Renting a car

[planningjollyholiday]

We are a party of six and staying at Disneyworld before our cruise. I thought it would be cheaper for us to just rent a minivan and drive to the port instead of using magical express. What are my options for rental companies on property? Is the drive easy, and will there be any tolls we should be aware of?

 

[Rob1872]

When you say rental cars on property, do you mean on the Disneyworld resort property? If so, just take the free Disney transportation to the airport and rent from there. (The drive is very easy and straightforward from the airport.)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When you say rental cars on property, do you mean on the Disneyworld resort property? If so, just take the free Disney transportation to the airport and rent from there. (The drive is very easy and straightforward from the airport.)

Yeah, but you're going to waste an hour just getting to the airport and to the rental counter. Then it's another hour to the port from there.

OP, the rental cars at WDW are Alamo and National. You'll find the information here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/car-rental-services/

 

[adg06]

We are renting a van at the airport, but just staying one night at WDW before the cruise. So we'll drive to the resort, park the rental & take Disney bus to MK. Then drive to the Port at our leisure the next morning. We are using Enterprise because I use them for my work travel and had some points saved up.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

To clarify, yes i meant Disneyworld resort property. We will be there for 6 nights before the cruise so renting from the airport is not a good fit for us. That is great that there are two options onsite. I will start looking for a good deal from Alamo and National. Is the process for dropping off the cars at port canaveral easy? I'm assuming they will have a shuttle to take us to the port once we drop off the car.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

To clarify, yes i meant Disneyworld resort property. That is great that there are two options onsite. I will start looking for a good deal from Alamo and National. Is the process for dropping off the cars at port canaveral easy? I'm assuming they will have a shuttle to take us to the port once we drop off the car.

Yes, they do. It's a good idea to swing by the port, drop bags and all other passengers, then just one person return the car. It's much easier for a single person (without bags) to get on a return shuttle quicker.

 

[stephmarty]

There are also a couple car rental companies located in Disney Springs area hotels. I know the Hilton has one, and maybe the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace also. Not sure where you're staying, but those would be walking distance from Saratoga Springs and, of course, Disney Springs.

I was contemplating doing the same thing for my family of 6 for our 9/30 sailing, but I've decided to try to get an Uber XL instead. Their website estimates it will be around $100. Hopefully I won't have trouble getting someone to pick us up. I may chicken out and just book pickup by one of the transport companies. A private van runs around $180. I just don't feel like the hassle of returning the rental car and shuttling to the port. When I see that ship, I'm going to be ready to get onboard!

 

[tlprice]

We are a party of six and staying at Disneyworld before our cruise. I thought it would be cheaper for us to just rent a minivan and drive to the port instead of using magical express. What are my options for rental companies on property? Is the drive easy, and will there be any tolls we should be aware of?

There is at least one or more tolls on the way to the port. It's a few dollars. Just have a little cash and go through the pay area. DON'T pay for the rental tolls--total rip off! The drive there is very straightforward and easy though. I hate being at the mercy of others for transportation so I always rent a car.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

There is at least one or more tolls on the way to the port. It's a few dollars. Just have a little cash and go through the pay area. DON'T pay for the rental tolls--total rip off! The drive there is very straightforward and easy though. I hate being at the mercy of others for transportation so I always rent a car.

Regarding tolls between WDW and PC: if you take 417 to 528 to the port, tolls total $5. Two $1.50 tolls on 417 and two $1 tolls on 528. Stay to the far right at the toll plaza to pay cash.

 

[adg06]

There is at least one or more tolls on the way to the port. It's a few dollars. Just have a little cash and go through the pay area. DON'T pay for the rental tolls--total rip off! The drive there is very straightforward and easy though. I hate being at the mercy of others for transportation so I always rent a car.

We will have a rental car, and I've been wondering how it works with those automated devices in the cars. I am happy to pay cash to save money, but does the rental car transponder not trip anyway? Can it tell that you went through the cash lane instead of the device lane? We are renting through Enterprise if that makes a difference.

 

[tlprice]

We will have a rental car, and I've been wondering how it works with those automated devices in the cars. I am happy to pay cash to save money, but does the rental car transponder not trip anyway? Can it tell that you went through the cash lane instead of the device lane? We are renting through Enterprise if that makes a difference.

I have only rented through Dollar, but I've never been charged for the tolls with the automated devices when going through the cash lanes. The rental companies charge something ridiculous like $15 a day whether you go on any toll roads or not if you elect to use their device.

 

[Bear3412]

It will be easier and faster if you order one of these, and plan to drive.

Of course that purchase only makes sense if you know you will return though.

If not return, it's debatable.

These are in all rental cars now, although of course each charge you for the convenience.
Each rental company handles these charges differently, so proceed with caution.
Ask prior to leaving garage, or research online.

SunPass;

https://www.sunpass.com/sunPassRetailers

HTH

One of the best purchases we've ever made.

HTH

 

[adg06]

It will be easier and faster if you order one of these, and plan to drive.

Of course that purchase only makes sense if you know you will return though.

So when you say return, do you mean returning the device to where you got it from?
Does it beat paying cash if traveling from MCO to WDW, then WDW to PC, PC to Disney Springs, and then Disney Springs to MCO?

And if the rental car already has a device, how does the toll booth know which one to charge?

 

[LAX]

So when you say return, do you mean returning the device to where you got it from?
Does it beat paying cash if traveling from MCO to WDW, then WDW to PC, PC to Disney Springs, and then Disney Springs to MCO?

And if the rental car already has a device, how does the toll booth know which one to charge?

For most rental vehicles (at least the ones I have rented before), the toll transponder is typically housed within a metal box (at least it looks like metal to me) near the top of the windshield. That metal box serves as a shield so that it won't trigger a payment when driving through a toll booth. If you elect to use it for convenience, you need to slide it out of the box so that it can transmit signal whenever you drive through one. Now, if you have your own transponder, you can just leave the rental transponder inside the box so that yours will be the one triggering the payment. However, I have heard people getting dinged for toll plus service fees by rental companies when a toll booth fails to communicate with a nonrental transponder and the rental car company subsequently get billed for the toll via the vehicle's license plate number.

LAX

 

[Bear3412]

So when you say return, do you mean returning the device to where you got it from?

No. I meant if you plan to return to Florida annually or there about, to justify the cost of said SunPass.

It cost initially around $25 - 35. But only 10 is deducted/kept for said device. The rest of monies is applied for tolls/balance.
You add a CC for deductions as needed. That is required as far as I know. It is for future use.
We are in FL several times a year. Ours rocks.

Once you purchase SunPass online or at the local grocery store it is yours forever.
You link it to a credit card. So as you fly through the tolls at 80 mph you are charged on your CC.

With a Sun Pass you can drive thru the tolls at 80 mph.
If you don't have a SunPass you pull over and stop and pay.

But all car rentals have this feature now that "helps" the tourist that charges you a "convenience fee" of $5 a day, and the toll at the high range. You caution. Ask at the rental counter. Most can be turned off, or deactivated for those with a SunPass.

Did I mention you get charged less if you have the Sun Pass.

Same as my state too.
Should be against the law. Tourists get charged more.

But remember. These folks (elected officials) pound tourists with tax everywhere.
They can't complain, nor vote against it.
They live out of state.

It's offensive IMO.
Does it beat paying cash if traveling from MCO to WDW, then WDW to PC, PC to Disney Springs, and then Disney Springs to MCO? And then possibly onto the east coast of FL. Don't Know. That is a personal decision.

A recent calculation for a rental that went to and fro PC and WDW, even visting once, the SunPass made sense by $5 - 15 dollars.
Must check rental car company policy.

Once you read it. You will by a SP. They will mail them too.

JMT

And if the rental car already has a device, how does the toll booth know which one to charge?

What is happening with this double posting, hiding text in previous ....
Odd.

Is it when editing? ?

 

[Capt_BJ]

lot's of old and partially correct info here ....

I am told there are companies with the 'transponder in a box' still around, but I have not seen this in years. As described on the SUNPASS web site most companies have switched to a fleet 'toll by plate' system so the rental has no transponder. When you pass thru an electronic gate the system first looks for a transponder. If one is not 'seen' the system electronically reads the tag. With a fleet registered car (rental) the system sends the toll bill to a third party company. This is who handles the interface twixt you and the rental company.

If you pay cash, the system has no need to read the tag ....

Most rental companies have gotten very reasonable with their charges to use 'their' electronic toll payment system. Most only charge a $5/day fee, and only if/when you use the system. In other words, if you pass thru an electronic gate you get a $5 fee (plus the toll) and the $5 covers you for 24 hours. previously many companies charged you for everyday you rented the car, charging a daily fee even if you encountered no tolls, and you had to signup when you picked up the car. Not so today - for MOST companies. CHECK THIS WEBSITE::::

https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

If you visit Florida regularly and rent cars, and especially if your visits take you to Miami where 95% of the toll roads are electronic payment ONLY, buying a SUNPASS is a good idea. You can buy on the web and have it mailed to you so it is in hand b4 your trip. There is a $5 ONE TIME USE version, and the $20 portable. I strongly suggest the $20 portable as it is intended for use in more than one vehicle, being easy to move about. I've had mine for 10 years and loan it to visitors regularly. There is an app to use to register your rental's tag with SUNPASS which will 'over ride' the rental's 'fleet registration' in case the transponder is misread.

You CAN set up a transponder to AUTO replenish via a credit card, or replenish thru the APP as needed and even replenish with CASH at certain locations including AMSCOT.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We will have a rental car, and I've been wondering how it works with those automated devices in the cars. I am happy to pay cash to save money, but does the rental car transponder not trip anyway? Can it tell that you went through the cash lane instead of the device lane? We are renting through Enterprise if that makes a difference.

As noted above, the modern technique for charging tolls back to rental cars is the toll-by-plate system when a car passes under the toll sensor system that captures video and uses the license plate number to charge the toll. You do not drive through a toll booth with these systems. In Illinois, this is called "Open Road Tolling". It helps speed traffic flow since users do not have to stop at a toll booth to pay. If you drive through the cash lanes off to the side of the toll road (where available), you will bypass the video tolling system and thus will not be charged twice. With Enterprise (and sibling companies Alamo and National), the charge is $3.95 per day to use the toll-by-plate system, charged back to the credit card on file for the car rental and only charged for those days on which such tolls were incurred. We routinely use this system when renting in Miami and driving to WDW, since the Miami area uses toll-by-plate pretty exclusively. Around WDW, I always pay cash instead, since that option is generally available in the Orlando area.

 

[Capt_BJ]

driving from WDW to Port Canaveral

the tolls are $5.00 if you go 417 to 528

a roll of quarters will cover a round trip

when you pull off the mainline to use the toll plaza, there are attended lanes and exact change lanes.

if there is gonna be a back up, it is at the 'attended' lane where you can get a receipt AND ..... where folks need change/ask directions/try to use a credit card/have no US money

a queue that delays you 6 minutes can feel like an eternity when watching other cars zip by!!!!

 

[adg06]

Great info here, thanks you guys!!

 

[LAX]

lot's of old and partially correct info here ....

I am told there are companies with the 'transponder in a box' still around, but I have not seen this in years. As described on the SUNPASS web site most companies have switched to a fleet 'toll by plate' system so the rental has no transponder. When you pass thru an electronic gate the system first looks for a transponder. If one is not 'seen' the system electronically reads the tag. With a fleet registered car (rental) the system sends the toll bill to a third party company. This is who handles the interface twixt you and the rental company.

If you pay cash, the system has no need to read the tag ....

Most rental companies have gotten very reasonable with their charges to use 'their' electronic toll payment system. Most only charge a $5/day fee, and only if/when you use the system. In other words, if you pass thru an electronic gate you get a $5 fee (plus the toll) and the $5 covers you for 24 hours. previously many companies charged you for everyday you rented the car, charging a daily fee even if you encountered no tolls, and you had to signup when you picked up the car. Not so today - for MOST companies. CHECK THIS WEBSITE::::

https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

If you visit Florida regularly and rent cars, and especially if your visits take you to Miami where 95% of the toll roads are electronic payment ONLY, buying a SUNPASS is a good idea. You can buy on the web and have it mailed to you so it is in hand b4 your trip. There is a $5 ONE TIME USE version, and the $20 portable. I strongly suggest the $20 portable as it is intended for use in more than one vehicle, being easy to move about. I've had mine for 10 years and loan it to visitors regularly. There is an app to use to register your rental's tag with SUNPASS which will 'over ride' the rental's 'fleet registration' in case the transponder is misread.

You CAN set up a transponder to AUTO replenish via a credit card, or replenish thru the APP as needed and even replenish with CASH at certain locations including AMSCOT.

I apologize if my info does not apply in FL, but transponders are still commonly used in the Northeast today. Plus, I have seen them in rental vehicles as recently as earlier this year.

LAX