Need Cheap 1 Day Minivan Rental @ WDW

[Epscot]

My family (4 adults, 2 boys - ages 7 & 3) is flying in for our annual October trip and plan to have one non-park day to let our boys rest, play at CSR’s Dig Site and do some off-site outlet shopping. We will be using Magical Express to get to and from MCO, but need a minivan for our off-site exploits.

I know that Alamo has a location at the Car Care Center, National has a location at the Swan or Dolphin (never can remember), and several other companies have locations at the DTD hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd.

The going rate seems to be $65-$70 + taxes/fees for a one day rental. The discount codes I’ve seen on MouseSavers mostly apply to weekly or weekend rentals. Yesterday I found a (relatively) good deal at Budget.com and made a reservation for $55 including taxes/fees. They are located in the Doubletree on Hotel Plaza Blvd.

Two questions:

1. If I keep the Budget reservation, is my best transportation option to take a bus from CSR to DTD and then walk up Hotel Plaza Blvd? If not, what do you suggest?

2. Has anyone been able to find a one-day minivan rate less than $50 for on-site pickup?

I’m open to any and all suggestions.

 

[SB in KY]

I would be really suprised if you could find an on-site rental for under $50....discounts on 1 day rentals are hard/near impossible to come by. In our experience the only significant discounts to be had on 1 day rentals are via Priceline....which you can't use. You can get a nominal (10% usually) discount on short term rentals using the Wal-Mart or Rand McNally codes from Mousesavers.

We have never rented from Budget at the Doubletree....but you might call them directly and ask if they have a shuttle to pick you up either at your hotel or at DTD. Frequently they will. If not a lot of times they will offer to reimburse you for your cab fare there....never hurts to ask.

Worst case scenario, you have to walk from DTD.... probably a 10 minute walk from the Marketplace bus stop. If it is worth the extra time to save $10 in rental fees....go for it.

You can always look at the rental rate for 2 compact/economy cars....sometimes that is cheaper than 1 minivan.

 

[cocowum]

In our experience the only significant discounts to be had on 1 day rentals are via Priceline....which you can't use.

Priceline now offers DTD as a pick up location. Copied from www.priceline.com

The Downtown Disney rental car locations are located within the purple area below. Cars rented at these locations must be returned to the same location, they can not be returned at local airports. Transportation to these locations is not included in the cost of your rental.

HTH
BTW, if you decide to use priceline, please let us know I'm curious as to which car rental locations they use. Thanks. Good luck.

 

[SB in KY]

Thanks COCWUM...that is good to know...last time I checked, Priceline was only offering airport rentals at MCO....this could come in really handy for use with ME!!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Priceline now offers DTD as a pick up location. Copied from www.priceline.com

The Downtown Disney rental car locations are located within the purple area below. Cars rented at these locations must be returned to the same location, they can not be returned at local airports. Transportation to these locations is not included in the cost of your rental.

HTH
BTW, if you decide to use priceline, please let us know I'm curious as to which car rental locations they use. Thanks. Good luck.

Ive returned a National Car from CCC to MCO, with no problem?

 

[Epscot]

UPDATE: I was checking various car rental sites today and found that Alamo has a web special featuring a minivan for $42.99 + taxes/fees per day. It shows the total estimated cost to be ~$49! This is for pickup at the Car Care Center.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

UPDATE: I was checking various car rental sites today and found that Alamo has a web special featuring a minivan for $42.99 + taxes/fees per day. It shows the total estimated cost to be ~$49! This is for pickup at the Car Care Center.

Book it, they have a shuttle that will pick you up at your resort.

 

[sillypiggi]

Ive returned a National Car from CCC to MCO, with no problem?

Did they charge you extra for returning to a different location?