Car Rental ?

[msmama]

I debated asking in the Transportation forum but they seem more Florida focused.

Anyway, trip starts and ends in San Diego so I will be renting a car. It looks like it'd be cheaper to just rent for the week - even though I'd just be parking and paying for the car to sit in the DL Hotel parking lot. I can stop and get anything we'd need before we get to DL so I wouldn't need to leave the resort for those 5 days.

Has anyone ever done anything differently? Is Alamo the only car rental place at the DLR? Is there something else close by that I could price out?

Even without discounts the weekly rate was about $250 PLUS 5 days of parking while picking up in SD and dropping off at DLR was well over $500 - and that didn't include getting back to SD, so I'm pretty sure which way I'll go, but wanted to check to see if anyone knew any other tricks to getting it lower!!

 

[VandVsmama]

If it were me, I would just bite the bullet and rent the car for the week, especially since your trip starts and ends in San Diego. Like you said, another plus to having a car is that you can jaunt over to Target, Walmart, or a grocery store for extra provisions. This could save you some $$ in breakfast costs & snacks if your hotel doesn't come with a free breakfast. Plus, if you wanted to venture out to a non-DL Resort eatery for lunch or dinner, a vehicle would make that easier (vs going by taxi).

 

[nikkislaght]

We had the same dilemma this trip.. one of our solutions was to get the train up... is that possible for you?

 

[HydroGuy]

The DLH will charge you $15 a day to park the car if memory serves. So add that into your cost.

Yes, there are several auto rental places around DLR. Alamo is the one in DTD if memory serves. I have used the Avis on Katella twice. It would be a 10-15 minute walk from the DLH to Avis, for example. There are others around the DLR.

 

[Syndrome]

We are doing the exact same thing for our trip to DLR this summer.
Also decided to fly in/out of San Diego vs LAX, for a few reasons , but we will also be spending some time in SD anyway. We are renting a car from SD for 12 days. We may have to pay to park it at DLR for 3 nights, but then we will staying at Grand California Villas for 5 nights , so parking is free for DVC. While we dont need a car at DL, I figure it will come in handy for running out, and making shopping (food and other stuff) trips. We may also use the car to check out other attractions, and it will be good to have a car at our disposal. We dont like the trapped feeling of not having a car. AT WDW its o.k. but I dont feel comfortable at DL not having a car.
The other 4 nights will be in SD.
The best deal we got was through Budget at SD airport. We are at $366. (total price) for a full size for the 12 days.

Use the Southwest rate BCD code U072700 for a good discount. (may have to be a Southwest Rapid Rewards member, but thats free).
Use the Coupon code MUGZ025 for $40. off .

Just checked the Budget price for a week in April for you and with these codes its coming up with a price of $140. a week for a compact (not sure what size you need). With taxes and fees its $209.13

Thats a pretty good price for a week long rental. If you need bigger than a compact (or smaller) the prices only move approx $10. per car class for the week.

I have been searching for a cheaper San Diego rate for our trip and no other rental agency's prices come close to Budget using these codes.

The only thing you should be aware of is at San Diego Airport .........none of the car rental agency's are AT the airport, but they all have shuttles running to bring you to their respective locations that are all very close to the terminal.

Check it out ..........good luck !

 

[mnrose]

We just returned from California. Using our Costco discount, and booking through their website, I got a full size car with ALL taxes and fees for $158 for a week. I booked originally about 2 months in advance, and the cost was $280 or so, and then kept checking back every few days, cancelling and rebooking as the rate lowered. The car was from Budget.

 

[Zbugz]

We just returned from California. Using our Costco discount, and booking through their website, I got a full size car with ALL taxes and fees for $158 for a week. I booked originally about 2 months in advance, and the cost was $280 or so, and then kept checking back every few days, cancelling and rebooking as the rate lowered. The car was from Budget.

This is my preferred method, too.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Subscribing.

 

[SMD]

There's a Dollar car rental at Anaheim Plaza Inn, it's a few blocks walk from the east side of the esplanade. Try Enterprise, they'll pick you up, right?

 

[seagodess]

We googled car rentals near DL and found a ton of places. I cant remember where we are renting from (info is at home, I'm not), but we found a place where it is only $38 a day including tax, plus gas. We will be renting one for our trip to Universal studios.

 

[msmama]

You guys are awesome. Thanks so much!

One more question though - does the payment for parking just get added to the hotel bill or is it separate? Can it be paid for with my rewards card or a gift card?

 

[mnrose]

It is added to the hotel bill. I imagine you can pay that anyway they accept for room charges.