National at the Dolphin - help me with the logistics, please!

[disneydreamgirl]

I have reserved a Sat. afternoon to Tues. afternoon rental (great deal with one free day plus 20% off by paying with MasterCard (VISA has the same offer but need to have and remember a coupon) - I was dreading the car rental process but it worked out alright!)

I need some help from the seasoned WDW renters out there...I will be travelling to and from DHS to pickup the rental and then travelling from Epcot and back when I return the rental.

So, what is the best (fastest/least hassle of a way) besides a taxi to get to the Dolphin from DHS and to Epcot from the Dolphin? I'm not opposed to a taxi as I'm sure it would be cheap enough given the proximity of all three places.

I'd like to minimize the pickup/dropoff time so please give some guidance as to where I should be going exactly, once at the Dolphin.

Thanks so much, in advance, for your advice - I love to be prepared!

 

[skelooch]

You can walk or boat from either DHS or Epcot to the Dolphin, probably 15 min either way.
The National/Alamo rental deck is located in the lobby area on the third floor, when you enter the resort via walking or boat, you will be entering on the first floor. Their hours are 8am to 4pm, 7days a week.

If you return the car after hours it can be left with the valet desk.
I do not believe they provide transportation back to your resort after dropping the car off, so you may have to take a taxi back to your resort or walk/boat to DHS and then take a bus, assuming you are staying on property.

 

[goofy4tink]

You are doing it exactly right!!! No need for a cab. You can either boat or walk to the Dolphin from DHS. A boat will take about 12 mins once you get on the boat. The walk will take about 17 mins, no wait included. The boat stops at the S/D first, so if you see a boat coming into the dock, that would be your best bet. But, if the boat is just pulling away, then you are going to be better off walking. The boats arrive about every 15 or so mins.
When you drop the car off....you can either walk or boat over to Epcot. If you take the boat, it will take about 12-15 mins once the boat leaves. It will stop at YC/BC, BW and then finally Epcot. Or you can just walk it...about 10 mins. You can head to the left, past YC/BC or to the right, past BW...the walk is pretty much the same I believe.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Thanks for the tips!! I hadn't even considered a boatride so this quasi-chore has now become an adventure...woo hoo! The only boatride I've taken before was from POR to DTD. Pretty sure DH will want to come along for the ride now. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for the tips!! I hadn't even considered a boatride so this quasi-chore has now become an adventure...woo hoo! The only boatride I've taken before was from POR to DTD. Pretty sure DH will want to come along for the ride now. Thanks again for the advice!

See you there!!! Almost time to leave. I'll be sure to wave to all the boats I see passing by BW. Maybe you'll be on one!!!

 

[disneydreamgirl]

See you there!!! Almost time to leave. I'll be sure to wave to all the boats I see passing by BW. Maybe you'll be on one!!!

I'll wave back, I promise!

One last question, what's your best suggestions for gassing up prior to returning the rental. Is there a gas station close to the Dolphin? I think I recall people talking about a Hess station...

Edit: I googled and found one at the Car Care Centre which seems close enough...and I will have our GPS.

 

[NancyIL]

I'll wave back, I promise!

One last question, what's your best suggestions for gassing up prior to returning the rental. Is there a gas station close to the Dolphin? I think I recall people talking about a Hess station...

Edit: I googled and found one at the Car Care Centre which seems close enough...and I will have our GPS.

The closest Hess is on the corner on Buena Vista Drive - just opposite the entrance to DHS. (The Boardwalk Inn is the other direction.) It's one stoplight before the stoplight where you would turn to go to the Swan/Dolphin, if coming from the direction of Downtown Disney.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

This just keeps getting better - Thanks so much for the info!