First time renting car for WDW trip

[KSR0330]

I'd like to rent a car for our next trip. Here's my thought: use Alamo- I read that you can register on-line the day prior and 'skip the line'. We're flying into MCO for Memorial Day Weekend- arriving Friday morning and departing early Monday morning. Since it's a busy weekend I'm thinking of getting to the airport about 2 hours prior to flight (no luggage to check) to make sure I have time to return the car and get in with plenty of time. I know I need to fill the tank upon return and that there's a gas station near MCO for that. The only thing I'm not sure about is how to pay for tolls. It looks like Alamo may have a program (Toll Pass) that I can purchase to take care of that.

I'm a bit nervous just because it's new for us. Anything I should be aware of or any possible issues with my plan? Thanks for any input!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

For the tolls, it’s easiest to use the Visitor Toll Pass (https://visitortollpass.com/) program rather than paying Alamo’s $4.95 per day plus tolls (charged only on days when you incur tolls). Visitor Toll Pass works with all the various rental agencies.

 

[KSR0330]

For the tolls, it’s easiest to use the Visitor Toll Pass (https://visitortollpass.com/) program rather than paying Alamo’s $4.95 per day plus tolls (charged only on days when you incur tolls). Visitor Toll Pass works with all the various rental agencies.

Great, thank you!

 

[wdp]

I'd like to rent a car for our next trip. Here's my thought: use Alamo- I read that you can register on-line the day prior and 'skip the line'. We're flying into MCO for Memorial Day Weekend- arriving Friday morning and departing early Monday morning. Since it's a busy weekend I'm thinking of getting to the airport about 2 hours prior to flight (no luggage to check) to make sure I have time to return the car and get in with plenty of time. I know I need to fill the tank upon return and that there's a gas station near MCO for that. The only thing I'm not sure about is how to pay for tolls. It looks like Alamo may have a program (Toll Pass) that I can purchase to take care of that.

I'm a bit nervous just because it's new for us. Anything I should be aware of or any possible issues with my plan? Thanks for any input!

If you're from an EZ-Pass state you can also take your toll transponder with you (and it will work in FL if you find a way to attach it to the windshield). You might want to add the rental car's license plate number to your out-of-state toll account (temporarily) just in case it doesn't read.

Be careful of the gas stations if you arrive via the north side of the airport. The closest two gas stations -- called "Sun"-something, I think (not Sunoco) charge incredibly high gas prices (~$6/gallon?) and they don't prominently post those prices either. There's a WaWa just couple of blocks further up the road (Semoran Blvd) with normal prices.

As Ralph & Pam said above, the visitor toll pass is also a great option for tolls.

 

[KSR0330]

If you're from an EZ-Pass state you can also take your toll transponder with you (and it will work in FL if you find a way to attach it to the windshield). You might want to add the rental car's license plate number to your out-of-state toll account (temporarily) just in case it doesn't read.

Be careful of the gas stations if you arrive via the north side of the airport. The closest two gas stations -- called "Sun"-something, I think (not Sunoco) charge incredibly high gas prices (~$6/gallon?) and they don't prominently post those prices either. There's a WaWa just couple of blocks further up the road (Semoran Blvd) with normal prices.

As Ralph & Pam said above, the visitor toll pass is also a great option for tolls.

Thanks so much! I do have an EZ Pass so I'll check on that. Thanks for the gas station tip!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Important info for First Time :
Enterprise ,National and Alamo is specifically mentioned in the article for the
Walt DisneyWorld Car Care Center that used to be AAA but not sure about the affiliation currently.
Good to know about in case you have problems with car rental:




Please visit the AAA online Tips for car rental or any important tips .
I recently rented from Hertz and unexpectedly had mechanical issue on Sunday morn when I stopped at the Starbucks across from Publix Grocery in Celebration.
I made sure I got a legal computerized printout when I rented car so I understood my responsibility, etc… including the address and local phone number of the office location which happened to be the Hertz Convention Center in Orlando.
Big surprise to call the Hertz 800 number and nobody answered phone … took forever…and then discovered none of the locations are Open on a Sunday and had to wait for a tow truck and then take Uber back to Airport because it was the only Hertz car rental Open on a Sunday in the entire Walt Disney World area. I did not, know about the Car Care Center in WDW property.
When I returned car finally , I asked how often are the rental cars actually maintained and serviced… The answer would not make you feel safe or secure .
I swear if I ever rented a car I would go to a Jiffy Lube and ask them to check the fluid levels and tires and even the window fluid level with real windshield washer solvent and not just water .
Those rental cars are basically rented, returned , and barely cleaned and re- rented …
Good luck with your safety on the road and traveling in the dark with family or alone …
Just want you to be safe and aware … I am AAA member …

I also got into argument with fuel charge when returning… They have an instrument that can digitally read the gas level and they suggested I should go to the gas station and get gas then return even tho it looked like it was full on the dashboard … And I had filled it up !
Be sure to get a gas receipt and take pictures of the mileage and gas tank dashboard when you pick it up and return it for your documentation…

 

[radiodome21]

I use National and am from an EZ pass state too. I just got my bill from National about my toll usage, which was about $20. And $12 was the service fee. What a crock. Wish I remembered this.