Rental Car ??

[jodi16s]

Hello everyone! Dh and I (and our kids) are planning our 1st WDW trip for May 2008. We are staying 8 nights and would like to spend one day at the beach. We figured Daytona Beach was the closest?

We will be flying to FL but will need a rental car for going to the beach that one day. My question is - do we just wait until we get down there or do we have to reserve one ahead of time? (I have never rented a car!) Also, how would we get TO the rental place to get the car? After we are finished with it, how do we get back to the hotel? Is Disney transportation good for this or will we have to take a cab and back and forth?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Captmelanie_rocks]

Hello everyone! Dh and I (and our kids) are planning our 1st WDW trip for May 2008. We are staying 8 nights and would like to spend one day at the beach. We figured Daytona Beach was the closest?

We will be flying to FL but will need a rental car for going to the beach that one day. My question is - do we just wait until we get down there or do we have to reserve one ahead of time? (I have never rented a car!) Also, how would we get TO the rental place to get the car? After we are finished with it, how do we get back to the hotel? Is Disney transportation good for this or will we have to take a cab and back and forth?

Thanks in advance!

Well, idk but when ever u going somewhere at WDW they take u on a bus and drive u back ( Btw if u didn't know WDW is open at 10:00am to 1:00Am )thats all i know!

 

[jodi16s]

Since when is WDW open until 1 am????

 

[NJRRK]

I would recommend reserving in advance.

Depending on where you are staying on property either rent from Alamo at the Car Care Center, they will transport you there and back. Or, if you are staying at an Epcot resort, you can rent from the Swan or Dolphin, but I don't know which company is there.

 

[kelleigh1]

You may have to do a little research. I would definitely try to rent in advance, since that will probably help you to get the best rate. Check out Mousesavers.com for some info on coupons and codes available.

You'll want to research the different agencies and look into which have rental locations within Disney. I know Alamo rents from the Car Care Center. But some of the DTD hotels (and the Swan & Dolphin) have rental desks right at the hotel. These would probably be better options for you instead of going all the way back to the airport for a one day rental.

 

[VAN]

Agree about the rental cars available on-site.

Another note about the beach ... I would think Cocoa Beach is much closer to Orlando. As a side benefit, you can stop in at Ron Jon's to see what all the signs are about!

 

[CarolA]

Car rental agencies to look into

National/Alamo. At car care center and Dolphin
Dollar at Grosvenor in DTD
Avis at Hilton in DTD
Hertz at Stars of Gold near TTC
Budget at Doubletree in DTD

Walk up rentals at places like this tend to be higher so I would reserve in advance.

I recommend going over to Mousesavers.com and reading her rental car section.

And I agree Cocoa Beach is closer and I like it better. IMHO having to dodge cars on the beach spoils the whole experience so I am not a Daytona fan.

 

[jodi16s]

Thanks for the info everyone!! We are staying at POP in WDW.

 

[jodi16s]

I just checked out Alamo's site and I think that is what we will probably use! Also, Cocoa Beach is about 15 minutes closer than Daytona and I have never been to Cocoa Beach so that is what we will do. Thank everyone!!

 

[Mr. Pig]

I would recommend reserving in advance also. It doesn't cost anything. If you do go with Alamo on site you call ahead the day before and they will tell you what time they pick up at the resort. We did this at POP last year. Then a shuttle bus will take you to the Car Care Center near the MK parking lot to fill out your forms and pick up the car. At drop-off they take you back to the resort. We have done this a few time to get a little off-site time.