Renting a car?

[leeann32]

We've never rented a car at Disney and have a few questions for the experts.
We want to drive to the ocean for the day and only need the car for that day. Should we rent one at the airport or some where else? Can we drop it off at Dolphin or the car care center? Is the drive to the ocean worth it? tolls, traffic etc

 

[grimley1968]

If you're already at WDW, I would definitely rent from the Dolphin, which has an Alamo/National desk, or at the Car Care Center. I prefer the Dolphin because you can use Disney transportation to get there quickly. It also allows you to drop off right in front of the resort, and one of the valet parkers will take it for you (might want to tip them). But Car Care Center, I think, has more rental companies to choose from.

Whether the drive to the ocean is worth it is entirely up to you. Cocoa Beach is the closest beach, and it's about an hour due east on the Beachline, which is a toll road. I can't remember how much exactly. Once you reach Cape Canaveral/Titusville, you just go south on A1A a few miles to Cocoa Beach and there are numerous places to park near the beach, with parking meters. I love Cocoa Beach. Lots of wide beach spaces, and not too much in the way of touristy stuff (except, unfortunately, for Ron Jon). Make sure to have flops with you, as that sand gets incredibly hot on a sunny day.

 

[gmeh1]

If you're already at WDW, I would definitely rent from the Dolphin, which has an Alamo/National desk, or at the Car Care Center. I prefer the Dolphin because you can use Disney transportation to get there quickly. It also allows you to drop off right in front of the resort, and one of the valet parkers will take it for you (might want to tip them). But Car Care Center, I think, has more rental companies to choose from.

Whether the drive to the ocean is worth it is entirely up to you. Cocoa Beach is the closest beach, and it's about an hour due east on the Beachline, which is a toll road. I can't remember how much exactly. Once you reach Cape Canaveral/Titusville, you just go south on A1A a few miles to Cocoa Beach and there are numerous places to park near the beach, with parking meters. I love Cocoa Beach. Lots of wide beach spaces, and not too much in the way of touristy stuff (except, unfortunately, for Ron Jon). Make sure to have flops with you, as that sand gets incredibly hot on a sunny day.

The Car Care Center only has Alamo/National (same as the Dolphin) and they will pick you up at your resort and drop you there when you return the car, you do have to call and make arrangements for the shuttle.