you have a choice if you want, arrange through your tour co to have car delivered either to you hotel or villa and get shuttle from airport virgin do this as do Thomas cook

Just a quick question...I am going to Orlando in just over 2 weeks and am hiring a car. We have upgraded the insurance so that both myself and husband can drive...I have just remembered that my driving licence is still in my maiden name so is different to my passport......Will this be OK?

I have a sneaky feeling that it may not be unless it's a photo ID type and they will verify it's you against your passport photo, I'm sure this happens all the time
If you're both named drivers then your hubby can sign for the car but if they don't accept your license you must not drive as you wil not be covered by the insurance.

You can try phoning the DVLA in Swansea and see if they can get a new license to you in time but they failed miserably when I tried a couple of years ago to get a replacement, I even sent a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope, they sent it back empty and sent the license second class so it didn't arrive in time!.

If you're anywhere near Swansea you can make an appointment and wait while they issue it there and then for you.

Take your marriage licence with you.

I dont know if they will accept this but you can only try.

Hi i have just come back and when i collected my hire car from Alamo they didnt ask for my wifes license just got me to sign for the car and show my license.I have a photo license but also took the paper part but they never asked for that either.

Sorry it's me again!

If staying in either International Drive or Lake Buena Vista - is it REALLY essential to have car hire?

The reason for asking is while looking at holiday prices, once I look to upgrade to a slightly larger car to give our party a bit of space, and once i have added on the inclusive insurance, we are looking at spending approx. £300 on the so-called 'free' car rental.

We are going to Orlando for 2 weeks - will be visiting Disney parks for approx 7 days, Seaworld for 1 day, possibly Universal for a couple of days.

Do you think we would spend more than £300 on taxis and maybe the I Drive Trolley in 2 weeks? (maybe that's a dumb question but i havnt been to Orlando for 20 years so not sure of the prices!).

In the evenings i'm sure neither me or my husband will feel like driving to restaurants, so we wouldnt be using our hire car then....

Advice would be greatly appreciated! thanks

Jo Jo

IMHO a car is the best way to go. After a long hot day at a park its great to get into a car with aircon and go straight home. You see so much more as you dont waste time waiting for buses, taxis etc.
Lots of people do it without a car though. Its horses for courses really.

Bridd

It is a joke the way they describe it as 'Free rental' and yet it will always cost several hundred quid! However, for me, whenever I go to the States, unless I'm going to Vegas (no car required) then I would have a car, just for the freedom of knowing you can go where you want when you want.

TC

I would always have a car, just for the freedom to get away from the "usual" attractions and explore a bit more of the Sunshine State!

have to agree! i would definately hire a car.
you have so much more freedom.couldn't think of anything worse,than hanging around at the parks,waiting for buses,only to find them full.not my idea of fun.
must admit,we never used our car at night,but found it to be a godsend,through the day.
would never have got all my shopping,from walmart,on the bus anyway.worth hiring a car,for that alone
tracy

Thank you all.

I think we will be hiring a car!!

(it was the 'no room for all my shopping' that got me - i'm a shopaholic!)

A car you will see more of Florida if you are not wanting to stay in Orlando...

If you are staying in Orlando, i would forget the car, £300 would buy you a lot of taxis !!! Plus you pay to park your car in the car parks of the parks, around a fiver a day, plus gas on top, so yes its swings and roundabouts. Depends what you want to do and where you want to go on your hols.

We do drive but not in the USA, we found transport good, and you get dropped off at the gate instead of miles away from the park entrance, at the end of a tiring day at the parks, the last thing i would want to do is hunt down my car in the dark.

£300 would buy me a lot of clothes

We have been to the States a fair few times and have no probs at all.
The way we look at it is...we are on holiday, so let others do the driving while we look out of the windows at the scenery, instead of concentrating.

Have a lovely time.

You see, those were all the things i was thinking! (parking charges at theme parks, gas, 'we're on holiday and want to relax', etc etc).

And as you say £300.......clothes....!

Hmmm, will talk to my husband and see what he thinks....

thanks,

Jo Jo

Hi JoJo, As I have previously said, we have just returned from Orlando - went with Virgin and had transfers to hotel - really didnt want the hassle of trying to find your hotel after such a long flight. We had planned to hire a car for a few days mid holiday but we soon realised that we could could use the free shuttle busses from our hotel to all the disney parks. Yes, I agree you do have to fit in with their timetable but they were quite frequent and we really didnt find it a problem. we used taxis to seaworld and universal and again they drop you right at the entrance and you dont have to worry about parking. The taxis are very inexpensive and always right outside the park exits. We even had a free shuttle to the premium outlet shopping mall. There was another shopping mall in walking distance. we had 2 very good restaurants we could walk to and a food court at our hotel. I think its a matter of personal preference. My husband and I drive every day of the year so to go on holiday and do exactly the same is not my idea of fun. I think you can manage perfectly well as long as you choose a hotel that offers free shuttles and are close to a few shops and restaurants.
Teresa.

Thanks Teresa, its certainly food for thought. As you say, the taxis would drop us right at the entrance to the parks, and like you & your husband, my husband drives every day (me most days) and dont particularly want the stress of driving on holiday.

Re: hotels - I'm currently considering Marriott Springhill Suites Lake Buena Vista (i think this is where you stayed?), with Virgin. Price is a bit steep at £2700 approx - also looking at Fairfield Inn & Suites on International Drive, with Virgin. This is working out to £2775.

Also looking at Homewood Suites on International Drive.

Trying to find out who goes to Hilton Garden Inn, Seaworld and Marriott Residence Inn at Seaworld.

I've been put off Airtours by some info i've received re their flights and the state someone found their hotel room on arrival!

Jo Jo

Any hotels apart from the odd one i would recommend down near Seaworld, we stayed at the Sheraton world opposite seaworld, also went with Virgin, also went to the Travelodge on westwood blvd, not recommended any more.

The area near sea-world is a lot less tacky than I/d. A lot quieter and you can jump on the trolley buses all the time, they even drop you off at wet and wild. If you want to go to Universal Studios/IOA, get off virtually outside wet and wild, cross over the road and go down the hill, Universal is about 15/20 mins walk. Then coming out, walk back to the top, and wait opposite the road you got off at wet and wild, then go back down the i/d. We did this all the time.

There is a really good cinema not far from the Mercado, lots of screens, and a pub outside, we went every night, also lots of good shops there too. When buying clothes take all tags off, and crumple the clothes up before bringing them back to the UK. Also take an extra suitcase with you and put one inside the other, so you have more space for shopping.

Anything else i can help with, i will be glad to. By the way, Lynx buses do a great service to Disney and to the malls, Walmart is pretty good.

Thanks for all that info!

As you say you would recommend most of the hotels down near Seaworld, i dont suppose you know which operators go to the Hilton Garden Inn and the Marriott Residence Inn?

The only brochure i have found the Hilton in is 'Style Holidays' - i go on their website and it says accommodation not known (or something like that).

Was interested in the Hawthorn Suites but i have been put off as i can only find them with Airtours and although the price is very reasonable, I have read bad things about Airtours. Any advice?

many thanks.

Jo Jo

I tink JoJo that all tour operators at some time get some stick, but i do know my family always travel with Airtours and love them. Some like Virgin some not. I have never been with Airtours, but the USA maybe they would be different than the 'normal' package to Spain etc. That is no excuse of course, but long haul, some operators do better at.

One tip though, if you did get the hotel you wanted, go with them, you wont see them again anyway you will be sooo busy. We only ever saw the rep at the airport and welcome briefing, was out all the time. Most of the park tickets you would buy in the UK, the hotel foyer will offer you tickets and arrange transport, so really you dont need a tour operator.

Michelle.

Thanks for that, it's true what you say Michelle - in that some people have good experiences and some have bad. I think i need to make a firm decision with regards accommodation and then just go with the tour operator that has that accommodation. As you say, we will only be seeing them for the 2 flights and that's it. If we go with Airtours i will just have to keep my fingers crossed!

Still cant find tour operator that does Marriott Residence Inn Seaworld, or Hilton Garden Inn, Seaworld. If anyone else is reading this, do they know??!!

many thanks, Jo