Swan Dolphin/MCO question

[Dan Murphy]

As many times as I have been there, S/D, always with a car, never thought I would have a question, LOL.

I have a 4 day business trip, late April, to Miami. Flying Airtran to Fort Lauderdale (almost no flights to Miami), shuttle to hotel in Miami.

There is an Alamo office one block from the the hotel. Walking there on my last day in Miami, driving to WDW, four hour drive. I figure since I am in the neighborhood, should stop by WDW to spend a few days .

Now normally, I always rent a car at MCO, have it for my entire time at WDW and drive back to MCO. This time, I am thinking of maybe dropping the car off at the Dolphin on my WDW arrival day, not having the car while there (strange as that would seem to me).

I have a one day rental, Miami pickup, WDW dropoff, full size, $42 total. A seven day, keeping the car for the time at WDW, $206 total, plus six days of parking, $60.


Any thoughts on getting back to MCO for return home? Or just maybe keep the car the whole time there?


Thanks for your thoughts, besides maybe I am making it too complicated, LOL?

 

[Lewisc]

How many people? For one (or even two) Mears works fine. You could take a taxi (or car service) for less then half the money you're saving by not keeping the rental car.

You know the drill. Are you spending most of the time in DHS and EPCOT? You don't need a car. Would you normally take a Disney bus to go to the MK? Are you spending a night at Jellyrolls? You won't need a car.

What would you do if you had a car. One rainy day we would have gone to the outlet malls. I figured not having a rental car that trip saved me a couple of hundred dollars. My wife didn't agree with my logic.

Having to pay for parking at the S/D changes things.

How many taxis would you have to take before you wiped out all your savings. You could always take a taxi from whatever resort you're having dinner at back to S/D. You could probably take one taxi a day and not even break even.

 

[tjmw2727]

One way Mears shuttle is $20 per person, a town car is about $70.00 plus tip one way and a cab ride about $60 plus tip.

 

[LoveKermit]

Some very Disney-phile friends have a very reliable driver they use when they go to WDW. They stay at S/D since they are teachers. We haven't used him since 2005, so don't know if he is still in the business.

If you want that number, PM me and I'll get you his info.

In 2005 we maybe paid $40-some to get to MCO from SoG from said driver.

Otherwise, I took Mears TO S/D in 2004 and paid less than $20 one-way. I'm sure that's higher now, but that's what I'd probably do.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts so far. Always so informative and helpful here.

I did check National, was able to do a reservation for a total, full size, $185, for the seven days, pick up Miami, drop off MCO. So total rental and parking, $245, vs $42 for Miami to WDW, and then whatever there plus whatever to get to MCO.

Watch, I bet I wind up doing the rental for seven days, LOL.

Lewis, with being at the Swan, yes, I would say most time at Epcot and Studios. I use car mostly for DtD and resort hops if I do so. I sometimes have taken in USF/IoA for a day, but not past several trips. And it is solo, just me, still can't get DW back there.

 

[LoveKermit]

I agree. If you're used to a car, you'll justify the 7 days somehow.

I can't talk DH out of a car. Maybe once we have no stroller.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi Dan!!! If I know you, you'll just justify keeping the car. But, if you don't, try the Mears shuttle back to MCO. I used it from MCO to the Dolphin a year or so ago and it was actually pretty efficient...and only $20!!
Lucky you.....only people like us would think Miami and a four hour drive is 'in the neighborhood' for WDW!!

 

[Lewisc]

It's going to cost an extra $180 (assuming you use Mears) to keep the rental car for 7 days. You're not going to use the rental car to go to DHS or EPCOT and probably won't use it to go to the MK. You can take a lot of taxis for $180. You could probably use a taxi everytime you go to a location other then the places I mentioned and still save money.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is Mears a bus, van or what?

 

[goofy4tink]

It could be either one Dan. I got lucky and was put in a van. Yes, we made about 3 stops before arriving at the S/D but it was actually enjoyable. Maybe I got lucky but I had a wonderful driver...great sense of humor. And the other people in the van with me were so friendly....we had a wonderful bit of time together.
But, you could be put on a bus. I'm just not sure how they decide who goes by which mode of transportation.

 

[tjmw2727]

Is Mears a bus, van or what?

Could be either but my last few trips either to or from the Dolphin have been in a 12ish passenger type van. I found the drivers very helpful and friendly unlike the "mears" transporation to WDW of the past.

Here is the website - http://www.mearstransportation.com/

In your case the parking fee alone would persuade me to return the car and save the $ for something else. We usualy walk/boat to MGM/Epcot and then take a bus to/from AK and bus to MK but return via monorial and Epcot.

For resort to resort trips or impatient moments we just budget cab fare, as a pp said you can get quite far in WDW for fairly little $. One of my favorite parts of vacation is not driving though ........

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanking everyone for your helpful thoughts and ideas.

 

[happymommy]

If it were me, out of convenience, I'd rent the car for one day, drop it off at the Dolphin, then take a cab back to the airport. We usually get one for about $50 or so, or you can arrange a town car transport for a bit more. It's just convenient.

I also have stayed there a lot, and once there, really won't use a car at all (we also spend most time at Epcot and DHS).

Hope you have a great time.

 

[tmli]

I would have a hard time being without a car for 7 days! That being said, what about a one way rental from Miami and then a 1 way rental at the end of your stay back to MCO. That way you can head to the airport on your schedule!