Better Minivans With Dollar or National?

[viluvsdisney]

Wondering if anyone has experience with either or both places? Not sure which fleet is better.....Thanks

 

[Cricket2]

I know Dollar has (had) different MV configurations the last 3 or 4 times we were there. I know because if we don't get the split 3rd row, it wouldn't fit our luggage/people we had those trips properly. They always changed it out for us if we have the wrong config. Last trip they walked me out to the lot and showed me my pick of 3 and 2 were ok so I got a pick of color too. The guy after me got the same treatment. They then pulled it up and we loaded right near the booth, which seemed odd to me.

Never got a MV with National or Alamo, just SUV's.

 

[traveljunkie2]

I just rented from National in Vegas last month. I had reserved an int. car, but they happened to have two minivans on the Emerald Aisle so we took one. It was an 8 seater Toyota Sienna. It had about 40k miles on it, so it had some scratches. We didn't even look at the other one (DS insisted on the red van) so I don't know if it was in better condition. I was just so thrilled to have a van for 4 days for a total of $45! Wish I could find such a deal in Orlando!

 

[viluvsdisney]

Thank you....any other input?

 

[Psychodisney]

I had a Grand Caravan last week at MCO. I remeber hearing that Dollar had some of the shorter Caravans last year(less trunk space).

 

[n2mm]

The last time I used Dollar for a minivan at MCO you were "assigned" a minivan and did not get to choose your own. The advantage of National and Alamo is that you actually get to choose your minivan from a row of them, so you can check out the different options of each (brand, electronic sliding doors, more luggage space, and color). Not all minivans offer all of these options. We like the town/country because of the electronic doors. My husband loves clicking that door open as we are walking up to it (just to let the heat out).

 

[BigTigger]

I have chaperoned two high school music group trips to Disney World this year and both had rentals through Dollar of minivans as part of the package. If you go to the counter you get assigned a minivan (they mostly seem to have Kia Sedona minivans). If you sign-up (free online) for Dollar Express you can go right to the garage to get your van from the kiosk there. When you do that, you can tell them you want the Red Sedona or the Gold Sedona, etc. and pick the one you want. They did have one Dodge Caravan (long wheelbase variety) the second trip, but we grabbed the Sedona as it had second row captains chairs which is what we wanted. The third row is a split fold 60/40 design with a deep well behind it. Luggage for four people and two sets of golf clubs fit fine in that space.

We rented a minivan from Alamo in October and the choices were Toyota Siennas and Dodge Caravans. The Siennas all smelled like a wet dog inside and had high mileage in the 30K to 40K range. The lot attendant said it was due to the AC not ever drying out in the FLorida heat and mold growing in the AC overflow pan. Sounds like a design defect on the Toyota vans. The Dodge was almost new with just 450 miles on it and had the flip and fold Stow and Go seats. We chose the Dodge. The only wierd thing is how the shifter is on the middle dash now, but the foreign vans have that too, so i guess thats the design style these days.

 

[viluvsdisney]

Thank you! I'm sort leaning towards National. And we're staying at the Swan/Dolphin which, I think, also has a National - good back up if we have any problems.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

In 07 we rented a mv from Dollar. After waiting in line for over 1 hr, longing for Alamo's easy kiosk, we were assigned a vehicle. It smelled like smoke and had stains all over. The 'trunk' area had huge bleach stains.

It was only for 2 days and didn't feel like being sent back to the long line again so I didn't bother asking for another.

I like being able to choose a vehicle.

fwiw, I own a Sienna and never had odor issues with the AC. Then again I don't use it almost year-round.

 

[viluvsdisney]

I'm thinkin National is the better option. Much much appreciated input!

 

[MFLetou]

Couple of things--
There are no more "short" WB Chrysler vans. The 2008 redesign eliminated them.

The Town and Country is identical to the Grand Caravan. At the base level, there are no more additional features in a T&C compared to a GC--except a few interior trim pieces (the TC has fake wood and a fancy looking analog clock.)

I have reservations with Avis, Dollar and now Alamo. Just made the Alamo one--it went WAY down for my trip which starts in a little over a week and now is less than the other two. I am very pleased--I like choice. In particular, I'd like to snag an 8 passenger Sienna. Plus, the Sienna's just a better vehicle. Every Sienna has a 3.5L 268 HP V6, compared to the Dodge/Chrysler's anemic 3.3L 190.

We own an 07 Odyssey, and my dad drives a 09 TC Touring, so I know my vans...

One thing that has me confused--Alamo/National used to have a separate category for 8 passenger vans--which means you could basically just reserve a Sienna. Seems to have disappeared.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Couple of things--
There are no more "short" WB Chrysler vans. The 2008 redesign eliminated them.

The Town and Country is identical to the Grand Caravan. At the base level, there are no more additional features in a T&C compared to a GC--except a few interior trim pieces (the TC has fake wood and a fancy looking analog clock.)

I have reservations with Avis, Dollar and now Alamo. Just made the Alamo one--it went WAY down for my trip which starts in a little over a week and now is less than the other two. I am very pleased--I like choice. In particular, I'd like to snag an 8 passenger Sienna. Plus, the Sienna's just a better vehicle. Every Sienna has a 3.5L 268 HP V6, compared to the Dodge/Chrysler's anemic 3.3L 190.

We own an 07 Odyssey, and my dad drives a 09 TC Touring, so I know my vans...

One thing that has me confused--Alamo/National used to have a separate category for 8 passenger vans--which means you could basically just reserve a Sienna. Seems to have disappeared.

I'd go with Alamo unless the others are a significant savings. jmho. I like choice too and their kiosk is so easy.