Trans. b/w Safari and WDW Dolphin: Tiffany Towncar, Cab or Something Else?
Apr 10, 2006, 1:38 pm
#18
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Originally Posted by slippahs
Thanks for the replies. After reading through disboards.com and considering the info posted here, it looks like a compromise between the two alternatives will be made.
Car rental for the first few days while we're at the Safari.
Then, return the car at the Dolphin, slow the vacation down a bit and enjoy the parks along with the WDW transportation. Also make sure you book National Car Rental as they are the only Company with Drop-off at The Dolphin, thereby saving the hassle of dropping off elsewhere. There is also a Free Emerald National membership offer in opperation at the moment.
This seems to be the best balance between price, flexibility and comfort.
Will report back after trip.
Car rental for the first few days while we're at the Safari.
Then, return the car at the Dolphin, slow the vacation down a bit and enjoy the parks along with the WDW transportation. Also make sure you book National Car Rental as they are the only Company with Drop-off at The Dolphin, thereby saving the hassle of dropping off elsewhere. There is also a Free Emerald National membership offer in opperation at the moment.
This seems to be the best balance between price, flexibility and comfort.
Will report back after trip.
Last edited by UncleDude; Apr 10, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Apr 10, 2006, 1:43 pm
#19
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Originally Posted by UncleDude
Now you need to check if you can use and book the Free Disney's Magical Express Bus Transfer Service to Orlando Airport for your return journey from your Disney Resort to the Airport.
Thanks for the tip!
Apr 17, 2006, 10:18 pm
#20
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Alright, just an update. National dropped their rates a bit--and a week long car rental now rests just under $173 (add on the Dolphin parking rate for 5 days and a total of $213). Guess this might be a better way to go instead of renting it for two (at a total of $89 + $55 for a Towncan on the way back). Will talk it over with my SO and see what she says. Thanks again for ya'lls help. We're very much looking forward to this trip!
Last edited by slippahs; Apr 17, 2006 at 10:38 pm Reason: price decrease as we speak
Apr 18, 2006, 5:41 am
#21
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Yes, I am looking at car rental rates for mid-June and am finding the price trending down. For example, under $300 yesterday using a Sam's Club code for a 2-week MCO National rental June 7-21 at www.southwest.com even before coupons (BTW, the code for their office in the Dolphin is ORLR13).
Maybe the high price of oil/gas is starting to pinch some potential vacationers.
Be careful with National. The price goes up 40% or so on the above rate when I include my Emerald Club number. Wonder whether that's a fluke or normal.
www.mousesavers.com has some hints on "stacking" multiple discounts with National to get a great rate.
If you are going to pick up and return to MCO, you can save some money with EZ Car. They have a shuttle, maybe 10-15 minutes from the airport, but as I recall it's in the direction of Disneyworld anyway. Seems a slightly disorganized operation, but the car was fine and we saved a bunch of money.
Maybe the high price of oil/gas is starting to pinch some potential vacationers.
Be careful with National. The price goes up 40% or so on the above rate when I include my Emerald Club number. Wonder whether that's a fluke or normal.
www.mousesavers.com has some hints on "stacking" multiple discounts with National to get a great rate.
If you are going to pick up and return to MCO, you can save some money with EZ Car. They have a shuttle, maybe 10-15 minutes from the airport, but as I recall it's in the direction of Disneyworld anyway. Seems a slightly disorganized operation, but the car was fine and we saved a bunch of money.
May 19, 2006, 11:35 pm
#23
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Originally Posted by toomanybooks
One other thing. I think, but am not sure, that Swan/Dolphin charges for guest parking. Something like $8 a day. Worth checking on that.
We ended up renting a car for two days via National. Used their Emerald Reserve service for an SUV at $67 for the total rental + roughly $10 for gas, which worked out perfectly.
Having a car at the Safari was a must. We would not have been able to have the flexibility to get around the WDW area without one, and we were also able to run over to Walgreens and pick up supplies/snacks needed for the trip.
Returning the rental at the Dolphin was easy. Valet took the car and I received an e-receipt of the total cost via e-mail. Simple. Then, we had no problems using Disney Transportation except for one night when the Downtown Disney bus didn't come after waiting for roughly 40 minutes. We scrapped our plans to go to Pleasure Island and instead went to the Dance Hall on the Boardwalk.
Personally, I didn't see any sort of benefit to having a car while staying at the Dolphin. Disney transportation got you where you needed to be (albeit the trip to the Magic Kingdom took 20 minutes) in a reasonable amount of time; and, I didn't have to struggle with Disney parking.
On the return to MCO, we ended up using a o/w car service with Mear's rather than Tiffanys since Tiffanys did not accept credit cards for o/w trips (and I avoid using cash whenever possible). So, booked the o/w on Mears' website ahead of time and the driver got us to the airport on-time.
Thanks to all for your suggestions. In the end, we had a very magical Disney trip filled with great memories. On the side, one comment that both my SO and I made was that we prefer Disneyland over Disneyworld. Disneyworld has so much to do that it almost seems stressful trying to get everything in. I guess also since we were raised with Disneyland (it's closer to Hawaii), we much rather prefer something we're accustomed to. Regardless, we will be heading back, hopefully sooner than later.
May 22, 2006, 6:15 am
#24
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Originally Posted by slippahs
Disney transportation got you where you needed to be (albeit the trip to the Magic Kingdom took 20 minutes) in a reasonable amount of time; and, I didn't have to struggle with Disney parking.
May 28, 2006, 7:05 pm
#25
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Originally Posted by mkt
WDW itself is fairly easy to get around without a car. It's quite possibly the only part of Orlando with decent public transportation. The only catch is you're stuck with everyone else who is using WDW transportation during their stays, and you're not free to do things at your own schedule. WDW is pretty easy to get around, also being quite possibly the only part of Orlando with decent signage tellin people where to go.
May 28, 2006, 8:02 pm
#26
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Originally Posted by moneeman
Driving around Orlando quite frequently, I can tell you there are PLENTY of signs telling people where to go!