Rental Car Drop Off at Port Canaveral

[bumbershoot]

we learned our lesson! All those dad's with nothing in their hands got to go ahead of us over and over

Wow, if only they had done that for us. OK so we had carryons, not *nothing*, but it was irritating to have to wait for all the massive luggage to be put on the shuttle when we could have sat with our stuff on our laps.

The only way to avoid that is either pick up the car later (which means sitting around the airport)

Do you have to really sit around? Or could you just be leisurely? Wait to get off the plane until the end, walk slowly. Stop for the bathroom and to freshen up. Maybe get a coffee, get a snack. Look around, have a nice little time. Once you've done that, a good amount of time might have been spent, leaving less time to wait around.

Since I don't think the port will be open by the time you need to have stuff and people dropped off, you're going to have to do something, and I think that being leisurely at the airport is a nice way to go. Assuming it's MCO, there are many things to do there. (Disney Store, Universal store, Crocs store, food, coffee, etc etc etc...)

 

[lisamarie12]

Wow, if only they had done that for us. OK so we had carryons, not *nothing*, but it was irritating to have to wait for all the massive luggage to be put on the shuttle when we could have sat with our stuff on our laps.



Do you have to really sit around? Or could you just be leisurely? Wait to get off the plane until the end, walk slowly. Stop for the bathroom and to freshen up. Maybe get a coffee, get a snack. Look around, have a nice little time. Once you've done that, a good amount of time might have been spent, leaving less time to wait around.

Since I don't think the port will be open by the time you need to have stuff and people dropped off, you're going to have to do something, and I think that being leisurely at the airport is a nice way to go. Assuming it's MCO, there are many things to do there. (Disney Store, Universal store, Crocs store, food, coffee, etc etc etc...)

Since I will have a 4 year old in tow, I am sure we will be a little "leisurely" at the airport, meaning taking time for potty stops and resting little legs if necessary. Plus, we normally would both grab our luggage, but since I don't really want my DD too close to the baggage pick up, then it will probably just be DH. I am not sure how long we can stretch it out. I don't want to take too long, because I want to get to Cocoa Beach early enough to enjoy the beach.

 

[KingRichard]

Took a cab from Avis. It cost $15.

No waiting as it was dropping people off at Avis.

Well worth it. We were first in line at terminal and first in.

 

[pjacobi]

9:30 drop-off worked perfect for me. My family was directed to wait in parking garage over pass. I returned the rental car, took the shuttle back to port and meet up with family at about 10:45. We entered the port together at 11:00.


-Paul

 

[bumbershoot]

Since I will have a 4 year old in tow, I am sure we will be a little "leisurely" at the airport, meaning taking time for potty stops and resting little legs if necessary. Plus, we normally would both grab our luggage, but since I don't really want my DD too close to the baggage pick up, then it will probably just be DH. I am not sure how long we can stretch it out. I don't want to take too long, because I want to get to Cocoa Beach early enough to enjoy the beach.

You're the one who knows when your flight arrives and how long you might need to wait, of course.

Why are you concerned with the baggage carousel? I don't let my guy sit on the edge of it (even now at 10), but even traveling with him at 2 he thought it was very cool and liked to see it go around. Or you just mean you'll step back from it and let DH get the bags. I first thought you meant you'd stay far away from the area, not just being back from it. Of course both of you can't help when there's a little one.

 

[cmhguy]

Are cabs readily available at the port car rental agencies if you do not want to wait.....as in are they sitting there waiting, or do you need to call one?

 

[Baysailors]

Does anyone know if you can rent booster seats with the car rental?

 

[jcarwash]

Does anyone know if you can rent booster seats with the car rental?

Yes, all/most rental agencies offer child seats for rent, although the charge per day can really add up.

If you have AAA, your benefit with Hertz includes one free child seat per rental, which is a nice perk.

At Port Canaveral, I previously rented a child seat at the Avis location, so I know that's an example where the port office had them available at pickup.

At this point though we travel with our own backless booster, which I find relatively easy to carry -- it's light, stowable, etc. Previously I'd rent the full child seats as traveling with those is cumbersome.

 

[Kumi]

Thanks, all this is all so helpful. I have a slightly different question. Can I go early to check in our family and try for an upgrade, or do we all have to be together? We have the car til 12:30, so I thought it might be nice for them to enjoy the beach and breakfast and then we waltz through at around 12:30, before the buses arrive. thanks in advance!

 

[lisamarie12]

You're the one who knows when your flight arrives and how long you might need to wait, of course.

Why are you concerned with the baggage carousel? I don't let my guy sit on the edge of it (even now at 10), but even traveling with him at 2 he thought it was very cool and liked to see it go around. Or you just mean you'll step back from it and let DH get the bags. I first thought you meant you'd stay far away from the area, not just being back from it. Of course both of you can't help when there's a little one.

I mean step back a little. If we get up close, my DD would be trying to grab our bags and I would be worried that she would grab someone else's bag or hurt herself trying to lift a big bag bigger than her. Or get her fingers pinched etc. She is very "helpful" these days.

 

[apocalyps3]

Hello, resurrecting an old post...

We're thinking about following the advice given here, but I have one quick question. We have two Staterooms. It's myself and daughter (6 yr old) assigned in one room. My wife and mother assigned to another. If I drop off the family so that I can return the rental, will my wife be able to take my passport and check me in for the cruise? Even though we aren't assigned to the same stateroom (though the two are linked)?