Car Rental Help

[scrapbookmom5174]

We are traveling to WDW in August. We don't travel much, in fact the last time we rented a car was on our honeymoon 20 years ago. So here's my question -

We've got a reservation with Dollar for an economy car (there are 5 of us, two adults and three children (10, 10, and 7)) for 10 days for about $331.00. Are we all going to fit with all of our luggage and if not how will we handle it? I know we can upgrade at the counter, but will it be big $$ to do so? I have a friend who says he ALWAYS reserves the economy size car, but they don't ever have them on their lot (or have run out of them) and they automatically upgrade him to a mid-size.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[katallo]

I agree there are not many economy cars, BUT there are some. I think if you do get the economy it will be really difficult to manage 5 people and luggage. Have you checked the Dollar website to see if you could upgrade now? Also, try Avis. I found this code on Mousesavers AWD# K199060. They also offer a coupon for additional money off. Then, there is always Priceline. We've used them at the last minute on numerous occasions.

 

[buzz2400]

As the previous poster posted K199060 with avis, you can also go to avis.com and print out the coupon for $35 off, coupon #muwa003. I am renting from avis for 7/14-7/22 (8 days) and paying 247.60 minus the $35, compact car.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We are traveling to WDW in August. We don't travel much, in fact the last time we rented a car was on our honeymoon 20 years ago. So here's my question -

We've got a reservation with Dollar for an economy car (there are 5 of us, two adults and three children (10, 10, and 7)) for 10 days for about $331.00. Are we all going to fit with all of our luggage and if not how will we handle it? I know we can upgrade at the counter, but will it be big $$ to do so? I have a friend who says he ALWAYS reserves the economy size car, but they don't ever have them on their lot (or have run out of them) and they automatically upgrade him to a mid-size.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Are you staying at a Disney resort?

If so I think it would be a good decision to let some of your party ride the ME bus to the resort and let ME take all of the luggage.

Your luggage will not fit in a compact, it might not fit in a mid-size.

 

[AlternateEgo]

Are you staying at a Disney resort?

If so I think it would be a good decision to let some of your party ride the ME bus to the resort and let ME take all of the luggage.

Your luggage will not fit in a compact, it might not fit in a mid-size.

I think this is a great idea!

Otherwise, I used to have a neon and the trunk was small, but we were able to fit what we needed. Depending on the size of your luggage, you will probably be able to fit it. If you are taking 5 large suitcases, probably not, but 3 large suitcases and some carryons, probably will. If all else fails, have your children hold theirs on their laps or below their feet.

 

[robinb]

Oh my goodness, no! An Economy car will not fit the bodies of all 5 of you, not to mention your luggage. I would not recommend an Economy for any more than two people and even that might be a stretch. You *may* get lucky and get a bigger car but I would never rely on it. I think that smallest car you could fit into would be a Midsize. Sorry!

For those suggesting that the OP take ME, she's staying off-site.

 

[scrapbookmom5174]

Oh my goodness, no! An Economy car will not fit the bodies of all 5 of you, not to mention your luggage. I would not recommend an Economy for any more than two people and even that might be a stretch. You *may* get lucky and get a bigger car but I would never rely on it. I think that smallest car you could fit into would be a Midsize. Sorry!

For those suggesting that the OP take ME, she's staying off-site.

Yep, I am off-site. Okay, it sounds like I am back at the drawing board for a rental.

 

[wdwfan1]

I have a minivan booked with Dollar for 8 days. The total cost is $317 with all the taxes. Keep checking.

 

[scrapbookmom5174]

I have a minivan booked with Dollar for 8 days. The total cost is $317 with all the taxes. Keep checking.

Did you have any codes to get this?

 

[bamor]

Please try code OOAG with Dollar. It was the best I could do so far with our Sept trip. A full size (Dodge charger) for 8 days is $270 incl all taxes and fees.

 

[budbeerlady]

Please try code OOAG with Dollar. It was the best I could do so far with our Sept trip. A full size (Dodge charger) for 8 days is $270 incl all taxes and fees.

It told me it was an invalid code for OOAG... August 21-31.

 

[bamor]

There are more dollar codes to try:
BOD, OCVB, KISSE, KISS2, OOAG (make sure you are using the letter o, not the number).
These are all from mousesavers.com. The above codes are only good for FL rentals. So far, Dollar has been the best price yet for our 8 days in September. I do plan to try priceline two weeks or less before our trip, though.

 

[ParrotBill]

One way to manage luggage space is to have squishly luggage. Rigid luggage wastes trunk space terribly. If you you soft duffels and backbacks you can fit a lot of luggage into any car's trunk, plus on the floor of the rear seats under kids' legs. The adult passenger can hold a bag also.

I agree that mid-size is your target, but only if you have no more than 2 modest sized rigid pieces of luggage and all the rest is soft.

 

[CarolA]

We are traveling to WDW in August. We don't travel much, in fact the last time we rented a car was on our honeymoon 20 years ago. So here's my question -

We've got a reservation with Dollar for an economy car (there are 5 of us, two adults and three children (10, 10, and 7)) for 10 days for about $331.00. Are we all going to fit with all of our luggage and if not how will we handle it? I know we can upgrade at the counter, but will it be big $$ to do so? I have a friend who says he ALWAYS reserves the economy size car, but they don't ever have them on their lot (or have run out of them) and they automatically upgrade him to a mid-size.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have posted this before... but.... it fits

Several years ago I was in the MCO parking garage picking up my rental car. I heard SCREAMING from the aisle a few rows over. Mother, Dad, two kids. trying to load everything into the "Economy" car. It was NOT going to fit!

Dad was saying "exactly" what your friend says..... Mom was screaming at him. Apparently the upgrade cost at the counter was several hundred dollars. My bet's on dad had to pay!

And just this week, there were LOTS of economy cars in the MCO lots.

You won't fit and need to 'upgrade NOW'

 

[4forMe]

Yep, I am off-site. Okay, it sounds like I am back at the drawing board for a rental.

This is the best code I have for dollar - corporate code SW2358. It is for Southwest airlines frequent flyer members. If you are not a member, just go to their web page and sign up. It is no charge to sign up.

I got a minivan rental for one week for $259. That has beat all the other codes I have found.

Good luck!

 

[kreed]

I am traveling to WDW the first week on August. I have a standard SUV reserved with avis using code K199060 (which is a florida tourism code and I found it on the mousesavers site) and my fee including taxes and fees is 339.00 out the door. I also used the coupon MUWA003 for 35.00 off a weekly rental that they advertise on their site. This will be subtracted at time of rental, so I will only pay about 305.00 for a standard SUV (Chevy Trailblazer). This would be almost the same price as your economy car and would afford you much more room for passengers and cargo. Hope you enjoy your visit.
Kathleen