car rental for 23 year old?

[disneyholic family]

in the thread on shopping recommendations, it's become clear to me that DD's best option is to rent a car for a few days or a week to get around to the offsite places she wants to visit. She's hesitant to drive in orlando, but she's an outstanding driver and i think with a bit of convincing on my part, she might seriously consider this option.

However, DD is 23. Does anyone know which of the car rental companies will rent to someone under 25?
Does anyone have experience with this?

thanks in advance!!

 

[disneyholic family]

i just did the calculation on the alamo site...
for a 1 week rental (pick up at the WDW car care center) it will be $441 for an economy car - that includes the $25/day charge for being under 25.

So that's 7 days for $441...

if she's planning on going to universal twice - by taxi that's probably about $80 round trip each time...

and to Mall at Millenia - that's another $80 round trip...

and to wonderworks is another $70 round trip...

so for the 4 trips above that's $310....on the other hand, she doesn't have to worry about driving if she's in a taxi...

so based on the price i got from alamo, she's better off in a taxi for what she's thinking of...

 

[wicket2005]

Another option to consider is doing the Mall of Millenia after being at Universal/Islands and if they are going to Sea World do Wonderworks on that day. Or even Wonderworks after doing Universal/Islands as I believe it is open quite late, thereby, reducing the taxi fare.

 

[orangetiggs]

if you book with someone like usrentacar their gold insurance the top pacakge allows for a driver under 25.

We have always done the top package with virgin when I was under 25 and had no problems we have done it a few times

 

[madmumof2]

You also have to think that although those are the places she's planning on going, there will be little extras, like going to the shop for some food, or essentials she's forgotten to pack.

Or there might be something she hasn't thought about that's advertised for the week, and wishes to go.

I would check out usrentacar. It might be a few dollars (although not much) more to have a car, but she'll have the freedom of going where she likes, knowing how much it will cost upfront. x

 

[disneyholic family]

Another option to consider is doing the Mall of Millenia after being at Universal/Islands and if they are going to Sea World do Wonderworks on that day. Or even Wonderworks after doing Universal/Islands as I believe it is open quite late, thereby, reducing the taxi fare.

that's an excellent suggestion, thanks!

if you book with someone like usrentacar their gold insurance the top pacakge allows for a driver under 25.

We have always done the top package with virgin when I was under 25 and had no problems we have done it a few times

i just looked at the site and the rate does seem to be excellent - i've just requested an email quote from them....looks good! about half the price of going directly with alamo...

You also have to think that although those are the places she's planning on going, there will be little extras, like going to the shop for some food, or essentials she's forgotten to pack.

Or there might be something she hasn't thought about that's advertised for the week, and wishes to go.

I would check out usrentacar. It might be a few dollars (although not much) more to have a car, but she'll have the freedom of going where she likes, knowing how much it will cost upfront. x

you're definitely correct about that - it will give her a lot of flexibility - also onsite...she won't be totally dependent on disney transportation....makes it easier to get to DTD and the waterparks.....

 

[Lizzybear]

I used Virgin Holidays for car rental last year (I was 23) and that was through Dollar but Virgin's top insurance package included the young driver surcharge (not sure it does anymore) Have booked with usrentacar this year, Dollar again, but apparently the young driver surcharge is payable locally which is adding quite a lot on but we've just budgeted it into the holiday cost as IMO the flexibility of having the car is worth the cost (for the sort of holiday we're doing this time it's pretty much essential anyway!) We stayed onsite last year and hardly used Disney transportation.. The car was so much easier and for getting around especially for our resort ADRs and for going offsite. My two previous trips were without a car and we managed just fine but i'm not sure I would want to be without one again, I think i'm spoilt now!
ETA: Usrentacar do indeed include the surcharge for under 25s with certain rental providers in Florida but unfortunately not any other state (hence me having to pay)

 

[babystar]

I have used USave lots and lots of times, they dont charge a premium for drivers under 21, have not looked at there prices this year (dont need to anymore) but I used to phone the Orlando branch directly, advise them what car I wanted and that I was under 25 with a UK licence and they would give me a quote much cheaper than I could find anywhere else and ensure that I had all the correct insurances.
I think having a car is the best way, you can just up sticks and go where you want when you want, and driving out there is so easy once you pick it up!!