returning car rental at MCO

[disneyred]

I have never had to return a car rental at an airport... what is the best and efficient way?

drop off family and bags at MCO,,, then are there signs to follow as to where to park your rental...??? then walk inside MCO to rental desk for final paper work??

thanks for any tips..
just worried about all the timing.. getting everyone checked in on time is already stressful.. so now what if I also have a car to return???

 

[rwdavis2]

At MCO, if you are dropping off on airport property (the large parking structure next tot the terminal) it is just as easy to drop off the car first and walk into the terminal. You get the final receipt the same place you drop off the car. Takes 5-10 minutes at most. Maybe another 5-10 to walk to your airline.

The signs will direct you to your specific rental company. Just pay attention as you drive. The turn. In to the rental return will be on the left as you drive in. Check an MCO map.

 

[alc571]

We have never dropped the family/bags first. There are signs off the highway as to where to go to return the car. We have always been afraid we wouldn't find them again if we stopped at the departures spot first! lol. We have always found that you just pull in, leave the car and walk across the road to the terminal. It's just a short walk from where you leave the car, and we've never had to go inside to do any paperwork before leaving. It's never taken us more than 15 minutes to get to the airline checkin.

 

[sympatico]

We've done it both ways. You can drive right to the departures area for Terminal A or B (whichever you're flight is at) and let everyone out with the luggage and then follow the signs for the same side Rental Car Return. You'll have to loop the area again. Rental car return is usually a left turn just before getting to the departures area.
Follow the signs for the agency you rented from and they will direct you into a drop-off row. Someone will look it over and give you a receipt right there. You don't have to go to a rental desk anywhere. Then you just follow the signs and walk to the ticket area (level 3) where your family is.
Make sure you return your car to the same Terminal ( A or B) as your departure is or you'll find yourself on the opposite of the terminal from your family. You can just cross to the other side on level 3 if that happens but it takes time.

 

[disneyred]

We have never dropped the family/bags first. There are signs off the highway as to where to go to return the car. We have always been afraid we wouldn't find them again if we stopped at the departures spot first! lol. We have always found that you just pull in, leave the car and walk across the road to the terminal. It's just a short walk from where you leave the car, and we've never had to go inside to do any paperwork before leaving. It's never taken us more than 15 minutes to get to the airline checkin.

thanks for all the tips here ... but I can't imagine lugging all the luggage and family from car rental to airline checkin ??? seems like a heavy task ...

 

[rwdavis2]

thanks for all the tips here ... but I can't imagine lugging all the luggage and family from car rental to airline checkin ??? seems like a heavy task ...

There should be luggage carts in the area.

One more thing, when you pick up the car inspect I carefully for ANY dents, dings, scratches regardless of how small. Point them out to the attendant. Photograph them and the photograph the car on return.

 

[disneyred]

There should be luggage carts in the area.

One more thing, when you pick up the car inspect I carefully for ANY dents, dings, scratches regardless of how small. Point them out to the attendant. Photograph them and the photograph the car on return.

i appreciate everyone's experience ... thanks for all insight ...

 

[dsneprincess]

We always return at the airport and short walk eith the bags. Ideal is when we check bags at WDW and only carry car seats, but that is rare. We also bring much less than most other families I see at MCO. We don't drop off at home airport either now that I think about it!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Very easy at MCO if the rental agency is in the terminal. Have never done it with off terminal, so I can't say with them. Very short walk from the parking garage.

 

[sunnkuma]

I hate the airport taxes and extras

 

[seashoreCM]

I hate the airport taxes and extras

In some cases the total cost of renting at the airport is less despite the added airport taxes and extras.

 

[goofyintoronto]

In some cases the total cost of renting at the airport is less despite the added airport taxes and extras.

I agree! I've noticed this as well! Had I rented off site with alamo at another location, i would have paid much more.