How bad is the shuttle trip to Hertz at MCO?

[lurkyloo]

OK, I feel like an idiot, but I just bid for a car on Priceline without considering that I might get Hertz and need to take a shuttle, and, sure enough, I got Hertz.

We are on an extremely tight deadline when we arrive - plane lands at 6pm and we have to get our luggage and the car, then check into our hotel and get to the International Gateway by 8pm. I am seriously considering eating the nonrefundable cost of the Hertz rental and booking with Alamo just so we can get out of MCO that much quicker.

How much time does the shuttle add to the rental process? I'm used to Alamo, where I can use the kiosk and get the car while DH grabs the bags...

 

[safetymom]

The shuttle is always waiting outside and it takes less than 10 mins to get to the lot. We found renting from Hertz faster than National/Alamo.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Totally agree with SafetyMom. We are renting from them again next week. although I wish the price were lower.

 

[seashoreCM]

They are on the way to Disney, as opposed to a big sidetrack that Alamo was long ago.

Getting back on the main drag (436; Semoran) heading south, go right at the last light in sight (Frontage). Little over a mile then go left (Conway) and quickly another left at lights to get on Toll 528 (Beach Line; Andersen Exp'y). At end take I-4 west (southwest) to Disney.

Returning via I-4 to I-4 East to 528 East, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, cheap gas right here to top off, get into middle lane, required right onto McCoy (becomes Frontage). Little over a mile is 436; left and a block or so is Hertz ad also a super expensive gas station.

Regardless of which way you go to Disney, get over to the right when signs for tolls appear. Drivers paying tolls in cash generally must take an off ramp to get to the toll booth, only drivers with Florida electronic transponders (not EZ-Pass or I-Zoom or Fast Lane) can go straight on through. Suggest getting a receipt.

 

[lurkyloo]

The shuttle is always waiting outside and it takes less than 10 mins to get to the lot. We found renting from Hertz faster than National/Alamo.

Totally agree with SafetyMom. We are renting from them again next week. although I wish the price were lower.

Oh good - this makes me feel better!

They are on the way to Disney, as opposed to a big sidetrack that Alamo was long ago.

Getting back on the main drag (436; Semoran) heading south, go right at the last light in sight (Frontage). Little over a mile then go left (Conway) and quickly another left at lights to get on Toll 528 (Beach Line; Andersen Exp'y). At end take I-4 west (southwest) to Disney.

Returning via I-4 to I-4 East to 528 East, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, cheap gas right here to top off, get into middle lane, required right onto McCoy (becomes Frontage). Little over a mile is 436; left and a block or so is Hertz ad also a super expensive gas station.

Regardless of which way you go to Disney, get over to the right when signs for tolls appear. Drivers paying tolls in cash generally must take an off ramp to get to the toll booth, only drivers with Florida electronic transponders (not EZ-Pass or I-Zoom or Fast Lane) can go straight on through. Suggest getting a receipt.

Thanks for the tips - finding the place was my next worry. I'll be sure to bring these directions!

 

[safetymom]

There are directions in the car to get you back to the Hertz lot. I would recommend doing curbside checkin at the airport then one of your returning the car and riding the shuttle back to the airport.

 

[Mickeycrazie]

I've done it several times and it's not bad at all.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Just a note, you'll have to wait in line at Hertz, which could add a lot of time to your rental pick-up time. As you used priceline you will most likely be unable to use Hertz Gold service (if you're a gold member). Waiting in lines at the rental agencies, any of them, can be very slow.

 

[Lewisc]

Just a note, you'll have to wait in line at Hertz, which could add a lot of time to your rental pick-up time. As you used priceline you will most likely be unable to use Hertz Gold service (if you're a gold member). Waiting in lines at the rental agencies, any of them, can be very slow.

Good point. It may make sense to send the driver ahead while the rest of the family waits for the luggage. Use cell phones to decide if the driver will pick up the rest of the family at MCO or if the family will take the shuttle to Hertz. Probably easier for the rest of the family to take the shuttle to Hertz.

The OP doesn't have time for flight delays. Figure at least an hour to walk to baggage claim, get luggage, get car and drive to WDW. At least another half hour to check in then drive to EPCOT.

 

[dudspizza]

Returning via I-4 to I-4 East to 528 East, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, cheap gas right here to top off, get into middle lane, required right onto McCoy (becomes Frontage). Little over a mile is 436; left and a block or so is Hertz ad also a super expensive gas station.

I totally agree on the SUPER HIGH gas station directly across from Hertz. We were talking about $5 a gallon when I was there. We drove a mile or so farther down the road and found a station for normal prices........

Duds

 

[snowbunny]

Just a note, you'll have to wait in line at Hertz, which could add a lot of time to your rental pick-up time. As you used priceline you will most likely be unable to use Hertz Gold service (if you're a gold member). Waiting in lines at the rental agencies, any of them, can be very slow.

Yup. That is my experience with a priceline Hertz rental even though I am Hertz #1 club gold. Basically, get someone to book it right off the bus and into line while the rest wrestle with the luggage.

And fyi, the shuttle is not always waiting outside at MCO. At 10 am, a few months ago, we waited 15 minutes for the shuttle.

 

[lark]

Just a note, you'll have to wait in line at Hertz, which could add a lot of time to your rental pick-up time. As you used priceline you will most likely be unable to use Hertz Gold service (if you're a gold member). Waiting in lines at the rental agencies, any of them, can be very slow.

I would call Hertz and tell them about your priceline reservation and see if you can get gold service on it. A while back, I booked through hotwire or something, and if I'm remembering it correctly, I assumed that I would not have gold service but did. I waited in the line, only to find that my name was on the board. I may be misremembering because it was a while back, but I seem to think that at least for some travel agency booked reservations, you can link them to your gold account with Hertz. Worth a try at least.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I would call Hertz and tell them about your priceline reservation and see if you can get gold service on it. A while back, I booked through hotwire or something, and if I'm remembering it correctly, I assumed that I would not have gold service but did. I waited in the line, only to find that my name was on the board. I may be misremembering because it was a while back, but I seem to think that at least for some travel agency booked reservations, you can link them to your gold account with Hertz. Worth a try at least.

Reservations through Orbitz, Travelocity and similar can usually accomodate Gold Service, but Hotwire and Priceline are both blind reservations and do not carry a place for a Gold Number and are ineligible for points for #1 and frequent flyer miles in almost every case. If you book a Hertz reservation through either Priceline or Hotwire on the open market (non-bid/offer reservation), you should be able to use Gold Service just as you would Orbitz or booking direct with Hertz.

 

[lurkyloo]

This is such helpful info - thanks everyone! We did a "blind" bid on Priceline, so I guess it won't help if I join the Gold Club. However, I love the idea of one of us going ahead to get the car while the other waits for the luggage, and the deciding whether to meet at Hertz or MCO.

 

[safetymom]

If you are using Gold Club for the first time you have to go inside to verify your information.

 

[safetymom]

Yup. That is my experience with a priceline Hertz rental even though I am Hertz #1 club gold. Basically, get someone to book it right off the bus and into line while the rest wrestle with the luggage.

And fyi, the shuttle is not always waiting outside at MCO. At 10 am, a few months ago, we waited 15 minutes for the shuttle.

Then I say that is the exception. I can't tell you the number of times I have taken the Hertz shuttle at MCO and never waited.

 

[snowbunny]

Does anybody know the official date when Hertz is going to be moved and set up in the garage?

 

[safetymom]

I haven't seen an exact date but Spring 2010.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

Thanks for the advice on this thread! We just booked through Hotwire, and of course got the one shuttle company Hertz. No biggie, we'll deal, and certainly for the price we got!