Florida Vacation Help

[sider68]

You people are probaly the most learned I have met and this might not be the right forum.I,m looking to go to Florida in March.Is it cheaper to rent a vehicle in land than doing so from the airport.I need to save some dollars to support my Chev project habit.

[cdowns]

its usually cheapest when you get a rental at the same time as airfare as part of a package deal//check with a few travel agents to get lowest possible packages with rooms too

[Eichorst69]

Where in Florida and when in March?

The Daytona Spring Car Show and Swap is March 28-30 at the speedway.

You can usually get a pretty good deal if you search online for a car rental in advance and reserve it at the airport.
I usually reserve a few from different companies just in case the first company for what ever reason doesn't have the car availiable then I just go to the next company. The other companies won't charge you because they don't ask for your credit card until you pick up the car.

Rob

[sider68]

I,m heading to Clearwater March 10 to 24 .I didnt know if rent a wreck still existed .My experience is that car rentals have always tended to be on the high side of things.Being our March break the flight cost enough.I usually drive down but with the crazy weather etc I,m flying with my wife and two kids.

[mothertrucker424]

what brings you to the neighborhood

[roughedup72]

I was going to say if you are going to Disney dont get a rental. Just take the shuttle from the airport to the hotel that is if you were staying on the resort and use the shuttles to and from the resorts to the theme parks because getting a rental would be a waste of major bucks, But, since youre not going to disney I cant help you, Sorry.

[BowTieOgre]

Give Cheapoair a try for a car rental. They are just like Expedia or Travelocity but ive found some good deals on there before.

[Ole Blue 68]

Having worked for a major rental company (and survived), my .02 would be to pick a car up at the airport for a trip like this. As you can imagine, the rental market in Florida is pretty competitive so that usually works in the customers' favor.

You can probably find a good package deal as suggested in some other posts.

[fastazhell]

if your gonna be in clearwater, make sure to go down to pier 60 on the weekends. lots of entertainment and little beach stands with people selling cool things. also sanibel island is a cool place just a little farther down the road. As for rentals here, budget and thrifty are fairly cheap and are located at the airport. Are you coming into Orlando Internation or Tampa? Also the weekend of the 14th and 15th is the gatornationals in gainesville if you are an NHRA fan. want any pointers for clearwater PM me, i go there a few times a year.

[Eichorst69]

Like Ole Blue 68 said "the rental market in Florida is pretty competitive", check the rates.

I'm in the West Palm area but I drive over to the Clearwater / Largo area several times a year for training/school. I always head over to Johns Pass/Mederia Beach while there, your kids and wife will like it. If you go at night you can usually see dolphins playing in the channel; and just over the bridge from there is Treasure Island where Gators Bar & Grill is having their car & truck show then.

http://premiumcarshows.com/PDFs/gators0308.pdf

Rob

[cdowns]

march 22 i think is the BILLETPROOF carshow at the gartlis museaum in ocalaa if you like hotrods

[byrd]

Originally Posted by fastazhell

if your gonna be in clearwater, make sure to go down to pier 60 on the weekends. lots of entertainment and little beach stands with people selling cool things. also sanibel island is a cool place just a little farther down the road. As for rentals here, budget and thrifty are fairly cheap and are located at the airport. Are you coming into Orlando Internation or Tampa? Also the weekend of the 14th and 15th is the gatornationals in gainesville if you are an NHRA fan. want any pointers for clearwater PM me, i go there a few times a year.

I can second that, Sanibel island is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen!!! Nothing like watching the sun sink into the ocean from a more private and less crowded beach!! My mom lived on the island from 95-03 and the wife and I went there twice and it was a great time. Lots of stuff to do on the island, and just a short ride to the big Ft Myers beach.

[mothertrucker424]

thursday nights we have a car show at the QUAKER STEAK friday nights we have a car show at BIFF BURGER and saturaday night we have a car show at the BURGER KING on 19

there is usally a good selection

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Why Clearwater?
fyi:
Census 2000 highlights: Among major American cities, ranked No. 1 in percentage population age 65 or older (21.5%)
(blue hair city)
think; early-bird specials & 10 mph below the speed limit in the left lane.

Miami/Fort Lauderdale's where the good times are.
Want a really nice, quiet place right on the ocean for cheap? Google Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Motels. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a small suburb of Fort Lauderdale with tons and tons of Mom & Pop motels right on the ocean. Minutes away from all the action of Fort Lauderdale, 20 miles from Miami, Miami Beach, South Beach.

[sider68]

Thanks for all the help.Sounds like there will be lots to do.My mom owns a house on Gulf to Bay in Largo so we go down every year.I couldnt afford a hotel that long or wouldnt have any money for my truck.I,ve been out to Pier 60 to see the entertainment and drag the family through the Wagon Wheel flea market.
Does anyone know if there is still a place closeby to pet the dolphins?Not for me but my dughters are 6 and 12.I went to a restaurant in Bradenton/Anna Marie island area once but that was like over 15 years ago so who knows what is around anymore.Quaker Steak...love that name Hope to see it but will be going for the early bird at Golden Corral and one night out at Sammy Seltzers.Car rental prices seem all over the map trying to get them from Internet so still not sure what to do there.