Dropping off rental car at WDW

[FredS]

We want to rent a car from Cape Canaveral to Disney. How time-consuming/difficult is it to return the car at WDW? We will be staying at Epcot area, so thought of using Alamo since there is a desk at the Dolphin, but don't know location or reputation of Alamo rental agency at Cocoa Beach.

Anyone used Alamo who can share their experiences, or who has used another rental company between the cruise and WDW? We've even considered using Budget and waiting to turn in car at airport, but we do have some time constraints and might prefer to be dropped off at the airport.

Too many choices, I think!

 

[tzvdmd]

It is very easy. You can turn in National rental cars there also. I have rented and returned at this location. You can also return/rent from the CCC.

 

[CarolMN]

Can't help with recent Alamo experiences, but if it works the same as National, it is very easy to return the car to either the Dolphin or the Car Care Center. There is a complimentary shuttle that will return you to your resort. Best to plan on returning the car during the operating hours of the Alamo/National desks if you want to be sure of getting the complimentary ride back and a receipt. Check the website for TNs and hours of the satellite locations.

FWIW, many of the other car agencies have satellite locations in the Downtown Disney Hotels. Believe this is true for Dollar, Hertz 7& AVIS. Not sure about Budget, but I would not be surprised to find them there also. You can check specifcs on the particular agency's website or with an agent at the 800 number. Believe many of them also have the complimentary shuttle service. If not, it's relatively easy to return to a WDW resort from DD Hotels (although it may take more time than you'd like).

Good luck!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If you go to Alamo's website and do a search under the tab for locations, it will tell you where it is. As to reputation, well, Alamo is Alamo, sometimes good, sometimes bad. There is no location listed for Cocoa or Cape C. National, however is listed. I would post the link, but, you hate that
You can also return the Budget car at one of the DD disney hotels, do a search on Budget for locations.

 

[FredS]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
If you go to Alamo's website and do a search under the tab for locations, it will tell you where it is. As to reputation, well, Alamo is Alamo, sometimes good, sometimes bad. There is no location listed for Cocoa or Cape C. National, however is listed. I would post the link, but, you hate that
You can also return the Budget car at one of the DD disney hotels, do a search on Budget for locations.

I have all of the information about locations. I am requesting personal experiences from those who have dealt with the convenience, staffing, clealiness and general "hassle factor" of renting from Alamo at the port and particularly in turning in a rental car (any rental company) at WDW Thanks.

 

[FredS]

CarolMN and tzvdmd:

Thanks so much for your responses! So, no long waits for service or shuttle when you turned in a car at WDW? Since DH will likely drop us off at the hotel, then turn in the car I really, really don't want him to have to go through some ordeal turning it in and getting to us while we're all comfy.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by FredS
I have all of the information about locations. I am requesting personal experiences from those who have dealt with the convenience, staffing, clealiness and general "hassle factor" of renting from Alamo at the port and particularly in turning in a rental car (any rental company) at WDW Thanks.

Oh, silly me, I thought when you wrote: "but don't know location or reputation of Alamo rental agency at Cocoa Beach. ", you actually did not know where they are.

 

[FredS]

There is a difference in knowing a street address, and knowing where something is in relation to other pertinent landmarks.

Gail, I really don't understand why you insist on responding to every post and being difficult. Please pass on responding to my posts in the future if you can't refrain from the continual attempts to pick apart and annoy. Thank you.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by FredS
There is a difference in knowing a street address, and knowing where something is in relation to other pertinent landmarks.

Gail, I really don't understand why you insist on responding to every post and being difficult. Please pass on responding to my posts in the future if you can't refrain from the continual attempts to pick apart and annoy. Thank you.

sorry you feel that way, I was just trying to help.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by FredS
CarolMN and tzvdmd:

Thanks so much for your responses! So, no long waits for service or shuttle when you turned in a car at WDW? Since DH will likely drop us off at the hotel, then turn in the car I really, really don't want him to have to go through some ordeal turning it in and getting to us while we're all comfy.

It really depends on where/how busy the shuttle is when you need it. No way to predict. My experience was a couple of years ago.

FWIW, if you return the car to the Dolphin (National or Alamo), there are other options than the shuttle. Assuming you are not staying at one of the EPCOT resorts (Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC, BCV, BWI or BWV which are an easy walk from the Dolphin), you can walk or boat to the Studios (about 15 minutes for either plus wait for a boat if you go that route). From there you can grab a bus to your resort. You can also easily grab a cab from the Dolphin (about $10 - $15 including generous tip for the driver).

From the Car Care Center, you could also grab a cab for about the same price.

Cabs between any two places on property would take approx 15 minutes max to get you back to your on site resort.

If you choose a DD Hotel, you can grab their shuttle bus to EPCOT and transfer to a resort bus from there. Or you could walk to DD MarketPlace and grab your resort bus there. A cab is also an option from either DD or the DD Hotel.

Lots of options - I'd plan on about an hour to rturn the car and get back, assuming no long line at the car return and travel during times major parks are still open.

HTH.


Enjoy