car rental ??

[musicgirl]

I currently have TT booked for a van (7 people) for transportation from MCO to Courtyard (cocoa beach) pick up from cruise to Crowne Royal Plaza (17 miles from the airport-we're staying here due to the fact that my bil can use his points here) then from the hotel to MCO. Total this will run about $300 including tips.

We are thinking about renting a car since we will have a day before and after the cruise. We would like to be able to get around each day without paying for taxis. I know we can get a car at MCO use it through the next morning (drop off luggage and others at the port, drive and drop off car at nearby car rental and take shuttle back to the ship) The day after, we would like to use it from that morning until the next to get to the airport (one person take the shuttle to car rental, pick up the rest, go to hotel, be able to use for the day, then go to the airport the next morning). Those are the plans.

Here is my question: I have gone to Dave's site and tried to get quotes from the sites provided (he has a basic car rental comparison, but I need a van). I was unable to do this through the provided sites. Does anyone have a basic idea how much the cost for a van for the two seperate days would be from whatever rental company you have used. Also, what is the per mile charge?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[WIcruizer]

We were in the same boat (pardon the pun) last January. We rented a car from Avis at MCO, drove around Orlando for a day and a half, then went over to Port Canaveral. I dropped my family and luggage off at the front door of the DCL terminal, then drove about a mile to Avis in Port Canaveral. (You truelly can't miss it.) Turn in your car (van), jump on the shuttle they provide, and you're back at DCL's terminal. That process took me about 15 minutes. Then we did the same thing in reverse coming back. This time we all took the shuttle to Avis, got our car, and went straight to MCO.

There are no mileage fees. Just a low daily rate, I think ours was about $40 a day if memory serves. I don't like relying on Disney transportation, town cars, etc. A van will cost more than $40 I imagine, but still less than DCL or any other tranportation. We liked the freedom of having a rental car so we could go where we wanted prior to the cruise. I would highly recommend this option. Give Avis a call and make sure they still have the shuttle to/from DCL terminal.

 

[musicgirl]

thanks for your info. Glad to hear that the shuttle for Avis was pretty quick. I was wondering about that. I was just reading on another thread that they had to wait 2 hours in line for their car at the airport. Oh my! What was your experience at the airport and picking up the car at the port?

Thanks, again!

 

[WIcruizer]

That other post you referred to about waiting 2 hours was my post! But that wasn't Avis, that was through a rental company that was not right at the airport (maybe Dollar?). But that was a different trip we took for Disney World, not the cruise.

The whole Avis process went so smoothly that my wife and I kept saying "this is too good to be true" Avis was quick at both locations, and I've read many other posts saying the same thing. Of course, there is always that one day they are understaffed or some other reason causes delays. But don't worry about it, use this approach and you'll enjoy having the freedom of having your own car instead of taking the hour and a half Disney bus ride and it will cost less.

 

[musicgirl]

Whew! Thanks for clearing that up! I was really beginning to worry about time spent at the airport waiting around in line. I'm glad to hear that it was much quicker with Avis. do you or anyone know if they have unlimited mileage or not? I believe Hertz does and they had a better online quote than Avis. Avis had 1 day/0100mlg. I've never rented a car/van so I'm not sure what that means. The budget site appears to be out right now.


Thanks again!