I may win the "Oddest Question of the Day" award with this one...Budget car rental...

[lntsmom]

This is my busy time at work. I am just swamped. Trying to muck out all the details for a trip is a challenge.

On our first day in CA I'm renting a car and we're spending the day at Laguna Beach. The car I reserved is through Budget. Mind you, their reservation system was very odd in that they didn't ask for my card # or anything. I guess they have enough cars that they don't stress. I did what I always do...said I'd pick up and return to the airport.

Then it dawned on me...why pay for a shuttle or cab back to HoJos when there's a Budget on Harbor. I looked at it yesterday on Google and it says it's about a mile and a half from HoJo's.

They close really early, but I'm going to pay the extra for the drop-and-go insurance, meaning I could leave the car and put the keys in the slot because the payment will be taken care of at pick-up.

So, here's the question...does anyone know exactly where the Budget place is located? Is it in a hotel? Is it on the opposite side of Disneyland from HoJo or is it back up across the big freeway intersection?

I'm thinking it would be more cost effective to take the boys to the hotel, get settled, and either drop the car later that night or early the next morning. I might even drop the boys at Disneyland, let them wait in line, go drop the car and come back and meet them. That would depend on opening time.

I'm just trying to figure out whether I can walk to Disneyland from Budget...and if I can't, whether the ART might run from someplace nearby.

Any help from the regulars would be greatly appreciated!

TIA!

 

[got2travel]

I can't remember if Budget is in a hotel or not, but I can tell you it's a bit too far to walk. You would be able to easily find an ART route though. There are several routes that run along Harbor Blvd. You might also consider everyone going together in the evening to drop the car off, then have a nice dinner. There's a Red Robin, Outback, Joe's Crab Shack and Bucca de Beppo all in the same area.

Be sure to compare the rental car rates though. You may get a cheaper rate at the airport and even factoring in the shuttle cost, you might still come out ahead.

And don't worry about no credit card info being taken. I've never had to give my info when renting, unless I'm using the executive type service where I just go right out to my car and bypass the counter. Not sure if Budget offers that, I don't rent with them.


Just did a google map, and looks like it's a stand alone location, not in a hotel. It's also not as far as I though, so not near the restuarants I mentioned. You can still grab an ART ride though, looks like the Carriage Inn is right across the street.

 

[Disney Dreams]

You could probably mapquest it or ask Budget directly.

 

[brenda1966]

A couple of things: watch out for "drop fees" if you are returning to a location not the same as where you picked up. It's worth shopping around for an agentcy that doesn't charge you for that.

SEcondly, the Avis on Katella will shuttle you back to your hotel or wherever you need to go when you drop the car off. Of course that wouldn't work if you're dropping off after hours, but could if you drop off the next morning, so I'd ask Budget about that.

 

[lntsmom]

The cost for dropping on Harbor was the same. HOWEVER, the Harbor Budget office is only open until 4 p.m. and doesn't open in the morning until 7:30 AND they do not have after-hours drop-off available.

After doing some searching, I have found that the Dollar car rental service is much more reasonable. They're located in the Anaheim Plaza Hotel...an easy walk to HoJo's. Their desk closes at 6, but because they're in a hotel you can park the car there and drop the keys 24 hours a day.

The rates I've found are even cheaper than Budget's!

Oh, and for those who, like me, dont do credit cards, their hold is much more reasonable. Budget holds $400 - 500 for 2 weeks. They hold the cost of the rental plus 15%!