Picking up rental car -- all go or just Dad?

[LauraMc]

How much of a hassle would it be to lug the luggage and two kids (4 & 2.5) over to Alamo to pick up our rental car? Would it be easier for me to camp out at the terminal at MCO and wait for DH to get the car then circle back? I was thinking of grabbing a quick bite with the boys while DH gets the car, but it might be prohibitive or take too much time for him to get back to us.

We're arriving at noon on a Saturday, which will probably be a very busy time at the rental car desk.

Advice appreciated in advance.

(ok, and yes...I wanted to think of something new to post just so I could see how low my trip counter was getting...LOL! I can't help it! )

Laura

 

[prplcrzy]

Laura,

I would hang out with the kids and let dh go get the car. I'm sure it will be busy at the rental terminal and it will be easier for you, never mind the stress of getting the luggage and kids on the shuttle, etc...

FYI, for your future trips (as I'm sure they'll be many), there are some rental car companies right at the airport terminal so you can get your rental car right across in the parking garage. We have used National, but I think Hertz and Dollar are also there.

Have a great trip....I'm going Oct. 3rd and can't wait!!!

 

[CEDmom]

Alamo is in the airport so it isn't a big deal for all of you to go down to the rental car area. I'd probably suggest that your husband stand in line and you find a spot away from the crowd to wait with your boys and the luggage.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

Yes Alamo is in the terminal now, so let him go to the counter and you can get a seat and wait for him.
I'd suggest stopping along the way to get a bite rather than the airport.

 

[NotUrsula]

Better yet, save yourself some time, since Alamo's cars are in the garage right outside the terminal.

One grownup goes straight to the rental counter while the other takes the kids to the carousels to get the luggage. Just take the bags off the carousels and set them on the floor out of the way. When the person with the rental comes back with the keys, everyone goes out to the car together. If your car is in the garage across the way, it is best not to bring the car around before loading the luggage; it means wasting time driving in a big circle to get back around to the arrivals lanes.

Of course, my DH won't ever do this; he's paranoid about getting separated in airports. He insists that we all go and wait for the luggage first, then go outside together. I always drive in strange cities, so I'm always the one renting the car. After standing in some killer MCO rental lines with mounds of luggage, I've become a dedicated Emerald Aisle/Choice convert. There are some wicker chairs scattered around in the lobby opposite the rental counters, so the non-renter and the kids should wait there if you don't want to split up. (The garage entrance is reached outside that lobby; you just have to cross the street.)

 

[jcemom]

NotUrsula -- I joined Emerald Isle but haven't used it yet. Just how does that work if you don't mind my asking? Do you really not have to go the counter at all? How do they know you're "you?"

 

[NotUrsula]

That's right; completely skip the counter, but the Aisle is for National reservations, not Alamo (even though they have the same parent company.)

The cars are out in the garage. The keys are in the cars; you just take any one from the designated Aisle area. (Or the row from your designated Choice area if you use Emerald Choice.) The signs are plastered all over the garage columns.

If you tried to take a car if you didn't have a reservation, they would stop you at the exit gate. (If your designated area has no cars left, you are allowed to take a same-class car from another area; you don't have to go over to the booth and ask permission.) You have to present your ID and copies of all your paperwork as you drive out; the employee at the gate booth won't open it if all the paperwork is not in order.

 

[LauraMc]

GREAT info, NotUrsula! Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for the quick reply. That sounds great! So much better than waiting at the counter!

 

[trstno1]

This is for those people who don't know about mousesavers.com. I remeber what it was like, having already been to DisneyWorld twice, to come across Mary Waring's site. It was better than Christmas! She has instructions on how to get a free membership to National's Emerald Club on the site.

http://www.mousesavers.com/groundtrans.html

Scroll down to the part about National - the rental companies are in alphabetical order. There's also lots of info about how to get cheaper rates. Skipping the line is the real bonus.

 

[helenm29]

I think we are picking our car up in the garage so it should be much easier. the only thing I can find wrong with having dad pick up the car by himself is just be sure that the car you get is big enough for all of you...other then that, waiting for dad is a good idea. there's 5 of us so we're getting a mini-van. Good luck! HM