What is a Hertz Full Size at MCO

[dadschum]

I posted this 3 weeks ago on the Transportation board and it did not get any response. My apologies to the mods for putting it here but I am hoping for an answer

I just rented a full size from Hertz at MCO for 9 days using a AAA rate with total of $284.85 including everything. I was thrilled with the rate. And my 3 additional drivers are free because we are all AAA members (all friends).

It said it would be a Chevy Impala or similar. I called the Hertz 800 # to see what the "or similar" part was and the agent said it could be the Impala, Chevy Malibu, a Saturn Aura, a Ford Taurus, a Hyundai Sonata or a Mazda 6. I am very concerned about trunk space because on the return to the airport we will have 3 adults and 1 child, each with a large suitcase, each with a carry on and who knows what else. So I need a big trunk. I know the Impala will fit the bill with a trunk space of 18.6 cu ft and a Taurus at 20.1 cu ft. Both the Sonata and Mazda have trunk space of 16.6 cu ft, the Aura at 14.9and the Malibu at 15.1. The agent said they were all comparable. I don't think so. Not even close.

For those who have rented a Full size at MCO. what make and model of car have you ended up with? I want to figure out what my odds are of getting something that will suit us.

Thanks

 

[wmharley]

call Hertz directly at the MCO office and ask. I honestly don't know how you'd get 4 large suitcases and a carry on for each in each of those vehicles. this should be their number (407) 859-8400

 

[dadschum]

Harley - thanks for the info, but I have tried repeatedly calling their Orlando office and cannot get through. It rings many times and then connects to a general reservations line. I suppose I could try calling at 2am but am hopeful I can get info here. I did check out an Impala at a local Chevy dealership and I think it will be fine - the trunk is quite large. ANd I think the Taurus would work too.

I just want to know what people end up with when they rent with Hertz at MCO.

 

[snykymom]

If there are 4 people, each with a carryon and a suitcase, you will probably have to stack a couple of suitcases between the passengers in the back seat. We did that in Italy, and we had to do this. Not that big a deal.

 

[ascwilson]

We rented a full size from Hertz in August and it was a Toyota Camry. There were 3 adults & 2 children and we had plenty of trunk space for all of our luggage & a stroller.

 

[brernick]

Hertz at MCO offers standard/full size cars as Chevy Impala or Toyota Camry. Both of the cars have medium size trunks.
Two full size bags and two smaller bags.
If your not doing any other traveling you should be able to make your trip to WDW from MCO and back.

 

[NCtoFL]

From the Hertz website:

Full Size 4 Dr. - Chevrolet Impala or Similar
# 4-5 Passengers
# 2 Large Suitcases, 1 Medium Suitcase, 2 Small Suitcases
# Automatic
# Air Conditioning
# Dual Airbags
# 25 miles/gallon
# 15 CO2 emissions

 

[dadschum]

I finally had success getting through to Hertz Orlando! I was told that for full size they rent mainly Camry's and Altima's. They have a few Impala's and a few Malibus.

Wilson - how many suitcases did you have and what size? The Camry has trunk space of 15.0 cu ft, about the same as an Altima and Malibu. Impala is significantly bigger at 18.6 cu ft.

We have one other adult with us (total 4 adults and 1 9 year old). We are doing the MCO to hotel in 2 shifts of arrival times so that is not a problem. During the week, we will all be tooling around Disney together but never in the car more than 20 minutes and only with our backpacks for the day.

The return, we drop off 1 adult and her luggage Sat night at MCO. Sunday morning, self, 2 friends and kid return to airport with our worldly posessions. That is the part I am worried about. 4 adults and 1 kid with suitcases, carry ons etc. We can squish stuff in the back seat with me and kid for the ride to the airport which is fine, but hopefully the trunk will fit most of our stuff?

 

[M&MGirl1]

I have rented a Chevy Impala before, and an Altima and my sisters used to have a Camry and Malibu. If you mean every person is going to check a bag, have a large carry on bag, and some other sort of "personal item" on the plane as well then I can absolutely guarantee you there is no full size car on earth that will fit that amount of luggage. I don't THINK that's what you mean, however. If I'm right and by large bag you mean a normal carry on size bag (20 to 22 inch wheeled standard luggage), and by carry on you mean your backpacks then you'll be fine. You can fit 5 carry on size bags in the Impala's trunk with some creative shoving (I know, I've done it many times), probably can fit 4 in any of the others. You'll also be able to shove your backpacks in the trunk with the larger bags - so you probalby won't end up with much luggage piled up in the backseat between people.

If you're still worried about it you can try asking about an upgrade when you check in. We just got back Sunday and had a large group. Had originally booked a full size, but asked about an upgrade at the counter. Was offered a premium for $10 more a day (I used an Entertainment rate for Alamo, also have Costco and AAA memberships and asked if any of those would help with the cost of an upgrade). Ended up with a Mercury Grand Marquee whose trunk held 2 huge bags we checked, 3 regular size carry on bags, and 2 stuffed to the gills duffle bags. Asking about an upgrade and spending $90 more saved me multiple trips to/from the rental house and airport. Can't guarantee you'll have the same result, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

 

[wmharley]

If you're still worried about it you can try asking about an upgrade when you check in. We just got back Sunday and had a large group. Had originally booked a full size, but asked about an upgrade at the counter. Was offered a premium for $10 more a day (I used an Entertainment rate for Alamo, also have Costco and AAA memberships and asked if any of those would help with the cost of an upgrade). Ended up with a Mercury Grand Marquee whose trunk held 2 huge bags we checked, 3 regular size carry on bags, and 2 stuffed to the gills duffle bags. Asking about an upgrade and spending $90 more saved me multiple trips to/from the rental house and airport. Can't guarantee you'll have the same result, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

You beat me too it. Always ask for an upgrade then and there. Ask if you can do a courtesy upgrade if available. I had priced a reservation in Puerto Rico for a minivan at Hertz. It was over $500 for 10 days

So I opted for an intermediate SUV (Dodge Nitro). It was actually cramped. so the next day I took it back, and asked about getting a minivan. they said I could have one upgraded for $3 per day extra. I was already paying discounted $150 for the SUV, so for under $190, I got a minivan over $300 cheaper than if I did a straight minivan ressie.

I've asked a few times since, or asked for a specific type of car and I get it. Last was an economy in PR that was usually a Suzuki SX4. I asked if there was something bigger in that class and I got a Lancer, which was nicer.

Biggest FS car I was in was a Dodge Intrepid. that had trunk space for 100.

 

[wild4dis]

We have rented a car the last 6 or 7 times we have gone to WDW and its the best for many reasons, not a negative on Disney transport, but we love having a car.
With that said, I have had reservations for a vehicle, usually a minivan, sometimes 6-8 months in advance of our arrival and I have had issues sometimes getting what I reserved. Depending on time/day of arrival, they (usually National Rental)tell me there is no "real" guarantee you will get what you reserved. They wanted to give us 2 smaller cars one time for the same fee, but I didnt want to seperate our family all week. then one time they wanted to give us a giant passenger van, like a 12 person, then they would come to resort and swap out next day when minivan was available. all in all,, they were accomodating, but not the kind of bs you want to deal with once you land at MCO and just want to get to the Mouse !! ; )

One last thing and it has been said before. w ehave almost always rented a bigger vehicle (SUV or minivan) because of luggage limitations, any "full size" vehicle will struggle to get luggage for 4 adults in the trunk, then of course you have to think about the souvenir bag on the way back

 

[kungaloosh22]

I love Camrys and think I'd like the Altima as well. We don't need that much space. Hmmmm, maybe I should use Hertz next time instead of Avis or National.

Do you pick up the Hertz cars at MCO, or do you need a shuttle to the lot?

 

[wmharley]

We have rented a car the last 6 or 7 times we have gone to WDW and its the best for many reasons, not a negative on Disney transport, but we love having a car.
With that said, I have had reservations for a vehicle, usually a minivan, sometimes 6-8 months in advance of our arrival and I have had issues sometimes getting what I reserved. Depending on time/day of arrival, they (usually National Rental)tell me there is no "real" guarantee you will get what you reserved. They wanted to give us 2 smaller cars one time for the same fee, but I didnt want to seperate our family all week. then one time they wanted to give us a giant passenger van, like a 12 person, then they would come to resort and swap out next day when minivan was available. all in all,, they were accomodating, but not the kind of bs you want to deal with once you land at MCO and just want to get to the Mouse !! ; )

One last thing and it has been said before. w ehave almost always rented a bigger vehicle (SUV or minivan) because of luggage limitations, any "full size" vehicle will struggle to get luggage for 4 adults in the trunk, then of course you have to think about the souvenir bag on the way back

Don't forget to continuously recheck the rates to see if it goes lower. I do and when it goes lower, I make a new reservation and cancel the older.

I usually keep 2 reservations across 2 different companies in case my first choice has an issue.