Electric Rental Car?

[tidefan]

I'm giving it a shot--unless prices fall significantly on gas cars. Maybe it's a learning experience and I don't do it again. But it's worth figuring out. I'll be there solo. So if it all falls apart and I need to go out of the bubble to charge, I'm only damaging my own trip. But I think if I rope drop a couple of days, I suspect I'll be good on at least one of those days. And that's all I need. Thanks for the suggestions. If anyone has suggestions on how to make this experiment work better, I'm all ears

Since you don't own an EV, you may want to add the Plugshare app to your phone. It will show you the locations of the available chargers based upon your vehicle and give ratings about each site.

 

[Mle8308]

I have rented Tesla's and that is only because if there is nothing available on property, there are plenty of Superchargers on the way to the airport. I have lucked out with one of those spots at the Riveria and I have also rope dropped and got a charging space near the Epcot entrance, so you can charge and get "preferred" parking for free.

But who wants to leave for the airport an additional hour or more before (in case you are not able to find a working charger that is available and assuming the EV you are given is in fact a Tesla) to account for time to charge??? And again, find one that actually works. It's great if you can get a spot at Epcot, as long as you remember to move it after it's charged so someone else can use it. Kind of negates that "preferred" parking, if you actually move it (which by the two comments here, it doesn't seem like most people do). And if you didn't pay for the preferred parking, you shouldn't stay in that lot.

 

[Shellyred8]

There are other charging options around the area to keep in mind. Like Wal-mart, Publix, Target, etc...

 

[DisTravels]

Do you know if you have to return the rental car fully (or near fully) charged?

But who wants to leave for the airport an additional hour or more before (in case you are not able to find a working charger that is available and assuming the EV you are given is in fact a Tesla) to account for time to charge???

That's my question - if the EV has to be returned charged..

 

[hcortesis]

That's my question - if the EV has to be returned charged..

Rented one last fall. Does not have to be returned full. I cannot recall what % you need to return it.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

I rent a Model 3 all the time at WDW. There’s a good supercharging station very close to Disney springs. You might be fine on the single original charge

 

[jo-jo]

There are other charging options around the area to keep in mind. Like Wal-mart, Publix, Target, etc...

That what I was thinking, Make a snack run to walmart and charge up. Probably easier than finding one of the 40 ish spots in all of disney world.

 

[Spivey378]

I always rent an EV when I go to Disney World. There are plenty of charging stations around.

 

[muppets3d]

Tesla charging stations all over the place...rent a Tesla or rent gas...

 

[MICKIMINI]

What do you do if you run out of power on the way to the airport for example? I don't think AAA can't help you. Just curious, not judgemental!

 

[muppets3d]

What do you do if you run out of power on the way to the airport for example? I don't think AAA can't help you. Just curious, not judgemental!

IDK if AAA is equipped, but emergency charging services do exist. Ironically they typically hook your EV to a huge Diesel generator to get enough of a charge to get to the nearest EV charging station.

 

[MICKIMINI]

IDK if AAA is equipped, but emergency charging services do exist. Ironically they typically hook your EV to a huge Diesel generator to get enough of a charge to get to the nearest EV charging station.

Thanks! I was always curious about that.

 

[D-Trick]

That's my question - if the EV has to be returned charged..

Depending on the rental company, you usually have to return it 75-80% charged.

 

[WxKristin]

Rented a Tesla last year while doing a split stay at AKL and beach club. Found it fun to drive and charged it the day we moved resorts (at the he WaWa near super Target) and on our way to the airport. We were planning to charge it the night before the airport when we went to Disney springs but I didn’t have the matching charging app for the stations as the springs (not Tesla superchargers). Had no problem finding space at station at both Wawa and Disney springs. Only charged twice for a week trip.

I don’t own an EV and would rent one again. It was a little bit more complicated than gas b/c it was all new to me, but also fun to try out.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Thanks!. I did look into this before booking. I guess my question is: how hard will it be to get one of these spots for two or three hours. I'm guessing there are no reservation and that each of the charging stations is app credit-card managed? There is one EV station at Yacht Club (next door), but it's marked "restricted," which I'm not sure what that means. The car "should" be able to go 250 miles without a charge.

I have never used more than a half tank of gas - SUV - to and from airport; 2 weeks; driving to parks. So ~ $30?

 

[DisTravels]

The car "should" be able to go 250 miles without a charge.

I presume you put should in quotes because the mileage range depends on traffic, weather, the driver, etc.

 

[disneylandtour]

I presume you put should in quotes because the mileage range depends on traffic, weather, the driver, etc.

How crowded I-4 is. And if the A/C is on.

 

[disneylandtour]

I have never used more than a half tank of gas - SUV - to and from airport; 2 weeks; driving to parks. So ~ $30?

Same. I usually hit that convenience store just outside of the MCO loop. Can't recall ever spending more than $30.

I wouldn't be surprised if I could make this trip on a single charge and then just pay the charge fee to Thrifty when I return it. All's good with that plan, too. But with five nights, I bet I have at least one reasonable change to use a charging station. Still, we'll see.

 

[disneylandtour]

That's my question - if the EV has to be returned charged..

I'm pretty sure it's just a minor fee to have it recharged upon return. $20 to $30.