Shoud I rent a car?

[eeyoresmom]

Please help! here's the highlights: myselfand two teen daughters staying at DD Hilton for 4 days next month. Have been to Disney several times so we know our way around.We are arriving at MCO at 11:30pm and planned on using a car service to get us to the hotel.For just 20.00 dollars more I can rent a car from Payless which means a shuttle ride at midnight.I don't really want to drive on vacation but am concerned about Hiltons bus transportation for our night at MVMCP and our 1/2 day a TL. What would you do?

 

[safetymom]

I would rent the car.

 

[dzneelvr]

I wouldn't rent a car.

As a heavy business traveller, there are so many times that renting a car is simply a time eater.
You never know what line you're going to run into at the counter; nor what type of service you get. And you have to fill up the tank with gas to return, so that's another pocket of time that you can't spend at WDW.
I'd simply get to the park earlier for your MVMCP. If you can't enter, take a mono ride around and explore the Poly or the GF. You know your way around, so use the Disney buses at DD as your shuttle service.
Check the Hilton to see what special trams they have going during the holidays; many times they increase their runs. (I hope I have your location right).

Just another side to consider.

 

[seashoreCM]

For you, yes you should rent a car.

Coming back to the resort from the parks at closing time on average is more problematical with non-Disney resorts. The wait for the next trip could be as long as it takes it to go to the hotel and return as there may be only one vehicle. These delays offset the delays of fetching and returning rental cars. So we are equals so far regarding the decision to rent or not.

Next, you may even have to get a taxi because the last bus was full. Therefore only if you don't mind getting to the parks not so early and leaving not so late should you rely on non-Disney resort shuttle service. (As mentioned above, do call the hotel to find out shuttle schedule and crowded times rules.)

You said you know your way around and you did not say you abhor driving at WDW, so that tilts the scale further in favor of renting.

(For on-site guests, my dividing line for renting a car or not has to do with activities or eating outside WDW.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Coming into Orlando Airport at 11:30 PM leaves you vulnerable to finding the car rental office closed if your flight is delayed. It is a good idea to consider staying your first night at the airport and reserving your car / reserving your limo service for the next morning.

 

[safetymom]

I am a business person that travels quite a lot. I can't remember the last time I stood in a line to rent a car. You join the program for the rental company so you don't have to fill out paperwork at a counter.

I rent all the time from Hertz. Their lot is open 24 hours a day at Orlando. I have flown after 1-2 AM and never had a problem.

I also never wait on the shuttle. I am driving down 417 towards WDW in less than 10 mins.

 

[vhoffman]

We are staying at the Best Western DTD. They have a Dollar Rental desk in the hotel. You don't have to be a guest of the hotel to rent a car there. We've never stayed at this hotel before, but we've gone to Las Vegas many times. The first time we rented a car from the airport. What a hassle! Then we found out we could rent a car from our hotel. Its less of a hassle, trying to find your car in a huge airport lot, then drive in an unfamiliar town late at night. Get your car your first day there, and turn it in the night before you leave. You save two days rental (of course, that's offset by the taxi to and from the airport). Also, I've found many times its more expensive to rent a car from the airport than the hotel, something to do with airport fees, etc.

Or, if you really don't like driving but are leary of the bus transportation to MVMCP, you can get a taxi from your hotel for that night. That's what we're planning to do.

 

[safetymom]

Cars are rented in 24 hour blocks so you may not save 2 days off a rental. Also sometimes there are deals for renting at the airport that you won't get elsewhere. It pays to check the numbers quoted several ways.

Plus if you wait until you get to your hotel to rent you still paid for transportation to/from the airport.