Car rental, directions and toll questions

[gigi from canada]

We will be in Orlando for 15 days at the end of February. We are staying in terra verde. I have been regularly checking prices for a mid size SUV.

1. I have received a few quotes that are similar in price.
Dollar 584$
Thrifty 623$
Firefly 615$
Enterprise 906$

Only my husband will be driving, therefore the second driver cost is not an issue. I am however concerned about the different programs offered for paying tolls. Any insight as to which company I should go with?

2. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to each of the Disney Parks? What would be the cost in Tolls?

3. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to universal studios, seaworld, aquatica area? What would be the cost in tolls?

4. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to Kennedy space Center? What would be the cost in tolls?

5. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to Clearwater Beach? What would be the cost in tolls?

6. What is the easiest and quickest route from the Orlando airport to Terra Verde? What would be the cost in tolls?

7. Are any of these routes cashless tolls?

If you have the answers to any of these questions, your assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[ParkHopperFan]

I would recommend checking Hotwire for the best car rates. You can then try Priceline to get that lowered.

The tolls from the airport will be around $4.25 and then similar getting back. Using the cash only lane will save you money because the rental companies charge you a fee for using their toll service at the Sunpass. It seems like a bit of a scam...

 

[Ametista]

I almost always find the cheapest car rentals at Costco travel, if you are a costco member.
http://www.costcotravel.com/Rental-Cars

I save more than enough on car rentals to justify the $50 membership fee, but I shop there anyway. Plus, all of the companies they use are in terminal so you never have to ride one of those shuttles.

You can use google maps to find the quickest routes everywhere. I would go up Poinciana to Osceola, then go west to get to DW. Avoid Irlo Bronson because of all the lights.

We always take 528 to Cocoa Beach/KSC. Make sure you have dollars and quarters just in case its exact change only.

 

[bankr63]

You'll probably get a lot better information over on the transporation board.

I prefer National/Thrifty/Enterprise (same company) toll program as they only charge for the days you use it. But, they raised the daily cost significantly last year so it is no longer the bargain it was (but I still use it). If you take the Budget/Hertz toll program they charge for every day of the rental whether you use it or not - this can lead to some sticker shock when you return the car. Not sure about the "B" brands you list.

From Terra Verde you can completely avoid toll roads going to the Disney or other parks (depends on your route), but Osceola Parkway (shorter/less traffic) has a $.75 toll at Poinciana Blvd (not sure why - it is the only exit on Osceola with tolls, they are cash only, exact change, no attendant, no sunpass??? Google street view is very interesting!!); this appears to be a blatant cash grab!

You will have tolls heading to the right coast area and the airport and these are SunPass, so you may want to take the package.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gigi, have you run your dates using the code found in this thread?:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2878667

I have a midsize SUV reserved for the same number of days (15) in August for $533 including all taxes and fees. I am assuming I will get it down a little more closer to our travel date once National released their coupons for our time frame.

It might be worth checking to see if you can pare down your rate just a tad over your best price so far with Dollar.

 

[tednvon]

We always use Priceline for cars and have never been disappointed. Nothing to lose by trying a bid about $250 right now. If not accepted try $300 in a about a week. I got a rental car in November for $12/day when the best price on websites was $31. It was Hertz and they were great.
Ted

 

[sympatico]

We will be in Orlando for 15 days at the end of February. We are staying in terra verde. I have been regularly checking prices for a mid size SUV.

1. I have received a few quotes that are similar in price.
Dollar 584$
Thrifty 623$
Firefly 615$
Enterprise 906$

Only my husband will be driving, therefore the second driver cost is not an issue. I am however concerned about the different programs offered for paying tolls. Any insight as to which company I should go with?
We usually just pay cash but Alamo/National/ Enterprise have the cheapest program. You pay 2.95 along with the tolls on the days you use tolls. Other companies seem to charge everyday plus the tolls whether you use the toll that day or not. I usually watch the carrentalsavers.com site and book through them. No paying until you get to the counter and you can cancel anytime.

2. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to each of the Disney Parks? What would be the cost in Tolls?
Probably the quickest would be to go straight up Poinciana and take Osceola Parkway into Disney then follow the directions to each park. Osceola has a 75 cent toll, unmanned I think so keep some quarters on hand. Otherwise you can go up Poinciana and turn left on 192 and take World Dr. (no tolls) but probably more traffic.

3. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to universal studios, seaworld, aquatica area? What would be the cost in tolls?
Just turn left onto 192 from Poinciana and take I-4. No tolls. Take the exit for whichever park.
4. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to Kennedy space Center? What would be the cost in tolls?
Take I-4 to 528 Beachline/Beeline (exit 72 I think) to the coast. There are tolls but I don't know how much total. A few dollars.

5. What is the easiest and quickest route from Terra Verde to Clearwater Beach? What would be the cost in tolls?
Take I-4 toward Tampa and there's no tolls.
6. What is the easiest and quickest route from the Orlando airport to Terra Verde? What would be the cost in tolls?
Some prefer the North Exit to 528 then I-4 and 192 - tolls are a couple dollars. We prefer to take the South Exit at the airport and take 417. You would get off at exit 6 and turn left (south)onto 535 (past the big pink hotel Caribe Royale)and turn left onto Poinciana ( just past Walmart) . Tolls would be about $3.ish
7. Are any of these routes cashless tolls?
No cashless tolls. Most of the exit tolls are unmanned so keeps some quarters handy.
If you have the answers to any of these questions, your assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[gigi from canada]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. We got a rental with National for $560 through the KLM contract code. i will keep looking but for National, I think it is a great deal.

We will be using the Sunpass option with the rental but what thing that surprised me is the comment that the toll at the Poinciana exit to the Osceola Parkway is 75 cents and that I can't use the Sun Pass. Am I correct?

Thanks everyone. Less then a month to go.

 

[bankr63]

Here's a pic snapped from Google streetview of what I was talking about. Your looking at the ramp from Poinciana to WB Osceola Pkwy. There is no signage to indicate that SunPass is accepted, only "All Vehicles Exact Coins 0.75c" This appears to be the only toll on Osceola, and seems to be there to take advantage of all the tourists staying nearby and heading to Disney as it is the quickest route.

I've zoomed up and down the ramp in street view, no other signage than what you see.

 

[guarn3md]

I'm sure you have figured this out already since you are probably in Florida...you can use Sunpass at the Poinciana entrance. I use it all the time to go to Disney. It is the quickest route, especially in the morning. Sucks to pay .75 but what can you do... Enjoy your trip in Terra a Verde. I own a four bedroom home with a pool and love it there!
Debbie

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards