Best way to manage to to and from logistics (cruise and parks)

[DVCMomofThree]

We are 7 traveling on the Dream for a 4 night in Feb and then 4 nights in the parks at BLT. Last year when we did this we were 4, and did the bus transfers through Disney. I thought the cost was outrageous for 4 people, but for 7 it's out of control.

It HAS to be cheaper to rent a van, especially because my dad isn't going to the parks...so I'm thinking we rent the van only for the cruise portion, he drops us off at the world after disembarking the ship, and returns the van at the airport when he flies home Thurs...so we'd need the rental from Sun-Thu.

We've only rented a car once out of a gazillion trips and we got lucky and were upgraded to a van. This time obviusly we'd HAVE to have a van....so what's the best way to get a deal on one???? or is there another better cheaper option I'm not thinking of??

 

[Westjetrider]

We rented an SUV for 4 in Fort Lauderdale with a drop off at WDW for $55 US /day unlimited mileage.
Even if you rent 2 regular SUV (Chev Acadian) you should be money ahead.
Hope that helps.
Because of time of year etc... it might be different for you.
Greg

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would rent a van from Budget. So pick the van up at the airport and drop it off at the Port. There is a rental location very close to the port and they run a continious shuttle from the Port to their facility THen when the cruise is over, take the shuttle back to the Budget rental office at the port and rent another vehicle.

You can then turn the van on at the DoubleTree hotel Budget has a rental office inside the hotel and it is a short walk from DTD.

Then you can take the ME back to the airport.

We had done this and it was way cheaper than Disney transportation. Plus if you forgot something you have a way to get to the store.
If a van cost too much then rent to mid size cares. When we rented a mid -size to go from the airpor to the port it was $40 including gas each way!