Auto Repair - WDW Orlando

[rvicke]

I have lived in FL for over 22 years now, and have never been to Disney Orlando. I have recently picked up a contract (am a software engineer) in Maitland, which is just outside of Orlando, so I decided to see why so many choose to go to Disney.
While on my way there, the alternator in my car decided to quit on me, leaving me with no transportation, so I got a boost and made it as far as the AAA Car Care Center near the Magic Kingdom Ticket Booths inside Disney's Resort Property.
For a $120 remanufactured alternator, I was charged first over $570, but when I declined the new battery, it dropped to $440+ (They double the price of any part they buy to repair cars). As they removed my alternator without my approval and broke an oil line leaking all of the oil out of the engine, I was stuck having the repair done there.
Further, while waiting, I went to "Downtown Disney", and found everything there two to three times the price outside of Disney.
Personally, Disney seemed to be nothing more than a glorified carnival, and ofter my experience, I doubt if I ever go back, but for those of you who do, I would suggest that if you do have car problems there, have your car towed "off-site" to a dealer. You car will be better repaired at less costs. As a long-term Florida resident, I think Florida would be better without Disney ... our guests deserve better.

Rick

 

[safetymom]

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. I am glad that WDW is here. Many people wouldn't be working without Disney. They are also very generous to the community.

I am a little puzzled why you decided when you were having car problems to have it fixed by Disney.

 

[CarolA]

I can't imagine having the car care center at Disney repair my car. (Who even runs that reapir shop?) Did you get an estimate?

Yes, Disney is expensive. LOL!

And Rick, I don't think Florida would be better off. Please remember that people like me are spending LOTS of money at Disney and therefore paying LOTS of taxes to Florida. Tourists are one of the reasons you don't have a state income tax.

 

[rvicke]

The reason I took the car to the 'Car Care Center' was that the cost of a tow from Disney to Orlando would have been about $150. I would still have to buy an alternator, and the Disney security people and the local non-Disney law enforcement assured me that Disney would not let the auto shop take advantage of Disney guests. Made sense, it just isn't true.

The estimate I received from the shop was 1) after the alternator was removed and 2) after the repair shop broke an oil line, leaking all of the oil from the engine. Even if I was to buy a new, fully charged battery to get me offsite, the car was undrivable.

This is the reason I am posting here; to try and let others know of my experience so they have more information if they too are stuck on Disney property. The smart move for me would have been to tow the car to a dealer, and let them repair the car, with hopes the dealership would cover the tow cost, as many probably do. While I was waiting for my car to be repaired, two employees came in for auto repair, one to get an estimate of a suspension (bad ball joint) and the other to have a nail removed from a tire. The first said she would never have them do work (too expensive), but wanted a second opinion on the problem, and the second selected the shop because it was only a tire repair. Both said they would not have the shop do any substantial work...too expensive. Now, those who read this forum have more information, more knowledge, hopefully enough to make a wiser choice than I.

I'm sure Disney offers quite a bit of fun, particularly for the youth, but Florida has so much more to offer than a theme park. We have a very beautiful environment, gorgeous oceans, a great climate, great fishing / hunting / sailing / surfing, beautiful beaches, and festivals provided by small towns and locals the year 'round. So much more than just a theme park, yet because of Disney advertisement, many drive by most of what we have to offer just to get to Disney.

And, the reason Florida does not have a State Income Tax is not because of Disney or tourism. The sole reason we do not have an Income Tax is that the Floridians who composed the State Constitution wrote it into our Constitution, which can only be changed by majority vote of the Florida Citizens. Without Constitutional protection, we would have had an Income Tax 30 years ago.

Rick