Spring break travelers to Walt Disney World who may need a rental car could be in for an unpleasant surprise next week.
A massive shortage of rental cars in Orlando means that what little availability there is will come at a high price. A compact car, such as the Toyota Yaris, which normally rents for less than $30 a day is now more than $150 a day for next week. Some companies are charging up to $300 per day according to some industry observers.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, which saw a sudden and massive decline in renters, car rental firms scrambled to sell off vast quantities of their fleets. With Orlando now starting to see a strong rebound in visitors, car demand is outstripping supply. The shortage is being further complicated by a global lag in vehicle manufacturing which is needed to resupply the rental fleets.
With Walt Disney World’s Minnie Van Service still grounded, visitors may look towards Uber as an alternative, or one of the private airport transfer services. Disney’s Magical Express remains available through the end of the year for those guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
The best advice for anyone needing a rental car in the coming months remains to book early and lock in a reasonable price.
Article Posted:
Mar 25, 2021 / 3:02pm ET