HELP! MCO to Hard Rock to AKV

[pilferk]

We're THINKING of flying (rather than driving) for our upcoming December 2012 trip (provided we can find air fare that fits into our budget).

We'll be arriving on Wed, the 5th...heading to the Hard Rock for one night, going to IOA, and then heading to AKV til the 15th.

I'm THINKING of:
Renting a car (full sized SUV or van, actually...there will be 6 of us, total: 3 adults and 3 kids) at MCO

Driving to the Hard Rock Hotel.

Then, after our day at IOA (the 6th), leaving the Hard rock, making a grocery stop, driving the car to AKV to drop off the family.

Then I would drop the car off at the Car care center (so we'll have to rent Alamo or National, I think), and hop a taxi (or will they shuttle me?) back to AKV.

Then, on the 15th, check out of AKV and take DME back to the airport.

Will that work? Are there other (better) options for that first part (MCO to hard rock to AKV), keeping in mind the grocery stop?

Can you "one way" DME for departure, only?

 

[Sandi]

Then, after our day at IOA (the 6th), leaving the Hard rock, making a grocery stop, driving the car to AKV to drop off the family.

Then I would drop the car off at the Car care center (so we'll have to rent Alamo or National, I think), and hop a taxi (or will they shuttle me?) back to AKV.

Then, on the 15th, check out of AKV and take DME back to the airport.

Will that work? Are there other (better) options for that first part (MCO to hard rock to AKV), keeping in mind the grocery stop?

Can you "one way" DME for departure, only?

This is the part of your question that I can answer.

If you rent from Alamo or National, you can drop your car at the CCC. They have a shuttle that will take you to AKL. It is advisable to call ahead to arrange for the shuttle to the resort. They don't exactly overstaff the CCC, so it is best to pre-arrange the shuttle transportation.

Also, you can "one way" DME from AKL to MCO. Arrange for the ground transportation when you make your ressie with Disney. This is not unusual at all. Watch for your DME envelope to be dropped at your room the day before departure. If you don't get one, call DME or check with the AKL concierge and they'll help you. You'll be boarding your DME bus about 3 hours before your flight departure time and you'll need to be at the boarding area about 15 minutes before that.

 

[pilferk]

This is the part of your question that I can answer.

If you rent from Alamo or National, you can drop your car at the CCC. They have a shuttle that will take you to AKL. It is advisable to call ahead to arrange for the shuttle to the resort. They don't exactly overstaff the CCC, so it is best to pre-arrange the shuttle transportation.

Also, you can "one way" DME from AKL to MCO. Arrange for the ground transportation when you make your ressie with Disney. This is not unusual at all. Watch for your DME envelope to be dropped at your room the day before departure. If you don't get one, call DME or check with the AKL concierge and they'll help you. You'll be boarding your DME bus about 3 hours before your flight departure time and you'll need to be at the boarding area about 15 minutes before that.

Thanks!

That means, at least, my original "plan" is doable...which is good to know!

 

[Sandi]

Thanks!

That means, at least, my original "plan" is doable...which is good to know!

Right. I just have no experience with Hard Rock or Universal. We're going to do two days at Universal/IOA in April, but we're staying at Pop for the entire trip. I thought about staying at a Universal hotel, but LOVE DME and didn't want to give that up. Mears has a shuttle service to Universal from the Disney resorts that includes 1 or 2 days admission, so I'm buying that through the Disboard TA. It seemed like less of a hassle than your plan, but I'd love to stay at Hard Rock some day!

 

[pilferk]

Right. I just have no experience with Hard Rock or Universal. We're going to do two days at Universal/IOA in April, but we're staying at Pop for the entire trip. I thought about staying at a Universal hotel, but LOVE DME and didn't want to give that up. Mears has a shuttle service to Universal from the Disney resorts that includes 1 or 2 days admission, so I'm buying that through the Disboard TA. It seemed like less of a hassle than your plan, but I'd love to stay at Hard Rock some day!

It IS less hassle.

The thing is: Staying at a Universal hotel has some benefits (early access to Wizarding World of Harry Potter and unlimited Universal Express Pass use for just about every single ride EXCEPT Forbidden Journey and Rip-Ride-Rockit). We managed to do IOA (including WWOHP) in about 6 or 7 hours, from top to bottom, using those benefits during our last trip (and then headed to AKV). We drove down, last time, though...so didn't have to deal with the complexities of transport quite as much.

We're only doing one day at IOA this trip, too, basically because we're all huge HP fans (though we like the other stuff, too) and my Sister-in-law is coming along on her FIRST trip to Orlando, ever. Given our limited amount of time, there....the benefits are almost worth the price of the hotel room (and the hassle of transport).

I'm also going to price out an airport limo (or Mears shuttle) from MCO to the Hard rock and then another to AKV. We'd lose the grocery stop, but I could just go with garden grocer, or one of the other grocery delivery places, depending on the cost differences.

 

[Lewisc]

You can book a car service from MCO-HRH then HRH-AKV. The price should be about the same (maybe a little less) then R/T from MCO to a WDW resort. You might be able to get a grocery stop, either free or a modest cost.

Remember the HRH charges for guest parking. Only one night at the HRH. You'll probably be spending almost all your time at the parks. You probably won't need a car.

 

[pilferk]

You can book a car service from MCO-HRH then HRH-AKV. The price should be about the same (maybe a little less) then R/T from MCO to a WDW resort. You might be able to get a grocery stop, either free or a modest cost.

Remember the HRH charges for guest parking. Only one night at the HRH. You'll probably be spending almost all your time at the parks. You probably won't need a car.

Yup, $15 a night for parking (or, it was back in Oct).

We almost certainly wouldn't NEED a car for that day...it was just most obvious way to get from MCO to HRH to AKV.

 

[Lewisc]

Yup, $15 a night for parking (or, it was back in Oct).

We almost certainly wouldn't NEED a car for that day...it was just most obvious way to get from MCO to HRH to AKV.

Renting a vehicle, big enough for 6 passengers, for 2 days is likely to cost more then booking a car service. You'll probably save money and will avoid wasting the time returning the car.

 

[pilferk]

Renting a vehicle, big enough for 6 passengers, for 2 days is likely to cost more then booking a car service. You'll probably save money and will avoid wasting the time returning the car.

Could be. I'm going to price those options out, as you suggest.

Assuming they'll have similar coupon codes up, come Dec (and you know what they say about assumptions), National has a 7 passenger mini-van that I could rent for around $130 for a 36 hour, one way, rental. Again, that's using contract codes from my employer and a coupon code that's only valid til the end of Feb. When comparing, I'd add the HRH parking fee and the minimal gas I'd use, too.

As we get closer, I'll be able to get better numbers...but I appreciate the other options suggested. Definitely gives me more options (and thus more chances to save some $$).

 

[bumbershoot]

The thing is: Staying at a Universal hotel has some benefits (early access to Wizarding World of Harry Potter and unlimited Universal Express Pass use for just about every single ride EXCEPT Forbidden Journey and Rip-Ride-Rockit).

Oh yes indeedy. (don't forget pteranodon flyers in the list of no EP, but with kids the ages of yours, you guys can probably get onto it!)


You already know about the parking fee, now you just need to be reminded that often one-way rentals are much more than round trip.

 

[Lewisc]

National has a 7 passenger mini-van that I could rent for around $130 for a 36 hour, one way, rental. Again, that's using contract codes from my employer and a coupon code that's only valid til the end of Feb. When comparing, I'd add the HRH parking fee and the minimal gas I'd use, too.

now you just need to be reminded that often one-way rentals are much more than round trip.

He's pricing a one way rental. If we want to quibble add in not only a few dollars for gas but also dollar or two for tolls.

 

[pilferk]

Oh yes indeedy. (don't forget pteranodon flyers in the list of no EP, but with kids the ages of yours, you guys can probably get onto it!)


You already know about the parking fee, now you just need to be reminded that often one-way rentals are much more than round trip.

I DID forget about it being off list.....probably a mental block from psychological scarring.

We did Pteradon flyers last trip, in October....it was the longest line we waited in the whole day (by a LOT). Kids thought it was boring (even my youngest). I doubt we'll have to do it again (thankfully)!

Which, actually, will probably save us 30 to 45 min of park time!

 

[pilferk]

He's pricing a one way rental. If we want to quibble add in not only a few dollars for gas but also dollar or two for tolls.

I think I can hit HRH without tolls, from the airport. I'd just have to avoid the Beeline, right? I've got no problem on surface streets in Orlando....

I know I can hit AKV, from HRH, sans tolls. I did it in October.

 

[bumbershoot]

He's pricing a one way rental. If we want to quibble add in not only a few dollars for gas but also dollar or two for tolls.

Yes, I didn't tell the OP that it WAS a one-way rental, I mentioned that they can be much much more than returning it to the same spot. It COULD be so much that it makes more sense to just return it back to the same spot and take a cab back.

I have gotten a great deal on a one-way rental, but I don't recall reading of someone else getting one, and MOST of the time someone would have already mentioned the extreme price difference of it.

I'm in the middle of planning the opposite sort of trip; one day at the Boardwalk, then several nights at Universal, and I'm checking both one-ways and round-trips, because the knowledge of the difference is worth the extra work to me.



OP, we've been lucky to not hit huge lines for Pterandon yet, though they are longer than anything else, LOL. DS likes it, but his height is getting up there to where his riding time on it is coming to an end, and on our upcoming trip I'll finally be able to ride (he keeps asking DH to ride with him, and if it's boring waiting in line it's also boring waiting for the people in line!) b/c he's promised that he'll take me this time.

 

[macraven]

Could be. I'm going to price those options out, as you suggest.

Assuming they'll have similar coupon codes up, come Dec (and you know what they say about assumptions), National has a 7 passenger mini-van that I could rent for around $130 for a 36 hour, one way, rental. Again, that's using contract codes from my employer and a coupon code that's only valid til the end of Feb. When comparing, I'd add the HRH parking fee and the minimal gas I'd use, too.

As we get closer, I'll be able to get better numbers...but I appreciate the other options suggested. Definitely gives me more options (and thus more chances to save some $$).

there are some car services that do a 3 leg trip for under $150 + tip.
the one i use charges me $130 for a 3 leg transportation.
mco-wdw-rph-mco and includes a grocery stop.

most of the car services allow for 5 in the vehicle.
there are some that allow for 6 but i don't know if there is any surcharge tacked onto that basic cost.

if you rent a car for 36 hours, it would cost you $145 /includes hotel parking.

if you already planned to use the DME for the return to mco after your motherland stay, book a rt car service.
mco-hrh-wdw. It would probably cost $100 for going that route.
some of the car service places throw in the 30 minute grocery stop for free.

use car service and avoid paying gas and tolls.

we all think different when it comes to making the transportation portions of our Orlando vacations.

for me, i use car service for the convenience and time involved.
i have someone that meets me at baggage claims inside the airport.
they handle my bags, take me to the grocery store, drop me off at the motherland resort. (and for the rest of my needed transportation traveling)

 

[snowy76]

Yes, I didn't tell the OP that it WAS a one-way rental, I mentioned that they can be much much more than returning it to the same spot. It COULD be so much that it makes more sense to just return it back to the same spot and take a cab back.

The one-way issue probably won't be an issue in Orlando because the demand for rentals is so high all over Florida. We've driven one way from Sanford to the Dolphin, no extra charge. We drove one way from Tampa to Orlando with no issues; DH rented MCO and dropped off in Fort Lauderdale without a one-way charge, either. YMMV!