Alamo Pickup at Dolphin

[nhl66pens]

How is the service picking up at the Dolphin versus MCO? Is there a decent amount of cars available? Is it less crowded? More crowded? Easier to use? More difficult to use? I planned on using DME to avoid getting our luggage and dealing with the car rental at the airport; however, I'd like to get some information about the Alamo location at the Dolphin.

Thanks for any info!

 

[ntsammy5]

Never done it at the Dolphin but have many times at the Car Care center - that location has a good selection and doesn't take much time at all.

 

[steph]

I only need a car for 2 days, so was going to use DME and then rent a car from either the Dolphin or the Car Care Center. Which one has the better selection and which one is easier and faster? We have never rented a car at Disney before. Thanks for any help.

 

[nhl66pens]

I picked my rental location based strictly on the fact I'm staying at BWI so I thought it would be better to have the facility close to where I'm going to be. If I were staying at an MK resort, I'd probably select the CCC.

 

[brunette8706]

I understand it's much more expensive then renting it from Orlando airport. It seems like car rental agencies in hotels are outrageous!

 

[NancyIL]

I have picked-up or dropped-off cars at the Dolphin many times. I have found renting from the Dolphin to be only marginally more expensive than from the airport. If you pick-up the car at 8:00 when the office opens, you might be waiting in a line, and there's usually only one person working there. You don't pick out your car at the Dolphin as you do at the airport location.

 

[rainy~daze]

How is the service picking up at the Dolphin versus MCO? Is there a decent amount of cars available? Is it less crowded? More crowded? Easier to use? More difficult to use? I planned on using DME to avoid getting our luggage and dealing with the car rental at the airport; however, I'd like to get some information about the Alamo location at the Dolphin.

Thanks for any info!

I am curious about this, too. We are at BW in Sept and renting from Alamo at Dolphin. I will bring back an update if anyone wants.

 

[nhl66pens]

I have picked-up or dropped-off cars at the Dolphin many times. I have found renting from the Dolphin to be only marginally more expensive than from the airport. If you pick-up the car at 8:00 when the office opens, you might be waiting in a line, and there's usually only one person working there. You don't pick out your car at the Dolphin as you do at the airport location.

Could you expound on this a little? Does that mean they have 1 specific car at the location for you? Do they allow walk up rentals? If its later in the day then there is less chance of crowds? Sorry but there isn't very much info out there about this location and I figured it had to be somewhat different from an official airport rental office.

 

[nhl66pens]

I am curious about this, too. We are at BW in Sept and renting from Alamo at Dolphin. I will bring back an update if anyone wants.

That would be awesome! Thanks, I'll keep checking for your experience at the Dolphin.

 

[klynn]

We always pick up our rental car at the Dolphin. My upcoming trip is for 3 weeks and my TOTAL price is about $350.00. I don't think $116/week is bad at all! I've had never had to wait in a line. The person behind the counter always gives me a choice of a car I'd like. After I choose, I am handed the paperwork which I take to the valet and they go and get my car! At the end of the rental period I just drive up and hand the keys to valet. The valet gives me a reciept and I'm on my way! If I'm staying the the Beach Club or Boardwalk I walk back to the resort. If I'm staying at a different location I just hop on a bus! It is so easy!

 

[eblondie]

We always pick up from the Dolphin. We find the staff to be friendly and very helpful. For us the cost has always been the same as picking up at other locations. We much prefer this location as we find it suits our plans better.

 

[nhl66pens]

Thanks for everyone's reply. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, but you know the unknown always brings unease so I appreciate all the input.

Thanks!

 

[NancyIL]

Could you expound on this a little? Does that mean they have 1 specific car at the location for you? Do they allow walk up rentals? If its later in the day then there is less chance of crowds? Sorry but there isn't very much info out there about this location and I figured it had to be somewhat different from an official airport rental office.

I have seen a sign posted saying National/Alamo is out of cars, so I wouldn't take a chance on a walk-up rental. My guess is that prices will also be lower if you reserve ahead. The lines at the desk are usually early in the morning when the office first opens. I have been given the keys to the car type I reserved, and I don't recall being asked if I wanted car A or car B.

 

[ntsammy5]

I wouldn't take a chance on a walk-up rental. .

Definitely reserve!

 

[steph]

Can I call the alamo office at the Dolphin and have them come pick me up at the AKL, like they do at the Car Care Center?

 

[Lyndarella]

We have rented cars at hotels in DTD, and they picked us up, so I would guess they all do.

We have always gone without a reservation, and they had cars available. Does the Dolphin not have enough cars available to do this? We won't know ahead of time which days we will want a car.

 

[SamSam]

If you get your reservation ahead of time, make sure you take your paperwork with you. Two times where I rented with pick-up at The Dolphin, they tried to charge me more then my contract. One time I was actually showing them the paperwork with the contract for a certain price and I had to insist that they honor it. I really had trouble with that one. It's very convenient (as far as location) but be sure you have your paperwork with you.

 

[NancyIL]

Can I call the alamo office at the Dolphin and have them come pick me up at the AKL, like they do at the Car Care Center?

Only the Car Care Center offers a shuttle.

 

[NancyIL]

We have rented cars at hotels in DTD, and they picked us up, so I would guess they all do.

We have always gone without a reservation, and they had cars available. Does the Dolphin not have enough cars available to do this? We won't know ahead of time which days we will want a car.

As I mentioned above, I have seen a sign at the Dolphin saying there were no cars available. I'm sure there are days when you could get a car by walking up, but I wouldn't chance it.

 

[nhl66pens]

If you get your reservation ahead of time, make sure you take your paperwork with you. Two times where I rented with pick-up at The Dolphin, they tried to charge me more then my contract. One time I was actually showing them the paperwork with the contract for a certain price and I had to insist that they honor it. I really had trouble with that one. It's very convenient (as far as location) but be sure you have your paperwork with you.

Great advice! Based on other's posts, I'm also going to take every confirmation email from any cancelled reservations too as well as the confirmation email from the reservation I keep.