Car Rental Options

[kelleigh1]

Hubby and I will rent a car. We can do ME, but we still want to rent a car anyway for a few reasons.

That being said, we're trying to figure out the best option for us...and by best, I also mean cheapest. So I have a few questions and I'm open for suggestions.

Someone mentioned on another thread about taking ME from the airport and then renting a car from one of the DTD hotels.

How easy or difficult would that be?

How would we get from our resort CBR to the DTD hotel to rent?

Which hotels have car rentals and which hotel offers which?

I'm guessing that this could be cheaper for us as we wouldn't be renting the day we arrive, but doesn't it cut into park time? We like to get to the parks early. I'm sure that could be remedied by taking the bus to whichever park we decide to get to early and then around mid-day, heading over to the hotel to pick up the rental car.

Again...please feel free to throw your own suggestions my way. We're not heading south until November, so we've got plenty of time to plan.

 

[goofy4tink]

Alamo has a counter at the Dolphin. We're renting a car through Budget in August at the DoubleTree in DTD. You can take any of the resort buses to DTD and then walk over to some of the resorts. Or, some of the car rental companies will provide you with a ride from your resort to the office. Check the different rental sites and you should be able to get some idea of the offices and where they are located.

 

[josie21]

Hi, we just returned from Disney Feb 6 - Feb.13. We stayed at Pop Century. We used the Disney transportation (which we found excellent) for the 1st four days and then rented a car from Saturday to Monday, as we wanted to tour around a little bit on our own. We used Alamo at the Disney Car Care Centre which is right next to the Magic Kingdom. They picked us up right at our hotel and then once we dropped off the car they transported us back to the hotel. It was very convenient. I believe Alama is the official car rental for Disney. I know on the Monday we were leaving we went for a few hours back to Animal Kingdom and noticed we had a flat tire. We went to the service centre at Animal Kingdom, they had Alamo's number and they were there in about 10 min to fix the tire. I was very satisfied with the service and convenience. Oh ya we rented a VW Beetle convertible and had a blast in it!!

josie21

 

[CanadianGuy]

Warning:

Compare rates. Renting from the Airport for your ENTIRE stay can work out cheaper than renting for a few days from Alamo or whatever on-site. They have higher concession recovery fees for the DTD and other -on-site- locations.

Compare your rates.

J

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We rent from Dollar at DTD hotel the past 3 trips.

We ride the bus to DTD then walk across the street to pick up the rental.

Then on the return we get gas right there at the Hess station drive 2 blocks and drop it off. Walk across the street get on the bus and go back to whatever park we want to go to.

It can cut some time out of the rental and save a few bucks but the ME is the reason we do it.

CanadianGuy where I would have use to agree with you for some reason I have always gotten the cheaper price at the DTD locations then at MCO as they have a surcharge or something extra on it. But yes always check the both.

We even did a split last June ,3 went on ME and 2 went right to the rental van, all the bags went through ME

 

[Minnie & Me]

I have noticed in 2006 prices were cheaper from MCO but this year MCO prices are higher than the offsite rental locations(dtd). If you are trying to book something right now in advance, Dollar is giving the best rate with the kiss2 or oi1054 code. Alamo comes close from the Car Care center only if you are booking 8 days. Enterprise is giving the best rate with the Entertainment code but you will have to rely on their shuttle pickup at your resort.

We are doing one day Disneyquest and another half day shopping DTD. We plan on these days to pickup and return the rental. Dollar at Grovesnor is across the street from the DTD Marketplace bus stop. We also have our MK days flanking the beginning and end of our trip so we won't need a car then. Since we are taking ME both ways we are not worried about luggage space; so we are renting an economy(cheapest).

 

[mmessler]

Hubby and I will rent a car. We can do ME, but we still want to rent a car anyway for a few reasons.

That being said, we're trying to figure out the best option for us...and by best, I also mean cheapest. So I have a few questions and I'm open for suggestions.

Someone mentioned on another thread about taking ME from the airport and then renting a car from one of the DTD hotels.

How easy or difficult would that be?

How would we get from our resort CBR to the DTD hotel to rent?

Which hotels have car rentals and which hotel offers which?

I'm guessing that this could be cheaper for us as we wouldn't be renting the day we arrive, but doesn't it cut into park time? We like to get to the parks early. I'm sure that could be remedied by taking the bus to whichever park we decide to get to early and then around mid-day, heading over to the hotel to pick up the rental car.

Again...please feel free to throw your own suggestions my way. We're not heading south until November, so we've got plenty of time to plan.

We stayed at CBR and rented from Budget at Doubletree Suites DTD. We had a reservation, and only needed to call the day before to arrange for shuttle pick up, they gave us a time and they were there when they promised, took no more than 10 minutes at the rental location, which is about a 5 minute drive from CBR. Also they gave us a ride back when we dropped it off, we had to wait maybe 15 minutes after checking back in the rental. Good rates too, we got a mis size SUV for about $200 for 9 days. I would go with them again, no problem.

If you're worried about picking up your rental cutting into time in the parks, arrange to pick up early. I think Budget opened at 8, you could choose a day when the park you want opens at 9, go straight to the park from the rental location, staying on site entitles you to free parking at the parks, just make sure you grab a parking pass when you check in.

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks for all this info! It definitely helps. I did look at some rentals from MCO with the Entertainment coupons and the prices seemed pretty high. Last year we caught onto a really good deal and we got an SUV for less than a compact. I'd love to find that deal again.

 

[lak]

Did you have a special rate code to get the $200 for the SUV?

Thanks!

Lori

 

[mmessler]

Did you have a special rate code to get the $200 for the SUV?

Thanks!

Lori

I had a special code through my employer to get a discount off their regular rate, so the rate for general public was a little bit more than that, I don't remember, maybe something like $228. (But much better than the $300 plus I was finding while researching for this trip.) Also it may have been an internet only rate, not sure.

I think I just lucked out. It was September 05, don't know if that had any bearing on the pricing.

 

[rdsx28]

Check out Mousesavers.com as they have a whole section on car rentals with a number of different codes you can try and maybe find the cheapest for you. I personally have found renting from MCO is much easier and less costly. National has the emerald club where you can just go and pick out your car with no hassle.The ME is great but I have heard from a number of people that on their departure day they were upset that they had to get picked up so early from their hotel. You may want to think about driving back to the airport yourself to savor your last day. Good Luck!

 

[lak]

I went through all the codes, but couldn't find anything better than what I'm finding on http://www.rentalcars.com/.

We're heading down during a busy week. Arriving March 29th. Leaving April 6th.