Staying onsite but would like a car

[Andy Lou & Meg]

We are booked to stay onsite at ASM in Jan 06 for 2 weeks but would also like to hire a car for perhaps 1 week of our stay (ideally in the middle of our break) so that we can visit other parks. We are flying with Virgin from London and are using their coach transfer system (as I understand it they do not use Magical Express - pitty).

Can anybody give me advise about hiring a car independently

Who to use
Discounts etc etc

Also if anybody can let me know if there is an onsite car hire at Disney (and all the necessary details).

Many thanks

 

[CleveRocks]

I know nothing about car rentals in Orlando, but I wanted to help you with your trip from the airport. Disney's Magical Express (DME) can be used by ANYONE WHO FLIES INTO MCO (Orlando's airport). The misnomer "participating airlines" only has to do with your flight LEAVING Orlando and only then has to do with the luggage transfer service. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU STILL GET A FREE BUS RIDE EACH WAY!

I cut and pasted the following from http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/mexpress.htm regarding DME:

* International Visitors - If the Orlando International Airport is your first point of entry into the United States, you will follow the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process and claim your luggage upon disembarking the airplane. Once you have completed this process you will proceed to the main Terminal building where you will be met by a Disney Representative. Your luggage will be transferred to the Baggage Claim area, where Disney will collect it if tagged with Disney's Magical Express luggage tags. If you have already completed the US Customs & Border Protection process in another US city or before entering the US, you will proceed directly to the main Terminal building; and Disney will claim your luggage.

From there, you take your free motor coach ride to AS, and your luggage will later "magically appear" in your room, or I suppose since you already have your luggage in hand you could choose to take it with you (the driver will stow it in the cargo hold). GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY!

-- Eric

 

[travelin' tigger]

Can anybody give me advise about hiring a car independently

Who to use
Discounts etc etc

Also if anybody can let me know if there is an onsite car hire at Disney (and all the necessary details).

Many thanks

Personally I use National, picking up my car at the Dolphin resort, but others use the Car Care Center near MK which has shuttles that will pick you up @ ASM and bring you to your car.

What I usually do is book my reservation online thru National's website ahead of time, and use a coupon from the Entertainment book and a code from Mary's site, http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

On the day I'm picking up the car I head to either Epcot or MGM for a while, then either walk or take the Friendship boat from the park to the Dolphin, head to their desk in the lobby. Valet brings your car around for you and off you go!!! Feel free to ask anymore questions.

HTH!!!