Since I mentioned it in an old thread a few weeks ago, thought I'd give a report...

National car rental was just awful.

We arrived on time, our luggage came out first (CO Priority tags actually worked for both the flight out and the return!) I headed with cart, wife, 2 yr old and 4 yr old in tow to the National counter.

Months ago I had reserved an intermediate car and intended to use a double upgrade coupon as I desperately needed a 4 door for the kids. I confirmed multiple times, up to the night before, and added a child car seat request the day before, as we made a last minute decision not to take ours.

At the counter I'm told they "only have convertibles and minivans". What is the point of the reservation if they don't have any cars. I ask if one of the minivans is a Caravan (which I know has built in child car seats). They do, so I agree to take it at the same price. All done, right?

WRONG. They have "new software" they are just getting used to. The minivan comes up at the minivan price. 15 minutes later they figure out how to manually put in the agreed price, but don't know how to cancel the car seat. 20 minutes later, with my 2 yr old climbing the benches and screaming like a banshee, I finally tell them to charge me whatever the hell comes up and I'll just work it out with American Express and their corporate office. Then we begin the trek down the building, across the street, into the garage, up the elevator, and to the most unfriendly rental staff I have ever met. They toss me the keys and say "A5", as if I had lived in that garage all my life and would just know where it is.

Never, never, never again do I use anyone but Avis or Hertz. I never wait, the car I requested is always ready and you get what you pay for.

The CO trip was uneventful, so nothing major trip report there. MD-80's both ways, the kids meals were ready, the attendants on the flight out had "wings" and a little activity book for the kids. Both flights were mostly on-time. A warning though not to expect to pre-board with small children at MCO, as EVERYONE is boarding with small children, so have your Elite cards handy.

And Disney was Disney…."we have to wait" are the four most spoken words in Orlando. Mickey and Minnie send their regards.

Dave