Hertz Rental at Orlando Station

[Dovecote]

I will be arriving into Orlando 5/18 on the Silver Star and renting a car at the Hertz desk inside the station. Anyone have experience with the rental process there that can share some thoughts? The one and only time I was there it was poorly run. Long line, cars not ready, etc. I hope my experience will be better.

 

[pennyk]

I have no experience renting a car there, but I was present when Ryan rented a car. I am sure he can speak to his experience better than I can.

 

[Ryan]

It wasn't perfect - there wasn't much of a line, but the car had to be vacuumed and filled with gas. Took maybe 10 or 15 minutes? I didn't mind, because we were hanging out with Penny, and there weren't a lot of people renting that day.

On busy days, and without the Official ORL Welcoming Committee, I can see it being a hassle (but still less of a hassle than trying to get a car elsewhere).

 

[willem]

I rented there in February, with low expectations, all of which were exceeded (on the good side, both renting and returning). It was a short line in both cases, which no doubt contributed to the good experience.

 

[Dovecote]

Thanks for the responses!

 

[Ryan]

Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Dovecote]

Let us know how it works out for you.

I sure will. The nice part is the scheduled arrival time on the Star is during non-rush hour. Leaving the downtown area hopefully will be a breeze!

 

[Ryan]

We didn't have any issues getting out of there and heading west on I-4.

 

[Bob Dylan]

We didn't have any issues getting out of there and heading west on I-4.

And there's the rub, I-4 aka " The Road to Hell!!"

 

[jis]

There are many ways to avoid portions of I-4 if necessary.

 

[the_traveler]

There are many ways to avoid portions of I-4 if necessary.

By taking Amtrak? :huh: :giggle:

 

[Dovecote]

The rental process was a breeze. We actually had the car keys before our baggage was ready. The Hertz rep mentioned we were the only renters for train 91 and 97 for the day. Easy access to I-4 also.

 

[pennyk]

The rental process was a breeze. We actually had the car keys before our baggage was ready. The Hertz rep mentioned we were the only renters for train 91 and 97 for the day. Easy access to I-4 also.

Welcome to Central Florida.

 

[Dovecote]

The rental process was a breeze. We actually had the car keys before our baggage was ready. The Hertz rep mentioned we were the only renters for train 91 and 97 for the day. Easy access to I-4 also.

Welcome to Central Florida.

Thanks for the well wishes Penny but we immediately drove home to South Georgia. Normally on Amtrak trips to return home we would get off in Jacksonville (JAX). We did not have our car this occasion so a rental car was necessary. The arrival times in Orlando are a bit more civilized than JAX. Add the convenience of the car rental desk at the station it was an opportunity to try. I would do it again.

 

[justinslot]

Old thread bump but I don't want to start a new thread for this...

I've been trying to book a car here in both September and December and I kept getting the dreaded "PICKUP LOCATION TEMPORARILY CLOSED [DE556]" message...unfortunately I've been doing this at night, or on a Saturday (like right now), after the local office has closed, so I couldn't ask them what the deal was (but I will the next time I'm around when they're open.) But I called the main Hertz line today and the woman I spoke to said the only additional information she had was the Orlando station desk would be closed from 8/31/19 to 5/31/20. Which is better than it being closed permanently, and I hope that isn't a harbinger of a permanent close...this definitely puts a crimp in my plans for my next Disney trip. That station has the easiest car rental process of any station I've been to--you go to the desk, get your key, and your car is literally parked in the lot outside. So easy and convenient and hopefully not too good to last...

Can any locals shed some light on this? Are they tearing up the parking lot there or something?

 

[justinslot]

(Weird how this thread is in the lounge, which I just noticed since I found it via a forum seach? It's not off topic from the main board...anyway I hope some Orlando folk see this.)

 

[pennyk]

I am a local and I was just in the Orlando station last week. I saw nothing that would indicate Hertz counter would be closing, however, I did not go up to the counter.

An alternative may be to try Enterprise. I believe their closest office is a few miles north of the station on Colonial Drive. I have heard that they will pick customers up at the train station and deliver them to that office (provided they are opened at your arrival time).

PS - I will move the thread to the Amtrak forum per your suggestion. Thanks.

 

[justinslot]

I am a local and I was just in the Orlando station last week. I saw nothing that would indicate Hertz counter would be closing, however, I did not go up to the counter.

An alternative may be to try Enterprise. I believe their closest office is a few miles north of the station on Colonial Drive. I have heard that they will pick customers up at the train station and deliver them to that office (provided they are opened at your arrival time).

PS - I will move the thread to the Amtrak forum per your suggestion. Thanks.

Thanks for the thread move.

Yeah I think the Hertz office that staffs the Amtrak station will also do local pickup, so there's that. I'd probably be in trouble even if the Amtrak desk wasn't closed since I'm arriving on Labor Day for my next trip...

 

[Anderson]

There's a Hertz on I-Drive that I've used before (it was substantially cheaper than the at-station location). Uber/Lyft plug this hole, and I think that might actually be a problem (it is now far too easy to just search out a cheaper car rental a few miles away and pay $10 for an Uber rather than paying an extra $50 at the station, so the relevant premium just isn't there anymore).

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Uber and Lyft are banned in Orlando. At last check. There are work arounds, you book the ride before you arrive in Orlando.

If your going to Disney and stay on campus you don’t need a car. Disney is now charging for parking at there hotels. The Public bus to the WDW transportation center is still there however you can not access the WDW bus to your hotel with out going thur security.

Best bet is to get off at Kissimmee. Use the bus to WDW transportation center than a Uber/Lyft/Minnie to your hotel. Or just book a Uber/Lyft/Taxi to your hotel directly.

WDW does not have any transportation options from the any train station.

 

[pennyk]

Uber and Lyft are banned in Orlando. At last check.

Last Sunday, I took Lyft from the Orlando Station to my home. Last month, I took Uber from the station to my home. I ordered the car service each time, once I arrived in Orlando. I have never had an issue.

I believe there may be issues regarding Uber and Lyft picking up at the Orlando Airport, but I am not sure, since I do not fly. I also believe that there is or will be a partnership between Mears Transportation (the major taxi provider in Orlando) and Uber.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

It been a year or two since I had the problem. Glad to hear it change. Always found the transportation issue around Orlando to be a bit weird. Mears seem to have a monopoly on everything with wheels.

 

[justinslot]

Okay, so, whoever I just talked to at the South Orange HLE office--which administers the ORL station desk--claimed that they are, quote, being "kicked out" and the close is permanent. The mystery deepens...why would Amtrak kick them out? If my information is accurate, I mean. She had no information on whether another agency would be replacing them.

 

[justinslot]

By the way--I appreciate the suggestions above, but for me being able to hang out in my comfortable, air conditioned car in the Orlando parking lot right up until my train arrives (within reason) is an irreplaceable luxury. I will be sad if it is gone for good.

 

[Qapla]

why would Amtrak kick them out?

Amtrak may not be the one kicking them out since the Orlando Station is owned by the City of Orlando ... not Amtrak