Car Rental question

[mkrbdj]

We don't usually rent cars - but need to May 2006. Wondering what insights people have to our scenario.

We will arrive in MCO on a Saturday, we will be cruising on the Wonder from Sun - Thurs, then staying at OKW Thurs through Sun, leaving MCO on Sunday.

What is the cheapest way to do this? Two seperate ressies or keep the vehicle for entire trip?

Thanks!
Kathy

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Why do you need a car? I thought Disney provided transportation to the port?? And you could take DME back to the airport.

 

[mkrbdj]

We are visiting local friends on the day we arrive, on thursday after the cruise we are going shopping for groceries for the kitchen in our resort.

Disney Trasnport doesn't include a grocery stop (like others we have used).

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[beattyfamily]

We always rent a car (except our first trip ever in 1998) and even when we cruise we still rent the car for the whole trip. In the long run, it's still a good deal with all the convenience it offers.

I don't have my spreadsheets on me now for previous trips but I don't think I've ever paid for then $230 for a rental. I believe on our last trip in 2004 which included a 3 night cruise, our rental was $172. total for the 9 days but I'll check and make sure. It was with National. Got to just walk out and pick our car ourselves! No stop at the counter. I

had to pay for parking at the terminal but it was still worth it to us.

It got us from MCO to BCV, out for groceries, took us to DTD and other resorts, got us to the port and back to MCO. Not bad for $172.

I know ME is free but it does have some cons and it's just not worth it to us.

Good luck deciding!!

 

[mkrbdj]

Exactly, I don't believe ME is offered for a cruise/resort combination trip.

Next year 2 couples are traveling without children (one is a diabetic) and we can't be tied to grocery options offered by Mickey. Besides we are both celebrating 20 years of marriage next spring!

Last year we brought our 4 children to OKW. This trip was perfect for getting a van pick us up at the airport, stop for our 30 minute Publix stop, and they brought us back to MCO. All of this for $90!!! Our driver was fantastic - we would definitely use them again.

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[The Brechun's]

Did almost the same thing last year except we flew into Fort Lauderdale on Thursday and rented a car from Avis and dropped in off on saturday at their office in Cocoa Beach (dropped everybody off at the port and dropped off the car at their office and grabbed the Avis shuttle back to the gang at the port).
After the cruise we all got on the Avis shuttle the the Avis office (only ten to fifteen minutes away) and got a second rental for the balance of our stay in Florida and returned the car back to the airport Avis location in Fort Lauderdale.

The shuttle at the port is very convenient and free.

You don`t pay for a rental while you are on the cruise and you save the $10.00 a day for parking at the port.

The only thing I would do different next time is after the cruise I would hop on the shuttle by myself and come back to the port with the car to pick up the gang and the luggage. This way you don`t have to struggle with getting the luggage onto the shuttle and then again at the rental office.

Have Fun.

 

[mkrbdj]

thanks!

Kathy

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Did the "Avis Thing" on our last Dis cruise and it worked out great. Personally, we found it easier and more flexable then the Disney transfers...