Renting a car for the drive down....

[stinkypeet]

For those who drive to disney , do you ever rent a car for that drive. We will log about 2100 miles to go down and back... Pros and Cons ? .. Just looking for feedback...

 

[pepe of ohio]

Back in our driving days....we always rented a van, a couple of mini's and once a full sized from Budget. We use Amtrak now, driving got too hectic and stressful. We are 2200 miles round trip and didn't want to rack up that many miles on our own vehicles....we rented them for 2 weeks to cover the miles and better rate and took 2 days down and same going back.

We liked that they were brand new vans....quite plush, easy on gas and gave us some inside manuvering room. We'd pack a fair size cooler with sandwich fixings, potato salad and drinks and just stopped for gas. Back in the day.....fairly cheap for 2 week rental, not sure now but once we made it to our resort in WDW, it sat in the lot, never used it to get around....liked Disney transportation and didn't want the extra miles on the van.....

We found Amtrak got us there alot easier, no driving, watching traffic, maps and searching for gas and when we get tried, we just close our eyes and doze off. Time wise it adds a bunch of hours to the trip, but we can walk the train, lie back and daydream. Since we never require a vehicle on property, the train comes out alot cheaper, no rental, and no motels down and back...

 

[iluveeyore]

If airfares continue to be expensive, we may drive down in October, and yes, we will rent a car. Our cars are only 3 years old, but it's still nice to not add the extra miles and need for another oil change on our own cars. Plus we know we'll be getting a new, reliable vehicle and that if we have any problems we can just call the rental company for a replacement.
If we drive, we factor in the gas, staying overnight and eating out on the way there and back. For just DH and me, it would be cheaper and less time consuming to just fly, but if four or more of us are going, then driving becomes our first choice unless I can grab cheap flights for our dates.
We usually rent a car once we're at WDW to get our groceries, so I factor in that amount to the flying part - if we drive down, then we already have our rental car.

 

[Kassidysdad]

I rent a minivan from usually Alamo or National depending on the best rate (same parent company) they usually have DVD players which is a plus for my young daughter. We drive down every year from New Hampshire, I break it up over 2 days..I like sleeping in a bed and don't wanna mess with her schedule. Alamo & National are Unlimited miles (as well as many other companies-always make sure 1st) We stay off-site at a timeshare , so I need a vehicle anyways..I have been at the parks quicker than my friends who have stayed on-site. But it all depends where you stay I guess. We enjoy driving, for us it's a nice time together, we talk, play games, they watch movies ( usually Disney movies to get even more in the spirit) If you do drive down and decide to stay somewhere overnight, etc....research hotels...I learned the hard way..now..I pay a little extra for cleanliness, comfort & safety. I sleep much better and am ready for the next day.

 

[Lewisc]

Make sure you read the "fine print". Some rental agencies don't really intend unlimited free mileage to apply to customers driving over 2,000 miles. Sometimes unlimited mileage doesn't apply if you drive the car out of state. Occasionally a R/T airline ticket must be shown when you pick up the car. Many rental agencies have GPS trackers in the car. Allows them to locate cars that are missing. Also allows them to charge customers who drive outside the area allowed in their contract.