staying at Marriott Harbour Lake...rent a car?

[psywzrd]

We are heading down to Orlando at the end of October to do Disney, possibly Universal, etc. We are staying at the Marriott Harbour Lake and I'm wondering if we should rent a car. I'm saying yes but my significant other is saying no (she says we can just take cabs everywhere). Between driving to and from the airport and to/from the parks every day (maybe even twice a day on some days), I'm thinking that it will cost us way more if we just take cabs everywhere. I do realize that we'll have to pay for parking at the parks as well, but am I right in thinking that we should rent a car? There are going to be 4 adults and 3 children total so we'd need a minivan or something similar. The convenience of a car is attractive to me (no waiting for cabs), plus we'd likely go grocery shopping, out to dinner, etc.

 

[maciec]

Yes rent a car! I can't imagine being there and taking a cab everywhere. It will definitely cost you more if you take a cab. Make sure you go over to the transportation board and go to October Car Rentals. If you can't find a good deal there check Priceline and do the Name Your Own Price. I have gotten my best deals on mini vans that way

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Yes, you want to rent a car. You're going to spend a fortune on cabs, otherwise. Also consider that not every cab out there will transport 7 people - you may have to call to arrange for a van every single time and you're going to spend a lot of time waiting. Rent the car, you'll be way happier.

 

[BellaRose08]

I think the car seems cheaper, easier and more convenient. If children are still in carseats/boosters, you would definitely want to rent a car so you wouldn't have to find somewhere to put those while you were at the park. It also sounds like you would have to take more than one cab with that amount of people (unless it was a van type cab)?? We will be staying at Marriott Grand Vista and will be renting, but we have two kids in car seats.

Maybe you could find a good deal online? The 'pay now' option can save you money too.

 

[psywzrd]

Would you guys recommend maybe trying to find a property that offers free transportation to and from the parks? We are getting a great deal at the Marriott Harbour Lake but it's possible that all of our savings will get eaten up by the cost of the rental car or taking taxis everywhere.

 

[happymommy]

Harbour Lake is wonderful, but you will definitely need a car.

Maybe look at the Downtown Disney hotels? They all have good shuttles that run regularly to the theme parks at Disney.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Would you guys recommend maybe trying to find a property that offers free transportation to and from the parks? We are getting a great deal at the Marriott Harbour Lake but it's possible that all of our savings will get eaten up by the cost of the rental car or taking taxis everywhere.

Just to see exactly what kind of taxi rates you'd be looking at, I did a search on Orlando taxi rates and found a rate estimator. Just one-way, from the Marriott Harbour Lake, to Magic Kingdom, the rate alone was over $33, plus tip. So that would be, at minimum, about $80 for one round-trip to/from MK in one day. The other parks would probably be a little less, since MK is the furthest from everything.

If there is no way you can rent a van, you need to look at other accommodations. $80/day in taxi fees will eat up any savings you're getting from the Marriott.

 

[rachael95]

Definitely rent a car. We just stayed at Harbour lakes a couple weeks ago. Depending on traffic, it was a 10-20 minute drive to Magic Kingdom. If you want to try to eat anywhere off property, you would have to take a cab out as well. There's no way, I'd want to take a cab from Harbour Lakes. Plenty of parking there and it's $17 for all day parking at the parks.

Just mini-review - the one bedroom villa we had was nicer than our first apartment. The housekeeping actually did cute things with our son's blankets and stuffed animals on the pull-out couch. Would definitely stay there again if we stay off property. The only annoying thing was them taking about 4 days to finally understand that we really didn't want to sit through a 90 minute talk on buying into the Marriott timeshare program for a $150 credit. They finished the renovations on the pirate pool while we were there and our son loved it. Be sure to check out the pirate ship. There's also a splash play area and a HUGE water slide for older kids in another pool area.

One other note, ask them for the Shutterfly code. With our deal, there was a $20 Shutterfly code you could request to get on check-in. We also got a $30/day credit at the villa restaurant. We actually used that several days for just buying bottles of water so we didn't have to go to the store as often.

 

[psywzrd]

Harbour Lake is wonderful, but you will definitely need a car.

Maybe look at the Downtown Disney hotels? They all have good shuttles that run regularly to the theme parks at Disney.

Thank you. Any recommendations on reasonably-priced Downtown Disney hotels that are nice?

 

[happymommy]

I've stayed at the Doubletree Guest Suites, and the rooms are nice and spacious. You have two queen beds (I think) in the bedroom, plus a living room with a sofa sleeper and mini fridge and microwave and coffee maker (I think). Mousesavers sometimes has good rates (sometimes including breakfast).

They have good transportation to the parks, plus across the street is a strip mall with some inexpensive dining options (but avoid Gooding's grocery store unless you just need a few things; they're overpriced and don't carry much. Still if you are walking and just want a few things, it's okay). There's also a liquor store next to Gooding's and I think McDonald's too.

On the other end, near Downtown Disney, is a Hilton. I haven't stayed there, and for your group size I'd prefer the larger room myself.

Harbour Lake is wonderful - I have always loved our rooms there! But to save money and not need a rental car, I understand you needing to explore other options.

I've heard the newly remodeled Holiday Inn is very nice.

 

[psywzrd]

One other note, ask them for the Shutterfly code. With our deal, there was a $20 Shutterfly code you could request to get on check-in. We also got a $30/day credit at the villa restaurant. We actually used that several days for just buying bottles of water so we didn't have to go to the store as often.

So upon check-in I should just ask them for the Shutterfly code?

 

[rachael95]

Yes, you may or may not have one based on your deal, but it certainly can't hurt to ask.

 

[psywzrd]

@rachael95: Thank you for the info. I will try to remember to ask about that when I get there.

I did rent a car (MiniVan actually). With the child seats, taxes, etc., it's $635.

 

[maciec]

@rachael95: Thank you for the info. I will try to remember to ask about that when I get there. I did rent a car (MiniVan actually). With the child seats, taxes, etc., it's $635.

I would highly suggest that you name your own price for the minivan on Priceline. The amount you are paying for the week is wayyyyyy too high. For the end of October you should be paying 1/2 that if not more for a minivan rental.

 

[psywzrd]

I would highly suggest that you name your own price for the minivan on Priceline. The amount you are paying for the week is wayyyyyy too high. For the end of October you should be paying 1/2 that if not more for a minivan rental.

I actually tried that yesterday and my bid was rejected. The other problem is that I need one infant seat and two toddler seats and I'm not sure you can guarantee those via Priceline.

 

[maciec]

When do you leave? Start when you are about 10 days out. What was your first bid?

 

[psywzrd]

When do you leave? Start when you are about 10 days out. What was your first bid?

October 29. My first bid was at $75/day. That's $375 for 5 days and that's without taxes or any car seats factored in.

 

[StarWarsJez]

Whoever you rent from my advice to DO NOT GO WITH DOLLAR. I've been renting cars for over 20 years with pretty much all the car rental companies including Alamo, Thrifty, National, Avis and the only one I've had problems with is Dollar.

I'll never use them again. If you have any problems you're stuffed as their 'customer service' is non existent.

 

[maciec]

Lol see now I have never had a problem with them.

You would be better off checking your own car seats at the airport. I have never bid higher than $25 a day.

 

[happymommy]

It may be much easier to bring your own car seats than renting them then?