while onsite, 1-day car rental ??

[disneyred]

hi,
its just a wealth of info here and getting snippets here and there...

I will be onsite staying at the POR with family, what I would like to do is rent a car the 1-day to venture off site ..(yes... away from DISNEY!)

What is the best way, most convenient and best price I can do this ??

I have been reading away and getting tips like....
- take bus from POR to Downtown Disney, then bus it to Dolphin..
there is a rental place? then have to return it there ?
- from Downtown Disney walk to a nearby hotel to rent ??

I am so confused now... can all you experts help?? and of course,,
what would be the most economical way ....

thanks to all.

 

[NancyIL]

National/Alamo are at the Dolphin and the Car Care Center. If going to the Dolphin, DON'T go via Downtown Disney! Take the bus to MGM and then take the boat or walk to the Dolphin.

If you have any discount codes, such as Entertainment, Sam's Club, etc. - that will help you to get a lower base rate. I can usually get a vehicle for $50 or less - but that's for a smaller car. You have to pick-up at the Dolphin between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., but you can drop-off the car after hours. Check prices with both national and Alamo. Though they share the same cars, one company will cost a little less than the other, and you never know which one it will be!

 

[disneyred]

National/Alamo are at the Dolphin and the Car Care Center. If going to the Dolphin, DON'T go via Downtown Disney! Take the bus to MGM and then take the boat or walk to the Dolphin.

If you have any discount codes, such as Entertainment, Sam's Club, etc. - that will help you to get a lower base rate. I can usually get a vehicle for $50 or less - but that's for a smaller car. You have to pick-up at the Dolphin between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., but you can drop-off the car after hours. Check prices with both national and Alamo. Though they share the same cars, one company will cost a little less than the other, and you never know which one it will be!

thanks for this info... I have never been to disney yet...so I would have thought to go VIA Downtown disney..

i was also thinking about either picking up the around 5-6pm or early morning, so I guess there is no choice here...

another question. do I have to book ahead of time for this rental ?
and is there a link to where all this info =pick up /drop off and prices would be ??
I am hoping to pay at most 50.00 for the day (hoping for less) .. are there any other extra charges I should be aware of...

thanks for all the tips here !

 

[NancyIL]

thanks for this info... I have never been to disney yet...so I would have thought to go VIA Downtown disney..

i was also thinking about either picking up the around 5-6pm or early morning, so I guess there is no choice here...

another question. do I have to book ahead of time for this rental ?
and is there a link to where all this info =pick up /drop off and prices would be ??
I am hoping to pay at most 50.00 for the day (hoping for less) .. are there any other extra charges I should be aware of...

thanks for all the tips here !

I have seen signs saying "No cars available" when picking up a car at the Dolphin, so you definitely need to reserve the car in advance. Go to www.nationalcar.com and www.alamo.com to check rates. The Car Care Center near the Magic Kingdom has later hours - so check there, too.

There are other car rental companies at the Downtown Disney hotels, but I've never rented from them. Take a look at http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html for more help with rental cars in the Orlando area.

 

[OKW Lover]

Don't get stuck on Alamo/National. All the other major car rental companies also have locations on Disney property. Be sure to check them all for the best deal. Also, most of those will send a courtesy van to pick you up at your hotel, so don't worry about how you get there.

We've had good luck with Avis (at the Hilton).

 

[disneyred]

does anyone have any idea which would be my best deal for a 1-day rental,
or would these companies all have about the same pricing ??

so I would just have to pick based on convenience ??
thanks !

 

[Tumblwd501]

Car rental prices are so fluid, your best bet is to go to each of the websites for the various companies and put in your date and see what pops up. Even then, those rates will likely change as the date of your trip approaches. But since you're only doing a 1 day rental, the fluctuation won't be more than a couple of bucks.

In addition to the suggestions above, try checking Budget at the Doubletree and Dollar at the Grosvenor. Like Avis at the Hilton, these are all within 5-10 minutes walking distance from DTD. And some also have a courtesy shuttle you can request in advance.

All in all, I doubt the prices will vary too much for a 1 day rental. So you're probably right in that convenience will be the largest factor.

 

[Pokemom]

We have a certificate for a free 1 Day Rental from Thrifty. Does anyone know if there is a Thrifty location near POP or if they will pick you up?