Car Rental

[DizneyNutz]

My DH-DD and DF are traveling to Orlando in September---we're celebrating our daughters graduation and christening our DVC Membership---first trip as a DVC Member and we are so ready@ We are flying, this time, a first also for both my DD and myself---and are renting a car at the airport--my DH saw where the DVC Member Services would actually book your car for you, has anyone done this and are the prices comparable to what you can get yourself? Thanks!!

 

[DebbieB]

You are better off booking it yourself. National has some great rates, I have a full size reserved for May 7 to 13, $109 total including taxes. That's with the priceless vacation contract code and a $20 entertainment coupon. Join the Emerald Club and you will not have to go to the counter.

http://www.mousesavers.com/national.html

 

[JimMIA]

I do a good bit of traveling, and I have fallen into a habit of searching for rental cars on Expedia. With one easy entry (and this works with other travel sites as well), I get a price comparison from a number of different car companies, which I can then sort by price or a number of other criteria.

I have found no real pattern, except that rentals vary widely from city to city. Sometimes rental cars cost a ton, and other times they give them away. I have also found that "discounts" are often not really discounts. I can't tell you the number of times I've seen some kind of discount be WAY more than the cheapest rate.

Another tip is pay no attention to "categories" of cars. For some companies, a Dodge Stratus is a compact, for others the same car is considered a mid-size. Instead, compare car models and prices (one company's price for their "midsize" Stratus may be less than another's price for their "compact" Stratus)

Don't get married to one company. A car is a car, and all of the companies you've heard of are pretty good. That's why I like the searches.

Once you've made a selection, however, stop. Go to that rental car company's website, and take five minutes and register for their frequent renter program (free). Then, go back to Expedia or wherever, place your rental and enter your brand new frequent-renter number.That simple step may save you 45 minutes at a busy destination. You've seen all the hype in the commercials about these programs, but believe me, this is one perk worth signing up for.

 

[JimMIA]

Oh...and another thing. Do you really NEED a rental car?

Starting this May, Disney is offering Magical Express, a free airport shuttle bus to on-site resorts. I don't know how a car fits in with your plans, but if you can get by with the Disney buses and other transportation (depends on where you are staying), you may not even need a rental car. Maybe worth a look?

Also, enjoy your first flights! Get a window seat and take it all in. If the weather/time of day are right, you'll see some amazing sights. I'm a road warrior, but I never get tired of the views. Enjoy!

 

[smjj]

What discount. I called DVC to enquire about their discount. The CM informed me the only deal they get is thru Alamo and it was amlost $25.00 above Expedia. I booked the car from Dollar Rental(onsite) using Expedia for 6 days for $127.00.. It was a piece of cake...smjj

 

[iluvdisney]

This info was very helpful to me - my next trip is one of the times that I am actually flying down to WDW instead of driving - thanks!

 

[DizneyNutz]

MY DH and I plan to take advantage of shuttle services/Disney Transportation as we've always had good luck on every type of Disney Transports, from the bus to the monorail on future trips---however; this time, we will be visiting Universal Studios and have a couple other things planned that would be easier if we had our own transportation. Thanks!

 

[Cruelladeville]

Jim gave you excellent advice if you decide to rent a car, but he forgot to add that once you have made your selection, call the company direct and ask about their prices. I got the cheapest price on a car thru Travelocity(midsize), and when I called National they gave me a price that was much cheaper! I got a full sized car for 8days for $99 when I was down in Florida two weeks ago!

 

[nboicepardee]

Jim gave you excellent advice if you decide to rent a car, but he forgot to add that once you have made your selection, call the company direct and ask about their prices. I got the cheapest price on a car thru Travelocity(midsize), and when I called National they gave me a price that was much cheaper! I got a full sized car for 8days for $99 when I was down in Florida two weeks ago!

Exactly Cruelladeville. I had the same experience in late January/early February. I paid so much less than going through a booking agent like Expedia, plus I didn't have to pay their fee. It is great to search through their websites first, and then do a cost comparison with the company directly. I also found that calling is the best way to get the lowest price. I got a much higher price using the company's website. If you have an entertainment book, I found this to be one of the greatest rates. You get the entertainment rate, plus you can use a coupon. Good luck!

 

[CarolA]

Personally I have never seen a good price thur Expeida. I go to www.mousesavers.com and use her codes and coupon info.

 

[Disney Doll]

DH & I have had pretty good luck with National's Emerald Club or Alamo's Silver Service. National and Alamo are one in the same company now.

What these 2 special clubs give you is the ability to pre-book the car you want, and when you get to the airport, you go ot their "Emerald Aisle" or "Silver Service Aisle" and you can take any car that is there, even if it's bigger than what you actually booked. DH & I generally book a mid-size car car and always end up with a full-size car or an SUV. You don't have to deal with long lines at a counter, you don't have to deal with taking a shuttle bus to the car rental place. DH & I have actually been in the car and on our way out of the airport within 30 minutes of landing, depending on how quickly our luggage comes out!

We do like having a car at WDW because we do a lot of eating at the hotels restaurants, and find travelling by car is easier than taking the bus to the park or DTD to change buses to get to the hotel. We also like having a car because if we are in a DVC unit with cooking ability, we can get to a local grovcery store (Publix and Winn Dixie are fairly close) and get soem food & snacks to have in the room.

 

[RobDoc]

Since this is now more about "how" to rent a car, it may be better served on the Transportation Board. I'll move it over there.

 

[DizneyNutz]

WOW-thanks EVERYONE! If I am understanding what Jim and Cruelladeville are saying, once I find what we're looking for, I then contact the rental agency that I want to deal with by phone for a better price?? I hate to sound so stupid---believe it or not, my DH and I have just discovered that we have a "traveling bone" and neither have done much other than raising our children and sending them to school! Hooray! We're almost done! So, thanks for all the good advice!!

 

[SlyHubby]

Generally we don't rent a car, but have our past two visits in Jan and this past week. Having searched all the available options, the absolute best rates were on Thrifty's website - www.thrifty.com. Their location is adjacent to Hertz, the shuttles were very frequent, and the overall service was excellent.