Orlando International Rental Car pick-up

[MARTINIUS]

To save time at Rental Car pick-up (Dollar) at Orlando International, we have decided that all drivers will head straight for the Dollar rental desk (Level 1 Terminal B) to sort out the paperwork while the rest of the group (15 people) collect the luggage from the Baggage Claim area – Level 2 Terminal B (Virgin flight VS075 from Manchester).

I realise we all have to go through Immigration first then load bags back on to the carousel for transportation to the Baggage Claim area, and then take the train to the main terminal – but where is the best place to meet to load up? I think there are 2 options

a) Pick up outside baggage claim – I realise there’s absolutely no waiting allowed here unless you’re loading – how easy is it to get there from the Rental Car parking area across the road – bearing in mind Rental Car pick-up/ parking and Baggage Claim are on 2 different levels.
b) Pick up at the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1) – this means all concerned will have to lug their baggage down 1 level from the baggage claim area.

If anyone has been recently and can remember what they did then I’d be pleased to hear from you!

 

[UKDEB]

We always meet up at ground level - it's just a short walk from the car rental desks across to the garages. There are huge lifts directly behind the second baggage reclaim carousels which take you down to the ground floor and the car rental desks are then to your left as you exit the lifts. We have suitcases with wheels and handles, but there are trolleys available if you need them (although you may need coins - not sure what denomination).

 

[Peebee]

I'd go along with what Deb suggests and make your way down to the car rental area. The garage is directly across from the Virgin/Dollar counter. From memory the trolleys are $3 each - not cheap - but the machines take notes and also credit cards (I think).

Paul

 

[MARTINIUS]

Thank’s for the info - is it possible to just walk through customs after clearing immigration (without bags) and avoid having to do 2 baggage reclaims or do you have to carry your own bags through customs?

I think the sequence is:
Depart plane – immigration – baggage reclaim 1 – customs – baggage onto carousel for transport to main terminal – board shuttle – baggage reclaim 2 – pick up hire car.

If we can get the rest of the party to collect the bags then our sequence would be:
Depart plane – immigration – customs - board shuttle – pick up hire car.

Cheers

 

[RUSHBURY]

We always meet up at the car rental, that's me and 3 children while DH gets the car hire sorted out - it's very easy even for me.

Are you flying direct to MCO or are you going via somewhere else in USA? We fly indirect and therefore miss out the immigration bit at MCO.

 

[MARTINIUS]

Thanks Rushbury - we're flying direct from Manchester so have to clear immigration and customs. Where do you wait for DH - inside Terminal B (Level 1) next to the Rental Desk - in the Rental Car parking area over the road - or outside at the kerbside. I'm just getting a feel for the airport as I realise that the driver won't be able to stop and park the car to go and find his passengers after collecting the car and I don't want to be driving around in a circle for hours waiting for them to emerge from the terminal. Sorry for all the questions but I don't want to lose anyone in the airport!

 

[RUSHBURY]

Hi

As you arrive into the car rental area the desks are in a long line on the right and we wait for DH on the left hand side just inside/before the exit doors to the car rental parking bays. Usually DH is either standing waiting for us or he's only about 5 mins after we get downstairs with the luggage.

Honestly, it really is easy I first did this with my 3 children when they were only 3, 9 & 11 - I'm a non-driver and therefore I'm not needed at the car rental desk.

Have you looked at any of the MCO websites I can give you the links if you haven't got them?

 

[Peebee]

Don't know about the party splitting up to go through customs i'm afraid - perhaps someone else can advise on this? Regardless of this you'll need to collect the bags and load them onto the conveyer to the main terminal after customs.

As you're flying Virgin, don't forget to skip the main Dollar counter (the first one you'll come to when turning right at the bottom of the escalator), and carry on to the combined Dollar/Virgin desk. The line here is usually much shorter, and there are a few comfy chairs next to it where you can arrange to meet before going across the street to the Dollar garage.
Paul