Car Rental and parking question

[ahoff]

Here is another first-time cruise question. I was looking at another site about car rentals, and saw the one way price was in the $50 range. In the past we have had weekly charges for a little over $100. We are planning on staying at WDW either before or after the cruise. Is there parking facilities at the dock area? What are the charges for that? It seems it would be more convenient to get a rental for a week and park it for the duration of the cruise rather than rent one way there and one way back. Or am I missing something?

 

[prymsu]

You can park at the port. We did this on our first cruise, however never again after that. You have to pay a fee for the daily parking. I think years ago on our first one, we paid something like seven dollars a day, plus the rental car fee. After that we decided that was a waste of money, and decided not to park at port again.

 

[ahoff]

I think you have to consider the rest of your trip. If you use a limo or similar transport to go from the airport to the boat, then from the boat to WDW, then from WDW to the airport, the cost of that compared to a weekly rental plus a parking fee may be close. Add in the convenience factor of having something there when you need it. The other question is how do you get from the lot to the boat? Is there a shuttle or is it a close walk?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Parking is $8/day, payable in advance.

The parking lot is a short walk from the terminal, but the distance isn't really important... you can drive right up to the terminal to drop off your bags. And at the end of the cruise, you'll want to get a porter to help you with your bags... they'll be happy to take them right to your car.

 

[DROCKS]

When the cruise is over, can't someone stand with the bags while someone else in the party runs over to get the car and bring it up close to load the luggage?

Donna

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by DROCKS

When the cruise is over, can't someone stand with the bags while someone else in the party runs over to get the car and bring it up close to load the luggage?

Yes, but it's worthwhile to use the services of a porter. They make it <i><b>so</b></i> much easier to get out of the baggage claim area, through Customs, and outside. And then they'll take everything to your car so cheerfully, there's no real reason for the intermediate step. I highly recommend using the services of the porters.