Rental Car Drop Off

ColdSun

ColdSun

Member
So, Disney World will be the last stop of our small Florida Tour in March 2018. We'll be arriving from Cocoa Beach on March 18th via rental car (which we haven't booked yet).
As we are staying in Pop Century and using the Magical Express to get us to the airport once the vacation is over, we would like to check in and drop our bags at the hotel and then get rid of the car the same day so we can save a bit of money.

So the question is: is there any specific rental car place nearby any of the parks? Once the car has been dropped off there, is there any transportation to the parks or the hotel (other than Uber or taxis)? Or is there maybe the possibility to have the rental car picked up by the firm right at the hotel?

Sorry if any of these questions sound silly, I'm from Germany and not from the US... Plus really inexperienced when it comes to rental cars ;).

Anyway, thanks so much for your help :cat:.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
DarthVader

DarthVader

Sith Lord
ColdSun said:
So the question is: is there any specific rental car place nearby any of the parks?
Click to expand...
Alamo Rental is on Disney property and I beleive they're the only ones. Most if not all of the car rental locations in Orlando are centered near the airport. I think you may be better off going with Alamo, and then dropping it off there on property
 
Upvote 0
cmb5002

cmb5002

Well-Known Member
The Dolphin in the Epcot resort area also has an Alamo/National Car Rental. You can use Disney buses, boats or even walk to the parks from there. I'm not sure if the Alamo Rental center by MK has any transportation.
 
Upvote 0
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
There are a few options, depending on what/where you are going to be. The Car Care Center over by MK has rentals, the Swan/Dolphin has National/Alamo, and several of the Disney Springs area resorts have car rental agencies as well.

Just a note, you will want to compare the prices and options. Booking a one way car rental is often more expensive than returning it to the same location. And the prices may vary depending on what location you are returning it to. If the airport is cheaper you can return it, and then take DME back to your resort. Just give them a flight that arrives at about the same time you plan on returning it.
 
Upvote 0
wendysue

wendysue

Well-Known Member
The Alamo/National car rental site at the Car Care Center near the MK will take you back to your resort. If you have a different rental company, you might want to check with them to see where to take it. Most rental car companies will give you a ride.
 
Upvote 0
TiggerDad

TiggerDad

Well-Known Member
I rented a car from the Dolphin in December, and had to ask a few people how to find the rental car office there, as it is kind of hidden. But once I found it, service was great. They only have Alamo/National. The Dolphin is a short walk to the International Gateway back entrance to Epcot, and a short boat ride to DHS. There is no direct service to POP from the Dolphin if you're trying to get back to your resort. You would need to take the boat to DHS and transfer to a bus to POP, or take a taxi or Uber/Lyft.

I have previously rented from the Car Care Center, and found that to be a crazy crowded mess. It also is much further from POP, but close to MK. I think I had to take a bus there from the TTC, but it's been a while, so I am less sure on transportation options from there.

As others have stated, one way rentals are more expensive so you may save money by returning it to the airport and then taking DME back to POP.

Hope you enjoy your trip. We are doing the reverse - headed to Germany in a few weeks (and DLP).
 
Upvote 0
Rob562

Rob562

Well-Known Member
wendysue said:
The Alamo/National car rental site at the Car Care Center near the MK will take you back to your resort. If you have a different rental company, you might want to check with them to see where to take it. Most rental car companies will give you a ride.
Click to expand...

They'll also take you pretty much anywhere on property you want to go, including other hotels and the parks. (I think for MK they even have access to drop you off at the bus loop in front of the park and avoid the TTC)

The last time we rented a car we dropped it off at the Car Care Center and then had them bring us to the Grand Floridian so we could take a look around before continuing on to the MK via monorail. (I was with two friends who'd never seen the GF before)

I also agree with others who said to shop around to compare prices. Shop both Alamo and National. Alamo is typically geared toward leisure rentals and National for the business rentals so National tends to be a bit more expensive, but sometimes you can find a good deal from them. Look at drop-offs at both the CCC and the Dolphin to see which would be cheaper and then adjust your post-drop-off transportation choices accordingly. And at least check to see what the price is to keep the rental all the way to your departure date to drop off at the airport. The price difference may not be as bad as you think.

-Rob
 
Upvote 0
ColdSun

ColdSun

Member
Original Poster
Rob562 said:
They'll also take you pretty much anywhere on property you want to go, including other hotels and the parks. (I think for MK they even have access to drop you off at the bus loop in front of the park and avoid the TTC)

The last time we rented a car we dropped it off at the Car Care Center and then had them bring us to the Grand Floridian so we could take a look around before continuing on to the MK via monorail. (I was with two friends who'd never seen the GF before)

I also agree with others who said to shop around to compare prices. Shop both Alamo and National. Alamo is typically geared toward leisure rentals and National for the business rentals so National tends to be a bit more expensive, but sometimes you can find a good deal from them. Look at drop-offs at both the CCC and the Dolphin to see which would be cheaper and then adjust your post-drop-off transportation choices accordingly. And at least check to see what the price is to keep the rental all the way to your departure date to drop off at the airport. The price difference may not be as bad as you think.

-Rob
Click to expand...

Will do, thanks :)
 
Upvote 0

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom