is it worth hiring a car to visit the theme parks etc.

If so who are the best deals with?

It depends where your staying. Some hotels offer courtesy transport to most of the theme parks. If they do then it's easier and cheaper to use it. Parking charges at the parks varies from $10 - $12. If you've not already booked car hire and still want to, have a look at floridacarhire.com. They use Alamo or Dollar. They're all the same and try to get you to take out all sorts of extras some that you don't need so be on your guard.

All parking on Disney side is $12.00. You can flip between park on the same day without paying again.

We used Alamo booked through our travel agent. Load of busses going in and out of the parks though.

If you book care hire, the hirer must have a credit card in the name of the licence holder. Otherwise you have to leave a $200 deposit, they will accept travellers cheques and give it you back in cash.. Any damage and you lose the $200. Leave your credit card and its charged to that.

You have insurance added on which is around $13 but you can take extra insurance out to cover excess on policy. That works out around $136 for two weeks. Our agent was trying to add that on to our bill but didnt offer us breakdown cover which the guy next to us got.

Just be on your guard as bobhjag says. Depends on whether your confident about driving out there. Ask before you agree and decide if its for you.

Have a great time - we just came back. Fantastic.

Its so flexible to have a car.

When we were last over we could have a day in the park, then leave by car to go home to shower, eat etc, then return in the early evening to see the night stuff. Not sure if hotel transport would be so acommodating, and some of the late shows finish really late, which you would miss them if you relied on other transport.I find the car so much more adaptable. Normally the parking ticket at the park allows you to leave and come back under the same ticket that day, so no paying twice.

But yes, be assertive when booking as some of the car hire firms try to push extras onto you, and they are really good at it. They will try to fighten you into some packages. Speak to people who have been or if you can, or get some advice from this site !!

I have worked for car hire companies in the UK and I dont know if the rules are the same over there.

The price you pay includes the basic insurance legally required for you to be on the road. All insurance policies carry an excess on the policy. The ones on car hire are usually quite high £500. You purchase CDW (collision damage waiver) at a certain rate a day or week. This reduces the excess you pay in the event of an accident. What you need to know is how it affects you. What is the excess without it and what is the excess if you take it. Then you weigh up if it is worth it. How does it affect your deposit? Is the excess the deposit or is it in addition?

I must admit, leaving an open credit card details did frighten me. Luckily my husband was driving, I didnt have my licence with me and the credit card was in my name. The guy was pushing for me to drive, but gave up when I said I had left my licence at home. I felt better just leaving the $200.

You have got to weigh up your ability as a driver. They overtake on both lanes either side of you. Some drive like maniacs, some drive normal. Turn left - your crossing traffic. Sometimes you can ignore the lights to turn left. To turn left and right they mostly have filter lanes.

If its your first time, log onto e-bay. There is an e-booklet you can get Orlando Florida Ticket and Holiday Guide.

It isnt fantastic, wont tell you everything but it does give some great tips and pointers. There is a section in there as well regarding car hire.

Anyway, sorry to post so long, I could go on forever. It a fantastic place and you will love it. Enjoy - if you havent been before, it will open your eyes to hospitality and how cheep things really are.