Which Rental Car Company?

[Tigger&Belle]

I hope to bring my 4yo to Orlando for about a week next month and am trying to iron out the details. Which rental car companies are onsite? Is it much more $ to use an onsite company? How much of a hassle is it to use an offsite company?

We've only rented a car once at MCO (have either used a town car service or driven all the other times) and I have never taken a trip like this alone with one of my kids, and I am a bit nervous about driving in the Orlando area, especially alone with my son. I would do the town car, but it gets pricey, especially since I want to go to Universal.

Thanks, T&B

 

[DVC-Don]

I go to the On Airport rental agencies and go with the low bid. Check Mousesavers Rental Info for discounts, but always check without any discounts too. Often I find the best deal w/o a discount code.

 

[inkkognito]

Budget, National, Alamo, L & M, and Avis are onsite. I've used Alamo and Avis via Priceline and have had gooed experiences with them, although the Alamo line gets long at times.
I've gotten Hertz (offsite) through Priceline, and although you have to take a shuttle, it's not too far and the buses are usually there waiting. It would be a somewhat of a hassle with a little one, but still doable. I've also done Thrifty, which is located next door to Hertz. The most we've ever waited for their shuttle bus to get there from the airport is a minute or two...coming back, we had a longer wait once, but usually it's quick.
I get great Thrifty rates through Orbitz, and I usually try to match them on Priceline. Priceline almost always gives me an onsite, although they do deal with Hertz too.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[safetymom]

We always do Hertz which is off site. Doesn't take long at all.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by safetymom
We always do Hertz which is off site. Doesn't take long at all.

We generally do National, which is onsite and does not take long at all.

Have to keep you on your toes, SM.

 

[safetymom]

Gail, not a problem. You just know that when someone asks about car rentals that both of us will offer our opinions.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by safetymom
Gail, not a problem. You just know that when someone asks about car rentals that both of us will offer our opinions.

LOL, yes, yes we will. I still they should pay us.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We've used Avis, Budget, Dollar, and National in Orlando. Avis is our favorite, but tends to be the most expensive. We do use National frequently since we have Emerald Club, and you don't have to go to the counter. Really, any of the 4 listed above are good.

 

[DemoBri1]

I had a wonderful experience with Dollar this past December. We rented a minivan for 8 days and received a fairly new Dodge Grand Caravan. Had less than 15,000 miles on it.

Had a fairly painless pick-up and the drop-off was even less pain. I think it took us 5 minutes from the time we pulled into the garage to the time that I received my bill from the check-in person.

It is somewhat weird the way the "onsite" companies are setup. You actually have to walk out of the terminal into a parking garage to get to the cars. It's not a long walk, but just wanted you to be prepared for it.

Brian

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I can bring the luggage cart into the parking garage where the rental cars are, right? If so I think that would work best since I can load the suitcases, booster seat, and my 4yo into the cart and wheel everything out. Easier than unloading into a shuttle bus.

T&B

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
I can bring the luggage cart into the parking garage where the rental cars are, right? If so I think that would work best since I can load the suitcases, booster seat, and my 4yo into the cart and wheel everything out. Easier than unloading into a shuttle bus.

T&B

Yes you sure can do that.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Good, good, good! That will make things easier.

Thanks, T&B

 

[safetymom]

I have never had a problem with suitcases and the shuttle at Hertz. The drivers will help load them on the bus. I traveled with very large heavy cases and they always jumped to help me.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I could get a good price at Thrifty off-site, but since it will be me alone with my 4yo, the suitcase(s), his booster and stroller, carryons, etc, it wold be easier to wheel out to the car. If my whole family was going I could send my DH to get the car and he could come back to pick us up or we could pile into the shuttle, but I'm concerned about supervising my 4yo while doing what I need to do to get the car. Keep in mind he usually has his witching hour meltdown every day at about the time I'll be arriving in Orlando (ugh!) so it would be better to contain him. Hmm, I could bring along the dog's crate.

I'm so looking forward to this trip, but would just love to beam myself down there. I'm getting a little bogged down in the details, but will have a great time once I get there.

T&B

 

[safetymom]

I am glad that you are happy with your choice.

When we first started going to MCO I was a new widow with children. I had to do it myself because I had young children and didn't have another adult that could help. I found the shuttles weren't bad at all. In fact it worked better for me than renting from National.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Safetymom, That must have been tough being a new widow by yourself in Orlando. How old were your kids?

Are you having snow in PA? We have a little light snow and my kids are sure school will be cancelled tomorrow.

T&B

 

[safetymom]

The good news is that I now live about 15 mins away from WDW. I don't have to worry about the snow and the cold. I left PA in Dec.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You could be playing in the snow right now!!! See what you're missing? Shivering, shoveling, etc...

I wish that I lived closer to Orlando, but I love where we live. Except when we get 2-3 feet of snow like we did last year.

T&B