Which to choose...?

[Jen94]

We are leaving in 11 days for our first-ever trip to WDW. We have decided to definitely rent a car for our convenience. Our dilemma is: we are unsure which is best, to rent a car from the airport or to get one from the Disney Car Care Center. We currently have reservations for a car at both places with no price difference. Can anyone please give us the pros & cons of both, for the adults & kids' sakes?? Thanks!

 

[WizardLarz]

If you are staying at a WDW Resort skip the Car rental and just use Disney transportation. If you need the car for a trip to US/IA then just get it from the CCC for the 2-3 days that you need it.

 

[mieuxmew]

Having a car is so worth it, especially if you get a decent rate! You can choose to take Disney transportation or drive yourself. Having a car is awesome to get from resort to resort for dinner reservations!

We usually rent a car. Husband gets the car at the airport while the kids and I take magic express. We usually arrive to the resort at the same time. Never rented from Car Care Center, but it might take more time after you arrive. When we leave, we give out bags to RAC and drive ourselves to airport.

Have a great trip!

 

[Alesia]

It really just boils down to whether you want to drive from the airport or take DME.

Renting a car from the airport and driving to your hotel will be a bit faster than taking DME, but you'll still have to take the time to get to the CCC.

Renting from the airport will save you a step, but will require navigating your way through an unfamiliar area. Although, if that made you uncomfortable, I guess you wouldn't be renting a car.

 

[goofy4tink]

Interesting situation. The drive from WDW isn't a bad one. But, I do tend to enjoy the DME bus ride and having them take care of my bags. Then, you do need a way to get to the CCC to get your car. So, that means you have to call them and get a ride there. And then reverse it to return it.
I guess it all depends on how you want to start your trip......no bags, no worries about making the drive from MCO to your resort....or, having a car from the start, no need to worry about getting to and from the CCC but have to wait for bags to get to you at baggage claim.
That's a hard one. Normally, I would say whichever is cheapest. Okay....I think I"m going to say go with the CCC. Let them come get you and shuttle you to the CCC.
It's really 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

 

[rwdavis2]

We always rent a car beacuse we don't want to be at the mercy of Disney transportation. IMHO, it's faster to go between parks this way or from the hotel to any park with the exception of the Deluxe Resorts near MK or anyplace you could walk. Then if you want to go off property you can do that too.

 

[Lewisc]

How much luggage? Letting Disney handle your luggage will eliminate trying to squeeze all your luggage in the car. Might let you rent a smaller car then you'd otherwise need.

You could consider DME for luggage only. Read the "sticky" for guidance and discussion. You could have the driver pick up the car at MCO and meet the rest of the family at the resort. You could rent the car at the CCC.

Same price, even with taxes and fees. I'd probably have the driver pick up the car at MCO and let the rest of the family take DME. Saves having to go the the CCC twice and gives you more flexibility on your departure day.

 

[dancin Disney style]

In general, if you have never been to WDW and will only be staying on property my advise would be to skip the car rental. There will be plenty of things that you can spend that extra money on and the bus system is pretty good. Plus, the DME ride is a nice way to start a vacay. If you really want to get the car anyway then I would get it at the airport only because it will save some time.

 

[Jen94]

Thanks for all of the replies thus far! Since we have never been to WDW before, we have been wondering whether or not it would be faster & easier to to get the car from the airport or CCC, as we have read conflicting reports as to the speed & arrival to the resort by way of the DME. We are staying at the Contemporary. Also, we thought by getting the car from the airport, it might possibly give us a little more time in a park on our departure day. However, if we choose to get the car from the airport, would we lose some of the Disney magic for the kids by not riding the DME?? Any more thoughts...??

 

[rwdavis2]

.... However, if we choose to get the car from the airport, would we lose some of the Disney magic for the kids by not riding the DME?? Any more thoughts...??

Although I've never done DME, IMHO, it's just a bus ride. Look at it this way, would the kids prefer being at a park/resort sooner or riding a bus?

Again, we always rent a car. To us its far more convenient in the long run.

 

[Alesia]

Thanks for all of the replies thus far! Since we have never been to WDW before, we have been wondering whether or not it would be faster & easier to to get the car from the airport or CCC, as we have read conflicting reports as to the speed & arrival to the resort by way of the DME. We are staying at the Contemporary. Also, we thought by getting the car from the airport, it might possibly give us a little more time in a park on our departure day. However, if we choose to get the car from the airport, would we lose some of the Disney magic for the kids by not riding the DME?? Any more thoughts...??

In your situation, here's what I would do: I would rent the car from the airport. I would have one adult pick up the rental and send everyone else to the resort on DME so you can skip picking up the luggage.

Then, on departure day, pack all the stuff in the trunk of the car (not in the back seat) and head to the park. You'll need to leave the park about 3 hours before your flight leaves - although I'm pretty cautious and would probably leave about 30 minutes before that.

 

[rwdavis2]

In your situation, here's what I would do: I would rent the car from the airport. I would have one adult pick up the rental and send everyone else to the resort on DME so you can skip picking up the luggage.

Then, on departure day, pack all the stuff in the trunk of the car (not in the back seat) and head to the park. You'll need to leave the park about 3 hours before your flight leaves - although I'm pretty cautious and would probably leave about 30 minutes before that.

Good call. Best of both worlds.

 

[Lewisc]

How much luggage? Letting Disney handle your luggage will eliminate trying to squeeze all your luggage in the car. Might let you rent a smaller car then you'd otherwise need.

You could consider DME for luggage only. Read the "sticky" for guidance and discussion. You could have the driver pick up the car at MCO and meet the rest of the family at the resort. You could rent the car at the CCC.

Same price, even with taxes and fees. I'd probably have the driver pick up the car at MCO and let the rest of the family take DME. Saves having to go the the CCC twice and gives you more flexibility on your departure day.

In your situation, here's what I would do: I would rent the car from the airport. I would have one adult pick up the rental and send everyone else to the resort on DME so you can skip picking up the luggage.

Then, on departure day, pack all the stuff in the trunk of the car (not in the back seat) and head to the park. You'll need to leave the park about 3 hours before your flight leaves - although I'm pretty cautious and would probably leave about 30 minutes before that.

Assuming the OP is flying with a participating airline use RAC to check your bags. The only issue might be if they have valuable (laptop) carryon items. Options are to check them with bell services (return to your resort on the way to MCO), keep them in the trunk, rent a locker in the park or keep them with you during the day. Answer depends on how valuable and what they plan on doing. Unless my last day was going to include my entire family riding coast type rides I'd just keep the items with me.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

However, if we choose to get the car from the airport, would we lose some of the Disney magic for the kids by not riding the DME?? Any more thoughts...??

I don't think riding any bus is in any way magical!

Rent the car at the airport. It will be much less hassle.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for all of the replies thus far! Since we have never been to WDW before, we have been wondering whether or not it would be faster & easier to to get the car from the airport or CCC, as we have read conflicting reports as to the speed & arrival to the resort by way of the DME. We are staying at the Contemporary. Also, we thought by getting the car from the airport, it might possibly give us a little more time in a park on our departure day. However, if we choose to get the car from the airport, would we lose some of the Disney magic for the kids by not riding the DME?? Any more thoughts...??

One adult rides the DME bus with the kids, while another adult goes off to rent the car. The rental driver may arrive at the CR about 15 mins prior to those on the bus, but not much sooner.
Then, on the day of departure, check your bags early in the day at the RAC counter...as long as you are flying home on a participating airline!! Then, put your carryon bags in your car...head off to a park for the day. Be sure to be ready to head out of the park no less than 2.5 hrs prior to flight departure. You will need at least 30 mins to make the ride back to MCO, and then maybe 15-20 mins to return the car and get up to security.
If you decide not to do RAC for your bags, leave WDW no less than 3 hrs prior to flight time. You'll need that addtl time to check your bags and get boarding passes issued.