Planning Help!!! Not sure where to post this!

[ClarabelleCow]

Okay, I am having issues with my very confusing trip.

First, we arrive at MCO on 2/19, I have a rental booked to pickup at Avis on this day and will return to the WDW Hilton on 2/21.

2/19 - 2/21 we are at the Swan, free nights and going to the Daytona 500, we then check into SSR for 2/21 - 2/24

2/24 we check out of SSR and check into the DCL Wonder for 3 nights.

these are where I am having issues
Rental Car - Avis is right at the airport, we want a large car, because if it is raining we want room to hang out while at Daytona, and pray for a clear sky to get the race in. The car is disgustingly expensive $211.00 for 2 days, but it's nice because we can return it at DTD/WDW Hilton - easy because we are at SSR

BUT - I can get a car from National at the Dolphin for $135.00 for the same time frame, savings of 76.00, but then we have to get to the Swan and pay for that, so probably the Avis thing is easier and cheaper in the long run?

Then on 2/24 we were told to be at the Poly by 10:30 for DCL transfers (again should have done a private limo, but already booked the transfers so I want to try to make them work). Does SSR have bell services to get the bags there, or do we have to lug them on the buses to get them there. Or should we just hire a taxi to take us over???

We are meeting up with my Sis on the cruise, kids have no clue!!!

So my questions are - should we do the Avis reservation or the National? And does anyone have any experience doing the cruise transfers, will they come to the resort and grab the bags?

 

[tjkraz]

Car rental: I'd do National / Alamo. In addition to the Dolphin they have a desk at the Car Care Center. I've read that they will transport you back to your resort from the CCC at no charge. Perhaps someone on the transportation board could give you more details on that.

If all else fails, you could just use Disney transportation from the Dolphin to SSR. Could you return the car at the Dolphin and then immediately take a bus to one of the theme parks (or walk to MGM / Epcot?) Or, perhaps a bus from the Dolphin to Downtown Disney and walk over to SSR?

Regarding the cruise transportation, you might want to rely on a cab. Honestly, if they are insisting that you meet the bus at the Poly, I can't believe that Disney won't pay for a cab to get you there. I'm sure you're paying over $100 for your transportation to the ship--I wouldn't let them get away with doing half a job.

Of the options you mentioned, I certainly wouldn't trust bell services to get your luggage from SSR to the Poly by 10:30am. I know they do luggage transfers between the resorts, but I'm sure they are normally handled on a massive scale in the middle of the day. With all of the folks checking-out by 11am, I'm sure they won't have the manpower (or the desire) to send someone across the resort with your bags.

Honestly, I'd either get better cooperation from Disney over the transporation issues or cancel it.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Writing this thread really made me see things better!!!!

We are going to keep the Avis reservations, pickup at the airport and the return is right across the street from DTD, so we can go and check into SSR, then return the car, piece of cake!!

I contacted DCL (booked through Costco), and they said they definately pick up at SSR!!! pickup time is 12:15. Should have us to the port no later than 1:15!! We can have a relaxing morning!

Thanks all for letting me vent!