National Minivans at MCO

[Bruce in PA]

Maybe this is only of interest to me, but just in case anyone else is renting a minivan from National in Orlando...

I spent a couple of months worrying that our six passengers and luggage would not be able to squeeze into the vehicle we were renting at the airport. (National's website shows a standard Chevy Venture as their minivan of choice.)

So imagine my surprise when we arrived on 7/30 and the minivan row was filled with shiny new Caravans and Chevy Uplanders (the Caravans had bench seats in the 2nd & 3rd rows; the Uplanders had small captain's chairs in the 2nd row and a bench 3rd).

But the thing that brought a big smile to my face was that all the Caravans were Grand Caravans, with an extended wheelbase and lots of storage space in the well behind the back bench...we had absolutely no problem fitting the luggage and carryons in for the ride to Disney's Old Key West.

It was a great way to start our trip...even though National did try to take the edge off by taking 20 minutes to process the two cars ahead of us in the check-out lane.

I have no idea why National doesn't make a bigger deal out of letting folks know they stock the bigger-size minvans. Sure would have made my planning less stressful!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Im not sure why National dosent change their website for a few reasons....

1. Economy- Chevy hasn't made a "Metro" model in 5 years!
2. Minivan-Chevy stoped making the "Venture" last year and almost ALL of National's fleet don't consist of these vehicles!

 

[pyrxtc]

did chevy really stop making the Venture last year? I have a 2004 and I am curious.

Okay checked it out, Chevy did not stop making the Venture. Why did you think they did?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

did chevy really stop making the Venture last year? I have a 2004 and I am curious.

Actually "last year" was the 2005 model year because 2006 production has allready begun (sorry for the confusion...)

According to a bunch of people I know, they like the Uplander much more then the Venture...

 

[n2mm]

We just had a minivan from national 2 weeks ago and rented a Sienna--8 passenger. We got all of our luggage behind the last seat. We had 3 large bags (26 in) 1 smaller bag (22 in) and 2 rolling backpacks. All fit nicely.

 

[agnes!]

The OP mentioned that it took 20 minutes to check out of the Emerald Reserve for their minivan...
I have resolved, that when I am renting from National at MCO to *NEVER* get in the (most)left-hand lane. I've made the mistake of doing that twice in a row and each time I got a Trainee...s-l-o-w. Folks who were at least two cars behind us at check-out(but in another lane) got out of the rental car garage at least 15 minutes ahead of us.

But, hey, how bad could it be?
WE'RE GOIN' TO DISNEYWORLD !
Tomorrow .

agnes!

 

[Bruce in PA]

Well, Agnes, you're probably already in Orlando, but just to give a fuller version of our check-out...

This was Sat., 7/30 at about 2PM. We were not Emerald Reserve or Emerald Aisle, but all rentals at National MCO go through the check-out lane. Since we had a coupon, we had already checked-in through the counter and simply needed to hand over the hang tag from our vehicle and get our paperwork.

There were actually 3 cars in front of us and just one lane was open, the two others were closed and blocked by cones. There was some sort of problem with the car at the window and eventually the CSR left her booth and approached each of the cars in line, collecting hang tags. She then went over and opened the far right lane and motioned the car in front of me to switch lanes. The car behind me immediately jumped in line, too, and -- seeing that there was now nobody in the booth in our lane and the woman with our hang tag was working on the other side -- I switched lanes, too.

Well, you can probably guess...the car that switched to the right lane also took forever to process. And as soon as I jumped lanes, another attendent started working in the original booth and quickly moved cars through. Once we reached the window, it took all of about 90 seconds to get on the road. But reaching the window...that was maybe the longest wait in line of our entire stay!

 

[vossjemi]

Thanks for this thread! Do you get to pick a bigger minivan or just get assigned? We too have 6 people, and my Mom is a heavy packer.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Thanks for this thread! Do you get to pick a bigger minivan or just get assigned? We too have 6 people, and my Mom is a heavy packer.

If you rent under "emerald reserve" you will get to choose the van you take.

 

[Bruce in PA]

Actually, in Orlando regardless of whether you rent under Emerald Reserve or Emerald Aisle or if you need to check-in at the counter, you will have your pick of any car in your category. All cars are arranged in clearly designated areas in the National section of the parking garage; choose the one you want (the keys are in the ignition) and proceed to the exit lanes.