Renting from Alamo at Dolphin Questions

[Figment&Piglet]

We decided we wanted to rent a car for two days only just to go to US/IOA. Seems more convenient than taking a shuttle, etc., and we are happy with ME so didn't want the car for the rest of our stay. I just booked a car from Alamo at the Dolphin. Is getting a mid-size on a Sunday morning and returning it late Monday night for $79 (taxes/fees included) a good deal?

Also, it seemed like Alamo at the Dolphin had very limited hours. Had to pick-up no earlier than 8 a.m. Sunday (no earlier times available) even though US/IOA opens at 9 a.m. and we'd wanted to be there earlier. Does renting there go pretty quickly? Are they typically there before 8 a.m.?

Otherwise, they are not open any later than 3 or 4 from what I can tell so picking up the day before doesn't seem to be an option. It does look like you can return it after-hours though and just walk back to BoardWalk. Is drop-off after hours pretty easy?

Thanks in advance...

 

[purple figment]

We drop our rental car off at the Dolphin and it is super easy. You just leave it with the valet which is open 24 hours. They will give you a receipt.

 

[Hopefully]

We rented from there last year and it was very easy and convenient. They are not available before 8 AM. The hours are limited at that location.
You go to the counter in the lobby and complete the paperwork. You are given the keys and then you head out to the Valet. They retrieve the car from the Parking Lot for you, so it takes a few minutes to get it.
I bet the entire process took 15 - 20 minutes total. So figure that in your planning.
I would rent there again.

 

[mmouse50]

So if I get in to the world under 4:30 and take ME to my hotel, I can still rent from the Dolphin that night? I can go to the front desk? The only time that I have rented from there was during it's normal business hotels - I did drop off after hours - that was really easy.

The Car Care Center closes at 6:00 so I can't rent from there. And the prices from WDW are cheaper than from MCO.

 

[Figment&Piglet]

Looked like the Dolphin closed really early, like before 3:00 p.m. if I remember trying different dates and times, that's why we're picking up the next day at 8:00 a.m. Sounds like it will definitely cut into our time being to WWOHP by 9:00 a.m., though, which could be painful...

For those of you who've rented there before, what price have you gotten for a 1-2 day rental?

Thanks!

 

[sjs314]

According to the paperwork I printed out when I reserved our car for our upcoming March trip the hours at the Dolphin are 8am
to 4pm daily

We are renting for 4 days and it says the rate is $31.99 per day, -10% disc then all the extra charges added in our total is $146.46 which seems high to me but I haven't rented a car since the mid- 90's so who knows

True cost per day $36.61 not counting cost of gas refill.

 

[BonnieI]

Hi I was also thinking about renting a car fron this location...I was wondering if it is necessary to book your car in advance...or can you just go rent one on the spot???

 

[purple figment]

Alamo/National has longer hours at the Car Care Center near the MK. I think they open at 6 AM. You can arrange to have their shuttle pick you up at your hotel and take you to the CCC to get the car. Then you'll get to US/IOS in plenty of time. Maybe you can arrange to pick up your car there and drop it off at the Dolphin.

 

[LisaS]

So if I get in to the world under 4:30 and take ME to my hotel, I can still rent from the Dolphin that night? I can go to the front desk? The only time that I have rented from there was during it's normal business hotels - I did drop off after hours - that was really easy.

The Car Care Center closes at 6:00 so I can't rent from there. And the prices from WDW are cheaper than from MCO.

You must pick up the car during Alamo's business hours. If renting from the Dolphin, that location closes at 4pm so you must be there before 4pm to pick up your car. There is no way that I'm aware of to pick up a car there after 4pm. If you rent from the Car Care Center, it closes at 6pm.

If returning the car to the Dolphin, you can return it after the Alamo desk is closed by leaving the car with the valet. Be sure to get a receipt.

 

[Lyndarella]

We have returned cars there after hours, and I always worry that it will get damaged some way before they open again in the morning. We always get the name of the valet who takes it from us, and have him check it over before we leave it, to make sure we all agree on the condition we left it in. We also took pictures of a car that had dings in it BEFORE we got it...