Ground Transportation Dilema...What Would You Do?

mad4themouse

<font color=deeppink>Never truly happy unless I'm
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Mar 11, 2001
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I'm planning a short trip for myself and the two kids (teenagers) for next month. Our flight will get us into Orlando around 5pm on a Wednesday and we leave Orlando on a 6am flight on Sunday. Yes, I know that's early but it's what was available for the great fare and we need to be back home for a family function by Sunday afternoon.

I have a couple of options and I'd like to get some input from the transportation gurus.
Option #1:
Rent a car from Wednesday afternoon to early Sunday morning, taking advantage of "weekend" rates since I'll be keeping it over a Saturday night. This would mean driving to the airport in the early morning hours and cuts into the kids' sack time (a major disadvantage). However, we would not have to change hotels.

Option #2:
Rent a car (one way) and return it after one day at the Dolphin. Stay until Saturday at my WDW resort and then rent another car at the Dolphin to drive back to the airport. Check in at the Hyatt for the one night using Hyatt Gift Certificates that I have saved up. The advantage is that the kids will get a little more time to sleep in the morning before our flight and the overall cost is less than keeping the car for 4 days and staying the additional night in WDW. The disadvantage is the hassle of dropping off and picking up at the Dolphin.

Option #3:
Go with a towncar service, stay the 3 nights in WDW with a late pickup by the towncar service. Check in at the Hyatt using the GCs and catch the flight home the next morning. The advantages are that the kids will get their rest and I won't have to hassle with picking up and dropping off cars. The disadvantage is that the towncar option is the most expensive of the three ground transportation options (by about $25 or more).

So, what would you do and why? Or if you have alternative suggestions, I'd like to hear them.
 
Personally, I'd go with option #1. You're going to be there for such a short time...option #1 keeps the hassle factor to an absolute minimum.

You'll need to get up, perhaps, 45 minutes (max) earlier on Sunday morning with that choice in order to drive to the airport and drop off the rental, but it's worth it IMHO.
 
DH and I have rented cars every trip, but he always drives to and from the airport. When I made a solo trip to meet my sister, I decided it was a big peace of mind to do the towncar and not worry about driving. It was worth the $$$. (Did you figure in the $$$ you're saving by not having to pay for Sat night at the airport?)

If you're sure the extra sack time is important to the kids (did you ask them?), you've made the decision to stay at the airport Saturday night.
 
I would check on the rental rate of the car before you commit to anything. Typically weekend rates start after noon on Thursday for the weekend. It isn't like the airlines where you get a better rate if you stay over a Sat. night.
 



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