Not a happy camper...

[Wade E]

Honestly I've been reading here since November trying to get a handle on what to expect for a late March trip. I have to say that the people here are far more knowledgable than ANY I've spoken to at Disney! I had a few hiccups to start with the reservation process but nothing that couldn't be easily over come. Now at just less than three weeks out and multiple calls I finally got the book laying out my whole vacation. I've been very concerned because nothing has listed my rent a car or car seat. Turns out my concerns were warranted! In my little official book they had me dropping my car off at noon when my flight doesn't leave until 10:40 PM! Next I read that car seat is an additional charge so I call Disney of course. I booked everything through them direct and know I paid more due to the convince knowing I'm bringing my granddaughters and didn't want anything left to pay for other than maybe some off site stuff and souvineers. The people I've spoken to can't seem to do anything even though they knew what time my flight was leaving and they have a request for a car seat. So it looks like I'm going to be stuck working something out with the car rental company for the seat and an extra day car rental. If I hadn't already told the kids we were going to Disney I would cancel this trip today. I feel like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing and this is just the beginning of a MONSTER nickel and dime process by them! Until I got all this thrown at me I was already looking at an annual trip for the kids. What else can I expect??? Just so thoroughly disgusted at this point it isn't even funny and am seriously considering saying screw it and just cancelling and doing a trip to fla and doing the other theme parks!!!
Btw
This is my trip
3/28-4/3 arrive at noon leave 10:40 pm
Cabin at the fort.
Airline tix for 6
Dining package
Car and supposed to be car seat
5 day park hopper water parks and more for 6
Memory maker and I think that's it.

 

[kstand]

Well, not sure how to help the rental timing, but I know for us, it worked best to drive the 15 minutes from the airport to Walmart and buy $30 car seats. This was cheaper (and guaranteed cleaner) than any rental company seat. Not sure how little the granddaughters are, but most car rental companies will only rent out booster seats, not actual 5-point harness seats. We spent $30 at Walmart for a booster with seat back for my 6 year old and $20 for a seat-only booster for my 9 year old. Well worth it.

 

[disneykelly]

Is the child who would be in the car seat occupying their own seat on the plane?

I would suggest bringing your own. If the child has a seat, use it. If it is a lap baby, gate check it.

The average charge for a booster seat or a child seat is 9-13 dollars per day.

The reason why they put noon on the return time for the car is that is the 24 hour period point. If you pick the car up on arrival at noon, the drop time for the return is noon by default. This is how they handle billing.
If you need the car longer than that, they charge an hourly fee up to around 3 hours and then you are charged a full day.
The fees for the seat and the rates is on the car rental vendors, not Disney.

Seriously consider bringing your own seat. Fairly sure you can get it gate checked without an extra bag fee, and if the child has a seat, it works great.

Don't let the little stuff like this ruin your trip. You are only starting to think about the dollar signs, and that can make anyone nervous!