How crazy is Budget Car Rental after a cruise?

[WONDER26FEB06]

Hello again,

We're on teh four day cruise so we arrive back to port on Thursday morning. Thinking about renting a car but I can just imagine hundreds of other people at the Budget counter all at the same time. Has anyone rented from Budget at the port right after their cruise? Is it a nightmare, especially with kids, or does it go real smoothly?

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[webray]

When the ship comes in Budget van starts making it rounds at 7:30am. I would guess if you had your family organized and were one of the first off the ship, catch the van you wouldn't have too much of a problem at all.

 

[AspiringCindy]

The problem is...the office doesn't open until 8:00AM...so you and a bunch of others will be there when the office opens. I too thought about renting a car from Budget and using it from MCO to port and visa versa! But then I thought about the possible lines(we want to get to MK ASAP) so we decided to rent a car and park it in the lot! We managed to get a great rate for an SUV which is only $40 more for the weekly rate than what we were going to pay!

 

[laujac]

They are extremely efficient at the office and the lines are not bad... the chaos, however, is when you get off of the ship. Trying to get a shuttle back to the Budget office is madness. I would suggest one member taking a taxi and coming back to pick up the rest. ALWAYS negotiate the taxi fare before they drive away.

 

[branv]

I actually had a question about this.

If you sign up for the Budget Frequent whatever type program, can you skip the lines once you get to their counter? Will they just drop you in the lot, you grab your car and dash (or vice versa when bringing the car in, just get your receipt from the parking lot attendant and walk to the shuttle bus?).

Seems like this might cut down some time if they do indeed do it like Avis does.

 

[DIS NURSE]

We plan to be one of the last peoples off the Magic in November. Do you think that getting off later rather than sooner is better for the Budget office maddness? Do people still suggest we all stay behind (two small kids) and DH goes ahead and then picks us up afterwards?

 

[jdm]

It was crazy for us when we dropped off the car and not bad when we went back to pick it up. DH took a taxi to avoid having to wait for a shuttle when the ship docked. They do not have the Fastbreak line available at the Cocoa Beach / Port Canaveral location.

Jenn

 

[Billinaz]

There is no fastbreak service at the Cape Canaveral budget. You just have to wait in the line at the counter.

Ive never waited more than a couple of minutes though.

At MCO, you walk across to the garage where there is a small booth. Show your ID and they hand you the keys. Real easy and fast if you are signed up with the fastbreak service.

 

[ResortsFrmrCM]

The problem is...the office doesn't open until 8:00AM...so you and a bunch of others will be there when the office opens. I too thought about renting a car from Budget and using it from MCO to port and visa versa! But then I thought about the possible lines(we want to get to MK ASAP) so we decided to rent a car and park it in the lot! We managed to get a great rate for an SUV which is only $40 more for the weekly rate than what we were going to pay!

I was thinking about just keeping my rental too instead of returning it before the cruise and re-renting afterwards but isn't their a charge to park in the lot? Just trying to save every little bit I can!!

 

[AspiringCindy]

It is $10/day parking fee...unless your hotel will let you park in there lot(like the Radisson)!

 

[stampinshauna]

I found out that there is a Hertz location near the port with shuttle service. That is what we have reserved. Hopefully it isn't too crazy.

 

[inkkognito]

It's all a matter of timing and luck. We've rented a car from Budget several times, and we've never had a line of more than one or two people. But a couple of times, the line behind me got quite long (they brought a vanload of Carnival passengers).
Barb

 

[iwynlea]

This is very helpful info, as we just reserved our car through Budget. Got a one-way from the airport to the cruise, and then we'll rent a different car after the cruise for our Thurs-Sun WDW vacation. It was cheaper to do it that way than to rent it for the full time and pay the parking fee!

 

[jenmack]

We used Budget last October w/ a family of 5. (kid's were 3,8, & 10). It went very smoothly & we would definetly do it again. When we got of the ship we just walked accross the street where everyone else was waiting for a shutte too. We had to wait maybe 10 minutes. It was no big deal though & everything went smooth. We are doing Budget again this October, but it will be just me & my DH sailing on the magic.

Also, we reserved our car one-way there & one-way back. Much cheaper.
Also, make sure that you reserve ahead of time. I just made both reservations @ the same time. There was one gentlemen who hadn't made a reservation for the way back & just wanted to catch a ride via the shuttle to the rental office & make a reservation for his return trip. I rather plan ahead, especially when I have to catch a plane.

 

[geffric]

We used Budget . It went very smoothly & we would definetly do it again. When we got of the ship we just walked accross the street where everyone else was waiting for a shutte too. We had to wait maybe 10 minutes. It was no big deal though & everything went smooth. We are doing Budget again .

Also, we reserved our car one-way there & one-way back. Much cheaper.
Also, make sure that you reserve ahead of time. I just made both reservations @ the same time. .

 

[Jilly123]

The problem is...the office doesn't open until 8:00AM...so you and a bunch of others will be there when the office opens. I too thought about renting a car from Budget and using it from MCO to port and visa versa! But then I thought about the possible lines(we want to get to MK ASAP) so we decided to rent a car and park it in the lot! We managed to get a great rate for an SUV which is only $40 more for the weekly rate than what we were going to pay!

Cindy,
How did you get the great rate at Budget. We are planning on doing the exact same thing as you did, (we did the same thing last year and it worked very well) but all of the rates I have checked seem pretty high this year.

 

[ShannonRT]

We're using Budget in December both directions from MCO. I signed up for the Fastbreak program online and they sent me a coupon for a 2-class upgrade with my information. But I'm saving it until the trip in March.