1 day car rental advice

[sgb1975]

Hello, I looked around a little bit but haven't found an answer for my situation. We're going to DW at the end of April. We've been several times over the years and never rented a car before, nor have we ever really had the need for one...we always stay on-property, use Magical Express to/from the airport, Disney buses, etc.

However, we're big baseball fans and want to attend a Rays game about an hour away in Tampa for 1 evening. So, we need to know the easiest way to pick up the car and drop it off. Ideally, there's some place that maybe also has shuttle service from the hotal for pick up/drop off, or at least near Disney transportation during the hours they run. We'd need to pick up the car maybe around 3pm, and we'd be back at DW (staying at AoA) around midnight.

Most people on the boards seem to be interested in renting a car for the duration of their stay, but we just need it for 1 day. Thanks!

 

[jskacoc]

I've used Alamo at the car care center onsite and they picked us up.
Look for promo codes and you should be able to get a great rate as you get closer.

 

[sgb1975]

Thanks! What about dropping the car off? I'd rather not have to waste an hour or 2 the next morning having to deal with driving somewhere to drop it off. Obviously I'd rather spend it in the parks! My worry is that since we're getting back so late, that's exactly what we'll have to do...

 

[nkereina]

Thanks! What about dropping the car off? I'd rather not have to waste an hour or 2 the next morning having to deal with driving somewhere to drop it off. Obviously I'd rather spend it in the parks! My worry is that since we're getting back so late, that's exactly what we'll have to do...

I found this for the Alamo at the Car Care Center:

After Hours dropoff is available. After Hours Monday - Friday 8P - 6A, Sat & Sun 6P - 6. Remove all belonging and lock all doors. Place keys in the Alamo return drop box.

This has also been my experience with other non-airport car rental locations. You'd likely need to call a cab to meet you there and drive you back to AoA though.

 

[bumbershoot]

The car care center onsite had Alamo and national.

They will pick you up and take you to their site to get the car. They will drop you off when you return the car.

I wouldn't bother returning the car when you just get back. Keep it overnight (it'll be the same cost) and return it when it suits you inside the 24 hour rental period. If you are going to a park the next day they will take you there (TTC for MK). Doesn't take too long, they have a list of where people need to go and deploy shuttles to those places.

 

[ambgoph]

We did a one day rental from Enterprise at one of the Downtown Disney hotels. They picked us up at our hotel. We returned the car after hours and had a short walk over to Downturn Disney to catch a bus back to our hotel.

I would definitely do this again as it was cheaper then the rentals at the Car Care Center and the Swan/Dolphin.