Question about day trip to Tampa...

[speedyf]

We are heading to WDW from December 15th thru December 23rd. We are flying in and taking advantage of Magical Express. We are staying onsite for the entire trip.

Then...I happen to notice that High School Musical - The Concert is coming to Tampa on December 20th. My DS7 loves High School Musical....so, I snagged 3 tickets.

Now....I have to get from Caribbean Beach Resort to Tampa and back on Wednesday.

I figured I would rent a car. I'm a National Emerald Club member. I would like to rent from the Dolphin / Swan since we are planning on being in that area during the morning of December 20th.

I used all the combinations of codes and upgrades available from Mousesavers and the best I could do for a one night, weekday rental was $63 plus taxes and fees....total around $75. That's renting the car around lunch time on Wednesday, December 20th....then, returning it on the morning of Thursday, December 21st. Renting and returning to the Dolphin / Swan.

I just wanted to know if anyone knew of a better deal out there....or if there is some other cheaper transportation to Tampa from Orlando. I will continue to check coupons and codes for the rental to see if I can reduce the cost as the dates get closer....just wanted to see if there were any other alternatives.

Thanks,
Speed

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

You're in Orlando at peak season so rental car prices will be at premium levels. Keep in mind that prices on-site at WDW are likely to be more than if you picked up back at the airport, even with all the airport taxes. Did you try entering your parameters into a website like Orbitz or Travelocity which will then display nearly every rental car company's rates?

Still, $75 for 3 people to travel roundtrip to Tampa is not all that much. But do leave WAY EARLY. I-4 between Tampa and Orlando is a royal mess at that time of the year!

BobK/Orlando

 

[snowy76]

I think that's a great price for that week, it's such a busy time. We did a one day rental in June of last year and paid just under $50.

 

[Mystry62]

Just a suggestion, but try Enterprise. We will be at WDW the week befoer Christmas and decided to rent a car for the week (we're in Tampa). Enterprise had SIGNIFICANTLY lower rates than all of the other companies (The rate for a mid-size in Tampa at a local location was $200 through their website). You may want to consider choosing a non-airport / local location. They will pick you up from whereever you are and bring you to the rental location and the local locations tend to be much cheaper than the "tourist" areas, especially at this time of year.

I did a quick search and found that, even renting on disney property, you can find a car for a little less than $75 through Enterprise, taxes & fess included. Off Disney property, the price is cut in half. One hint, though, if you decide to explore your options of renting off property and having them pick you up, call and verify that location will pick you up from where you at before you book. I am not familiar with their policies regarding this, but have never had a problem being picked up before. Also, if you have an entertainment book, you can get an even better deal for that day. ETA: For the week before Christmas, using my entertainment book dropped my rental fee from $200 to 160, taxes & fees included. I think that's pretty darn good for the week before Christmas.

HTH,
Hannah

 

[speedyf]

Thanks for the replies. I figured that $75 was a pretty good price for that time of year, but I will check out some other options to see if I can rent at a lower price.

I did check out Orbitz / Expedia...but, most of their locations were airport locations. Since we will be at Disney, I figured the price of a taxi to/from the airport would eat up any savings of renting from the airport. I did not think about off site rental places picking me up for free, though.

ETA: I did bring the price at Enterprise down from over $100 to $63 before taxes and fees using a code from Mousesavers and a coupon from American Casino Guide to upgrade from a compact to an intermediate. So, I'm at $75 after taxes and fees for an intermediate car.

Hannah....do they have coupons in the Entertainment Book for 1 day weekday rentals? I know that most discounts are given on weekend or rentals of 3 or more days. I didn't want to purchase the Entertainment Book only to find no coupons for a 1 day weekday rental.

Thanks again....

Speed

 

[Mystry62]

If you currently have an entertainment book, you can log on to the entertainment book website and register your book. Once inside the site, there is a link for rental cars in the travel section. Enterprise offers 20% off a one day rental and it can be booked by clicking the link on the entertainment book website. It's a great discount if you already have the entertainment book, but I don't think the savings could justify buying one for the purpose of saving on the 1 day car rental, unless you plan to use the other coupons later to get your money's worth, kwim?

I may have some hard copy coupons at home (I don't have my book with me right now). If I do, I'll be more than happy to share. Since I'm able to book the discount through the website, I don't need the hard copies. I'll look for you when I get home.

HTH,
Hannah

 

[TheWog]

We are doing that also to go to Busch Gardens in Tampa next week. We are renting from Hertz at SOG and got a convertible Mustang for about $52.00 for the day. Taxes and fees bring it to about $60. Not sure about your time of year though. This was also with the AAA discount.

 

[Mystry62]

I did find a hard copy coupon for the 20% off daily rental. If you want it, it's yours. I'll PM you, too.

~Hannah~