Orlando airport rental car return--any worse set up in the entire country?

[Uncleromulus]

I dread returning the rental to the airport. The exit is poorly marked and comes up right on you..very dangerous especially if you are unfamiliar and don't know where you are going.

When you actually get to the return area, the Alamo attendants are waving airline -like red lights in a sorry attempt to get you in a line to leave the car.

I'm thinking no airport could be worse?????

 

[Donna M]

I have returned rentals to Orlando for years now and disagree with you. The return is clearly marked, plenty of company signage, but drivers need to be going slow enough to read everything. Yes, the lane is around the bend, that's why the speed limit is low. Once you are at the company you need, you just drive to the front of the lane and someone checks you out. I have never had a problem dropping off a car at MCO in the past 10 years.

Next time you return to MCO it will be easier since you will be ready for the left lane return exit.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Clearly marked only when you happen right up on it!!! That whole airport access is a mess!!!

And the Alamo folks seemed to have no clue as to what line I was to go in--one was just waving a red torch up and down aimlessly and another was gesturing and pointing in a different direction.

 

[Minniesgal]

We have been returning cars to Orlando airport for years. I think it is a great system vey efficient. Usually takes less than a minute.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think the system works. There are two return areas as far as I can tell, and if you miss it just go around again. I think it's well signed but our brains don't expect the exit to actually be where the sign tells us. There is more than one sign.

 

[DebbieB]

I travel for work and have returned cars in many airports. The setup is typical.

 

[DVC-Don]

Been renting vehicles at Orlando International since 1995 and I've never had an issue getting into the garage for a return.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Alamo?? It was a 3-ring circus down there!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I hate the whole set up. You feel as if you are just driving around the airport doing circles, hoping you will get to where you want to be. It is the main reason I won't rent a car.

 

[Uncleromulus]

And driving slow so you have half a chance to get the correct exit--while cabs, trucks, locals are whizzing by or right on your bumper.

 

[seashoreCM]

The most modern airports, including MCO, have large loop the loop roadways to get you facing the right way to enter the desired area such as "terminal A" or "terminal B" (opposite sides of the same building) at MCO.

Don't wait until the last moment to get into the proper lane. Prepare to do that as soon as you see a sign saying exit right or exit left. For example, if you were headed to Magic Kingdom using Route 536 which becomes the Epcot entrance to WDW, there will be a small bear left for MK after the Downtown Disney exits. Prepare to get into the leftmost lane as soon as you see the sign.

 

[georgina]

I don't mind the MCO setup. I really like the fact that the cars are right across the street, so no shuttles needed. Have you ever returned a car at LAX? I don't like that one, plus it is difficult to find an open gas station at odd hours.

 

[bumbershoot]

Alamo?? It was a 3-ring circus down there!!!

Alamo and national. No issues.
Those are the only agencies we rent from. Busy, yes. Unbearable, no.

I hate the whole set up. You feel as if you are just driving around the airport doing circles, hoping you will get to where you want to be. It is the main reason I won't rent a car.

Circles are good, though!

At seatac a circle takes you nearly off property and if it's a busy time you're in traffic Hades.

At mco it's just a circle. Note where the signs are in relation to the actual exit and then do it right the second time.

Seriously, we once ended up in the taxi/bus/etc area with an unmanned exit where you had to swipe a badge. We actually exited too early for the return area! But there was a button to press. We pressed it and I can't remember if we explained or if they just buzzed us out, but we got out and tried again. Funny story since then.

To not rent a car because of a possible 10 minutes of the unknown is unthinkable to us. If I can drive in Ireland (where I'm fairly certain the speed "limits" are a big prank on the non-Irish), I can return a car at MCO.

 

[betterbutter]

I agree with those who think car rental return is a breeze at MCO. Everything is well marked and if you are obeying the speed limit you have adequate time to change lanes if needed to make your turn.

As to the people waving you into rows, that's no different than pretty much anywhere I've rented other than some very, very small airports (State College, PA for example).

If you want complicated car return, I'd say Logan is pretty much at the top of that heap.

 

[Minnesota!]

We rented from Alamo at MCO last month were super impressed with pick up AND drop off. We thought it was easy, clearly marked, and efficient.

 

[Woodview]

Now Now Bumbershoot, ( A light hearted reply )

I live in Ireland ..... we do try and confuse everyone with our speed limit signs ...... BUT .. you never know where & when

the speed camera vans will be placed .... yeah you do know where they May be ... but not when.

...................................

Back to MCO it is well signposted just ignore the " Speedies " who know it all.

You should try and return a car to the airport in Amsterdam .. not easy. how about Toulouse in France another hard one.

........................

As for reception car return people No Problem ..... just follow their waving.

How many Have ever been marshaled onto a Car ferry ..... that is worth doing to see the waving of flags to direct you. ?

...............................

After many hundreds of thousands of driving miles behind me ...... Mainly in Europe ...... and Canada . Australia

and some States in USA .. & Florida ( twice a year over the last 15 years ....... 1,800 miles last trip ( April ) )

The standard of driving in Florida is appalling .

 

[betterbutter]

Now Now Bumbershoot, ( A light hearted reply )

I live in Ireland ..... we do try and confuse everyone with our speed limit signs ...... BUT .. you never know where & when

the speed camera vans will be placed .... yeah you do know where they May be ... but not when.

...................................

Back to MCO it is well signposted just ignore the " Speedies " who know it all.

You should try and return a car to the airport in Amsterdam .. not easy. how about Toulouse in France another hard one.

........................

As for reception car return people No Problem ..... just follow their waving.

How many Have ever been marshaled onto a Car ferry ..... that is worth doing to see the waving of flags to direct you. ?

...............................

After many hundreds of thousands of driving miles behind me ...... Mainly in Europe ...... and Canada . Australia

and some States in USA .. & Florida ( twice a year over the last 15 years ....... 1,800 miles last trip ( April ) )

The standard of driving in Florida is appalling .

Certainly no worse then trying to return to the Avis at Hammersmith in London!

 

[pigletgirl]

We rented from Alamo last fall and it was a breeze.

A few key notes:
1. Give yourself plenty of time to return to MCO and return the vehicle. The stress of cutting it close may make you miss the exit.
2. MCO IS very clearly marked. Their website has good maps if you need it.
3. The garage is also has good signage for returns. Again, follow what you read.

It's really not hard. The freedom of having a car is worth it 100%.

 

[bumbershoot]

Now Now Bumbershoot, ( A light hearted reply )

I live in Ireland ..... we do try and confuse everyone with our speed limit signs ...... BUT .. you never know where & when

the speed camera vans will be placed .... yeah you do know where they May be ... but not when.

Oh I mean the limits are high! It's like the speed limit department never saw the actual roads and had no idea how narrow they are and that there are stone walls on either side.

Driving out to Carrowmore nearly caused me to pass out lol. (And yes we know it's in km!)

 

[seashoreCM]

(snip) never saw the actual roads and had no idea how narrow they are and that there are stone walls on either side. (snip) Driving out to Carrowmore (snip)

Curves, narrow roads, no shoulders are quite effective at calming traffic. They don't need a speed limit sign.