car rental

[sablebomb]

I've been doing some research the last few days.
I'm starting to think that a car rental for one day from MCO to Windsor Hills is probably the most economical.
From what I'm finding, it will cost a taxi or any sort of shared shuttle/etc. between 60-100+ dollars from MCO to Windsor Hills. Then that is the only place we can go until the rest of our group gets there the following day (late afternoon).
If I rent a car, we will at least be able to go somewhere (ie: restaurant, Wal-Mart for groceries, Disney Springs, etc.) without taking another taxi.

When I looked up car rental prices, they were about the same (some as low as 50 bucks) and up from that.

Soooooooo- I'm not the greatest with directions but if I scope it out ahead of time, I'm sure I can make due. Is it fairly simple to navigate from airport to Windsor Hills?
AND, I'm understanding the distance is about 30-40 mins?

TIA!

 

[Sue M]

Sorry, I don’t even know where Windsor Hills is! I think you’d have a better response if you posted in the Orlando Resorts thread, where the offsite people hang out!

 

[bankr63]

Yes, MCO to WH is a fairly easy drive, but Orlando in general can be a bit confusing. There isn't a straight road anywhere there; too many little lakes and wetlands to wind around.

I would suggest that you have a smart phone with google maps along for the ride. You can download the area maps for Orlando to your phone a few days before you leave if you aren't going to have data while you are there. We have been to Orlando many times, and I don't think I would face it without a GPS app on my phone.

If you do rent, check out the transportation board here. There is a thread for each month of the year with the latest codes for most rental agencies. Yes, $50 a day or less is not unusual.

 

[prairiesarah]

We had no problems getting to Windsor Hills - I think DH used maps on his phone, but I did have a backup of a physical map. Once you get out of the airport the right way, it isn't too bad of a trip - there are car rentals for all the agencies on both sides I believe so best to choose the side you want to exit on for ease of travel. The worst part for me was the traffic. Living in the prairies I'm not used to the amount of traffic on the roads in Orlando (albeit we were there Christmas week so traffic was insane) so it was a bit intense but I survived. I do have to say our most recent trip (March) the traffic was much more manageable. There's quite a bit within an easy drive of Windsor Hills - Target, Walmart, restaurants, plus you're only 10 minutes to Animal Kingdom. Navigating Disney property was super easy - we popped over to Disney Springs a few nights for dinner.

 

[jaceraden]

Getting to Windsor Hills is pretty easy. We managed to get there from the airport without much fuss without direction. But, hubby was driving. The rest of the trip, I drove - and I really liked using google maps directions on my phone. It was easy to follow and the verbal instructions meant hubby was off the hook and I had very clear and timely directions! I feel like it took under 30 minutes to get to the airport but I might be dreaming.

Prairie girl here too so I understand where Sarah is coming from with traffic. But we were there at a slower time and I found it pretty reasonable. It seems like people understand how to behave at entrances and exits much better at any rate!

Also, get your car insurance at home from your usual provider. In Manitoba, we only have Autopac but it was much cheaper for me to get my Florida rental insurance from home.