Minivan Rentals?

[cd&kids]

Anyone ever rent a minivan? I'm just curious if you can get the minivans with the two captain's chairs in the middle...as opposed to that bench.
I booked Dollar for September...don't know if different companies have different types.
(I guess I could call the company and ask....but it's more fun looking at this website every day to see if someone actually answers your question!)

 

[sgtdisney]

I have rented minivans a number of times over the last few years since I started travelling with kids.. I have yet to get one with captain's chairs yet.. That is not saying that they don't have them, some of the companies probably do. I don't think that any company would ever guarantee you one, as they can't be sure of which van would be at your pickup location at the time you are there.

Your best bet would be to go with a company like National (maybe Alamo now too) which would let you pick the van you wanted out of what they have available. We went to WDW in June and National had a bunch of Minivans to pick from. Montana's, Ventures, Grand Caravans and Astros. We picked a Montana which had the optional 8 passenger seating. Which was 3 bucket seats in the center row.. Unfortunately Dollar doesn't allow you to select your car.

With Dollar, in many cases, they are giving you a regular wheelbase Caravan and making you pay for an upgrade if you need the Extended Wheelbase Grand Caravan.. I have never seen Captain's Chairs in the Dodge vans at Dollar, but again that does not mean that they don't have some.. I know Dollar has had the Chrysler (luxury) version of the minivan and some of those, if you are lucky enough to be assigned one may have captains chairs..

Just as an aside, I know in the Montana (except for the value package new this year) the Captain's Chairs had been a standard feature in '02 and maybe earlier than that as well. In the Old's Silhouette I think the captains chairs were standard issue as well. We have a Montana at home with the Standard Captain's chairs and we really like them. Good luck and sorry for the long read..

 

[cd&kids]

Wow...that was great information! We have Alamo reserved ($199 for a week on special). Not sure what kind of mini-vans they have...or if you can choose. Would love to have choices....but I just checked National's website and their rate for the week we're going is $480! Maybe they'll have a special between now and then.
Thanks again for all the info.

 

[sgtdisney]

You are welcome!! I am sure someone here knows if you can pick your own van at Alamo now. I don't think you used to be able to, but now that they have merged some of their operations with National (and they are located in terminal) maybe they let you pick your own car...

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
You are welcome!! I am sure someone here knows if you can pick your own van at Alamo now. I don't think you used to be able to, but now that they have merged some of their operations with National (and they are located in terminal) maybe they let you pick your own car...

You pick your own vehicle at Alamo.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

National is doing a book ahead for minivans for 209.00 per week.
go to their site and click on book ahead.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
You pick your own vehicle at Alamo.

And who says you don't learn something new everyday??

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
And who says you don't learn something new everyday??

Not learning something new each day is like a day without sunshine.

 

[Poorman]

If you only need a van for a couple of days we just did National at the Swan for $47.48 a day all inclusive.
We are taking 2 grandkids and 4 adults in a luxury van from Florida tours, $95.00 RT , then renting van for 2 days to do grocery and shopping. There wouldn't be enough room in a mini for all the luggage and kids stuff. So for about $200.00 we get the airport pick up and return and the van for a couple of days. Works for us.

And Gail I think that book ahead for $209.00 is for after noon on Sunday to before noon on Thursday.

 

[cd&kids]

Thanks for all that info. Yes, Poorman and Gail, the National deal is for a Sunday-thru-Thursday pick-up....we're doing a Saturday-to-Saturday rental.
Gail...do you know what kind of minivans they have to choose from? We own at Grand Caravan here at home but was kind of curious about the Pontiac Montanas...especially after Sarge's positive comments. (By the way, sgtdisney...did you get that nickname for being like me on Disney trips? A drill sergeant...as in "let's get up nice and early and get to those parks before they open!")

 

[llp479]

Alamo and National are one in the same at MCO. When you go out to pick your van they are in the same aisles. They have had Chevy Ventures, Pontiac Montana's, and Dodge Grand Caravans. I have both a Chrysler Town & Country and a Chevy Warner Bros Venture at home, so depending on which one I take to the airport, I try to get the same down there - thought being I know how all the lugage will fit in!

I can confirm in a couple of weeks what Alamo's selection du jour is when I rent on Aug 24.

PM me if you want to know pro's & con's to the Montana vs the Dodge.

 

[cd&kids]

That's great, llp, I appreciate the info. I'll "pm" you when I figure out what that is! (I'm sure it's easy.)
So you literally go outside...walk down the aisle and pick which minivan you want! Wow!! Knowing us and our kids, we'll spend more time doing that than at Magic Kingdom!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Poorman
If you only need a van for a couple of days we just did National at the Swan for $47.48 a day all inclusive.
We are taking 2 grandkids and 4 adults in a luxury van from Florida tours, $95.00 RT , then renting van for 2 days to do grocery and shopping. There wouldn't be enough room in a mini for all the luggage and kids stuff. So for about $200.00 we get the airport pick up and return and the van for a couple of days. Works for us.

And Gail I think that book ahead for $209.00 is for after noon on Sunday to before noon on Thursday.

Very true about the minivan, but, without knowing everyone's dates, I just thought I would throw it out and hopefully someone could use it.

Alamo has them for 199.00 and nothing about pickup dates, just
Valid for rentals 8/24 - 10/8/03.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by cd&kids
Thanks for all that info. Yes, Poorman and Gail, the National deal is for a Sunday-thru-Thursday pick-up....we're doing a Saturday-to-Saturday rental.
Gail...do you know what kind of minivans they have to choose from? We own at Grand Caravan here at home but was kind of curious about the Pontiac Montanas...especially after Sarge's positive comments. (By the way, sgtdisney...did you get that nickname for being like me on Disney trips? A drill sergeant...as in "let's get up nice and early and get to those parks before they open!")

Hi,
I have yet to rent a minivan, and highly doubt I ever will, but, I do know both National and Alamo (which has what you need for 199.00 per week) feature GM vehicles. They also have Mitsubishi, Toyota and Chrysler. You can call Alamo's toll free and they will give you a list of what they carry at any airport.
No guarantees, but, at least an idea.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by llp479
Alamo and National are one in the same at MCO. When you go out to pick your van they are in the same aisles. They have had Chevy Ventures, Pontiac Montana's, and Dodge Grand Caravans. I have both a Chrysler Town & Country and a Chevy Warner Bros Venture at home, so depending on which one I take to the airport, I try to get the same down there - thought being I know how all the lugage will fit in!

I can confirm in a couple of weeks what Alamo's selection du jour is when I rent on Aug 24.

PM me if you want to know pro's & con's to the Montana vs the Dodge.

Actually, they are sister companies, their cars are separate. You will see that when you get there. Occassionally, Alamo will "borrow" some from National and visa versa, but, they are separate.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by cd&kids
That's great, llp, I appreciate the info. I'll "pm" you when I figure out what that is! (I'm sure it's easy.)
So you literally go outside...walk down the aisle and pick which minivan you want! Wow!! Knowing us and our kids, we'll spend more time doing that than at Magic Kingdom!

If you use Alamo, you get to do this after you check in at the counter. They do have a feature that makes this standing in line a little easier. It is on their website.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by cd&kids
(By the way, sgtdisney...did you get that nickname for being like me on Disney trips? A drill sergeant...as in "let's get up nice and early and get to those parks before they open!")

Actually that isn't it.. Ever since we joined the DVC 10 years ago we have done just the opposite of commando style vacations.. Very relaxed. In reality SGT are my initials.. But people do call me Sarge sometimes..

I have rented both Montanas as well as Grand Caravans.. Did you have any specific questions..? They are sized similarly, but the cargo areas do have a different shape as llp479 is saying..

 

[llp479]

When we were at MCO in March, while Alamo and National had seperate counters in the airport, their cars were all together. As they are at the WDW location, which I had to visit when I noticed the Alamo counter person had added coverage to my contract that I didn't want.

PM=Private Message just hit that little button at the bottom of my post.

If any one wants current confirmation of how Alamo is doing things now, I can post when we return from our trip 8/14 - 8/23. I've got a van lined up through Alamo for this trip, and National for our March '04 trip.

sgtdisney - I'm in "Chicagoland" too, Gurnee, and am a DVC owner at OKW and BWV.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by llp479
When we were at MCO in March, while Alamo and National had seperate counters in the airport, their cars were all together. As they are at the WDW location, which I had to visit when I noticed the Alamo counter person had added coverage to my contract that I didn't want.

PM=Private Message just hit that little button at the bottom of my post.

If any one wants current confirmation of how Alamo is doing things now, I can post when we return from our trip 8/14 - 8/23. I've got a van lined up through Alamo for this trip, and National for our March '04 trip.

sgtdisney - I'm in "Chicagoland" too, Gurnee, and am a DVC owner at OKW and BWV.

That works for me. I will be there 9/1. In Feb, btw, they were separate. The hang tags said National.

Also, this is an email I received from them awhile back:

Thank you for your email inquiry. Alamo and National both purchase our cars
brand new. Alamo does not have a car in its fleet over 18 months old.
Alamo and National do share cars at locations where we are both using the
same lot. This is normally done when Alamo has sold out of vehicles and
National has vehicles available. If you have any further questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Jason L.
Customer Service

 

[MaryJ]

I just returned from WDW and rented a Dodge Grand Caravan from Dollar. It did not have the captain's chairs, but did have the integrated car seats in the center bench seat. It had an excellant ride. I had practically NO wait time at the counter either, despite the horror stories I had read about Dollar on these boards. I was not given the oppprtunity to select my vehicle, but was very happy with the one I received.