Is Alamo still putting minivans in "Full Size" r
- Thread starter CKC23
- Start date
nacho113
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2012
When we travel off season (Jan-Feb, Oct-Nov) we have seen minivans and SUVs show up on the Full size aisle quite often.
During our summer trips we have never seen minivans on the full size aisle.
It's supply and demand, minivans are in high demand during "family vacation periods" and will usually sell out during these periods. In the off season there is a lot less demand for the minivans and they get shuffled to other aisles in an attempt to keep the product moving.
We used to rent National and use the Emerald aisle. On our winter vacations the Emerald (mid-size) aisle used to be half full of minivans. Once we arrived to an Emerald aisle with a row of 12 white minivans and crossovers and no cars at all!
During our summer trips we have never seen minivans on the full size aisle.
It's supply and demand, minivans are in high demand during "family vacation periods" and will usually sell out during these periods. In the off season there is a lot less demand for the minivans and they get shuffled to other aisles in an attempt to keep the product moving.
We used to rent National and use the Emerald aisle. On our winter vacations the Emerald (mid-size) aisle used to be half full of minivans. Once we arrived to an Emerald aisle with a row of 12 white minivans and crossovers and no cars at all!
hollypoast
Travel Planner Specializing in Disney
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2007
How many people risk it? We have 6 ppl so we need to have a minivan... but the full size price is $70 cheaper right now. Worth the risk in late October??
Or should I reserve both and see what's in the full sized section when I arrive. I usually do online check in so I can go directly to the car. Could I just pick then and when I drive out hand the person whichever I end up using?
Or should I reserve both and see what's in the full sized section when I arrive. I usually do online check in so I can go directly to the car. Could I just pick then and when I drive out hand the person whichever I end up using?
Last edited:
OrangeCountyCommuter
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2010
No, you cannot do online check in if you want to pull the "two reservation trick" You run a large risk of them getting it screwed up NOT in your favor.
But if you must have a mini van reserve one. Otherwise you could easily find yourself out of luck. (And October is actually pretty busy between the special events at the parks and decent hotel rates!)
But if you must have a mini van reserve one. Otherwise you could easily find yourself out of luck. (And October is actually pretty busy between the special events at the parks and decent hotel rates!)
hollypoast
Travel Planner Specializing in Disney
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2007
I hope this doesn't come off as argumentative (truly just curious), has this happened to you or someone you know? (car rental charge screwed up) From your post I can't tell if you are offended that someone would do this or if you are speaking from experience.
nacho113
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2012
If you do the online check-in, you have to key in all your personal info including credit card info. My fear would be that they will charge you for both rentals or charge you a "no show" fee for the one you don't take. I wouldn't chance it.
If you're going to keep both reservations, I wouldn't use the online check-in. Go out to the garage and see what's available. If you find a minivan on the Full size aisle, have the family load up while you go back into the terminal and use the kiosk to check-in.
Best bet if you absolutely HAVE to have a minivan, just book it and work that cost into your budget. Recheck frequently, the price will likely drop before you are scheduled to leave anyway.
OrangeCountyCommuter
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2010
Well, I got to watch someone at MCO have a screaming hissy fit at check in because they got charged for the mini van even though they took it from the standard car aisle. Part of their screaming fit was "we told the girl at the exit to cancel that reservation not the other one" And one of the things the agent said was "you checked in for this one" LOL!
But feel free to try it and if it doesn't work, that will give you something to post about LOL!
It's kind of like the NUMEROUS folks I saw over the years at the John Wayne Airport having hysterical fits because they would not fit in the car size they reserved but "assumed" they would be able to get mini van or SUV on the aisle for the same price. (That airport is space challanged, you get what you pay for there more often then not and the aisle upgrades are slim!)
I travel a lot and I see a lot of people trying "creative ways" to save money and a lot of resulting hysteria. (It doesn't offend me, I actually find it rather entertaining to hear people try to convince the airline, rental car company etc... that the screw up is not their fault. Last trip is was another family who just KNEW the airline would let them take the flight they really wanted for no additional charge instead of the one they didn't want that they booked because it was a lot cheaper. The Dad even patiently explained this to the agent as the reason he should get the free change to the "better flight". He went on to explain that flying home on the late night flight was just too rough on his kids so the airline shouldn't make them do it Didn't work! This was actually NOT Orlando, but....)
hollypoast
Travel Planner Specializing in Disney
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2007
Got it. I was kind of wondering how the parked location of the vehicle changed its class. And how the person at in the booth (when you leave) would know that a minivan was in the full sized car line. Seems problematic.
I haven't booked with Alamo in a while so I'm not super familiar with how their car rows work. This will be the first time we have done the express check in too. Hopefully I will luck out and a cheaper rental will come along prior to our trip.
Either way, I won't be screaming at anyone. lol
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