Would you get a rental car if free?

[sandymandr]

OK, I'm in a weird situation. My whole 9 day trip is being paid for by my sister's boss!!!! I am thinking about getting a car rental for the following reasons: 1) We have almost all pre-rope drop bfasts 2) We want to go to WP's in the middle of the day 3) we have a few resort dinners. I keep thinking that if we had it, we wouldn't have to worry about making the pre-RD's and when we leave park, we could have all of our stuff for WPs in the trunk. It seems like a no brainer, but then I worry about parking. I had a car my last trip and it was awesome. I never had any trouble parking and if so, the trams take you to front of park. What would you do?? And why? Is there any negative (other than cost obviously) to having a rental car? Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Dannielle_1]

I voted "no." Only because when we have driven and had our own car it has stayed in the resort parking lot the whole time. We enjoy parking the car and forgetting about it. For us to get a rental car would mean having to pick it up, drop it off and go to a gas station to fill it up before return.

I'm also happy not to deal with the trams & parking lots, hot cars, finding cars and carseats. We are also generally not worried about the extra time that may be involved in using the busses and other WDW transportation.

Maybe with your waterpark plans and dining plans it might be useful. Just not how we tour.

 

[deedeetoo]

Of course you should get the car if its free. It gives you so much more flexibility.

Are you feeling guilty about making your sister's boss pay for something that you aren't sure you need or want? Is she going to feel like she's cheating if she tries to put this expense through? Or is the boss expecting her to rent a car for some other reason? I'm just trying to figure out why you even need to ask the question.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I get the rental car even when it isn't free...

The convenience and flexibility are worth every penny.

 

[lillykat]

If it is free why wouldn't you? If nothing else you use it to and from the airport, and maybe to assist in getting to another resort for a meal during the week. I would definitely go for it - it costs you nothing so if you use it everyday or only to and from the airport it isn't costing you anything.

 

[sandymandr]

Of course you should get the car if its free. It gives you so much more flexibility.

Are you feeling guilty about making your sister's boss pay for something that you aren't sure you need or want? Is she going to feel like she's cheating if she tries to put this expense through? Or is the boss expecting her to rent a car for some other reason? I'm just trying to figure out why you even need to ask the question.

He is such a nice man, obviously!!! This is one of her year end bonuses. We just don't want to take advantage of it if we don't need it so we can save him money. He already said he doesn't care and for us to get what we want to have a nice trip. We already have DxDP, 9 nights at CBR, WP tix, hoppers, and direct flight airfare (which is way more than what we would normally pay). I guess I just have trouble spending $ (even someone elses) when it is not necessary. What is wrong with me?!?!?!?!?! Maybe I am just not used to being given such a great gift and don't want to jinx it Thanks for your answers, I think I am just gonna go ahead and get one and not feel guilty about it!!

 

[disney67]

I agree with most people cause we always get a car even on my upcomming trip i was only going to do a few days and found that renting for the whole trip was cheaper . good luck on choosing .

 

[seashoreCM]

OT: Caution, if you don't have to pay anything for the car, you won't be getting out your credit card and therefore you won't have insurances and coverages through the credit card. So you will have to make sure your own insurance covers any mishap, or buy some rental company coverage.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[DebbieB]

If it's being paid for with a corporate contract code, many times insurance is included. My corporate code does. The twist is it's a flat $187 weekly rate for intermediate, which is usually much higher than discounted rates in Orlando. Although right now it's the cheapest rate for early December.

 

[GEB@okw]

Is it really free? What about gas, tolls and insurance? What is your liability? Why waste fuel?

 

[Brian Noble]

Considering I'm willing to pay market rates for a rental car, I'd take a free one in a heartbeat.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I get the rental car even when it isn't free...

The convenience and flexibility are worth every penny.

That's what I'm saying.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Is it really free? What about gas, tolls and insurance? What is your liability? Why waste fuel?

We always get our rental car using Priority Club points (Holiday Inn rewards). We are not fans of the WDW bus system - AT ALL - so would probably rent even if it were not nearly free.

As an example.....on our last trip we had a rental car for 10 days. Total cost was $41 for taxes. Only inconvenience, we had to make 2 reservations - one for a week and the other for a long weekend. I am a Gold Member so it's very quick....and we always plan the exchange when we have lunch with local friends so it's really no inconvenience to us at all.

Hertz is fabulous and always give us lovely cars.



Note: We do not pay additional for insurance - AMEX covers what our personal car insurance does not, we use about 1/2 tank of gas on a normal 1 week rental and $2 for tolls.

 

[Lewisc]

1) We have almost all pre-rope drop bfasts 2) We want to go to WP's in the middle of the day 3) we have a few resort dinners. I keep thinking that if we had it, we wouldn't have to worry about making the pre-RD's and when we leave park, we could have all of our stuff for WPs in the trunk. It seems like a no brainer, but then I worry about parking. I had a car my last trip and it was awesome. I never had any trouble parking and if so, the trams take you to front of park. What would you do?? And why? Is there any negative (other than cost obviously) to having a rental car? Thanks for any thoughts!

Rental cars in Orlando are generally cheap. Some of the people who don't rent a car skip the car for non-financial reasons. I don't rent a car for a short (3-4 night) trip unlees I'm planning on doing something offsite.

You're planning on going to water parks, resort dinners and early breakfasts. I'd suggest renting a car evenif you had to pay for it. Rates are generally the best for a 7 day rental. Price a rental for your entire trip with a MCO pickup and drop off. Also price a 7 day rental with a pickup/drop off at WDW.

edited to add--If you were paying for the trip you'd rent a car. You're not taking advantage of the free trip by letting them pay for something you would have paid for if you were paying for the trip.

 

[WillCAD]

OK, I'm in a weird situation. My whole 9 day trip is being paid for by my sister's boss!!!! I am thinking about getting a car rental for the following reasons: 1) We have almost all pre-rope drop bfasts 2) We want to go to WP's in the middle of the day 3) we have a few resort dinners. I keep thinking that if we had it, we wouldn't have to worry about making the pre-RD's and when we leave park, we could have all of our stuff for WPs in the trunk. It seems like a no brainer, but then I worry about parking. I had a car my last trip and it was awesome. I never had any trouble parking and if so, the trams take you to front of park. What would you do?? And why? Is there any negative (other than cost obviously) to having a rental car? Thanks for any thoughts!

With the examples you listed, a rental car would be very helpful. Getting around WDW without a car is perfectly possible, but it's also a PITA if you want to do anything beyond the simple "resort to park" or "park to resort" trips.

Getting to early breakfasts is a major hassle without a car.

Getting from one resort to another (unless they're next to each other like the monorail resorts or Epcot resorts) is a major hassle requiring a transfer and loads of time.

The only negatives to having a car are:
1) If you're prone to getting lost in unfamiliar towns, you may get lost at WDW, despite the excellent signage on WDW roads
2) Extra expense of rental fees, gas, and tolls
3) For some people, driving is a "chore" or "hassle" or a lot of "work". Not so for me - driving is like breathing; if I can't do it for myself, I turn blue and pass out.

I get the rental car even when it isn't free...

The convenience and flexibility are worth every penny.

Considering I'm willing to pay market rates for a rental car, I'd take a free one in a heartbeat.

That's what I'm saying.

Ditto, likewise, and in all other ways, yeah, what they said.

 

[Brian Noble]

Getting to early breakfasts is a major hassle without a car.

Getting from one resort to another (unless they're next to each other like the monorail resorts or Epcot resorts) is a major hassle requiring a transfer and loads of time.

I'd add the water parks to this list of hassles too. Blizzard Beach often shares a route with AK. Typhoon often shares a route with DTD. Depending on who gets dropped/picked first, this just adds time to your trip.