Car rental question - cheaper at airport or downtown disney?

[mickeytai]

we are going to WDW in DEC for 8 days and would like to go to Legoland for two days.


I did a quote, for renting two days (pickup at Downtown Disney or Magic Kingdom) is more than 2/3 of renting for a whole week ($166 vs. around $200). I am debating if I should just rent for a week to get a better deal.

Also, is there any difference in terms of rate whether I picked up the car at the airport or DTD/Magic Kingdom? Any experienced renter there?

Thanks in advance.

MIckeytai

 

[AmyLand98]

When we went earlier this month we got a rental car for the first time. I booked the rental car months in advance and at that time it was cheaper to rent from the Car Care Center on Disney property than at the airport. A couple of weeks before the trip I checked again and both of them went down but the airport went down much more and was cheaper than the Car Care Center. We kept our reservation at the car care center because DH wanted to use Magical Express so we didn't have to deal with out luggage. So it could be cheaper at one now but change at some time before your trip.

 

[laughinplace199]

For $166 vs $200, I'd just rent for the whole week. On vacation, my time is valuable and for me it wouldn't be worth it to have to take a bus or two to get to wherever I was renting the car from (and do the same for returning it). It's much more convenient, and worth the $34, to just get the car at the airport and return it to the airport.

Also, rates tend to go down the closer you get to your trip. If you haven't yet, go to mousesavers.com for coupons to use on car rentals.

 

[LaurieN]

For $166 vs $200, I'd just rent for the whole week. On vacation, my time is valuable and for me it wouldn't be worth it to have to take a bus or two to get to wherever I was renting the car from (and do the same for returning it). It's much more convenient, and worth the $34, to just get the car at the airport and return it to the airport.

Also, rates tend to go down the closer you get to your trip. If you haven't yet, go to mousesavers.com for coupons to use on car rentals.

I have to agree for $34 I would get the car for the entire week. When we were there in Nov we really only wanted the car to visit Legoland, the price for a 2 day rental from the Dolphin was only $20 less than the entire 10 days from the airport We only used the car a handful of times, but it was nice to have that option if we didn't want to use the bus. It was also a very quick easy process picking up and dropping off the car, much to my surprise.
It's funny how everyone is different: On vacation DH & I really prefer not to drive, we both drive 70+ miles a day for work so when on vacation we drive as little as possible We also stay at the Beach Club so walking to 2 parks is a HUGE bonus!
Laurie

 

[ain0004]

I would get the car for the entire week as well. Don't give up on rates yet. I scored a minivan for 200.00 with tax for entire week over memorial week and a drop off at a different location. Within 4-5 days before we left. My new rule, look early and don't forget to look at last minute deals.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would get it for the whole week. And usually the airport location is cheaper. Look for the last minutes specials that come out about 7-10 before your trip I am sure you can get a mid size for less than $160 of the week. The last 3 trips I took I never paid more that $100 for a weekly mid size with alamo.