Orlando - Advice on Rental Car/Hotel/1-Day WDW

My better half and I will be doing a multi-city trip in May including a stop in Orlando to visit some family up in the Ocala area. While there, my wife would like to go back to Orlando a day early and do one of the WDW parks. I am bit stuck on the best way to handle the rental car/hotel. We were planning to stay at the MCO Hyatt the last night. In the past, when staying there, I just dropped off the car, the night of check-in. In the case, should we extend to two nights at the MCO Hyatt, or do one night at a Disney hotel, and then the final night at the MCO Hyatt. If we do extend to two nights at the MCO Hyatt, what is the best to handle the car/transportation to WDW for the one-day. Should I keep the car an extra day paying for the parking, and just drive over to WDW, or should I return the car and try to use a taxi/shuttle/sedan option for the one day. I am aware that usually renting a car in Orlando is the best, but for the one extra day, I am not sure if it worth it for going over to WDW only. Finally, I prefer to stay at MCO Hyatt the final night as the morning departure is early.

Any advice from fellow FTers on the best way to handle the hotel/rental car is appreciated.

If you're only going to go to Disney the last day then I don't think keeping the car an extra day is necessary. If all you want to do is get from Disney and back there is a Lynx (city) bus that goes right from the terminal to Downtown Disney and TTC. The route number is 111 and departs a bus berth on the A side every 30 minutes. It takes 55 minute to get to DTD and another 15 to TTC with stops at the Florida Mall, International Drive, and Sea World on the way. Then once you're on property, you can use all of the Disney Transportation options for free. Also, the route doesn't pass through any bad areas so it's a pretty safe trip with only other tourists and hospitality employees on board. The ride is only $2.00 per person each way so it's hands down the best option if you know you only want to do Disney or one of the other things on the route.

If you're not comfortable with public transport you might just want to keep the car to keep your options open because a cab fare one way can easily be more than keeping your rental car another day. A cab from the airport to Disney can cost anywhere from $15 each to $55 flat rate each way.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions and have fun in O-Town.:p

If you rent from either National or Alamo, you can actually drop the car off at their location near the main toll booths for the Magic Kingdom. They will also drop you at your hotel if you're staying on Disney property and do the reverse when it's time to go home.

It's not likely you'll need a car that day, and the ability to drop off & pick might be a good option for you.

That said, paying for an extra day for a car (plus the parking fee at Disney) won't be all that expensive and save you lots of time - particularly if you use public transportation.

We generally rent from Enterprise. They have great customer service, and acceptable pricing.

Also if you join the Enterprise Plus frequent renter program, you'll get discounts and an expedited lane at the rental counter.

Thank you all for the comments. It sounds like unless we use the Lynx bus, it probably will just make more sense to keep the car the extra day. Haven't decided who we will rent from this time, so will check out the different choices you all mentioned.

Thank again. ^