Travel Questions DME and car rental

[Dimples1973ca]

I need some guidance. Here is our situation.

My BFF and her DD are arriving at Lakeland on Monday Aug 15th. They are going to get a shuttle or cab to Tampa and spend two days there.

DH, DD and I arrive at MCO on Wednesday Aug 17th. My BF, her DD and my family are staying at POR. As far as Disney knows we are all arriving on the same flight.

BFF needs to find away from Tampa to MCO on the Wednesday and then on Saturday 27th they have to get to the Lakeland Aiprort by 7 am. She can't afford to rent a car for the time before we get there. What do you all suggest?

Has anyone taken shuttle from MCO to Tampa? How much and how long does it take?

As we have only purchased WDW tickets from the 20th to the 27th, we are going to shop on the 17th and do Universal on the 18th-19th. We want to rent a car for the the two-three days. What is the most convenient car rental spot on the WDW property. What can we expect to pay?

I will be so glad to get to this vacation. Vacation planning for two families who live 3000 km apart is exhausting.

Any advice on our transportation dilemmas would be much appreciated.

 

[goofy4tink]

I wasn't aware there was a shuttle from MCO to Tampa. My ds and his wife live in Tampa and we always opt to rent a car to get there. I would think that a rental car is going to be the cheapest way to go.
Tampa is about 90 mins from MCO, and about 70 mins from WDW proper. Can't say from Lakeland.
As far as renting a car while at WDW...cost will vary, depending on type of car, length of rental, which company. So, Alamo/National have counters at the Dolphin Resort (outside Epcot) as well as the Car Care Center by the entrance to MK.
There are other rental companies based in hotels/resorts in DTD. For instance, Budget it located at the Doubletree Guest Suites in DTD. Many companies will send a shuttle for you to get you to their rental counters. You have to get yourself to the Dolphin though..no shuttle service there.

 

[SteveMouse]

I'd also be seriously concerned about Lakeland to Tampa. It's a hike!