Rental car best option if staying off-site? Or Uber?

[NewmouseMama]

Brand new to this wonderful site and have learned so much while lurking the last few days.
We are planning our first Disney trip for spring 2016 !!!! Yay!! We will be staying off-site with no shuttle option at our resort. There are four in our family and the youngest is 4, so we'll need a car seat. Is a rental car our best option for transportation to the parks and to/from the airport? (I see there is a $17/day parking fee at the parks.) Can you request an Uber car in Orlando that has a car seat? Thanks!!

 

[sam_gordon]

I would do a rental car. Yes, you have to pay for parking, but you'd have to pay to use Uber too. The ability to get in your car when YOU want (even a spur of the moment decision) outweighs (IMO) any benefit to Uber.

I would arrange for a car seat through the rental car company. Many will say "you don't know the status of that car seat", but that's what I would do.

 

[wdwrich]

Another vote for a rental car. I can't fathom staying off-site without one.

 

[kj2mom]

It is my understanding that Uber can not go to MCO so that would not work to/from the airport. I would prefer to rent versus have to rely on Uber/taxi each time I wanted to get somewhere. I would suggest scoping out carrentalsavers.com and select a price that works for you then keep watching. I watched day after day, sometimes several times a day and for awhile I was stuck at $213 for the week. I really, really wanted to get it under $200 and one night I found $165. The next day it was back up so I am super glad I took the time to keep checking (it really just became a ritual to periodically check). Also, I put away my parking money slowly but surely during the months before the trip. If I had a couple of ones, I tucked them away, if I had a $5 I would tuck it away. Soon I had all of the $10's, $5's and $1's I needed for parking so I made an envelope marked for each day, sealed them up and left them until it was time for the trip. I know it is really just mind games because it was my money all along but when it came time for the trip I was happy to have all of the parking envelopes ready to go. I also did that with some $1's and quarters so I had plenty for the tolls set aside months before I needed them. There is just something about packing for the trip and already having that $$ set aside that makes it feel not soo bad to be paying it !

 

[leebee]

Rent the car. You'll be glad you did. Go to www.mousesavers.com and learn how to find the best rates, stack codes and coupons to reduce the cost, etc. REMEMBER that car rental rates change faster than lightning strikes! Make a reservation that you can live with, then check regularly to see if you can get a lower rate. DON"T see a rate and think, "Oh, that's pretty good, I'll make a reservation in a few days." GRAB IT WHEN YOU SEE IT. Most car rental companies don't require a down payment, pre payment, or even ask for a credit card when you make the reservation, so reserve a rate that's acceptable then see if you can beat it! Also, check out carrentalsavers.com; they have had the best rates for my past few rentals.

Also, you can rent carseats from the agencies if you need to. We always brought ours with us; DD sat in it on the plane, then used it in the rental car. I had a carrier bag for it, with a shoulder strap, so I could sling it over my shoulder when walking through the airport.

 

[Missyrose]

It is my understanding that Uber can not go to MCO so that would not work to/from the airport.

This isn't quite correct. Uber is allowed to drop off at MCO, it currently isn't allowed to pick up there. Some folks have gotten around that by taking a shuttle to one of the airport hotels and been picked up there.

 

[kj2mom]

Good to know, thanks!