Port to Disney Options

[Disney Wish]

So we will be embarking on our first Disney cruise next February. We are staying on site before we go on the cruise and return to WDW for one night before flying out. We are contemplating renting a car on our final day to do a little shopping before coming home.
Has anyone has rented a car at the Port and drove back to WDW? Any issues with returning the vehicle in Orlando?
We have already booked bus transportation. Any issues with cancelling (e.g. fee)?
Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We rented cars from the port and drove them to Orlando and then the airport the next day.

Picking up the car isn't too bad. The CM's will point out the line for the free shuttle that will take you to the Rental Car company you picked. Depending how many of you their are, you might want the driver at the front of your group. That way, if you can't all fit on the shuttle at once (due to others in front of you in line) at least the driver of your group might be able to get on. This happened to us and I had the car rented by the time the rest of my family got there.

Dropping off at the airport is no problem. Many of the companies have parking spots right in the airport garage, so no need for another shuttle. Some people report getting charged extra for a "one way" rental. That didn't happen to us.

I will tell you about one snag that we had. Because we got off the ship at around 8:00, but our flight wasn't until 3 PM the next day, we had a few choices: Wait at the port awhile, get to the airport really early, or pay for an extra day of car rental. This is because most of the rental companies consider anything over 24 hours to be a second full day. We ended up going with option 3, because we wanted to make the most of our time, but it did mean paying double for what was really only a few extra hours. Still, it was worth it to us, and still gave us a lot more freedom and flexibility than the bus would have. Still cheaper for our family of four as well.

 

[Disney Wish]

Thanks, Anchors Away!