My head is going to explode

[Boo Mc]

At least it feels that way! After a day and a half of trying to type in every code known to man (and mouse), I am still not getting a good price on a rental car. We will be at WDW from 12/5 - 12/17. Arrive in the early evening, leave mid-morning. I have tried many companies, though I'd prefer one on-site. This is our first time renting so maybe I'm just mssing something. The rates I've gotten so far are from $270 (Budget compact) to $390 for various intermediates. There will be four of us so we need room for carseats and luggage. Any ideas? Thanks!!!

 

[diane1102]

Hi Boo!
We're going to be at BWV around the same time (our first time) and we weren't going to rent because the price seemed high. We were only staying 5 (12/9-12-14) nights, and it looked like the same as a full weekly rental rate. So at this point, we're going to take a town car and use Disney trans.... but the recent postings about long bus waits at BW make me second guess that decision. If we could get something in the $140 range, I'd reconsider. But at $200 plus, I don't think it's worth it for how little we would use a car.
Diane.

 

[Boo Mc]

Diane - We love the BWV and I'm sure you'll have a great trip. I wouldn't worry too much if you decide not to get a car. The great thing about the BW is that you can walk (or take the boat but walking is usually faster) to both Epcot and MGM. If you're at Epcot, remember that you can take the monorail to MK or take it from MK to Epcot and walk to BW. This is assuming that you have hopper passes and really want to avoid the bus. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and entertainment at BW, Y&BC, etc. so you may not need a car as much. I'm hoping that rates will drop between now and then. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, too. Have a great trip!!

 

[zurgswife]

We are scheduled for later in Dec and the prices are even worse...I finally decided to get a car from the airport and drop it at the Dolphin (national)....I'm still spending more then I have ever spent on a 1 week rental and this time I only have a car for 3 days total for a 2 week trip....

But we are DVCers and I need to go grocery shopping so having a car makes a big difference....a 30min grocery stop just won't do it....

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Our trip is a little earlier- but including Thanksgiving- and I couldn't get a good rate on a vehicle big enough for my family and our stuff either!!! Discounts wouldn't work, rates were HIGH.

So we just decided to go with FL Tours, only grocery shop in the 30min they give us and if we need to again later I'll take a taxi during our midday break or something if necessary, and use WDW transportation. We had been thinking about doing US/IOA a little again this trip- but the cost of the rental car or for transportation to/from there if we didn't rent a car helped us decide against that for this trip. If the rates were better we might have rented a vehicle and our trip be much different- but I think it will be fine this way anyway.

Just wanted to empathize... couldn't find good rates or discounts on a rental vehicle during our trip either!

 

[off2disney]

I booked a mid-size with Alamo months ago with a Sam's Club Code and discount, plus a $15.00 coupon and got it for $170.00 including taxes and extra driver included -- I've tried the same rates recently and the cheapest I could get now is $209.00. I've tried other companies and codes and still haven't been able to beat my price for the time we're going Dec 15-21st

 

[seashoreCM]

This may not necessarily help you but sometimes modifying your pickup or dropoff by just one day may change the rate profoundly.

Example (as of yesterday) November 22-30 costed $175. (grand total for a compact at one agency on Travelocity.com) while November 23-30 costed $210.

One person could go back to the airport to pick up the car.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry but I think it'll cost more than $35 to get the party from the airport to Disney then get one person from Disney to the airport the next day to get the rental car.

The problem is you're adding 1 day to a weekly rate. If you're on a budget you might plan your trip to qualify for a weekly car rental or consider staying at the airport the first night.

Originally posted by seashoreCM
This may not necessarily help you but sometimes modifying your pickup or dropoff by just one day may change the rate profoundly.

Example (as of yesterday) November 22-30 costed $175. (grand total for a compact at one agency on Travelocity.com) while November 23-30 costed $210.

One person could go back to the airport to pick up the car.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[dcgrumpy]

You're probably not going to get anything much cheaper for a 2 week rental. $390 for 2 weeks is $195 a week, which isn't a really good rate, but I've seen worse.

 

[Boo Mc]

Well, I'm thinking about giving Priceline a try. Do you guys think I should bid now or wait and see if a lower rate comes out. I'm reluctant to bid because if the prices dropped I'd be stuck with the priceline car. (I'm assuming that once you bid you can't get the lower price if a code or coupon comes out, right? I've never used Priceline). Also, I really want something on-site and might not get it with priceline. Lastly, I'd prefer to get National (not sure if you can specify with Priceline) and hopefully get a better car in the Emerald Aisle. Has anyone booked an intermediate and then been able to pick a higher category car when they got to the EA? Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Boo Mc
Well, I'm thinking about giving Priceline a try. Do you guys think I should bid now or wait and see if a lower rate comes out. I'm reluctant to bid because if the prices dropped I'd be stuck with the priceline car. (I'm assuming that once you bid you can't get the lower price if a code or coupon comes out, right? I've never used Priceline). Also, I really want something on-site and might not get it with priceline. Lastly, I'd prefer to get National (not sure if you can specify with Priceline) and hopefully get a better car in the Emerald Aisle. Has anyone booked an intermediate and then been able to pick a higher category car when they got to the EA? Thanks!

NO to most of your questions:
With PL you pre-pay, can't cancel and YOU'RE RATE IS SET.
You might get Hertz (offsite)
They don't have to let you use EA.
The late charges are VERY HIGH.

You probably won't be happy with PL