Help re: 1st time renting car at Dis

[mcgill93]

Hello!

We are staying at POR versus our usual WL and are thinking we might want a car to get around.... Can anyone suggest the least expensive way I can do this? I need to keep it around $200.

Thanks!

 

[Kae]

Hello!

We are staying at POR versus our usual WL and are thinking we might want a car to get around.... Can anyone suggest the least expensive way I can do this? I need to keep it around $200.

Thanks!

How many days? Are you flying into MCO? I would go to www.mousesavers.com start there she has rental codes. We have used DME & rented for only part of our trip to save. We like to use Alamo/National at the BVP we take the bus to DTD & walk to BVP-super short walk & way easier than going to the Swan or Dolphin or you can have them pick you up & rent from the Car Care Center. We just prefer BVP, there are also other rental car companies that have office in other DTD resorts.

Kae

 

[bdklein]

Hello!

We are staying at POR versus our usual WL and are thinking we might want a car to get around.... Can anyone suggest the least expensive way I can do this? I need to keep it around $200.

Thanks!

I can't imagine a car cotss that much for a day.

 

[mcgill93]

We would like the rental for 7 to 9 days. I am flying into MCO but the rates from there are crazy so we were planning on going through Disney Car Care Center. I keep seeing people posting about rates of $169 for 7 or 9 days, but I don't know how that is possible!

 

[Tara]

The rates you're seeing are referring to a special where you pick up the car at Shades of Green (SOG) and return it to the Orlando airport (MCO). SOG is on Disney property but is owned and operated by the military for military families to stay at reduced rates. Instructions for booking it are here http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45327167&postcount=123

Be aware that there are some questions about whether or not non-military people will have issues getting onto SOG property (maybe, maybe not). I looked at the rates and they weren't worth the hassle of doing Magical Express to the resort, having to then go get the car (cab), which would also delay my grocery stop.

What are your exact dates? How many people are in your group? This will help give you more specific advice. Someone else linked to Mousesavers already - I would read the WDW rental cars info page there to get started. Then you can start playing around with codes. You can also try carrentalsavers.com to comparison shop, though I'm not having great luck with it these days.

 

[Tara]

Depending on when you are traveling, Dollar has some great rates without using codes and still picking up at the airport. Put in your dates/times and when the rates page comes up, it should have some rows that are highlighted yellow and say "city special." I booked a midsize for $115 for 8 days at the end of August.

Also - note that the Car Care Center is not always the cheapest way to go.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I keep seeing people posting about rates of $169 for 7 or 9 days, but I don't know how that is possible!

Rates for car rentals don't go down until just a few weeks out from your rental dates....that's just the way the rental agencies handle prices.

And when they go down, they usually go down A LOT. Like half. For most October weeks, you usually can get a compact car for around $125 for the week, including taxes.

Here's what I paid last year for a Saturday to Sunday fullsize:

Vehicle Type: Fullsize - 4-Door/Automatic/Air - Chevrolet Impala Or Similar

Pickup Information
Location: Orlando Intl Arpt (MCOT71)

Date & Time:
Saturday, October 22, 2011 @ 01:00 PM

Dropoff Information
Date & Time:
Sunday, October 30, 2011 @ 03:00 PM

Base Rate - Fullsize (USD)
(1) Week Rate ($163.36/week) $163.36
(1) Day Rate ($23.34/day) $23.34
(2) Hour Rate ($7.78/hour) $15.56

Contract I.D. 7015309
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
(1) Additional Driver Included

Subtotal.............................................$202.26

Discount ($30.34)
Costco May 2010 Campaign ($30.00)

Subtotal............................................($60.34)

Additional Items
Daily Freq Traveler Surcharge $2.50
Additional Driver ($9.99/day) $0.00

Subtotal...............................................$2.50

Taxes, Surcharges and Fees
Customer Facility Charge 2.50/day $12.50
Airport Access Fee 10 % $15.06
Tire/battery Fee .02/day $0.18
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day $18.00
Vehicle License Fee .69/day $6.21
Sales Tax (6.50%) $12.60

Subtotal..............................................$64.55

Estimated Total......................................$208.97

This year I'm seeing this same period & length of reservation price out around $400. Prices might be up a little this yer, but I still think you can plan on getting something for around $200. Now if you absolutely NEED a minivan, they can stay on the expensive side.