What if we don't fit?

[jack'smom]

I have a full size rental through Alamo for our upcoming trip. We are a family of 5 (1 car seat, 2 boosters). We will probably have 3 large pieces of luggage (26-27 inches), 1 rolling carry on, backpacks, and a compact double stroller (Maclaren). If we can't fit all of our stuff in the car, can I cancel my reservation after I've already gone out to the garage?

I also have a minivan booked through Budget that I could use, but it is a difference of $150. We need a rental since we will be going to the beach for a few days before Disney.

 

[Neesy228]

I have a full size rental through Alamo for our upcoming trip. We are a family of 5 (1 car seat, 2 boosters). We will probably have 3 large pieces of luggage (26-27 inches), 1 rolling carry on, backpacks, and a compact double stroller (Maclaren). If we can't fit all of our stuff in the car, can I cancel my reservation after I've already gone out to the garage?

I also have a minivan booked through Budget that I could use, but it is a difference of $150. We need a rental since we will be going to the beach for a few days before Disney.

We are a family of 5 also, and in all honesty, I would just pay the extra $150 for the minivan. Not only will you all be more comfortable, but you won't be worrying if everything will fit, and your kids won't all be on top of each other in the backseat. (And in such close proximity to those in the front seat!) Even with a full size car I can't imagine that two boosters and one car car will fit and still have everyone buckled.

Have a great trip!

 

[iluveeyore]

I can tell you for sure that you would fit all that in a Chevy Impala - we own one, and we were able to get to the airport in January with four adults, three large suitcases, four small suitcases and four backpacks, and golf clubs without any trouble at all. And I'm sure if you're not happy with whatever car you get, or you don't fit, the rental company will work with you - sometimes when we have picked up at MCO with Alamo, since they just tell you to choose from the full-size aisle, there have actually been minivans available, so I would save your money with Budget ressie, and just see what happens when you get there.

 

[eangel12]

I would go with the minivan!!

 

[sam_gordon]

I would keep the full size, and if you don't fit, go to the attendant and see if they'll upgrade you on the spot (I'm sure for more money). If the money's not right, then cancel the reservation and go over to Budget.

 

[thr33boys]

I have a full size rental through Alamo for our upcoming trip. We are a family of 5 (1 car seat, 2 boosters). We will probably have 3 large pieces of luggage (26-27 inches), 1 rolling carry on, backpacks, and a compact double stroller (Maclaren). If we can't fit all of our stuff in the car, can I cancel my reservation after I've already gone out to the garage?

I also have a minivan booked through Budget that I could use, but it is a difference of $150. We need a rental since we will be going to the beach for a few days before Disney.

Personally, I can't see that all fitting in a car. I'd go with Budget for peace of mind. Last thing I'd want is to be scrambling trying to find something when the kids will be so excited to just go.

 

[ktate82]

I would keep both reservations. Go to Alamo first and see what you can choose from. If you can't fit in the largest car, see if you can work something out with the attendant. I would think when they have someone there ready to rent a car, they can work something out. If it is more than the $150, say no and go over to Budget. You are not locked in until you drive off the lot. If Alamo quotes you over the $150, tell them you can get it cheaper at Budget, they may under quote them and you won't have to go anywhere.

 

[goofy4tink]

What kind of car are you getting to the airport at home in? I have to say that I would always go with a larger car so I didn't have to worry about fitting in.

 

[Bellestreak]

For me this is really a peace of mind issue. I feel like $150 is worth not having to worry, fuss and negotiate on vacation. For me, it would be anyway. I also think it is unlikely that two boosters and a car seat will fit all in one row, even in a full size.

 

[JanaDee]

I can tell you for sure that you would fit all that in a Chevy Impala - we own one, and we were able to get to the airport in January with four adults, three large suitcases, four small suitcases and four backpacks, and golf clubs without any trouble at all. And I'm sure if you're not happy with whatever car you get, or you don't fit, the rental company will work with you - sometimes when we have picked up at MCO with Alamo, since they just tell you to choose from the full-size aisle, there have actually been minivans available, so I would save your money with Budget ressie, and just see what happens when you get there.

We had an Impala as a rental on this last vacation and it barely fit a large, medium and small (carry-on size) suitcases, as well as a small duffel bag and backpack in the trunk.

DH had to do a lot of rearranging and pushing to get them to fit.

OP, I would go with the mini-van, then you don't have to worry about everything fitting.

 

[Greysword]

In all honesty, this is my suggestion...

I would personally pre-tip the agent at the counter. I would take a $20 bill as a tip for excellent service and pass it to the agent along with my driver's license and Alamo Insider's card, with the Insider's Card on top.

Car rental agents, like hotel front desk staff, are in the service sector, and these positions are permitted to receive tips for good service if desired by the customer. Paying the tip up front is a good motivator to garner excellent service, and some DVC members pre-tip Mousekeeping when they arrive to entice good service when needed.


A second option...

Change your reservation to National car rental (Alamo's sister company), sign up for Emerald Club (free most of the time, but Mousesavers has a link for free sign up if needed), and rent a mid sized car. At the airport you can go to the Emerald Aisle and pic from the available selections, which vary. In the least, you can try to get stuff packed in the car of your choice before driving off, even if it takes a few attempts.

Good luck!

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

Last August when we arrived at MCO (on a Tues morning) with a standard car reservation we went out to the lot and there was only about 6 vehicles to choose from in the full size isle and 4 of them were minivans!!!! Funny thing was, we refused to take one and chose from a different isle!

 

[jack'smom]

What kind of car are you getting to the airport at home in? I have to say that I would always go with a larger car so I didn't have to worry about fitting in.

We will be driving a minivan, but to tell you the truth, that will probably be tight. We don't have a stow and go system, and the back row has to be halfway up for my oldest to sit back there.

 

[DebbieB]

I have a full size rental through Alamo for our upcoming trip. We are a family of 5 (1 car seat, 2 boosters). We will probably have 3 large pieces of luggage (26-27 inches), 1 rolling carry on, backpacks, and a compact double stroller (Maclaren). If we can't fit all of our stuff in the car, can I cancel my reservation after I've already gone out to the garage?

I also have a minivan booked through Budget that I could use, but it is a difference of $150. We need a rental since we will be going to the beach for a few days before Disney.

I can't see how that would all fit including the double stroller. I once rented a Grand Prix, which was similar to an Impala and we were able to fit 3 large pieces in the trunk, one other had to go in the backseat.

 

[jack'smom]

I would keep both reservations. Go to Alamo first and see what you can choose from. If you can't fit in the largest car, see if you can work something out with the attendant. I would think when they have someone there ready to rent a car, they can work something out. If it is more than the $150, say no and go over to Budget. You are not locked in until you drive off the lot. If Alamo quotes you over the $150, tell them you can get it cheaper at Budget, they may under quote them and you won't have to go anywhere.

Those are my thoughts too. I do want to make sure I can cancel it if we don't fit. I'm not sure if Alamo will price match my other reservation. Last year we flew into Tampa and the rental agency we were using had a really long line, so I went to another agency and they would not match the price. I guess they thought I had too good of a deal.

 

[jack'smom]

For me this is really a peace of mind issue. I feel like $150 is worth not having to worry, fuss and negotiate on vacation. For me, it would be anyway. I also think it is unlikely that two boosters and a car seat will fit all in one row, even in a full size.

We have an old Malibu (2005?) that we can get all three kids in the backseat, so I don't think it's an issue. Also, we travel with Bubble Bum boosters and those are a bit narrower than regular boosters.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I have a full size rental through Alamo for our upcoming trip. We are a family of 5 (1 car seat, 2 boosters). We will probably have 3 large pieces of luggage (26-27 inches), 1 rolling carry on, backpacks, and a compact double stroller (Maclaren). If we can't fit all of our stuff in the car, can I cancel my reservation after I've already gone out to the garage?

I also have a minivan booked through Budget that I could use, but it is a difference of $150. We need a rental since we will be going to the beach for a few days before Disney.

I have ridden ME with the kids and luggage letting the men get the rental for off site touring. There is a lot we did with the saved money over a minivan.

 

[iluveeyore]

We had an Impala as a rental on this last vacation and it barely fit a large, medium and small (carry-on size) suitcases, as well as a small duffel bag and backpack in the trunk.

DH had to do a lot of rearranging and pushing to get them to fit.

OP, I would go with the mini-van, then you don't have to worry about everything fitting.

Are you sure it was an Impala? Maybe my hubby is a master packer, lol, because we OWN it, and definitely got all the things I listed in it. We leave in two months and will be taking the same amount, and have no worries fitting it all to get to the airport. OP, best thing to do is, no matter what advice you get, you are the best judge once you get there and see if your stuff will physically fit in what is available - like I mentioned, when we had Alamo in May, the attendant was trying to get us to take a minivan because they had about five available in the full-size row - we just took our impala as a rental

 

[pigletto]

Are you sure it was an Impala? Maybe my hubby is a master packer, lol, because we OWN it, and definitely got all the things I listed in it. We leave in two months and will be taking the same amount, and have no worries fitting it all to get to the airport. OP, best thing to do is, no matter what advice you get, you are the best judge once you get there and see if your stuff will physically fit in what is available - like I mentioned, when we had Alamo in May, the attendant was trying to get us to take a minivan because they had about five available in the full-size row - we just took our impala as a rental

Have to agree with you here iluveeyore. We rented an Impala last summer and had 2 large suitcases, 2 medium suitcases, and 4 carry ons. 1 of the carry on pieces had to go in the backseat. Everything else fit. It was a VERY large trunk.

 

[JanaDee]

Are you sure it was an Impala? Maybe my hubby is a master packer, lol, because we OWN it, and definitely got all the things I listed in it. We leave in two months and will be taking the same amount, and have no worries fitting it all to get to the airport. OP, best thing to do is, no matter what advice you get, you are the best judge once you get there and see if your stuff will physically fit in what is available - like I mentioned, when we had Alamo in May, the attendant was trying to get us to take a minivan because they had about five available in the full-size row - we just took our impala as a rental

Yes, I am sure.

I thought the trunk was going to be much larger than it was.