Emerald Isle questions for a newbie!

[grover]

All righty just got my emerald isle card in the mail!!
What size cars can you reserve with emerald isle? Can you reserve compact? We are only 2 adults and 1 child and have no problem fitting our stuff in a compact so I am hoping that I don't need to get and pay for a bigger car otherwise I will just book normally without emerald isle as I have disney club to get the discount!
Okay so if I book my car thru emerald isle what is next-can someone walk me thru what I do upon landing at MCO?
What paperwork will I need,where do I go ect?

Thanks a bunch!
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[PhotobearSam]

Grover, Thanks for posting the one question I had...This is good.

 

[Disneylvr]

I recently became an Emerald Club member and have used the Emerald Aisle twice at MCO. Unfortunately you cannot use the Emerald Aisle service if you reserve a compact car, you will have to go to the counter. DH and I reserves an intermediate (the smallest size available in the Aisle) but we can choose a larger car for the intermediate price if one is available.

After getting our luggage from baggage claim, we proceed out the doors and across the street to the rental car garage. The signs will guide you to where National and the Emerald Aisle is located. We went directly to the Aisle and picked whatever car we wanted. The cars are unlocked and the key is in the ignition. Once we load our luggage we drive to the booth and show the attendant our Emerald Club card. They didn't request any other documentation but we had our proof of insurance, a Gold credit card, driver's license, Disney Club card and discount coupons out just in case. They give you some paperwork and then you are on your way! Very easy and simple.

 

[Chance's Mom]

OHHHH- this sounds wonderful. I really liked renting from National before I had my Emerald Club membership! Now I know I'm gonna love it! I, too, was unsure about the "Emerald Aisle", sounds easy enough!

I got the membership free through DC. Does anyone know if it expires after a year? thanks

 

[Disneylvr]

As far as I know your membership doesn't expire as long as you keep your information updated; address, credit card etc...but I am not 100% certain on that. You can update your preferences online though.

 

[DebbieB]

Before you book intermediate with EA, check the full size price, it is usually the same and you will be guaranteed a full size. If there are no full sizes on the EA and you have a full size reserved, you can go to the full size aisle and pick there.

I've had a free Emerald Club card for about 4 years and have never had to get a renewal.

 

[Chance's Mom]

Cool!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I could be confused, but I thought if you had the Emerald Card, @ mco you could do Emerald Choice & just go out and pick a car in your category & go to the booth there? Or is this just for certain size vehicals? MKY

 

[grover]

Thank you for the info- I think I have the basics as to how emerald isle works now.

However unless prices come down I don't think I will be using it!

My quote for a intermediate size car for 12 days with dc 20% discount and one free weekend day came to 670.00 Canadian dollars-owwwch!!

The quote for a compact with the same details came to 460.00 Canadian.

Are these price for real!

If prices don't drop I will have to go with the compact-which is okay that is what we have used before and we fit no problem. It just would be nice to have the conveince of emerald isle.

So if I have to stand in line and go to the counter is it going to take forever??
Grover

 

[mkymouse4ever]

No, won't take forever, the national counter is usually pretty quick. They may only have 1 or 2 agent out there but when a line forms they come out from the back. Also: there is a special line for emerald card guest! mky

 

[mikek]

Originally posted by mkymouse4ever
I could be confused, but I thought if you had the Emerald Card, @ mco you could do Emerald Choice & just go out and pick a car in your category & go to the booth there? Or is this just for certain size vehicals? MKY

Correct.

"emerald choice" is at a few airports and orlando is one of them.

In fact many times i have seen the csr's at the national counter in Orlando telling EVERYONE with a reservation just to proceed to the lot and grap a car and have the guy in the 'toll booth' handle it.

 

[WiscMomof2]

I just sent out my DC fee waived application for Emerald Club last week. Does anyone remember how long it took you to get your card in the mail once you mail the application out? I am starting to get itchy to make our ressies for October!!

 

[WiscMomof2]

I just sent out my DC fee waived application for Emerald Club last week. Does anyone remember how long it took you to get your card in the mail once you mail the application out? I am starting to get itchy to make our ressies for October!!

 

[djanssen]

For a compact you should be able to elect the Emerald Choice option as an EC member and bypass the counter. It works just like Emerald Aisle except you have to take your car out of the aisle for your specific category - Compact in this case. A very quick and easy process.

 

[grover]

thanks for letting me know that! I was hoping that I didn't go thru the trouble of getting the card for nothing!

Grover in Winnipeg