Priceline "Downtown Disney" ?

[Pixie_Dust]

I saw at Priceline that they have rental cars in the Downtown Disney "area," represented by a purple blob around Hwy. 4, and I wondered if they are in walking distance of the actual Downtown Disney. Does anyone know which companies are available there? We could get to DD from OKW (and take ME to/from the resort, saving a day or two in car rental), but if we have to take a cab to and from the rental place, it might cost the same as paying the extra fees to pick one up at the airport.

 

[Lewisc]

Based on the map it looks like you could get Avis in the Hilton (DTD) or Alamo/National at Dolphin. It looks like the map is far enough N to exclude MOWC and the Gaylord Palms and even the Caribe Royale.

BUT I think the map could include Hertz in the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. I'd think the cab ride to get there would wipe out your savings. I'd stick with the usual discount coupons with Alamo/National.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I don't think Alamo or National is going to have $12/day for economy like I can bid on Priceline at the airport. I checked National and theirs was $40/day!!! IDK about coupons, but I doubt it would get the price down to comparable levels.

Also I want a car for 4 or 5 days but all the web sites come back with a week-long price quote, whereas I know Priceline would only charge me the exact number of days.

I know sometimes a week costs less when you book direct with one of those companies (I've gotten $14/day that way direct from Payless and Dollar), but one time we booked a week and brought the car back early, and the rental place tried to charge us a higher daily rate instead. It took so long for them to get their act together, we were almost late for our plane!

 

[SB in KY]

So far all I have heard of coming up on the DTD area was Avis at the Hilton (Easy walk), Alamo at the Dolphin (take a Disney bus from any of the parks) and a Budget (or was ot Dollar?? I forget) at one of the Hotel Plaza hotels (but I forget which one...but it would still be accessible by bus from any of the parks, or a walk from the Marketplace.... not sure how much cheaper the rates were in the DTD area vs the MCO area....but it never hurts to bid. Let us know how you come out if you get something.

I think for a 4 to 5 day rental you may well do better with Priceline....either DTD or MCO

 

[paladin]

With most companies, the weekly rate kicks in at 5 days. So if you rent a car for 5, 6 or 7 days then you are eligible for the weekly rate. If, however, you bring the car back early (i.e. before the 5 days), then the eligibility requirements for the weekly rate have no longer been fufilled and they can charge you the higher daily rate (which is what you would now be eligible for). Of course, they might let it pass or you may be eligible for some other type of rate (i.e. weekend), but I wouldn't plan on it.