2010: What's on the Emerald Aisle?

[At World's End]

Ginzu - Did the Journey have the third row seating? If so, does it seat 2 or 3 in the third row?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Sorry, are you saying you would book 2 reservations, 1 for Emerald Aisle and then 1 for Emerald Reserve (say for a full-size) and then only use the EA reservation if you get something good from that aisle?

And then don't be surprised when (A) it takes you longer to check out and the folks behind you get upset and (B) you get charged whichever rate is higher.

MCO messed up my reservation a month ago. As I drove away I happened to look down and realize I was being charged $248 A DAY! If your reservation gets screwed up those agents seem to be "Creative"

 

[U2_rocks!]

Well, with car rental rates so high, I have done 2 things:

(1) talked to my parents and realized that they are OK with taking the bus at WDW, so we don't strictly need a minivan - the 3 kids will just have to take turns with the middle seat without fighting!

(2) It is extremely likely that there will be something on the Emerald Aisle that will fit the 5 of us plus luggage - my kids are quite small, and with EA we have the option of walking around examining car trunks in detail until we find one that will fit everything.

So, I booked an EA pick-up at MIA, with drop-off at the Dolphin a few days later. We will plan Seaworld, grocery runs and other non-WDW stuff at the beginning of our trip. Then we will pick up an Alamo full-size car the day before our drive back down to MIA. The week we are purely at WDW we will not have a car. We are at BCV, so walk to Epcot and walk or boat to DHS. MK and AK will be bus or taxi. We have cut our car rental costs in half, and there is still a chance we will get a minivan for the trip up (to keep the kids spread out ). I think this will be way better for our budget.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

thanks for the updates

 

[n2mm]

Ginzu - Did the Journey have the third row seating? If so, does it seat 2 or 3 in the third row?

We had the Dodge Journey last year from the aisle. It did have a third seat, but it only seats 6. There is extremely limited luggage space when using the third seat. We had 6. We were already there and had to pick up DD, SIL and the 2 girls (4 & 2) w/carseats. My SIL had to hold the sit and stand stroller in his lap (and it's big), plus my DD had to sit sideways to squeeze some of the luggage in. I think we managed 2 pieces in the back with the third seat up. Coming home was not a problem since we used RAC. But the sit and stand stroller would not fit at all in the luggage area, so SIL had to hold it everytime. It was a pain. In May we picked up a Ford Explorer with a third seat (this is what we have at home). That worked perfectly for us, but it was on the Executive Aisle, Side A.

 

[Ginzu]

Ginzu - Did the Journey have the third row seating? If so, does it seat 2 or 3 in the third row?

Yes, the Journey had a 3rd row of seating. It had a 60/40 split - I had it folded down the whole trip - it looked like it would fit 2 kids but unlikely to be really comfortable for 3 adults. Plus, with the 3rd row up, there would be no room for luggage - I'd think an umbrella stroller would be fine, but other than that, there would be no cargo room with the 3rd row up.

 

[kycat]

I took a walk down the B side emerald aisle today (Wed 9/29) at about 11 am, and besides the normal, there 7 mini-vans, 3 mid-size suvs, and 2 convertibles.

A couple of weeks ago, I found a link to upgrade to executive status for 1 year for free, so I was drawn to that side. Well, the executive aisle was absolutley loaded with just about anything that you would want. There were vans, devilles, convertibles, expeditions, suburbans, etc. I chose a 2011 Tahoe with 4 miles! The only downside was having to remove all the stickers that were still attached from the factory.

Good luck everyone.

 

[sympatico]

I took a walk down the B side emerald aisle today (Wed 9/29) at about 11 am, and besides the normal, there 7 mini-vans, 3 mid-size suvs, and 2 convertibles.

A couple of weeks ago, I found a link to upgrade to executive status for 1 year for free, so I was drawn to that side. Well, the executive aisle was absolutley loaded with just about anything that you would want. There were vans, devilles, convertibles, expeditions, suburbans, etc. I chose a 2011 Tahoe with 4 miles! The only downside was having to remove all the stickers that were still attached from the factory.

Good luck everyone.

I can see why they have so many vans on the aisle, the prices are outrageous. I hope there's a few there at the end of Oct.

 

[n2mm]

we are here now and I picked up on side A yesterday 9/29 @ 12:00 PM. The EA had the normal stuff and a few vans and a SUV. Also had a Sol.

We picked up from Executive Aisle that had at least 6 Sienna's and lots of other larger passenger cars, SUVs, and cross overs. Since we are meeting up with friends we took one of the Seinna's. I was shocked to see both aisles so full.

got run for an ADR......

 

[OLT2004]

"A couple of weeks ago, I found a link to upgrade to executive status for 1 year for free,"

Can you share this link?

Thanks,
Ted

 

[My3kiddos]

Picked up from the B side on Oct 1st around 8:30pm and they had Impalas, Malibus, chargers, 1 or 2 300's, and an Equinox. We ended up choosing a Charger that had 12 miles on it. It's not a bad car for $236 for 10 days.

 

[n2mm]

Dropped off the Sienna today around noon and had some time on our hands so strolled over to the aisles on Side A. The aisles were not filled, but did have a nice selection on both sides. On the regular Emerald Aisle, there was a little of everything from full size to SUVs and minivans and even a VW bug.

On the Executive side they were loaded with minivans (Siennas and TC), SUVs, Ford Escape, Grand Maquis (lots of these) and TWO Lincoln Towncars. My DH was speechless as it's been many years since we've seen a Towncar in the Executive Aisle.

 

[Inkmahm]

"A couple of weeks ago, I found a link to upgrade to executive status for 1 year for free,"

Can you share this link?

Thanks,
Ted

Ditto!

I will earn exec status this year if I keep my remaining reservations with NAtional but I"m seeing some cheaper options elsewhere. I'd like to have the choice but don't want to give up exec status for next year if I don't have to.

 

[Daddio]

On September 30th there was a Buick Lucerne and a Lincoln Signature Series along with the usual Impalas, Malibus, Dodge whatevers etc. No SUVs or Vans.

David

 

[RobnRud]

Bumping....we leave Nov 6th. Just wondering, any info lately. I've got EA and Dollar (premium) for exactly the same price. Wondering if I should "risk it" or stick with the premium. Never rented from Dollar tho, and I just love the fact that we may get an upgrade on EA!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We are here now. Picked up on Oct. 8th. Only impalas, chargers, avengers. We took a ford fusion with 6 mile on it. Executive asile had a few camary's and a couple of smaller suv's.

 

[n2mm]

We are here now. Picked up on Oct. 8th. Only impalas, chargers, avengers. We took a ford fusion with 6 mile on it. Executive asile had a few camary's and a couple of smaller suv's.

Wow, a big difference from when we were there on Oct. 5. What side did you choose from and what time of day?

Plus you were there during the holiday weekend too, so that would have an effect on the aisles.

We arrive on Oct. 31, so will post back after pickup.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

The southwest side? Thi8nk it is A. Good luck. The fusion has been nice

 

[n2mm]

The southwest side? Thi8nk it is A. Good luck. The fusion has been nice

Yes, SW is side A. Thanks and enjoy your trip!

 

[proud_canadian]

Hi everyone,

I keep forgetting to provide my update. We rented from alamo at TAMPA at the end of September on a Saturday around 1:00 pm and alamo and national are at the same place so I could easily see the emerald aisle. There were some jeeps, other SUVS and I think two vans when we got there, plus many full or mid-size cars. We then went inside to the kiosk and then went to pick our car from the full size row and got a charger (only paid $130 for a week!) that was brand new. By the time we got the car seats in, luggage loaded and drove out, the emerald aisle had only full size and mid-size cars left and many empty spots! It was pretty busy at that time though. It's amazing what a difference a little time can make.

Good luck to everyone!