Arriving at MCO at 1 a.m. - shuttle or rental car to hotel?

[NancyIL]

My flight to Orlando arrives at 1 a.m. (Can't get there any earlier.) I have a reservation at an airport-area hotel for the night, and a rental car reservation for 9 a.m. later that morning. I had planned to take the hotel's shuttle to the hotel, but at that hour, I imagine I'll have to call the hotel and request a pick-up. Instead, should I pick-up my rental car at 1 a.m. (rather than 9 a.m.) and drive myself to the hotel? That way I wouldn't have to take the hotel's shuttle back to the airport in the morning to pick up the rental car. I am dropping off the car at the Dolphin the same day, so it won't cost any more. I mentioned the idea to my mom, who lives in Cocoa, and of course she had to mention how unsafe Orlando is these days!

 

[Lewisc]

I'd probably pick up the rental car when I landed, it'll save time the next morning.

A few years ago I stayed at an airport hotel, Sheraton Suites, and the hotel got me a flat rate taxi to the Dolphin the next morning. I think it was around $40. It's less than from the airport since they don't have to pay the airport fees, they don't have the waiting time and I think the mileage is a little less. It worked out great, I got breakfast, had the bellhop call the car service and the car got there a minute or two after I got down with my luggage.

The airport shuttle driver took me to one of the local drugstores, Walgreens?, to pick up soda and water. Only cost me a few dollars for a tip. You're likely to be the only person on the shuttle, if the store is open 24 hours just ask.

 

[Alice Sr.]

You might want to check with the hotel to insure the shuttle is available at that time if you haven't already.

 

[Hensandchickens]

We had the same dilemma last spring. I figured it would be better to shuttle to the hotel, since we'd all be super tired. That worked out great. I called from baggage claim and the shuttle came right away. The next moring the shuttle took us back to the airport. Everything was working out perfect.

We walked into the airport car rental area and it was jam packed with people. We waited over an hour in line. Then they didn't have any convertables left, so we had to wait for a car.

It took us about two hours to get the car. I really wish we would have picked the car up the night before. When we arrived at MCO the car rental area was quite.

About Orlando being unsafe...I was there with my two kids and I never felt unsafe.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm not expecting much of a line for rental cars at 1 a.m. Besides, it's a National Emerald Club reservation so I would bypass the rental counter and go straight to the car.

Lewis, I reserved a rental car so I could visit my mom, then pick-up my son - who arrives at MCO later in the afternoon.

 

[NancyIL]

Just checked National, and the car I reserved to pick-up at 9 a.m. would cost double if I modified my reservation! Guess I'll stick with my original plans.