National Emerald Aisle Car Selection

[Linda/MA]

I just signed up for the National Emerald Aisle and reserved a car for our trip later this week. I had a couple of questions so I called the 800 number. My first question was about my husband driving and whether his name had to be on the contract. She said no, as long as I'm an EA member, he can drive the car without paying the extra $8/day. My second question had to do with actually picking up the car. She said just go to the Emerald Aisle and select "any" car. I asked if I could select a full-size instead of the intermediate I reserved and she said as long as it was in the EA, I could take it. So, my question is, what has been your experience with choosing cars from the EA. Do they have a good selection? What if they only have cars smaller than what you've reserved? Is it as easy as it seems? And if so, why haven't I done this before?

 

[boBQuincy]

In my experience there have not been any full size cars in the Emerald Aisle at MCO. You may get lucky but I would not plan on finding one there. If it is really important to you the extra $$$ for full size is probably worth it.


boB

 

[lawgs]

with EA you will get at least the intermediate that you booked under....

 

[laurabelle]

There's no telling what will be on the EA, but as the previous poster stated, it will be at least an intermediate. My kids loved shopping for a car on the EA We got a PT Cruiser...fun car!
Here's a thread: 2006 version: What have you seen on the Emerald aisle?

And yes, it's that easy. Walk to the garage, there was an attendant and signs showing the aisle. Pick a car, the keys are in it. Pull up to the gate, give them your info (less than 5 min. for me) and off you go!

 

[poohstx]

Usually there are Chevy Impalas, Pontiac Gran Prix, Pontiac G6, and an occasional Chrysler vehicle. It really is painless.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've never gotten anything but an Intermediate.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I've never gotten anything but an Intermediate.

Same here, but i still enjoy the flexibility of choosing your own vehicle and totally skipping the counter!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Same here, but i still enjoy the flexibility of choosing your own vehicle and totally skipping the counter!!

Me too!

 

[shatzjsl]

I was there last week and there were two SUVs on the Emerald Aisle. They were Ford Explorer sized. I personally chose the PT Cruiser convertable since I was by my onesies..

 

[jennib5426]

There have been SUV's everytime I use Emerald isle at MCO, last year I saw Buick SUV's. I have also had a Chevy Malibu. Pontiac Grand Am, Dodge intrepid and a PT Cruiser. It is hit or miss on cars sometimes the isle is full and sometimes it is slim pickings.

 

[Ed_Roch]

I just was down there and was able to get an Impala which is a full size. They also had plenty of Grand Prix on the EA which is also a full size.

 

[DisFam95]

So I can't reserve a SUV and use the EA feature? Will it be there? Not sure I want to risk using this "convenient" feature if I might be stranded.

 

[KJMAX1]

Can someone tell me whats in the executive aisle? My DH is Executive level and I am wondering what I need to book for....I was hoping to get something like a van.

 

[beattyfamily]

So I can't reserve a SUV and use the EA feature? Will it be there? Not sure I want to risk using this "convenient" feature if I might be stranded.

If you book with your Emerald Club account, you can skip the counter for any size car you rent BUT you can only pick from the Emerald Aisle if you booked an Intermediate size.

So if you book an SUV, you just head to the SUV aisle and pick which SUV you want! So its still "convenient".

Can someone tell me whats in the executive aisle? My DH is Executive level and I am wondering what I need to book for....I was hoping to get something like a van.

I've seen some pretty nice cars in the Executive Aisle. I've seen sports cars (covertables), PT Cruisers, SUVs. You are only guaranteed a Full size though and that is what you would book for Executive aisle. I don't know for sure if I've seen a van in it though.