can you rent a car at disney

[AylaAnn]

Yes, you can rent a car directly at the Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is the primary gateway for Walt Disney World visitors. However, there are no traditional car rental desks located within the Disney World Resort itself. For most guests, relying on Disney's complimentary transportation system—buses, monorails, boats, and the Disney Skyliner—is often more convenient and cost-effective than having a personal rental car for your entire stay.

The most seamless way to get a rental car is upon arrival at MCO. All major rental companies have counters in the airport's terminal. You can take a complimentary shuttle from the airport to your chosen rental car facility. If you decide you need a car only for a day or two for an off-site trip, there are a few car rental locations near Disney property, such as the Car Care Center near the Magic Kingdom parking area. These are not walk-in facilities; you typically need to book online or by phone, and they may offer a shuttle service to pick you up from your Disney hotel.

Here’s a quick comparison of the primary options:

Rental Method	Location / Provider	Key Consideration
On-Airport Rental	Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz, etc. at MCO	Most convenient for arrivals; easy to pick up and drop off.
Disney-Recommended Off-Site	Alamo and National at Disney Car Care Center	Requires advance booking and a shuttle ride from your resort.
Off-Property Locations	Various agencies in Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee	Often cheaper rates, but you'll need a ride-share or taxi to get there.
Ride-Sharing / Taxi	Uber, Lyft, Taxi	Ideal for one-off trips, not a full rental replacement.

Pros and Cons of Renting a Car at Disney: The main advantage is flexibility. A car allows you to explore other Orlando attractions, dine at off-site restaurants, or make a grocery store run with ease. The downside is the daily cost of the rental, plus the parking fees at Disney World Resort hotels (typically $15-$25 per night for overnight guests) and at the theme parks (now complimentary for all hotel guests). For a trip focused entirely on the Disney parks, the free, continuous internal transportation is usually sufficient and can save you significant money and the hassle of navigating and parking.

[JosieLee]

Honestly, for a first-timer, I'd skip the rental car. Disney's transportation is a huge part of the experience and it's totally free. The buses, monorails, and Skyliner are efficient and drop you right at the park entrances. You avoid daily rental fees, expensive gas, and the stress of finding a parking spot and then trekking from the massive lot to the gate. Save your money for a nice dinner or souvenirs instead.

[LaKarter]

We rented a car for our family of five, and it was a game-changer. With little kids, waiting for a bus after a long park day was exhausting. Having our own car meant we could leave on our own schedule. It was also essential for our grocery run for snacks and water, and for our day trip to Universal Studios. Yes, there's a hotel parking fee, but the convenience was worth every penny for us.