Dropping Car Off after hours at dolphin?

[DizneyDogs]

Hi

We will be renting a car from the Tampa airport at 4pm and driving to Disneyworld for just one day. We are staying at POR. I see that the Dolphin drop off location closes at 4pm so can we drop the car off after hours like around midnight and how exactly does that work? Also we figure that we can just take a bus to downtown disney and then get a bus back to POR, or would you recommend just waiting until the next morning when they open up at 8am and then we could just take the bus from the dolphin to whatever park we are doing that day.

Also does anybody know of any codes or upgrade codes for Alamo or National for just a one day rental?

Thanks!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DizneyDogs
Hi

We will be renting a car from the Tampa airport at 4pm and driving to Disneyworld for just one day. We are staying at POR. I see that the Dolphin drop off location closes at 4pm so can we drop the car off after hours like around midnight and how exactly does that work? Also we figure that we can just take a bus to downtown disney and then get a bus back to POR, or would you recommend just waiting until the next morning when they open up at 8am and then we could just take the bus from the dolphin to whatever park we are doing that day.

Also does anybody know of any codes or upgrade codes for Alamo or National for just a one day rental?

Thanks!

Drop the car at the car care center. No discounts, usually, for one day rentals. They will take you to your resort via their shuttle.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Drop the car at the car care center. No discounts, usually, for one day rentals. They will take you to your resort via their shuttle.

The shuttle is not available 24 hours per day - at least it didn't used to be. Check the CCC operating hours before you decide to drop it off. If it were me, I'd also call to be sure the shuttle were available.

IIRC, the gas station/convenience store that is next to the CCC has a public phone. If you get "stuck" there, you could always call a cab.

If it doesn't matter price wise, I'd recommend waiting until the morning to return the car. The driver could just meet the rest of the family at the park if you didn't want to bring everyone to the Dolphin with you. The Dolphin is walking distance to EPCOT and MGM (or you can take a boat), so either of those would be a good choice for that day.

Bestb wishes -

 

[mom_rules]

As long as you have provided all your payment information, you drop your car/keys off with the Dolphin Resort's valet service (they have a booth/window) out front. Then National/Alamo will mail you your receipt (although I have always opted to wait for my receipt in order to check that everything was in order).

If it won't cost you anything extra-I'd wait until the next morning and take the bus to your Park of the day.

 

[gigi1313]

dropping at the dolphin after hours... the car care center scares me for some reason, i'd rather not go there and the dolphins valets make it sooo convenient!

about coupons/codes for one day rentals... they do exist! i got a code from bj's website that saved me 25% and a free upgrade on a one day rental... don't know if it's still available... check here http://a1872.g.akamai.net/7/1872/36...ions.com/promotion/bjs/carrental/BJ_alamo.pdf

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by gigi1313
dropping at the dolphin after hours... the car care center scares me for some reason, i'd rather not go there and the dolphins valets make it sooo convenient!

about coupons/codes for one day rentals... they do exist! i got a code from bj's website that saved me 25% and a free upgrade on a one day rental... don't know if it's still available... check here http://a1872.g.akamai.net/7/1872/36...ions.com/promotion/bjs/carrental/BJ_alamo.pdf

That is good for up to 25% off, Alamo usually give 5% off at MCO.
You are correct with the free upgrade, no minimum days required.
BUT, Alamo will ask for the BJ's card, or, at least that is what they told me.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolMN
The shuttle is not available 24 hours per day - at least it didn't used to be. Check the CCC operating hours before you decide to drop it off. If it were me, I'd also call to be sure the shuttle were available.

IIRC, the gas station/convenience store that is next to the CCC has a public phone. If you get "stuck" there, you could always call a cab.

If it doesn't matter price wise, I'd recommend waiting until the morning to return the car. The driver could just meet the rest of the family at the park if you didn't want to bring everyone to the Dolphin with you. The Dolphin is walking distance to EPCOT and MGM (or you can take a boat), so either of those would be a good choice for that day.

Bestb wishes -

wow, do I feel dumb, I totally misread the hours for the CCC at Disney. I am so sorry. It has been one of "those" weeks.

 

[gigi1313]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
That is good for up to 25% off, Alamo usually give 5% off at MCO.
You are correct with the free upgrade, no minimum days required.
BUT, Alamo will ask for the BJ's card, or, at least that is what they told me.

if you look at the coupon, once you "clip" it along the dotted lines, there's no indication that it's from bj's... membership is not required (although i'm a member so it's not a problem)

 

[simplymetobe]

Originally posted by gigi1313
if you look at the coupon, once you "clip" it along the dotted lines, there's no indication that it's from bj's... membership is not required (although i'm a member so it's not a problem)

They can tell from the code on the coupon where it is from.

 

[mom_rules]

We generally like to stay at one of the Epcot resorts, take a limo service from the airport-so the Dolphin rental desks are great for us.

One question I did have and have never been able to get an answer on.

The Dolphin valets run to get your rental for you and also return your rental-do you tip them? How much if you do?

 

[gigi1313]

we tipped him... about two or three bucks i think... we were so thrilled w/the convenience of the service that we did not mind reaching in our pockets...

 

[mom_rules]

I kinda thought so too. Thanks.

 

[stormy7578]

After you had the valet the car, what do you do after that?
Are you done or is there more paper work?
Where is the shuttle?

 

[gigi1313]

we just walked thru the dolphin (admiring it all the way) and found a boat over to epcot to enjoy our first ps dinner... not sure where the shuttle buses to the parks are, but i'd guess they are near the parking lot and the valet could direct you...

as far as paperwork goes... rather than wait for a receipt, we opted for national to mail it to us... it was waiting in our mailbox when we got home

 

[stormy7578]

Originally posted by gigi1313
we just walked thru the dolphin (admiring it all the way) and found a boat over to epcot to enjoy our first ps dinner... not sure where the shuttle buses to the parks are, but i'd guess they are near the parking lot and the valet could direct you...

as far as paperwork goes... rather than wait for a receipt, we opted for national to mail it to us... it was waiting in our mailbox when we got home

Thanks Gigi,
We are using Alamo. I was also looking for the shuttle back to the resort. But, it is nice to know that perhaps the receipt can be mailed. With Alamo you pay when you pick up the car, which is, naturally, the complete opposite of National.

 

[zurgswife]

Originally posted by stormy7578
Thanks Gigi,
We are using Alamo. I was also looking for the shuttle back to the resort. But, it is nice to know that perhaps the receipt can be mailed. With Alamo you pay when you pick up the car, which is, naturally, the complete opposite of National.

If you are looking for a shuttle back to your resort I suggest walking the short walk to MGM and you will easily be able to catch a bus from there...If the walk doesn't sound like you want to you can also catch the boat to MGM then take the bus...It just takes a few more mins then walking...

 

[stormy7578]

Originally posted by zurgswife
If you are looking for a shuttle back to your resort I suggest walking the short walk to MGM and you will easily be able to catch a bus from there...If the walk doesn't sound like you want to you can also catch the boat to MGM then take the bus...It just takes a few more mins then walking...

Thanks for the information, I do appreciate it. I think I will call Alamo and ask specifically about the Alamo shuttle which they say they have. I hate busses.
Again, thank you.