Is National the only car rental actually IN WDW?

[Darian]

We'll need to rent a car after our 8 night stay at WDW. Anyone have recommendations on who to use? When we stayed at the Poly in 1998, the kind folks at the front desk recommended National. I don't remember if it was the National bus that picked us up or if a WDW bus made a stop at the National lot. Either way it was pretty convenient.

This time around we will be finishing our WDW vacation at the Yacht Club. So from there, we'll need a rental car. Does National still have that lot in the WDW resort? Does any other company have a similar setup? (ie a lot within WDW.)

After reading all the posts here about National's recent troubles and decaying fleet of cars, I'm more inclined to go with Avis. We have a nice discount coupon for them as well. Who is close to the YC/BC hotels?

Darian

 

[poohbear2]

I think Dollar has counter service at The Dolphin/The Swan. They also have counter service at The Courtyard at the Marriot Downtown Disney.

 

[Geri]

Avis has a counter at the Hilton in DTD. I had rented a car in southern FL recently & returned it to the Hilton. They offered to take us back to our resort but we had made plans to go to DTD anyway. It was very convenient.

Geri

 

[kdibattista]

I believe they recommend National because they have some sort of deal worked out with them. I know National is the "official" car rental company for the Disney Club. Anyway, if you are flying into Orlando airport, here is a list of companies that are located directly in the airport terminal - http://www.orlandoairports.net:/goaa/ops/rac.htm

 

[GoldenOldie]

There are two National offices on WDW property. There's the main one at the Car Care Center next to the MK parking lot exit which is accessible using National's courtesy van shuttle and there's an office in the lobby of the Dolphin which is about a five minute walk from the YC or one stop on the Epcot to MGM boat.

The closest Avis pickup is at the Hilton Hotel at DD.

 

[Darian]

Thanks for all the info! We plan to use Yourride for transport from MCO to AKL, spend 4 nights at AKL and move over to YC for another 4 nights. We have some friends and family in south florida and so need a car for the trip south. We didn't want to rent a car until we were leaving WDW because we figured we wouldn't be using it till then... what with all the WDW buses, boats and monorails.

Hmmm do you think we will we actually _need_ a car while we are at WDW? My only other worry was how convenient would it be to obtain a rental car while at the YC. From what I've read here it sounds like the best way to get a car from avis would be to take the DTD bus from YC, then walk to the Hilton (yikes, is it far?) and rent the car, drive back to the YC for the bags. Is there a better way? I've never been to DTD so have no idea about the distances involved...

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I believe Avis also offers a shuttle that will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Hilton.

You could also check rates with National using the Dolphin as the pick up point, since this is just a short walk from the YC. National's on-line reservation engine will let you select pick-up and drop-off points.

Ralph

 

[JKLLady]

I'd suggest checking with National & using the desk at the Dolphin; we stayed at BWV 8/24-09/02 & rented a car for just one day to head to Seaworld. National website w/DC discount gave a rate of $51.00 w/tax for the day; when we picked it up the great lady @ their desk checked the computer & found a better rate, $36.00 for the day. They gave us an almost new Buick Century in great condition. As someone else mentioned, you can walk from the YC or take a qiuck ride on the boat. We walked one way & took the boat the other due to rain. Also, the National desk is one flight up from where you enter the Dolphin from the boat dock area & to the right side of the lobby.

 

[the Legend]

Alamo have an office at the Wyndham Palace at DTD. Used them last year and were very efficient with quick and easy service.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

National is the "Official" car rental agency of Walt Disney World, but as others have mentioned, there are other companies in the area.

Whichever company you choose from, give them a call, and see if they can arrange for you to be picked up. I know National will pick you up... they have a bunch of green courtesy mini-busses that I've seen all over property. It would only make sense that the other companies would have simmilar courtesy vans.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Hey folks, thought I'd update this thread...

I got word today that Alamo has added an office at the Car Care center, right next to the National booth. Not quite sure how this plays out on "officialness" and whatnot. Suffice to say, both agencies will pick you up and drop you off.

 

[Darian]

Chip 'n Dale Express - I'm not all that familiar with the layout of WDW. Where is the Car Care Center? Is it near DTD? The YC? Not to sound hopelessly dumb, but what exactly _is_ the car care center?

Thanks!!!

Darian

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Darian
Chip 'n Dale Express - I'm not all that familiar with the layout of WDW. Where is the Car Care Center? Is it near DTD? The YC? Not to sound hopelessly dumb, but what exactly _is_ the car care center?

The Car Care Center is located just outside of the Magic Kingdom car parking... about a 7-10 minute ride from the Yacht Club. Car Care takes care of many many different things. There is an Exxon gas station (with actual decent prices... what a shocker)... there is also National and now Alamo Car Rental. Also, there is a AAA car repair center. If your personal vehicle breaks down, AAA will tow your car there for free (don't have to be a member... but it must be on WDW property), and then you can choose to have it repaired there.

In addition to all that... Car Care is also the location of the bus FIW center. FIW = Fuel, Inspect, and Wash. Each night, every bus comes here, and gets fueled, inspected for any mechanical problems, serviced, and fully washed both inside and out.

 

[Darian]

Cool! Thanks for the help! Thats really close by our hotel... and we have a nice discount coupon for Alamo too...

This board is the best!

Darian