DME or Car Rental

[Jon84]

I will play around with google maps and see what it tells me to do. I didn't notice any no turn signs but I will look out for a red dot.

They don't appear that often on the Orlando tourist routes IIRC.

Thanks for the comments everyone, I have decided that to rent the car from the airport. I am a hertz gold member (joined via the dreams unlimited group) so I *think* this will be as quick as I can get it. Last time I did it the collection and drop off was very fast.

We have seats in the bubble of the 747 with Virgin (not PE ) but this should mean that we will get the jump on everyone else getting off the plane and customs, with a but of luck anyway.

Being a Hertz Gold member should help

When are you flying with Virgin?

In December I was in PE in the bubble on the way home and because it was to quiet, they moved all the Economy passengers downstairs to make service easier. I would just say if it is a dead flight be prepared to wangle a Economy seat as far forward as possible!

 

[Thickey]

In December I was in PE in the bubble on the way home and because it was to quiet, they moved all the Economy passengers downstairs to make service easier. I would just say if it is a dead flight be prepared to wangle a Economy seat as far forward as possible!

Flying 16th September.. I didn't think about getting moved.. I did pay extra to select a seat but I think that's a "You can sit there unless we don't want you to" sort of arrangement.. but if the flight is empty then it's probably less of a problem anyway.

 

[Rinda]

We did use DME a few times to get to the resort so I could have a drink on the flight but after trip three and having sat again on the bus waiting we decided to go back to getting the car from the airport.

It has always taken at least 90 minutes from reaching the DME area to get to the resort.

I choose car hire with an express service so we don't get desk delays.

What is an express service? Is that the Hertz Gold someone mentioned?

We usually pick our car up at MCO and then head over to WDW. 3 years ago we got MDE to OKW and picked up a car after a week. If memory serves me correct it took just over an hour. from leaving immigration to arriving at OKW. This year we decided that as we were arriving on 1st July and wouldn't use a car over 4th July weekend we would again do MDE and pick up a car later. Very glad we did - immigration was a tad busy (nightmare actually ) and whilst walking past the car rental desks to get to MDE the queues at all the desks looked to be horrendous. We walked straight on to a lovely air conditioned bus that left promptly and delivered us straight to SSR about 40 minutes after getting through immigration. We'd never have done it so quickly if we had picked up a car. Buses to the parks at SSR have been great and we were upgraded to a lovely brand new Toyota Corolla Sport when we picked up or car from Disney Car Care on the 5th July.

Mrs TT

What is Disney Car Care? Or is there somewhere I could get more information on it?

 

[richmo]

What is Disney Car Care? Or is there somewhere I could get more information on it?

The Disney Car Care Center (CCC) is a rental facility that is located on the exit road from Magic Kingdom. This is an Alamo/National agency.

The way you normally would handle the rental is:
- Book the rental at Alamo or National as you normally would. You can use any discount codes, coupons, etc. The main thing is make sure you choose the Car Care Center as the location (not MCO - Orlando International Airport).
- One day prior to picking up the car, you have to call the local agency. Don't use the Alamo 800 number, you need to call the Car Care Center directly. You will let them know where and when you would like to be picked up. Normally this will be your resort, but I believe they will pick you up anywhere on Disney property. I would suggest you arrange with them to pick you up about a half hour before your rental starts.
- If you want to pick the car up at the CCC and return it to MCO, that is fine...just make sure you set up the reservation properly.
- If you return the car to the CCC, they will then take you in the shuttle anywhere on Disney property. No need to set that up in advance. Actually, when we dropped a car off, they dropped us at the 'Lost and Found', which is immediately adjacent to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

An advantage to using the CCC is that you can easily rent a car for just a portion of your stay.

 

[SpencerOrg]

Some really helpful advice - thanks!!!

We are staying at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa so will definitely be going out the South Exit and down 417 - i4 just sounds too scary and crazy for me after being up for nearly 14 hours travelling.