What is a GOOD rate for a minivan for a week at MCO?

[labdogs42]

I have never rented a minivan before and the prices look outrageous! What prices have you paid in the past? What should my target price be? If you have gotten a good deal before could you please tell me what company, the price, and what brand of van you got? Thanks in advance! (BTW, do all vans have fold down third row seats these days?)

 

[HeatherC]

I'm with you. The rates for minivans has been very high lately. We used to consistently rent one for $199 a week. Then that stopped. The last couple trips we have switched to a full size because of the prices.

When are your dates. We are going President's Week and the rates are like $700. I have a full size for $328 reserved for 12 days with Dollar.

Make sure you check out www.rentalcodes.com to see if any discounts can be used when you book to help lower the prices. Or you can check out www.mousesavers.com....they also list the car rental codes.

I do think most minivans do have the third seat that folds down. The ones I've used in Orlando are the Sienna and Town and Country if that helps you.

Good luck to you.
HeatherC

 

[labdogs42]

We're looking at May 5-12. Right now the cheapest I see for that week is Dollar for $362.89 for a Dodge Caravan. Alamo wants $380.89 for a Chevy Uplander (I've never even heard of that van) or $799.89 (ouch) for a Sienna. Hmmmm...are you saying that I should reserve the one from Dollar for $362.89?

 

[rainy~daze]

I found a minivan thru Dollar Dec2-8th for $202. I was able to use codes I found on Mousesavers, KISS2 was the code.

 

[labdogs42]

I don't see a spot for a coupon code on dollar. Is it the spot marked Corp ID#?

 

[starlionblue]

From personal experience, the Chrysler Town & Country is really nice and comfortable (My dad wished he had that model year instead. The Chrysler minivan we had when I was a kid was useful but the quality and reliability were NOTHING compared to the Chryslers of today). It has two sets of sliding doors, which I found to be immensely useful when fighting cousins for the best seats! The seats fold down easily and even though I'm a fully grown person, the passenger cabin didn't feel cramped with my parents and three screaming cousins! Oh, and the lighter socket outlets next to the doors were a real help. I was able to recharge my cell phone on the way to the parks. I think I would have also plopped down the money for that vehicle if it was the only kind available.

 

[dismom301930]

We went with Dollar for December. It was $241 (all taxes and fees included) for 8 days. I believe the rates were $158 for the week, $29.99 for the extra day, plus taxes. Our code was the one previously mentioned, KISS2. I think we will be getting a Dodge Caravan. This was, by far, the best deal I could find.

 

[Adi12982]

www.hotwire.com usually has really great deals. . .

 

[HeatherC]

To put a code in on Dollars website, you have to click the "specials" icon at the top of the page...then the page reloads and you can enter a promo code.

Good luck to you.
HeatherC

 

[U2_rocks!]

The KISS2 code at Dollar got me a minivan in late April, 2007 for $205/week. That does not include additional driver or insurance, but does include taxes. That's the best I could get so far.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

We got $297 for 9 days last year during the week of July 4th. I went on Priceline. Just if you use priceline, you have to prepay and NO money back. But it worked for us. We liked the minivan much better than the fullsize car since we are a family of 5.

 

[rainy~daze]

The KISS2 code at Dollar got me a minivan in late April, 2007 for $205/week. That does not include additional driver or insurance, but does include taxes. That's the best I could get so far.

I had read previously that if you use the corporate code from mousesavers for the orlando magicard along with the coupon code, you get free extra driver(spouse I think). The poster had said that it didn't show up on their reservation online but they called dollar and dollar confirmed that if you show the magicard(which you can print out from mousesavers-but watch for the expiration date so you have a current one for your timeframe) you get the free extra driver. see this thread:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1201810&referrerid=&highlight=dollar+and+orlando+magicard

 

[U2_rocks!]

I had read previously that if you use the corporate code from mousesavers for the orlando magicard along with the coupon code, you get free extra driver(spouse I think). The poster had said that it didn't show up on their reservation online but they called dollar and dollar confirmed that if you show the magicard(which you can print out from mousesavers-but watch for the expiration date so you have a current one for your timeframe) you get the free extra driver. see this thread:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1201810&referrerid=&highlight=dollar+and+orlando+magicard

That's good to know. When I entered the free driver code into the reservation it didn't do anything. So I will make sure I have my 2007 Magicard. Thanks!

 

[reesa roo]

We used Thrifty in August and got $139 per week. That price did not come out until 5 days before our trip. I had a Premium booked but kept checking everyday and grabbed this price when I saw it. We got a Chrysler Town & Country and it was very nice. Luggage for 5 people fit easily. The back seats did fold down. I wouldn't recommend Thrifty though becuase of the shuttle and the really rude customer service people there. Also, it was very chaotic there. It was an ordeal just to get out of the parking lot. If I had it to do over again, I would have stuck with the Premium at Dollar and paid the extra 70 dollars.
Keep checking everyday and I'll bet you'll see a lower price sooner or later.

 

[labdogs42]

We used Thrifty in August and got $139 per week. That price did not come out until 5 days before our trip. I had a Premium booked but kept checking everyday and grabbed this price when I saw it. We got a Chrysler Town & Country and it was very nice. Luggage for 5 people fit easily. The back seats did fold down. I wouldn't recommend Thrifty though becuase of the shuttle and the really rude customer service people there. Also, it was very chaotic there. It was an ordeal just to get out of the parking lot. If I had it to do over again, I would have stuck with the Premium at Dollar and paid the extra 70 dollars.
Keep checking everyday and I'll bet you'll see a lower price sooner or later.

Thanks for the scoop! I want to avoid Thrifty and any other off-site rental agencies. I think the week before seems to be the time for deals. I can always reserve something with Dollar or Alamo now and change it when a hot deal pops up! Thanks!

 

[2boyshere]

Hey U2; did you use that KISS2 code for this past April or for April 2007. I just tried for Feb 2007 and it won't take it. Anyone know codes for Feb07?? Thanks!

 

[U2_rocks!]

Hey U2; did you use that KISS2 code for this past April or for April 2007. I just tried for Feb 2007 and it won't take it. Anyone know codes for Feb07?? Thanks!

For April 2007, but I booked it at least a month ago. Maybe they've reached some sort of quota?

 

[bgdiznee]

After reading about the Dollar KISS2 code here on the boards I just tried it for March 2007 and it worked! Reserved a minivan for $365 including taxes for eight day rental, so try again.