How much of a pain to rent a car?

[Mainebound]

Hi all,

with all the negative posts about towncar services, and the really low rates for car rentals, I'm starting to think we may just rent a car for our March trip to WDW and USO. My only hesitation is the hassle of getting out of the airport, and also of dropping the car off when we leave Orlando. How much standing in line is involved? At other airports, even our little local Bangor airport, I find the waiting at the desk to rent a car to take much longer than it should. What have your experiences been in this regard?

Thank you.

 

[inkkognito]

If you really prefer a towncar, don't let the negative posts scare you away. Just be sure to choose your company wisely. We have used Happy Limo many times and have always had a good experience. I am very lazy and prefer being driven around when possible.
However, if you decide to rent a car, the process isn't too bad. Sometimes we come to Orlando for a quckie weekend and want to travel around the area, so I do a car rental via Priceline. As you said, the worst part of it is standing in line, although we usually arrive late at night so usually it's not too bad (last weekend was an exception...45 minutes in line at Alamo at midnight).
But the onsite locations are convenient, and even Thrifty and Hertz, which require you to take a shuttle bus, are not bad. There are always buses right at the airport waiting.
The only thing that worries me with a rental car is the possibility of being hit by someone. I don't buy their insurance because it is outrageously priced, but some horror stories here taught me that the car company come after the renter, even when you have your own insurance.
Good luck with whichever option you choose!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mainewmn]

Hello fellow Mainer! We just came back and we rented from National using the Emerald Card and we LOVED it! No waiting, you go straight to the garage and pick any car that you want from the Emerald Isle. You proceed to the gate where you provide them with a drivers license and your credit card that they have on file for verification only. No waiting at all! On our way out you simply drive to the garage and pull up to National car return and leave the car for them there with keys in the ignition. You get your stuff and off you go, again no waiting. Process is simple and fast!

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

If you are going to rent a car. I suggest you do a little web site search of the different car companies.

Some websites will offer you cheap rates but only if you use a credit card. While some car rental companies will let you use a debit card. Some only require a 200 hold against your debit or credit card while some may require 500 or more to hold against your credit or debit card.

For my self I prefer to pay with a debit card because that means i pay when I get the service.

I recommend budget car rental if you are paying by debit card. The only requirements are that you have a valid drivers license, insurance and are over the age of 25 with a debit or credit card.

When renting a card from them you only have to have 125 percent of the rental or 200 dollars which ever is greater held against your credit card or debit card.

They also have what is called a fastbreak program which allows you to skip the endless amounts of questions to be asked by the service people. You only have to show your drivers licence , fast break card and you will be handed your keys immediately.

To sign up for the program go to budget on line and print out there form for the fast break program and either fax it in or mail it in. It may seem like a lot of extra work but when you get to the airport and you just want to get out of there you will be glad you planned ahead.

PS. budget rates are really low right now if you are going the week before memorial day-2004. MY one week rental was only 126 tax included. This is 50 dollars cheaper than it was two weeks ago.

 

[Mainebound]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies! It sounds very doable. Now driving in Orlando traffic on the other hand...LOL!

 

[crazywig]

don't be nervous, getting out of the airport is easy as pie, it's not IN the city like logan is.

it's a straight shot down 417 to disney.

i've done dollar and national at mco. with national i use emerald isle. it IS a simple as everyone says . with dollar i was only at the counter for a few minutes (but worth it for my great minivan rate last jan).

i would never go to wdw without a car!

 

[crisi]

We had a horrible experience with a rental car a few years ago - two in a row actually - one out of MCO and another out of Newark.

Both took an hour or longer to pick up the car. The one in Newark was supposed to be a "ready aisle" thing - we should have been able to stroll to the car and get in - but our car wasn't there and it took an hour to straighten the mess out and get us a car that was acceptilbe.

The one in Orlando ended up costing us quite a bit more than the quote - and when we complained we were told "go find another company - good luck - Orlando is out of cars, you are lucky we held this one for you." Then they didn't have the car seats we needed. So we waited two hours in the parking garage at MCO to get carseats.

We had a less than fantastic experience with our towncar last trip, but we are choosing a different towncar company for our cruise rather than renting - even though renting would be cheaper.

But if you are doing USO in addition to WDW, I'd rent a car. I should also note that - with the exception of the overcharge - most of our problems with rentals have had to do with "special requests." Our issue in Newark was the NeverLost system - we could have been out of there much faster, but we had wanted (and were very grateful for) the NeverLost system. And finding a car that was in the class we'd rented with the NeverLost system was difficult (they ended up bumping our class for free (except of course, we paid for the gas, and this thing was a boat!)) And most of our wait in Orlando was carseat related - that and we were getting the last minivan in the lot - which wasn't even in the lot yet when we arrived.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by mainewmn
We just came back and we rented from National using the Emerald Card and we LOVED it! No waiting, you go straight to the garage and pick any car that you want from the Emerald Isle. You proceed to the gate where you provide them with a drivers license and your credit card that they have on file for verification only. No waiting at all! On our way out you simply drive to the garage and pull up to National car return and leave the car for them there with keys in the ignition. You get your stuff and off you go, again no waiting. Process is simple and fast!

We also ONLY use "National Emarald Aisle". You can't beat it. We are off the plane and on our way to WDW 10 minutes after landing. We are usually at OKW in WDW 35 minutes after getting off the plane(carry-on luggage).

 

[DebbieB]

We always rent a car and never have a hassle. We also use National's Emerald Aisle, you bypass the counter. If you don't have Emerald Club, they now offer "quick rent" which also allows you to bypass the counter if you do not have a coupon. You just exit the terminal on level one across from the National counter, cross a small street and enter the garage to pickout you car (you pick your own car out of the row size you have reserved). Stop by the booth on the way out and off you go! It's never taken us more than 10 minutes. I find it very easy to drive around Orlando, everything is well marked. If you are not familiar with WDW roads, I suggest you look at a map in a guidebook just to get familiar. I wouldn't go back to Mears or towncars. We use the car alot, we go get groceries and visit the outlets. The only place we take the bus is to Magic Kingdom. I usually get a good deal, my last 6 day rental was $113 including tax for National Emerald Aisle, we got a Chevy Monte Carlo. Check for discount codes in mousesavers.

 

[seashoreCM]

Q: How much of a pain?
A: Sometimes it depens on the counter agent you are dealing with. They love to push you to buy insurance.

>>> Cost quite a bit more than the quote
What company?
Going with a name brand company, you sometimes have the chance to dispute things later after you get back home. Still, in case of problems you should take the time to talk to a manager and also should write the words "under protest" above everywhere you put your signature.

Did you have a printout of your quote? It is unwise to book on the internet if you can't, or don't know how to, print screen.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/carrent.htm

 

[Mainebound]

Thanks everyone, for your helpful replies. I guess renting a car is a mixed bag too! But at least now I have some helpful strategies if I decide to do it.

Happy holidays!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have rented a car every trip to Orlando, about 11 or 12 in past 5 years. I have always used National's Emerald Aisle. I do some checking on this board, with all its great help, and www.mousesavers.com , one of the best there is. Off the airplane, get baggage, out the door, pick out the car, drive away. Usually out of the airport and on my way within 30 minutes of plane landing (and that is taking pictures along the way too, LOL). So very simple. Enjoy.