resort just budget a few extra $ for cab fares here and there, still much less than a rental car.

Whatever you decide - have a great time with your dd.

[dburg30]

Originally Posted by tjmw2727

Since I actualy like DME I would use it ~ as well as the WDW resort transportation!

We have never had a DME trip longer than 70 minutes and I like just heading from the airplane to the bus and not having to worry about luggage or getting a car and driving in an unfamiliar place.

For me vacation = not driving and if the bus or boat takes an extra 10 minutes here and there we just relax and enjoy the time away from home.

As a pp mentioned from the BW you can walk or boat to epcot and the studios. We usualy take the bus to MK and then come back via the monorail and a quik trip through Epcot for a fav WS show, meal or snack.

If you are in a hurry or need to go resort to resort just budget a few extra $ for cab fares here and there, still much less than a rental car.

Whatever you decide - have a great time with your dd.

I agree, take a cab if you need to, but just use WDW transportation.
I mean, as far as the one poster talking about being herded like cows... umm it's WDW, that's pretty much all you wind up doing anyway at WDW, so just look at is as your first queue for a ride at WDW (DME that is)

[springandmac]

I wanted a car because I'm not all together convinced I want to do Disney dining. The DDP is $400 for the two of us plus tips, the menus look boring and with free dining and only having a 90 day window to make reservations we couldn't get some of our favorites.

I also wanted a car because we wanted to do some shopping. Millenium Mall, Prime Outlets, etc. What teenage girl doesn't want to shop.

I also like to stop at Walmart after we leave the airport and pick up some breakfast & snack foods and more importantly, Coke.

I don't feel a car will make the trip more special, it's just that for every trip we've ever taken to WDW we always rent a car. We're used to the freedom of coming and going as we please, when we please and where we please.

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Originally Posted by Lewisc

Did you take the trouble to read the OP?

She cut up her credit cards. I doubt she has any AMEX points.

She's planning on taking DME to WDW. Next day taking a bus to DTD then walking to Regal to pick up her rental car. The 2-3 hours wasted should more then offset savings from renting a car when you consider

She's staying a BWV and can walk to two different parks. She can take a taxi to or from the MK for less then what she'll be spending on a rental car.

Well, for those unfamiliar, AMEX points do not expire and there is nothing wrong with $40 something for a 10-day car rental.....$10 p/day!

Anyone interested - just PM me. It's easy AND you can wave as you drive by all those people standing in line waiting for busses-----talk about wasting time!

....by the way BWI is our FAVORITE resort - OP has very good taste!

[Lewisc]

You can try Priceline or Hotwire. Double check the debit card (and deposit) issue.

I've also just spent a small fortune to throw a Sweet 16 party for her and 55 of friends and family. So money is a little tight now

A car free, mall-free trip may not be the worse thing in the world.

Is shopping is an essential part of your trip? You might also price a one day rental and have a shopping day.

[MickeyCrazed]

I just returned from a 6 night solo trip to the World, which included a lot of firsts:

• No rental car
• 3 resort changes. Pop the first night, BWV the next 4, and AKV the last night
• Quick Service Dining Plan

I was nervous about not renting a car, but I couldn't justify the expense, and didn't want the hassles of a cheap rental from an unknown rental car company.

My experience was a positive one. DME didn't take that long. Sure you may have to wait for the bus, but normally I would have to wait for my luggage anyway. So no time lost or gained in that instance.

You may share DME service with the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht and Beach, so if they are one of the first stops, you could always get off the bus and walk to your resort if you don't want to wait for the bus to make the loop.

The QSDP was more than enough food for me, and I normally enjoy dining in Disney. It was nice being able to eat when I was truly hungry instead of having to wait for an ADR. To tell the truth, I think I ate less on this trip than any other, but never felt deprived.

While I didn't enjoy taking the bus to the parks, it was efficient. My only complaint is the DTD loop. I hated stopping at Typhoon Lagoon before making it back to the Boardwalk.

Disney did a great job transferring my luggage between resorts. No complaints there.

There is a Hess station across the street from the BW. You could always walk over there to buy your Coke.

And finally, I didn't really miss going to the outlets. Of course, for the last few trips I've been walking out of there empty handed anyway. I don't think their selection or prices are as good as they used to be.

Good luck with your decision.