To rent or not to rent?

[DrAlice]

Hi!

My family and I are planning a trip to the World and are having trouble deciding whether or not to rent a van for the week. What are your thoughts on how we should make this decision?

Here's our situation:

*Mom will be renting a scooter for the week, but will also have her "push wheelchair" with her for the airports.
*We will be staying on property (Port Orleans - Riverside) for 8 days.
*We plan to take a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center, but the rest of the time will likely be spent at Disney.
*Mom has post-polio syndrome which sometimes makes her very tired suddenly (which may mean she will want to go back to the hotel in the afternoons).

Transportation options we've considered:

* rent a scooter for the week and use Disney transport; rent a car for one day to take to Kennedy and use the push wheelchair (which would fit in the trunk)
* rent a scooter for the week & a regular minivan for the week (requires dad (64) & I (33 with "iffy" shoulder) to lift scooter into the back - we've done it before, but it is heavy!)
* rent a combo scooter & van with ramp for the week (using one of the companies listed on the FAQ)

What do you think? Are there other options we haven't thought of? How would you weigh in?

Thanks!!
-A

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

I would go with renting the scooter for the week and using Disney transport, with renting a car for the one day to go to KSC and use the push chair.

I am 67 and my ECV is a former rental; it is designed to break down to five parts, the heaviest being about 40 pounds. I am getting towhere it is getting uncomfortable to take it apart and get in into the car trunk.

And getting a van, from Alamo, for example, where the rear seats fold flat is not extremely difficult, but the ramp would have to be rented from somewhere else and coordinated.

 

[DrAlice]

Thanks for the input! I think we will do as you said, use Disney transport and just rent a car for the day.

-A

 

[disneymarie]

I would check out the cost of renting a day to the week from the airport.
I found that last trip I was able to rent the weekend rate 1/2 off, at Enterpize, Thursday/Fri /Sat/ Sun a total of $55.
I was picked up at our resort. I had the use of the vehicle to go to Walmart, Dinner theater at Midievil times, To Universal two days.

This trip I will not be there to take advantage of this weekend rate, but, I found a Mini van for $25.95 a day rental for the week. It was $205. www.hotwire.com specials link...It is with either Alamo, National, Hertz or another major carrier at MCO. Enterprize even with codes was still over $60 a day.

For the convienance, you may find renting onsite at Disney to be $60 a day for a car cost. If you have the van, you can lay the handles, take off the seat and store in the hatch.

I did this with a Nissan Sentra for the $55 rate for the 4 days. The EVC fit in the trunk great, just take off the seat . and seat 4 adults.

Just sharing my experiance. This time we are traveling with 6 and need a van. I just wanted a intermediate car to go out for pick ups and emergency runs. But, the van is only $10 more a day....
Have a great trip.
Dianne

Scooter rental at Randy's mobility is $160 a week and a Internet coupon on the orlando vacation card site is $10 off.
THe people are wonderful and only minutes away at any time. Drop off and pick up. Show you how to charge battery at night. We never had to charge during the day at a park, breakdown, the dos and don;'ts, not to leave key on to drain, traveling with the basket. Our last trip for 5 day rental they took the coupon anyway.