Hiring a car for the first time

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

We usually never hire a car whilst in FL - and have never felt the need to before. We either stay onsite at WDW, or split the stay between WDW and I Drive/US when we want to do the other parks. In the past, we've caught the Lynx to I Drive for the outlets.

The bus takes sooo long, we're thinking of hiring a car for the day - 2 at most, from the desk at the Dolphin. FIL hired a car from here for our wedding trip for a day, so we could pick up our licence from the courthouse, but I'm wondering if there's a cheaper way of doing it.

We went direct through Alamo and bought their Collision Damage Waiver - is this the easiest way, or do you normally use a 3rd party? It's coming out around $70 for a day's care hire, almost $100 with sat nav.

Thanks!

 

[dixonsontour]

Where are you staying? We hired a car for a weekend from the disney car care centre, near MK.

Alamo picked you up in a bus from the disney hotel and took us there. When we dropped the car off, they dropped us at a park.

Booked with alamo uk using the Brits guide discount as it needed to be alamo as they were at the car care centre.

This was Dec 2009.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Thanks Didn't know that was an option!

We're staying at Pop this time!

 

[wayneg]

If at all possible don't turn up at a desk and rent a car. They know you want it and you will pay thru the nose.
Best way is to pre-book in the UK for the days you want. If thats not possible then hopefully you will have a laptop with you, companies like Expedia let you book the same day you want to collect.

A very quick check for a random day next month with USrentcar.co.uk from the Disney car care centre £26 (£31 incl tank of gas) upto a massive Dodge Durango 7 seater £45 (£52 incl gas)
Satnav is not cheap to rent, above rental want £15 adding for it which is crazy, Walmart sell them from £45 (I bought this in Feb http://www.walmart.com/ip/TomTom-XL-335SE-4.3-GPS-Navigation-System/15173175?findingMethod=rr )

Other companies are possibly cheaper, I have found USrentacar a little pricey this year but its a good quick guide.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

That's fantastic, thank you I'll have a look on there now!

Does that include the CDW too? I think it's the insurance I'm most worried about, even though DH is a very good driver

 

[wayneg]

Does that include the CDW too? I think it's the insurance I'm most worried about, even though DH is a very good driver

That is one of the main reasons you should use a UK agent instead of going direct. UK agents include all required insurances as opposed to a US agent who usually quote without insurance(Americans use their own so don't need it including)
This is from USrentacar site, shows everything included but other UK agents offer similar http://www.usrentacar.co.uk/whatsincluded.aspx

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Great, thanks very much!