Rental car vs. Town car

[Elizaspride]

For our December trip we are weighing the pros and cons in terms of cost/convenience of airport transportation. We are staying at the Dolphin and want a grocery stop.

Anyone have experience of using a car rental same day pickup/drop from airport to Dolphin (then vice/versa for trip back) VS a town car service?

Looks like the cost round trip for the rental is only about $30-40 cheaper... But is it worth it
for the time needed to pickup/return the car or find gas to top it off (is that even needed for the short trip?).. Or does the door to door service outweigh the cost savings? Thanks!

 

[DVC California]

If you are considering renting a car for your entire stay, you will have to also factor in $15/day parking fee that the Swan/Dolphin charges for registered guests (includes in and out privileges). This would cost an additional $75 if you are staying 7 days.

Will you need to have the car your entire stay? You might be better off doing two 1-day rentals: MCO-Dolphin on arrival and Dolphin to MCO on departure day. There is a National/Alamo desk inside the Dolphin (Location codes are ORLR13 and 07a9 respectively).

If you go this route, you will want to shop somewhere on arrival day before checking in at the Dolphin to avoid paying the $15 parking. And there is a Hess station right across the street from the Boardwalk, just follow Epcot Resort Blvd around the circle. Should only be $5-10 bucks in gas, depending how many stops you make.

Also tolls will be about $4 each way.

HTH, Steve

 

[Elizaspride]

Don't want a car for the stay..just planning on to and from airport to hotel with immediate drop off.

Thanks for the heads up about tolls!

 

[hsmamato2]

check alamo site requently...I got my dh a one way fro MCO in Nov. for 22.00.... much cheaper for 2 people than a taxi or shuttle, the one way back to airport was about 38.00... for a couple of hours...

 

[goofy4tink]

I would go with the towncar, make the grocery stop and be done with it.

 

[Elizaspride]

check alamo site requently...I got my dh a one way fro MCO in Nov. for 22.00.... much cheaper for 2 people than a taxi or shuttle, the one way back to airport was about 38.00... for a couple of hours...

Wow that IS cheap! I will keep at it... And I agree, taxi is not worth it. Thanks!

I would go with the towncar, make the grocery stop and be done with it.

My husband agrees..convenience and comfort outweigh the savings for him. We need to book the town car soon so we are probably going with this option, but will cancel if a super cheap rental deal comes our way..Thanks for all the feedback everyone..very helpful!