One-day Car Rental

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I'm sure this kind of thing has been answered before, but I'm not having luck finding what I need--hope someone can help! We're staying at POFQ the end of August. We will be using ME and Disney on-site transportation, but do need a car for one day for a side trip. I understand I can rent from the car care center onsite and they'll shuttle me back and forth.

Here's the couple questions I have.

How far in advance do I need to book the rental? We kind of want to wait and watch the weather and then pick a day just a few in advance. Will that work?

How far in advance do I need to set-up the shuttle? Can I just call when I'm ready or do I schedule a time in advance? And how long does this whole process usually take?

Any recommendations on which company to rent through?

We're planning on going to Legoland and want to be there before they open at 9:30. I'm guessing we'll want to leave Disney by about 8:00 or so. Should I get the car the night before or will I be okay taking care of everything that morning?

Anything else I should be aware of or any suggestions from someone who's done this before?

Thanks so much for any help!!!!

Any other suggestions or things I should be aware of?

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I had one for a few days from the care care center. I looked for codes on Alamo, AARP, AAA, etc also like Travelocity for rates. Then I watched. Closer to the trip the rates dropped. For about $19 a day full size came up. I decided to keep it for the week and for about $6 more they changed it a week rental.

I knew I wanted it at 11AM, I called about 10:00AM to ask for shuttle, I was at Epcot. I just missed the van that was there and had to wait about 45 minutes until the shuttle got back for me. I think someone was returning a car requesting a drop somewhere else so I had to wait until the drop was made. Other hen that no problems. They asked what hotel and flight we had,

I was happy to have decided to get the rental, and on site. It was a Chrysler 200 the model for the Taurus.
Start pricing, if you find a rate you like call the reservation line asking if you hold it and the rate goes down can you cancel and book the lower rate.

 

[purple figment]

If you want to pick up the car early in the morning it's probably better to make the shuttle arrangements the day before.

Alamo and National are the only rental companies at the Car Care Center (and also at the Dolphin). Here's a thread that lists other companies with offices nearby - many in Hotel Plaza across from DTD:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2927109