Help with my transportation options

[TexasErin]

Okay we're flying into MCO around 8 pm on Saturday, June 8. We're checking into A of A for one night. Then a week at AKV. Then two nights at the end somewhere else (POSSIBLY GF or BC). It will be me, DH, DD (16), and DS (10).

We go every year, but have always driven there. I'm going to try to succeed in flying without having a panic attack (pray for me!)

I signed us up for ME flying in. But my plans are to hopefully arrive at AofA by 9 pm, have dinner at their food court, and then swim for around half an hour. Then the next day getting to DHS for the last day of SWW and going to the Dolphin at some point that day to rent a car. We really hate waiting for busses in the morning and then waiting again at night only to have to either stand on exhausted feet or wait longer for another bus (like anybody likes that, lol).

Then on our last day, we would return the car at the Dolphin and take ME to MCO for our 7 pm flight home. However we would like to stay at Epcot as late as we can that day. I have not signed up for ME that day since don't know yet where we're staying yet.

But now after doing some reading, I'm worried we won't make it to AofA that quickly and we really want to eat at their food court that night. I've thought about renting a car from the airport if it would be quicker. But I would like to attempt to keep my car rental price under $400 if that's possible for 10 days???? (Or I guess 11 days since we'd be returning it after hours on 6/18) I thought about a taxi, but that plus a rental car the following day starts to add up $.

And on our last day, we'd have to leave much earlier with ME taking us. Wouldn't we get to stay longer if we used a rental car and returned it at the airport????

What would you do? I want to spend the most time at the world (rather than wasting precious time on transportation). And not spend more than $400 or so. (Like anyone wants to waste time or money )

Sorry so many questions, but I'm a transportation newbie since we've always had our own car!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

First off if you are looking at car rental for June you are looking too early. Best deals are found just before your trip when the last minute rates are released.
Renting from MCO is a little bit quicker than taking the bus by about 15-20 minutes.

If you don't like waiting for buses, and I agree the buses take up too much vacation time then definitely rent a car.
Also if you are planning to take the DME back to the airport you need to allow 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from the park back to your resort. If you miss your bus there may not be another one for a while and you will have to take a cab. OUCH

If you return the car to the airport still leave at least 3 hours before your flight. You never know what traffic will be like. You will have to stop for gas and make your way back to the rental location

 

[sam_gordon]

Okay we're flying into MCO around 8 pm on Saturday, June 8. We're checking into A of A for one night. Then a week at AKV. Then two nights at the end somewhere else (POSSIBLY GF or BC). It will be me, DH, DD (16), and DS (10).

We go every year, but have always driven there. I'm going to try to succeed in flying without having a panic attack (pray for me!)

I signed us up for ME flying in. But my plans are to hopefully arrive at AofA by 9 pm, have dinner at their food court, and then swim for around half an hour. Then the next day getting to DHS for the last day of SWW and going to the Dolphin at some point that day to rent a car. We really hate waiting for busses in the morning and then waiting again at night only to have to either stand on exhausted feet or wait longer for another bus (like anybody likes that, lol).

Then on our last day, we would return the car at the Dolphin and take ME to MCO for our 7 pm flight home. However we would like to stay at Epcot as late as we can that day. I have not signed up for ME that day since don't know yet where we're staying yet.

But now after doing some reading, I'm worried we won't make it to AofA that quickly and we really want to eat at their food court that night. I've thought about renting a car from the airport if it would be quicker. But I would like to attempt to keep my car rental price under $400 if that's possible for 10 days???? (Or I guess 11 days since we'd be returning it after hours on 6/18) I thought about a taxi, but that plus a rental car the following day starts to add up $.

And on our last day, we'd have to leave much earlier with ME taking us. Wouldn't we get to stay longer if we used a rental car and returned it at the airport????

What would you do? I want to spend the most time at the world (rather than wasting precious time on transportation). And not spend more than $400 or so. (Like anyone wants to waste time or money )

Sorry so many questions, but I'm a transportation newbie since we've always had our own car!

Wouldn't worry about it so much.

Option 1:

1) DME to AoA. Target arrival @ AoA ~10pm (probably by 9:30p). Figure 10:30 if getting luggage off carousel instead of having DME get it.
2) Cab to DHS to be there well before opening. Bus back
3) Get rental car on 6/10 (actually, I'm fine with Disney transportation, but if I had to have a car and didn't get one at the airport, I'd get one now)
4) Return rental car @ airport (doesn't cost extra to do this). Leave from Epcot ~2 1/2 hours before flight.

Option 2:
1) Get rental car @ airport. Target arrival @ AoA ~10:00p (but can stop for food).
2) Return car at end of week.
3) Keep an eye out for discounts, but "it costs what it costs". That's the price you pay (literally) for having your own transportation.

 

[sam_gordon]

First off if you are looking at car rental for June you are looking too early. Best deals are found just before your trip when the last minute rates are released.
Renting from MCO is a little bit quicker than taking the bus by about 15-20 minutes.

If you don't like waiting for buses, and I agree the buses take up too much vacation time then definitely rent a car.
Also if you are planning to take the DME back to the airport you need to allow 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from the park back to your resort. If you miss your bus there may not be another one for a while and you will have to take a cab. OUCH

Added to the bolded, you'll need to be at your resort ~3 1/2 hours before your flight leaves. So you'll be leaving the park ~5 hours before your flight.