Renting a car from MCO to PC.

[ctnurse]

We are planning to fly in the night before the cruise and stay somewhere near MCO. We have a 10 hour international flight and don't want to drive an hour if we don't have to.

What is the best way to rent a car? Can you rent a car at the airport, drive to the port, drop the car off at port, and do the same thing in reverse? Or should we park the car in the parking lot, paying for rental and parking for the 7 nights?

Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[nonstopdisneymom]

We are doing 2 one way rentals. It's a lot less expensive than a one week rental plus parking fees.

 

[mmouse37]

Here is a list of the car rental agencies near the port.

Payless, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty/Dollar, Avis, National/Alamo/Enterprise

MJ

 

[TFRCAL]

Just be aware that the rental drop offs in PC are not "at the port". Once the car is dropped off you will need to take a shuttle to the port. Not that you shouldn't do it just that there are logistics involved in doing it.

 

[jcarwash]

Can you rent a car at the airport, drive to the port, drop the car off at port, and do the same thing in reverse?

Yes, this is what you should do. It's really pretty easy even with the rental car agencies shuttle vans involved.

When leaving for your cruise, you can drive your rental to port, drop off your party and luggage, and then drive back to the rental office to drop off the car. The driver can return to port alone on the shuttle -- make sure to keep a photo ID for entry to the port. Makes it easier vs. your entire party and luggage taking the rental car shuttle.

 

[ctnurse]

Here is a list of the car rental agencies near the port.

Payless, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty/Dollar, Avis, National/Alamo/Enterprise

MJ

Thanks for this, it is much easier to know what is close by.

Yes, this is what you should do. It's really pretty easy even with the rental car agencies shuttle vans involved.

When leaving for your cruise, you can drive your rental to port, drop off your party and luggage, and then drive back to the rental office to drop off the car. The driver can return to port alone on the shuttle -- make sure to keep a photo ID for entry to the port. Makes it easier vs. your entire party and luggage taking the rental car shuttle.

Thank you for this information. I am guessing that I will be waiting with the kids when DH returns the car.

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

Just in case you didn't know, Disney offers transportation from the airport and there is a hotel literally in the airport (Hyatt MCO). It's certainly not the cheapest option ($35 p/p each way), but by far the easiest option. Especially after such a long flight, it might be nice to just go upstairs to your hotel once you land. If you use Disney transportation, you can just leave your bags in the hotel room the next morning (the hotel will get them to Disney) and catch a bus straight to the ship from the airport. The Disney bus is also the first group allowed into the port.

 

[allison0523]

Just make sure you understand whether there is a fee for a one way rental (dropping off at a different place). Sometimes, they are hidden or confusing. We rented through Costco and there didn't seem to be any extra fee for dropping the car off at a different place. We are going to do 2 one way rentals for our next cruise also.

 

[Castaway April]

Just in case you didn't know, Disney offers transportation from the airport and there is a hotel literally in the airport (Hyatt MCO). It's certainly not the cheapest option ($35 p/p each way), but by far the easiest option. Especially after such a long flight, it might be nice to just go upstairs to your hotel once you land. If you use Disney transportation, you can just leave your bags in the hotel room the next morning (the hotel will get them to Disney) and catch a bus straight to the ship from the airport. The Disney bus is also the first group allowed into the port.

I agree on this one. I am all for finding good deals, but we did this last October at the Hyatt and it was AWESOME to just land and wake up the next morning and walk downstairs. Sometimes saving $20 is not quite worth the time it would take away from your Vacation.

 

[SaltandLime]

I found the answer to my question.