DangerMouse or any other HOJO expert

[M2DD's]

We have a trip planned the first wk in December and were first going down to San diago than spending the whole wk at the HOJO and going to disneyland that wk. Are we ok with not having a car once we get to the HOJO.Were just going to be walking to the parks and back but have small kids(they'll ride in a srtoller) This is are plan so far:
fly into LAX and rent a car and drive up to San Diago for 3 days. Then my DH would drive us to the HOJO and drop me,the kids and our bags off and then drive the rental car back to the airport and then get on the supper shuttle/or disney express and meet us at the HOJO. When its time to fly home will all get on the supper shuttle back to LAX
Does this make sense. With the price of rental car/gas we don't want to pay for a rental car the days were going to be at the park the whole time. I just feel that it will sit in the PKing lot at the HOJO. I know that we won't be able to go to off site locations but were fine just eating at the parks and surrounding restraunts. Were long time WDW guest and our use to getting "Locked" on property.

 

[DangerMouse]

Who are you renting a car through? I would check with your car rental agency and see if there is a place closer to DLR where you can return the car. LAX is a long shuttle ride away.

You are right that you really don't need a car once you are at the HoJo. The walk is easy and MiMi's and McDonald's very close by.

I would recommend hitting a grocery store or Super Target on your way to the HoJo to stock up on bottled water, snacks, etc. before you return the rental car.

 

[M2DD's]

Who are you renting a car through? I would check with your car rental agency and see if there is a place closer to DLR where you can return the car. LAX is a long shuttle ride away.

You are right that you really don't need a car once you are at the HoJo. The walk is easy and MiMi's and McDonald's very close by.

I would recommend hitting a grocery store or Super Target on your way to the HoJo to stock up on bottled water, snacks, etc. before you return the rental car.

We haven't decided where were renting the car from yet. I had heard the there is and Entertainment rate for rental cars but have to wait till the 2009 ET book comes out. Do you know where are can find this rate/or car rental company?

 

[noryglory]

Maybe it makes it more expensive (???) but we often rent at one airport and return to another. Sooo, you could fly into LAX and rent your car, then return it to SNA or affiliated office and shuttle or taxi back from there. Dangermouse is right, the whole LAX and back would not be a good plan.

Have you calculated the weekly rate versus the daily rate you'll get by only renting the car for three days, plus the shuttle or taxi cost for your husband plus the cost of the family's shuttle ride back to LAX? You might be surprised especially since the Hojo offers free parking (practically unheard of in this day and age).

Finally, if you do decide to rent and return early, doesn't someone rent cars in DTD? That would be slick to return to their "lot" nearby, I'm assuming, saving time and money in return.

 

[bumbershoot]

Isn't there an Alamo storefront in DTD?

I'm looking at my Entertainment book, flipped open to a Budget coupon, and it says that that coupon is good for rentals through June of '09. Random Hertz coupon has same expiration date. National and Alamo are the same.

 

[M2DD's]

Isn't there an Alamo storefront in DTD?

I'm looking at my Entertainment book, flipped open to a Budget coupon, and it says that that coupon is good for rentals through June of '09. Random Hertz coupon has same expiration date. National and Alamo are the same.

Does it say how much the discount is? Or is there a code that I need to put in when I go to there site?
We need 2 cars for our family and another family that is joing us but doing other parks than we are.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Sounds like a plan! I agree with finding a closer place to drop off the car too!

We always drive to DL, so we always end up having our car. We use it to only pick up food that we don't want to walk to. So yeah, you'll be fine without a car once your at Hojo's. I think going to the grocery store before dropping off the car is a good idea too!

 

[bumbershoot]

I just noticed that you were waiting for the '09 book. That must be frustrating!

As an example, for Alamo, there's a coupon stating "$25 off minimum 3 day rental. In addition to your Entertainment discount, reserve a convertible, minivan, or SUV for a minimum of 3 days..."

Hmm, OK, that's not good if you were planning on getting one of those cars. The others are 4 and more days.

On Enterprise there's one that's "up to 15% off standard daily rates".

Gosh, all the rest of them are for more than 3 days...

I wish I could be of more help, but I haven't rented a car in years since we have debit cards not credit, and with debit they either won't deal with you or charge a huge deposit/hold.

 

[noryglory]

I forgot about this site. I haven't used it in a while but basically you can get any discount you want with this if you book online. Check it out. I have used random codes before from this site and they do work. Some of the codes do have strings attached, ie you must be a member of a group to get it so just watch out for that.

http://www.rentalcodes.com/

 

[Kailua's Belle]

I found it was cheaper to just have the car for the week than paying for the shuttle for my family. I booked early and got a really great rate. Plus the family loves being able to go to In & Out, so the car is a must for us.

I've read about a lot of people using Priceline for a car. You may want to try that. I believe they only use the big ones, so no worries about getting someplace unknown or unreputable. I'd never consider it for a hotel room, but would definitely try them for a car.

Good luck!!

 

[jemilah]

I already booked for the hojo with the ent rate for nov30-dec 3rd so you can book it now.