Car rental from Airport to Port Canaveral

[Lovedisneycruise]

We are thinking of renting a car from MCO to a hotel in Port Canaveral for the day before our fall cruise. We usually take the Disney buses to the port, but wanted to try something different this time, so we can (1) stop at a store and get some things on the way, and (2) stay at a Port Canaveral hotel the night before--and maybe get to experience Fishlips! :p

 

My questions are:

1) Does anyone know the easiest/least expensive agency to rent/drop off for one day? Are there any Port hotels that have a rental drop off near them? What rental agency would you recommend? We don't plan on sight-seeing that day, just stopping for wine and some misc. items, and then heading to the port resort.

 

2) Is there a large Target/Walmart on the way to the Port where we could get wine, sunscreen and snacks in one stop?

 

Thanks in advance for any ideas!:)

Edited March 26, 2014 by Lovedisneycruise

[Lovedisneycruise]

One other question...

Does anyone have a preference or experience with Country Inn & Suites and Marriott Residence Inn? Apparently, they are right next to each other.

 

TIA again!

[Kamloops50]

We are thinking of renting a car from MCO to a hotel in Port Canaveral for the day before our fall cruise. We usually take the Disney buses to the port, but wanted to try something different this time, so we can (1) stop at a store and get some things on the way, and (2) stay at a Port Canaveral hotel the night before--and maybe get to experience Fishlips! :p

 

My questions are:

1) Does anyone know the easiest/least expensive agency to rent/drop off for one day? Are there any Port hotels that have a rental drop off near them? What rental agency would you recommend? We don't plan on sight-seeing that day, just stopping for wine and some misc. items, and then heading to the port resort.

 

2) Is there a large Target/Walmart on the way to the Port where we could get wine, sunscreen and snacks in one stop?

 

Thanks in advance for any ideas!:)

 

The nearest in a town about a twenty minutes away . Most rental drop off are on the way to the port . I prefer Budget because I know they have a free shuttle.

[moki'smommy]

OK, car rental hints...you pay for a 24 hour rental whether you keep it for 2 hours or 23 1/2. It is not by calendar day. There are lots of places to get codes that will decrease your rates. rentalcodes.com is one. Check travel ads, AAA magazines, etc. for others. Most hotel loyalty plans give you a discount (sign up and get the card). If you are paying the first internet rate you see, you are paying too much! On the way BACK, be sure to save your gas receipt. They DO check at MCO. They do not check at Cape Canaveral. There is a RaceTrac just past the Budget location in Cape Canaveral. On return to the airport, do not stop at the first gas stations you'll see by the airport (Semoran (?) Road). They price gouge horribly. Drive another 1/2 mile and prices are normal for the area.

 

Sign up for the loyalty program of the car company you will use. If Budget (which we like), it will save you waiting FOREVER at MCO--you go directly to the garage.

 

ALL The car rental companies in Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach have a shuttle to the cruise terminal. Budget runs 2 on cruise days. There is a Walmart on the way to the port. There is a Target about 5 miles from the airport. There is a Publix about 2 miles farther down the road from the Budget location in Cape Canaveral...which is right by the Residence Inn and CI&S.

 

CI&S and Residence are both great. I'd base it on price.

Edited March 26, 2014 by moki'smommy

[Lovedisneycruise]

Thanks so much! Mokismommy, you always have the answers--greatly appreciated!:D

 

We are only planning on using the rental to get to the resort the day before; we will take the Disney bus back to the airport the last day of the cruise.