Rental Car - Where?

[ajf1007]

Rather than renting a car at the airport, I thought I read somewhere on here that you could go over to the Swan and rent a car from there. Is that true? Thanks for your help!

 

[drusba]

You can rent from National or Alamo at the Sawn or Dolphin and also at the Car Center which is on the main road leading out of the MK park. Probably a choice for a day but if doing more always check airport rates because sometimes weekly rates for a car from there are less than renting a few days on site.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Rather than renting a car at the airport, I thought I read somewhere on here that you could go over to the Swan and rent a car from there. Is that true? Thanks for your help!

I believe that there are 2 rental companies working out of the Swan. We have rented from the car care center (AAA). I believe Alamo and national. have a location there. We were staying at OKW. they sent a car (free) to pick us up and take us to the center, and they drove us (free) back to our hotel at the end of the rental.

 

[ajf1007]

Thanks so much! Toying with the idea, there will be 7 of us and really I was just looking to have it just "in case" and I also want use it to go to the grocery store, etc. I still want my nieces to ride the ME first from the airport since this will be their first trip and I want them to have the "complete experience". Thanks again for your help!!

 

[paults]

I thought that Alamo/ Nat were in the Dolphin not the Swan

 

[Mahusky]

I have found that Dollar has the best rates at MCO using the KISS2 rate especially if you book 6 months in advance. Remember bookingf rentals cars (unlike airlines) they don't charge your CC at time of booking you can cancel at anytime and you can change your ressie at any time without penalty.

My suggestion overall is to join whatever rental car companies "club" this will have MUCHO time when getting your car.... like walk up and drive away versus waiting at the desk. FWIW... most of these clubs are free of charge!!!

 

[ajf1007]

I have found that Dollar has the best rates at MCO using the KISS2 rate especially if you book 6 months in advance. Remember bookingf rentals cars (unlike airlines) they don't charge your CC at time of booking you can cancel at anytime and you can change your ressie at any time without penalty.

My suggestion overall is to join whatever rental car companies "club" this will have MUCHO time when getting your car.... like walk up and drive away versus waiting at the desk. FWIW... most of these clubs are free of charge!!!

Hmmm...I actually have an account with Enterprise, I'll have to check that out too. Thanks for the insight! I appreciate it!

 

[ttepsich]

We rented our car at the Dolphin in June. We did it for the same reason. We used ME to get to the resort and rented the car to get groceries and liquor. My daughter and I arrived 2 days before the rest of the family.On the 3rd day we rented the car for one day. It was so quick and easy. Valet brings the car to you at the entrance of the resort and you drop it off with the valet when you are finished. It was nice and close for us because we were staying at the Beach Club Villas. I dont think I will ever rent at the airport again. We also thought about having our groceries delivered but the delivery charge and tip would have been more than the one day car rental.
Tina

 

[Disney Princess]

We often supplement our DVC stays by using points at Bonnet Creek. We put that stay at the beginning of the trip. We rent a car at the airport, use it for the first few days of our "off site" stay. Then, we check in at the BWV. We use the car to get groceries too. Once we are checked in at the BWV, we drive the car over to the Dolphin and drop it off. Easy as pie, it takes about 10 minutes, and we can take the same boat/walkway/bus to a park that we would have at BWV. Of course, we can just walk back to BWV too if we are ready for a break.

We use National as that is who I can usually find the best rates with. Please check Mousesavers.com. Mary often has some great codes there. I just saved a bundle on our Christmas reservation.

 

[Donut23]

You can also rent with more local car rental agencies than just Alamo or National - ALL of them will come to the resort and pick you up.....and you can return the car to the same location or return it to the same company at the airport.

Renting away from the airport will often save $$$ in airport taxes and fees. Plus, you can check out individual car rental agencies websites to see if they have any specials. If you are not traveling at peak times, watch the rental rates within 30 days. If they do not have enough cars rented.....they will throw out last-minute discounts...just like the airlines do.

You can also source discount codes from places like Southwest Airlines. You don't even have to FLY Southwest, just use the promo codes. I had a week-long full size car rental, picking up locally here in Annapolis, and the cost dropped 52% by watching for specials and using these codes. Few can squeek a travel deal like I can....and even I was surprised!


Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[ajf1007]

Thanks to all of you for your advice! I didn't even realize that other rental places would deliver right to and from your resort! That's so great! Again, I don't think we'd want it for more than a day or two and really plan on using it mostly to go get supplies. I was looking at not renting and just using Garden Grocer, but when I looked at the cost of groceries and delivery and tip, it was higher than I expected and renting a car and going shopping would be much more cost efficient!

Thanks again! I hope you all have a magical day!

 

[gwb]

try Budget at disboards site. I've found them to be the cheapest around

http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-transportation.htm#rental

 

[Sandisw]

We have rented from Alamo at the Dolphin and doing so again in a few weeks. We were able to get a minivan for 3 days for just around $200. This allows us to go to the store, drive to DTD and AK, and then have the van when we move from BWV to BLT.

To get it from the airport would have been a lot more. I pick it up the day after we arrive and drop it off the day before we leave. This way, we don't have to mess with the drive to/from the airport but still have some flexibility.

 

[disney212]

Make sure to join Emerald Club (free with mousesavers code), you can "stack" discounts with them. We are renting a midsize (since we are members we get a free upgrade) in October for 1 week. With taxes and fees right at $125. It is from the car care center, we always rent there, they pick us up at hotel (we ask hotel to call during check in) and take us to the center, since we do everything online it takes less than 5 minutes. The day we leave we take the car back and they take up back to the hotel in plenty of time to catch ME back to MCO. We have been using them for a few years.

 

[Tamar]

I thought that Alamo/ Nat were in the Dolphin not the Swan

I agree, we've rented before and the office is at the Dolphin. There is also a rental car company (Budget? Dollar?) in one of the downtown Disney hotels.