Renting a Car to/from Port.

[Hawkeyegirls]

I have never rented a car at Disney. But thinking this would be the best option, since our plane does not leave until 5:30 the day we get off the ship.

How does the process work...from the Disney resort do I take the magical express to the airport then get the car to go to port? Then drop off the car and re-rent the car after our cruise for the day again?

Also on the day down is only $20 plus gas with all fees and on the way back its over $80. Is their normally a big difference like that?

Thanks!

 

[scgustafson]

I can only help with part of this as I have never gone from resort to port, but I have done airport to port and return. Based on my experiences, it is much cheaper to rent the car before and after the cruise as two separate rentals. Some people have had good experiences price-wise with the weeklong rental and parking at the port, but I have never been able to find those types of deals. I have not seen that big price difference that you report, but most often, I am keeping the car longer on one of the two ends for use in the Orlando area. Post cruise, I highly recommend either getting off of the ship as early as possible or as late as possible to reduce the lines at the car rental offices.

 

[openwater]

In my opinion it is more convenient to rent a car at one of many locations within the Greater Disneyworld Complex than bothering to bus to the airport!

Alamo and National are the “official” rental car companies of Disneyworld and the Car Care Center is the place to go for convenient pickup services. Shuttles to/from the Car Care Center are available from all Disney hotels. Avis, Budget and Dollar have locations in nearby hotels close to Disney Springs. Hertz is just a short distance away.

 

[KingRichard]

If your staying only one night at the resort it may be just as cheap to rent at airport and keep it for the night.

Also $80 is high for one way(minivan)? Check all companies and remember that you can use one going and different coming back!

 

[MickeyD]

Typically rental rates are higher coming from Port C to airport because of taxes etc. We always book rental cars and see average of $40 to port and $60-80 on return. There is some special tax that is tacked on at Port Canaveral that isn't put on at MCO. It still beats trying to fight the crowds with the Disney transport. You can get where you are going when you want.

 

[Hawkeyegirls]

Typically rental rates are higher coming from Port C to airport because of taxes etc. We always book rental cars and see average of $40 to port and $60-80 on return. There is some special tax that is tacked on at Port Canaveral that isn't put on at MCO. It still beats trying to fight the crowds with the Disney transport. You can get where you are going when you want.

Okay, so that is right around what I was experiencing. Good to know the reasoning.

If your staying only one night at the resort it may be just as cheap to rent at airport and keep it for the night.

Also $80 is high for one way(minivan)? Check all companies and remember that you can use one going and different coming back!

No we are staying for 3 nights prior, and I just want to use Disney transportation while at the parks. Then hopefully the morning of the cruise get a rental to use for the morning.

In my opinion it is more convenient to rent a car at one of many locations within the Greater Disneyworld Complex than bothering to bus to the airport!

Alamo and National are the “official” rental car companies of Disneyworld and the Car Care Center is the place to go for convenient pickup services. Shuttles to/from the Car Care Center are available from all Disney hotels. Avis, Budget and Dollar have locations in nearby hotels close to Disney Springs. Hertz is just a short distance away.

Have you done this? Is it time consuming, like would we have time to do this the morning of the cruise?

I can only help with part of this as I have never gone from resort to port, but I have done airport to port and return. Based on my experiences, it is much cheaper to rent the car before and after the cruise as two separate rentals. Some people have had good experiences price-wise with the weeklong rental and parking at the port, but I have never been able to find those types of deals. I have not seen that big price difference that you report, but most often, I am keeping the car longer on one of the two ends for use in the Orlando area. Post cruise, I highly recommend either getting off of the ship as early as possible or as late as possible to reduce the lines at the car rental offices.

Thanks for the advise. Do they provide shuttles from the port to the office? Are they on going or do you need to "sign up" for a shuttle ahead of time?

 

[KingRichard]

There is about 6 companies near the port(some in same building) and they provide shuttles all day to 3-4 cruise lines all nearby(free, no need to sign up).

A couple weeks ago rented Alamo for $30/34 each way with coupon codes.

Reserve far in advance, but don't pay and then keep watching prices at all the car rental places up until your trip for the best possible deal.

 

[scgustafson]

Thanks for the advise. Do they provide shuttles from the port to the office? Are they on going or do you need to "sign up" for a shuttle ahead of time?

KingRichard addressed this for me.

 

[jrabbit]

Like others have said you can rent cars on property at WDW. We've rented / returned from several different ones. Sometimes they are at the non disney hotels in the "Hotel Village" near Disney Springs (aka Downtown Disney / Paradise Island). There are "Blue" (that's what i remember seeing last time i was there) Disney buses that go between the parks and these hotels. You also can easily walk to them from Disney Springs.

Might be less expensive than renting from the Airport - with all of the extra fees associated with car rentals at airports.

Easy to get up in the morning and take Disney bus from your resort to Disney Springs and walk to the needed hotel.