DME

[donnajz]

Please tell me if this would be okay. We would like to fly into MCO and rent a car for a few day trip to Clearwater Beach, then return the car to MCO. We would have our luggage with us during this time so we wouldn't use our yellow DME luggage tags. After returning the car, we want to use DME to get us and our luggage to POP. Since DME asks for your arrival date and flight #, I'm assuming I would not give them our actual arrival information but instead should I give them the date we actually want transported to our room at POP and the airline and flight # of our true flight. Returning to the airport, we would want to utilize RAC so is there anthing special we would need to do?

First of all is it okay to do this? Is there anything I'm missing or should do differently?

 

[sam_gordon]

The way you are planning to do it would work and be absolutely fine. But I think there's a better way...

Arrive at MCO, rent your car and go to Clearwater. On the way back, check into your WDW resort and return the car to a nearby car rental location (if you let us know who you're renting from, someone can find one close by). They'll probably even shuttle you to the park. Going all the way back to MCO, then waiting for DME and riding DME will kill 60-90 minutes.

 

[donnajz]

I have a car reserved from Alamo at MCO. I thought I'd return the car to the same location; otherwise, the rental cost is usually higher.

 

[leebee]

I have a car reserved from Alamo at MCO. I thought I'd return the car to the same location; otherwise, the rental cost is usually higher.

Yup, it absolutely could be higher. I would go to Clearwater and on the way back, check into POP, drop off your suitcases, etc. Then, while others are settling in, you could drive to MCO, return the car, and take DME back to POP. Yes, give them the date you'll be checking into POP and a flight number that arrives at about the time you think you'll be back to MCO. This way, you won't have to schlep your suitcases into MCO, on to the bus, and then into POP from the front desk. You'll just check in, hopefully drive to a parking area close to your room, drop off family and luggage, and go return the car to MCO.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have a car reserved from Alamo at MCO. I thought I'd return the car to the same location; otherwise, the rental cost is usually higher.

It could be higher, but maybe not, or it may be negligible. Check to see. You can return Alamo at the Car Care Center or the Dolphin. For me, even if it costs $25-50, it would be worth saving 60-90 minutes.

ETA: If the cost is too much, then do as leebee suggested and drop off your luggage before returning the car.

 

[Lori74]

we have taken dme after a cruise and gave them no flight info and got on the bus just fine with no questions asked

 

[goofy4tink]

Great advice. I love, and heartily recommend, the drive to Pop, drop your bags and the rest of the family off, drive to MCO, return the car, and take DME back to Pop. Or, price out dropping the car at the Dolphin...there is an Alamo/National counter there. Then, it's a short cab ride to Pop....under 8 mins, and fairly cheap..maybe $10 or so.
You are going to, literally, drive right past Pop on your way back to MCO!

 

[wdwrich]

I have a car reserved from Alamo at MCO. I thought I'd return the car to the same location; otherwise, the rental cost is usually higher.

Yes, the cost for the rental car may (or may not) be higher by returning at WDW instead of MCO. But- think of how much you are spending for your vacation. That 90 minutes or so that you will lose from your vacation time is probably way more valuable than the extra few dollars it might cost to return the car right there at WDW.

 

[rili]

The car care center will give you a ride to PoP. We have returned a rental there before and it was very easy. I'm pretty sure the cost was the same. Better than battling traffic to MCO.

 

[wdwrich]

The car care center will give you a ride to PoP. We have returned a rental there before and it was very easy. I'm pretty sure the cost was the same. Better than battling traffic to MCO.

They will actually shuttle you anywhere on WDW property. So if you want to meet up with family at a theme park, that works too!

 

[bookgirl]

I know National does not charge for pickup at MCO and drop off at the Dolphin. I've done it a few times, but they do have shorter hours at the Dolphin, the valet takes your car so you don't actually see the car rental agents. You might want to tip the valet.