Rental car vs DME and town car?

[aubriee]

My husband and I will be down there Oct 27th-Nov 4th. We have always used DME to and from the airport then used Disney transportation. We really like not having to drive while on vacation and have never had a big problem with the buses. However, for our Oct/Nov trip we'll be spending six nights at WDW and two nights at Universal. We also must make a day trip over to Clearwater one day to see a relative. Our choices are:

1. to rent a car for the whole trip

2. use DME to get from MCO to WDW, rent a car midtrip for the day to get to Clearwater, then use it for the rest of the trip

3. use DME to get from MCO, do a one day car rental to get to Clearwater, then use a towncar to get to Universal and back to the airport (using Disney transportation the rest of the time).

Not really wanting to drive down there, which would you do?

 

[ain0004]

I am a big fan of renting a car. We find it more flexible. But granted we have 3 children and if someone wants to go here and others there it helps out. Plus you don't have to leave extra early for ADR's. If you need something quick within 10 min you can go to WalMart or Target to get items you have forgotten or need. (without paying an arm and leg that disney charges). IF you only want to rent your car for the change for universal you could rent only for a few days. There are several places onsite that will pick you up for your rental.

 

[Donna M]

I would go with renting a car the whole trip if the prices weren't as crazy as they are now, but since you don't like driving that changes things.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Actually the lenght of your stay is problematic.

It looks like it's probably 8 or 9 rental days. That means you might get a good deal on a weekly rental but they generally kill you on the daily fee for the extra days.

If it were me I would rent a car at somepoint. THere are several options (National/Alamo at the Dolphin or Car Care Center, Avis at the DTD Hilton, Dollar at the DTD Holiday Inn) and just keep it for a week. Take DME to the resort. A few days later pick up the car and use it for the Clearwater trip and the trips to Universal) Probably cheaper too because you have the advantage of not paying the airport fees.

 

[MEK]

You need to follow the threads on this board really carefully to see if you can score a good code/rate/discount. You can hold multiple car reservations at the same time and then cancel when a better one comes out. I never make a reservation where I have to prepay.

I often use orbitz or expedia just to get a ball park on what the rate will be.

My DH and I were just in Orlando for 10 days in June and we got a rental through Alamo for $145 (taxes and all fees included). It was pretty much a no brainer in terms of renting. Watch carefully and you may be able to score a deal that makes a length of stay rental more cost effective than your other options.

edited to say: I also found the killer codes for that rate on the June rental car thread right here!

 

[goofy4tink]

Check it out all ways.
If you are heading to US/IoA after your time at WDW, then you could conceivably take DME to your WDW resort, and then back to MCO, where you can rent a car to take you to US/IoA, then over to Clearwater.
Otherwise, take DME to your resort, and then rent the car just before you need it to head to US/IoA. It's a fairly easy drive.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would do either option #2 or #3 depending on cost difference. I'm guessing #2 is going to be cheaper.