car rental from Port Canaveral vs. Dis Cruise Bus

[wheeler]

We will be staying at VWL for three days after our cruise (we arranged this ourselves - not part of a "package"). Is it easy to rent a car at Port Canaveral for our drive to WDW or should we stick to the Disney Cruise Bus transfers and rent from that place behind the Exxon station? It used to be National, but I think it changed. What about the drive? Is it difficult? How long time-wise? Is it chaos getting off the boat with everyone trying to leave at once, or what's your advice?
Thanks! I didn't realize I had so many questions!!!!!

 

[mlutz11175]

I can't speak for how smoothly it works, or how chaotic things are, but for our February cruise I plan to rent a car from National in Cocoa Beach and drop it at the Car Care Center inside WDW. I got a rate of $38.50 for the day using one of the codes found on mousesavers.com. I understand that it is necessary to take a taxi from the port to National, but they reimburse you $11 for the fare which is what they've negotiated with Yellow Cab (I called National directly to confirm). I also thought might come in handy to have a car if we need to stop at a Walmart or grocery store for supplies before getting onto Disney property.

Previously when we dropped off a car at the car care center, they gave us a shuttle ride to one of the parks (I can't remember which one) where we could use the Disney transportation system to get back to our hotel.

 

[Billinaz]

I got an AVIS Full size car from MCO to be dropped off at Port Canaveral the next day for $32.39 plus taxes.

On the return, I pick up a full size at port canaveral after the cruise and drop it off at MCO for $52.19 plus taxes.

Since we have 6 people its cheaper than the DCL transfer and I have the car to do things before and after the cruise.

 

[snelsonbrown]

I believe that having your own transportation just makes things so much easier and gives you "wings" to check everything out especially if you have the time to do it. My feelings? I believe that the convience outweighs the cost - if you are taking a cruise then go the step further and make it easy on yourself - nope I am not endorsing anyone - these are just my feelings - sometimes when we cut too many corners, we just are uncomfortable -
In this life and with it so short - take time to enjoy - if you need maps or information, I would be more than happy to help - just drop me a note.
Hope this is a great New Year for everyone.
Much love
shirley

 

[prymsu]

we usually rent a car when we arrive as we come in a day or two ahead of time. Then we purchase the transportation from the pier to the airport because i don't want to hassle with getting a rental car, and so far that has always worked out pretty well for us.

 

[buzz2400]

Budget RAC is also in Port Canaveral and will shuttle you over to the ship. I just called them and they said they go to all the cruise ships in Port Canaveral. Budget was cheaper than Avis. The transfer is nice if you are being transferred from the airport to the ship and then to the ship to the airport. Check out the codes at mousesavers.com and also http://www.dcltribute.com/carhire/

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

For our cruise in Feb we are renting from Avis (MCO)and staying at OKW the day before the cruise.Dropping it off at Avis before we get on the ship around 12:00.

On the return we are using the DCL busses going straight to the airport. We are getting a "Day room"(10:00-6:00 pm) at the Hyatt at the airport($60). since our flight doesn't leave until 5:00 pm. This way we can just get off the ship and be at the Hyatt by 9;30 am and check into our room and just relax and have dinner,watch TV,use pool,etc.
We don't want to hassle with a car rental on the return since we are just going to the airport anyway.