First time renting a car, what to expect?

[LaurieN]

This will be our first trip renting a car, we've always taken ME. I am clueless as to what to expect, where to go, how to get to our resort (as I type I am stating to question this decision).

The last time I've rented a car at any airport was 10 years ago in Vegas and it was a NIGHTMARE, we waited 2 hours on line to check in for our car. Please oh please tell me it's not like that!!!!

So here are my questions:
On the average how long does it take to get your luggage, get your car and get to your resort (in our case Beach Club)?
Is renting a car faster, slower, or about the same as taking ME?
What about returning the car? How much earlier than my flight should I be back with the car? Does this process take long?

Sorry for all the questions, it's just been so long since we've rented a car and back then we didn't have kids. I guess I'm trying to figure out if renting a car is going to be a great big hassle.
Thanks in advance,
Laurie

 

[schoen]

I think you will be THRILLED with your rental car! My DH and I gave up Disney Transportation a few years back, and I don't miss it at all.

It will probably take you about an hour to an hour and a half to get off your plane and to the Beach Club. Usually it take 15-20 min to get your luggage, and then you will go to the rental car place, and rent your car, which will take another 10-20 min (assuming there is no line, and then you will drive to Beach Club, about 20-25 min.

The very best thing about not taking ME is that you are totally on your own schedule, you don't have to wait for anyone but YOUR family, and you don't have to make stops for anyone else!

It is hard to say if it is faster. I think it seems faster, but if you got lucky with ME and didn't have to wait for the bus to fill up, and then were the first stop I suppose ME could be faster, but on the whole I think it is faster to rent a car.

I also enjoy having my luggage with me at all times. It is nice to skip the luggage carousel with ME, but I would rather just get my own bags. It is always less congested at the luggage carousel at MCO too, since so many people do use ME.

Returning your car is really easy too. The sinage is really clear and direct you where to drop off your car in a garage, and then you walk your bags to ticketing. It really is pretty effortless!

Have a great trip and enjoy your car!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Relax.

I concur with schoen above.

I rent National or Alamo. Whomever you use, join their club, always free. Check Mary's site here...

http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

From landing to getting my luggage, about 15-20 minutes. If using Alamo, a short, very short stop at the kiosk near the rental counter (no counter though). If National, just walk out and pick your car. If Alamo, once you are done with the kiosk a couple minutes) everything is the same as National. Walk across the drive, pick your car, drive to the checkout and head for WDW, about 20-25 minute drive.

Painless.

 

[gmeh1]

Relax.

I concur with schoen above.

I rent National or Alamo. Whomever you use, join their club, always free. Check Mary's site here...

http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

From landing to getting my luggage, about 15-20 minutes. If using Alamo, a short, very short stop at the kiosk near the rental counter (no counter though). If National, just walk out and pick your car. If Alamo, once you are done with the kiosk a couple minutes) everything is the same as National. Walk across the drive, pick your car, drive to the checkout and head for WDW, about 20-25 minute drive.

Painless.

As usual, Dan is spot on, but, I would like to just make it clear that you will need to visit the counter at National IF you are not an Emerald Club member and have made reservations using the EC log on. It is free to join Emerald Club and the benefits are pretty nice.

 

[LaurieN]

Thank you all so very much for putting my mind at ease! The thought of long crazy lines with 2 kids that have been up and traveling since 5:00 am was starting to scare me.
We are renting with Alamo and I have joined thier club, so we are all set (I think).
Again, many thanks for your advice As always very helpful!!!!
Laurie

 

[libraryfreak]

I am so sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm wondering about the return process. Would it be easier to return the rental on property and take ME back to the airport? It seems like less hassle, but maybe I'm missing something? Thank you. And, again, sorry for the hijack.

 

[browniemtb]

We stopped renting cars and never used ME because we too like being on our own schedule. We found that when we did rent the car would just remain parked at the resort and never really move that much. So we figured it was a waste of money and on top of that with my family always running a little late the return process put me over the edge. Though its easy it still takes time. Now we just hire a car service and get met at baggage claim and off we go to our resort.

So just a thought, if you do not plan on using a car at all once you reach Disney you may want to consider hiring a private limo company to pick you up and bring you back. In years past we have used the service to go to Universal, worked out great.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Rent a car. It's more relaxing when YOU are in charge of your schedule.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am so sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm wondering about the return process. Would it be easier to return the rental on property and take ME back to the airport? It seems like less hassle, but maybe I'm missing something? Thank you. And, again, sorry for the hijack.

I would return car at airport. It is very easy. Drive into the lot across the street from the terminal, attendant comes to you and checks car in (about 30 seconds), you unload baggage and either you take to terminal or have a porter take to terminal for you. An extremely easy process, you will be amazed.

 

[Traveliz]

I would return car at airport. It is very easy. Drive into the lot across the street from the terminal, attendant comes to you and checks car in (about 30 seconds), you unload baggage and either you take to terminal or have a porter take to terminal for you. An extremely easy process, you will be amazed.

This information is great timing for me. My daughter typically picks us up and we use her car but her car is on the fritz tonight and I am taking my nieces so I did a last minute Alamo rental.

I have rented from the airport before but I returned back before my husband so I have not returned a car to the airport. How much extra time should I allow for that and would it make any sense to curbside check the baggage and then return the car?

I just want to make it as simple as possible. I am assuming the signage to the return lot is well marked?

Thanks for any help!

Liz

 

[Ed J]

It's well marked, Dan's disccription for everything else is spot on.