Magical Express/Car Rental

[DCrockett]

Has anyone done this or can this be done. DG and I take the children and grandchildren to WDW every year and I always prefer to have a car to get around. A lot of time is wasted waiting for and riding buses. I usually get a car and one of my children gets another. The problem now is because there are more grandchildren we need more room (larger vehicles) for suitcases. Because we pay for the majority of the vacation I'm still limited on how much we spend (need to keep the cars small). So here is the question. Can everyone except me and son-in-law take the Magical Express with the suitcases and we rent and drive 2 cars. Is this a problem with Disney?

 

[Tasmen]

I believe (or at least I think I read) that there are places to rent cars on resort. If that is true, I imagine you could all take ME to your hotel and then go get the rental cars.

 

[Mystry62]

I think that Avis & National are on-site at WDW, but I don't know if they have kiosks at the resorts. You might also consider renting through Enterprise b/c even if they aren't on-site, they will pick you up and take you to the rental place and I believe they will drop you back off after you turn the car in.

 

[Joy]

National and Alamo have a desk at the Dolphin or Swan and a location at the Car Care Center. The one at the Car Care Center will pick you up if you call 24 hours ahead.

There are some rental places at the hotels at DTD but I can't remember which ones. You can check mousesavers dot com. She lists all of the rental car companies and also lists the current discount codes.

My kids love ME so we ride it to the resort then get the car later that day or the next day. We drive back to the airport instead of ME.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Yes you can do just that as we did for our June trip .

Sent the 3 gals onto ME and DsF and I went to an empty van . We all arrived within minutes of each other.

We now all just take ME and get a rental at either the CCC or a DTD hotel location as I have found better rates there.

The only thing to watch out for is you can't use yours or SiLs ME tags .You can use the kids and the gals and you will be fine.

 

[LISAVWL]

sure can! We did this in Sept, My MIL and I took the 4 kids on the ME bus and my DH & FIL went to rent the car. We arrived at the resort within 10 minutes of each other. Just make sure that you have enough luggage tags to put on all the bags and you'll be all set.

 

[camdensmom]

We saved a ton by taking the ME and then picking up our rental car at DTD. It was literally close to $200.00 savings doing it this way vs. the cost of renting at the airport. Also, there was no line at the counter there and we got a great SUV for a cheap rate. It was so worth every penny and paid for itself by being able to get groceries and eat breakfast in the room each morning.

In our case we did it because we had an 8 month old at the time and I didn't want to worry about riding crowded buses with him not in a car seat. However, I wouldn't dream of doing it any other way now. It was so nice to be able to dine at other resorts and zip around WDW. Also, if you stay on site then parking at the parks is free.

 

[DCrockett]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I know where the CCC is located but where is the DTD actual rental location? If you take the ME to the hotel and rent a car at CCC can you take a bus there or do you have to take a taxi?

 

[byoung]

Why rent when ME is free.

 

[LISAVWL]

We now all just take ME and get a rental at either the CCC or a DTD hotel location as I have found better rates there.

I'd love to know where these locations are too. We have always rented a car b/c it is so much easier with the little kids and strollers and this sounds like a better option, especially if it wll save $$$!!

 

[AIW]

a quick suggestion. I had my TA reserve a car for me through Alamo. I rate I got was $67 for 1 day! I did some research and ended up reserving online with National for $21!! I even called National and when I had them reserve the exact same car, same days, etc. the best rate he could do was $45. I couldn't believe it. Also, there are promo codes you can get off of mousesavers that you can enter online for additional savings.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I know where the CCC is located but where is the DTD actual rental location?

I'm renting from Dollar and they have the DTD location at the Grosvenor Hotel. You can take either a taxi or a DD bus from your resort and then walk there.
This gives you a general idea of the hotel to DD area :
http://www.hoteldiscounts.com/disney/go2orlando-disney.html

 

[Mom2DisneyLovinKids]

Sorry if I sound dumb but what is DTD. we are headed down in Sept 07 and car rental rates are crazy high. thanks

 

[MiaSRN62]

DTD is Downtown Disney (abbreviation)
Sometimes you'll see it as DD.
Here is a list of other DIS abbreviations :
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[Newfie2000]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I know where the CCC is located but where is the DTD actual rental location? If you take the ME to the hotel and rent a car at CCC can you take a bus there or do you have to take a taxi?

I am a little confused as to exactly what you are asking. I think that you are asking how to get from the hotel to the CCC? If that is the case you can call the day before and arrange to have a free shuttle pick you up at the hotel and take you to CCC. From what I understand they will also take you back to your hotel after dropping the car back off at the CCC. Hope this helps!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

It looks like most ??? are answered but most rental locations in the DTD area are very walkable from the Marketplace bus stops.

We just did an Enterprise that was a bit further but as with the others they had a shuttle come and pick me up and dropped me off while DW and DD were at the parks.

The ones I have delt with will drop you anywhere on -sight even at the parks.

 

[DCrockett]

Thanks Newfie that's exactly the info I was looking for.