Many rental car questions

[Tank3434]

Ok so we have never rented a car before but this time we are considering it as an option. Mostly because A..we aren't going to have the dining plan and want to stop at Walmart or something altho we usually do grocery delivery the items definitely are more expensive so it would be a savings stopping ourselves and B..we are also considering a trip to Lego Land. Now my questions are can we do magical express and have the car/dropped off and picked up at our resort? And then maybe we can only rent for a few days instead of the entire length of trip (staying at the Poly) can we rent high back boosters for my kids so we don't have to drag them with us on the plane and the bus? What rental companies are the cheapest?

[green ranger]

We have used magical express before and then rented a car two days in to our vacation to head to other parks. The rental company came to the Boardwalk, picked up my husband, took him to the rental company, and we then had the car for a couple of days. He then returned the car and the rental company drove him back to the hotel.

[Fangorn]

can we do magical express and have the car/dropped off and picked up at our resort?

And then maybe we can only rent for a few days instead of the entire length of trip (staying at the Poly)

can we rent high back boosters for my kids so we don't have to drag them with us on the plane and the bus?

What rental companies are the cheapest?

Yes. Several of the rental agencies will pick you up at your resort, take you to get your car and then take you back to the resort at the end of the rental. These include Alamo which is at the Disney Car Care Center. They don't drop off/pick up the car. They pick up/drop off you.

Yes. You can rent for only the day(s) you need/want a car. Be aware that even if you only want the car for say 3-4 days, it COULD be cheaper to rent for the entire week. They have daily rates and weekly rates. A week is usually 4 or more days, so you may find that 3 days at the daily rate, is about the same as 7 days at the weekly rate. Each company is a bit different, so be sure to check.

You can rent car seats along with the car. I do not know the specific kinds or styles. You'd need to check with the individual rental companies. It isn't cheap, though.

Prices for rental cars change daily, sometimes hourly, based on supply and demand. "Cheapest" is tough call. Renting somewhere other than the airport will usually be cheaper. I've had excellent pricing and service from Enterprise. They have a location at one of the Downtown Disney hotels and will pick you up at your resort. When I pick up at the airport, Alamo tends to have reasonable prices overall, but not always the absolute cheapest. The thing I appreciate most about Alamo and Enterprise (sister companies along with National) is that they don't spent 20 minutes trying to guilt me into taking their insurance. They ask, I say no, we're done. Budget, Thrifty & Dollar may be a few bucks less, but for me, the hassle they put me through trying to up-sell me just isn't worth it.

Steve

[GAN]

For the cheapest -I usually have luck with Priceline. You can usually grab a car for a fraction of the online price.... If you're comfortable using them.

[BrerGnat]

I would just recommend getting the rental for the duration of the trip. It is always cheaper to get a weekly rate. Most rental agencies charge about $20/day for a booster. Cheaper to bring your own on the plane. It won't count towards your checked baggage (it will be a freebie).

We use Hertz exclusively because of a great discount program through our bank. Try and see if your bank or car insurance company has a deal with any agencies (many do).

I would definitely stick to the on site MCO rental companies.

[Tank3434]

Maybe we can even get the car and I can run to Walmart or wherever is closest and buy a low booster for my 4.5 year old and then we will only have to bring one..that's another question what would b the closest place such as a target or Walmart and how far away is it? Don't want to take up too much time messing around with cars and stops. Another thought was sending my hubby and older son home on magical express and me and the younger son would get the car right at the airport...so many things to consider thank god I have till December to get it all figured out!

[Checkers]

Have you considered just one of you taking a cab to the grocery store? Just a suggestion as I really don't know what the rates are. When you say Legoland are you referring to the store at Downtown Disney? If so, you can take the Disney bus transportation.

For groceries we have always ordered through Garden Grocers. Usually found it is a wash since we don't have rental car expense.

[Tank3434]

We have always some grocery delivery for a few things but I am thinking we would need some more drinks and snacks this time and the items are quite pricy. And no I don't mean the store I mean the actual park which is about an hour or so away.

[BrerGnat]

The nearest Wal Mart is not that close to the airport. It would make more sense honestly to just bring two seats from home. It really is not that much extra work. Boosters are not heavy. I would probably just bring the bottom part though. As an alternative Target sells an inflatable booster now that is really easy to travel with.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Just got back from a 9 night trip. Even though we stayed on property, we rented a vehicle for the entire trip.

We took ME from the airport to Port Orleans on arrival (on a Friday). Saturday morning I had the Alamo shuttle pick me up out front and I was back at the resort in probably 45 minutes or less. I returned it Sunday morning and again was back before the family was even awake.

We rented a van for the entire time and it was only about $340. We used the Alamo location at the Disney Car Care Center, which is located right next to MK. Even though we have used Disney bus transportation in the past, knowing I can be from POR to EPCOT parking lot in 5 minutes, is a huge intangible. Sometimes time IS money, and for me, $340 was so well spent knowing I could get to anywhere in the World in probably under 15 minutes.

[Tank3434]

That's what I was thinking. We often rely on Disney buses but last time at park closes it was a nightmare waiting in those lines with 2 toddlers strollers and a mess of other things having the monrail will be nice but I think a car will also be a nice convenience as well. And thinking about it since we rent a stroller when we get there brining the boosters on the plane and gate checking won't b a big ordeal even tho my hubby may gripe a little...good to know it doesn't take up a lot of time getting the car and I can make arrangements for one of us to get after we check in so it doesn't have to be a family project! Thanks!

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

That's what I was thinking. We often rely on Disney buses but last time at park closes it was a nightmare waiting in those lines with 2 toddlers strollers and a mess of other things having the monrail will be nice but I think a car will also be a nice convenience as well. And thinking about it since we rent a stroller when we get there brining the boosters on the plane and gate checking won't b a big ordeal even tho my hubby may gripe a little...good to know it doesn't take up a lot of time getting the car and I can make arrangements for one of us to get after we check in so it doesn't have to be a family project! Thanks!

If you use Alamo, they have a pre-check in process, it can very much speed up the amount of time it takes to get your car. They will of course try to get you to upgrade, buy add'l add-ons and such, but you just say no no no and initial here here here and here and are on your way in no time.

[Lindsey310]

Ok so we have never rented a car before but this time we are considering it as an option. Mostly because A..we aren't going to have the dining plan and want to stop at Walmart or something altho we usually do grocery delivery the items definitely are more expensive so it would be a savings stopping ourselves and B..we are also considering a trip to Lego Land. Now my questions are can we do magical express and have the car/dropped off and picked up at our resort? And then maybe we can only rent for a few days instead of the entire length of trip (staying at the Poly) can we rent high back boosters for my kids so we don't have to drag them with us on the plane and the bus? What rental companies are the cheapest?

They can def pick you up at the resort and drop you off however we find its cheaper to rent for the whole week versus a day or two. We rented for two days for a trip to universal (gasp) and it was over $110. We rented for 8 days 7 nights in December and it was $160 for the week. We have found thrifty is the cheapest out of all the rental companies. DO NOT go with fox or the other one (name isn't coming to me at this moment) that is not in the terminal....you may find it to have a cheaper rate but I have heard horror stories about them overcharging etc.
Check out Hotwire, and thrifty.com but book soon...we have found the best prices are about 2 months out. Good luck


22 days!!!!

[MouseHouser]

We reserve a car as far in advance as possible, and then check back periodically for better rates. If we find a better rate, we cancel and rebook. We price shop using kayak.

During the last several years we found prices to be a bit higher upon arrival at the counter (in December) than when we booked (usually a few months in advance). Nonetheless, we would get tempted with a upgrade option to a convertible for maybe 20% extra.

But this year prices had vastly increased by the time we arrived at the counter, and upgrading to a converty would have doubled the price, so we stayed with what we had booked. Presumably the improving economy accounts for this.

[Tearin_it_up]

How early in the morning can you get a car from Alamo at Disney?

[faline]

How early in the morning can you get a car from Alamo at Disney?

Looks like the car care center rental location is open from 6 am - 8 pm while the Dolphin location is open from 8 am to 4 pm

[SandmanGStefani24]

also, try joining a repeat renter's club to cut your costs. (Emerald Club, Preferred, ect) I only rent from Avis, and have been a Preferred Plus member for years. The rates they charge me consistently beat everyone else's by an average of 30%.