Car parking - Chevrolet Suburban

macNZ · Feb 7, 2016

Hi there
We are visiting California in September from New Zealand. I have rented a Chevrolet Suburban as there are 6 of us.
We do not have this type of car in New Zealand. It looks quite big. Will if fit into normal car parking spaces? One of the hotels I looked into does not have spaces for oversized vehicles. Is the Suburban oversized?

Thank you

sheetz · Feb 7, 2016

I think it would most likely be considered oversized. Could you do with a minivan instead? Almost all hotels would be able to accommodate those.

offwithyourhead · Feb 7, 2016

A suburban is about the length of a decently large sized pickup truck, they are big vehicles. I would check with your hotel and ask them specifically if they consider that vehicle to be oversized. Some may say yes, some may say no, but I see a lot of people where I live (Canada) taking up two parking spots with them.

I really do not think you need this large of a vehicle, even for six people and luggage. If you aren't used to the size, it will be scary driving in California traffic in a monster vehicle like that, especially on the 'wrong' side of the road. Plus, they're gas-guzzlers because they're big.

You definitely should look into a minivan instead. A Toyota Sienna seats 8 and you'd still have room on top of that for luggage. I would find that much more comfortable to drive and park, myself, and you'll be able to fit into any standard parking spot with it.

notaprincess · Feb 7, 2016

We had this car in WDW last October (4 of us) and fell in love with it

. For 6 people it's a must.
It fit in all parking spaces we encountered, ie Hotels, Malls... I would consider it a bit longer than a regular SUV
There are a lot of features in this car which makes driving and parking a breeze. So I would not worry.

sherilaine · Feb 7, 2016

If you are comfortable driving a big truck then you will be okay with this - it's big though - and while it will likely fit into parking spots, if the parking lot is full and you are trying to cram into one spot, it can be tricky (we used to have a 3/4 tonne diesel so I know what I am talking about). Some people love big but doing your research on this if you are not used to it is smart!!

ShaunaM · Feb 7, 2016

macNZ said:
Hi there
We are visiting Californian

macNZ said:

Hi there
We are visiting California in September from New Zealand. I have rented a Chevrolet Suburban as there are 6 of us.
We do not have this type of car in New Zealand. It looks quite big. Will if fit into normal car parking spaces? One of the hotels I looked into does not have spaces for oversized vehicles. Is the Suburban oversized?

Thank you

Click to expand...

in September from New Zealand. I have rented a Chevrolet Suburban as there are 6 of us.
We do not have this type of car in New Zealand. It looks quite big. Will if fit into normal car parking spaces? One of the hotels I looked into does not have spaces for oversized vehicles. Is the Suburban oversized?

Thank you

We own one...ours is actually an XL; so longer than the regular ones as it has three rows of seats. So unless the one you rented has three rows you will have to seat someone in the middle front. That said many, many have captain'a chairs in the first row. If you do have three rows it is long...I hate parallel parking in it...I can do it but ..but man you need a lot of room.We also have a mini van which is what we usually rent when away and in one of those instances we were 7 in the van.
Parking can be done you just can't fit if others don't park between the lines , if they are sitting up on the line you will need a different stall. The other thing to consider vs. Van is they are gas pigs..not sure how much
driving you are doing. Good luck .
Footnote ours was the first vehicle our teenager drove ...she loved it ..sitting up high gave her great visibility.

Indiana Scott · Feb 7, 2016

Taking an oversize (but very common) vehicle to the parking structure is great because you get to park closer to the trams (and there's no extra charge). I would not hesitate to bring the Sub.

Nonsuch · Feb 7, 2016

ShaunaM said:
...The other thing to consider vs. Van is they are gas pigs..not sure how much driving you are doing...

On the bright side, the price of gas in the US is less than half the price in NZ.

ShaunaM · Feb 7, 2016

Nonsuch said:
On the bright side, the price of gas in the US is less than half the price in NZ.

True that I am coming from Canada...so when we fill up it is dear $$$$....

xlxo · Feb 7, 2016

sheetz said:
I think it would most likely be considered oversized. Could you do with a minivan instead?

Another vote for minivan if you don't need the 8 passenger capacity. It's not just parking.... street parking and navigating parkades can be a challenge for those not used to driving a vehicle with a long wheelbase. Large vehicles have large blindspots..... a concern if there are cyclists around you.

Malcon10t · Feb 7, 2016

We always travel in ours (both my daughter and I own one) and never have had it considered oversized. My sister has a customized one (seats 11) and it does count as an oversized. Mine fits just fine in regular spots (but not compact! I've seen people try!) And the pics below are Expedition ELs, Ford version of Suburban.

Fits just fine

Considered "Oversize"

gottalovepluto · Feb 7, 2016

We've rented minivans over the years and we own a Suburban (we call it the Burb lol). This is the PERFECT vehicle for 6 people on a long trip. It will hold all your luggage (unlike the minivans we rented, luggage was ALWAYS an issue) and there is a nice amount of space for the people you're carrying. We've taken countless trips around the state, so we have lots of experience with traveling with it. Parking wise you can fit in any standard parking spot. You cannot fit in compact spots. You will be fine, this is an excellent choice of vehicle!

gottalovepluto · Feb 7, 2016

macNZ said:
One of the hotels I looked into does not have spaces for oversized vehicles. Is the Suburban oversized?

Thank you

The only time I'm considered oversized is when they charge a dollar extra at the car wash. But that's kinda odd with the hotel. I'd contact them and/or ask about that specific hotel's parking situation here on the DIS. If it's in the DL area someone here might have stayed there.

Malcon10t · Feb 7, 2016

gottalovepluto said:
We've rented minivans over the years and we own a Suburban (we call it the Burb lol). This is the PERFECT vehicle for 6 people on a long trip. It will hold all your luggage (unlike the minivans we rented, luggage was ALWAYS an issue) and there is a nice amount of space for the people you're carrying. We've taken countless trips around the state, so we have lots of experience with traveling with it. Parking wise you can fit in any standard parking spot. You cannot fit in compact spots. You will be fine, this is an excellent choice of vehicle!

I had a "minivan" prior to owning the Suburban and Expedition ELs. SO much more space, so much more comfy. Our trips are frequently 5-7 adults and 2 lab/golden crosses. We have captains chairs in the second row for space for the dogs. 7 people and the dogs is tight, but 6 is fine. If it is just my daughter and I (and dogs, they always travel with us), we take the Traverse or Escape.

I have never had the cars considered "oversize". And our car washes here are nicer! No extra charge. (Except when I spilled tractor hydraulic oil in the back....)

SMD · Feb 7, 2016

You won't have any problem parking in non-compact spots on property, assuming the person next to the spot parks ok. But I stayed at BWPPI and could barely fit a Civic in their parking spots. However, I think the motels with tiny spots are used to the larger vehicles going over the line into a second spot. Otherwise they'd fix their lots.

macNZ · Feb 7, 2016

Thank you all for your comments. We need the Suburban as we will have 6 suitcases and other smaller bags. I have pre-paid for the car rental, and the website said it was a 7 seater. We are going to be traveling for 21 days, so didn't want to be too squashed or struggling to pack the vehicle between motels/hotels. We are looking to stay at the Portofino Inn in Anaheim. I have emailed them. We are renting two rooms at each place we stay - does that mean we get two car parks if the parks are little?
I normally drive a Mercedes Viano at home (a 7 seater passenger van - I think it is called a Metris Passenger Van in the US) The Suburban is a little longer and wider.

Thank you everyone who has responded.

gottalovepluto · Feb 7, 2016

If the hotel has free parking with each room I see no reason why you wouldn't get 2 parking spaces but it really shouldn't be necessary. Also, just FYI, spaces aren't really assigned. Most hotels just give you a piece of paper to put up on your windshield.

Some hotels charge extra for parking. If you have 2 rooms and only one car make sure they don't bill parking to both rooms- a Suburban only takes 1 space so you should only be charged once for parking.

P.S. 21 days sounds like an awesome trip to the US, hope y'all have a great time!

mgd · Feb 7, 2016

You won't be able to fit all 6 people and lots of luggage into a minivan since the space behind the 3rd row is not that big. In a suburban, there is more space behind the third row. While big, a suburban will fit in most parking spaces. You might have some issues in some of the hotel parking lots that try to cram too many cars into small areas, but otherwise it is just a larger vehicle that you need to be careful maneuvering in tight spaces.

I have not stayed at portofino, but I have stayed right next door at springhill, and I remember parking looking very tight at portofino as well, with valet stacking. It looks like portofino offers free self parking, so you should probably get 2 spots for renting 2 rooms, but good luck finding 2 spots side by side if you need to take up 2 spaces. A suburban is definitely not rare for people to take to these hotels though. And exact model of suv is not always guaranteed from rental places, so you may end up with a ford expedition instead. Just make sure you get the EL version which has the extended cargo area comparable to that of a suburban. You don't want to get stuck with a standard cargo size tahoe, yukon, or expedition non-EL which will definitely not be able to fit all your suitcases.

ParkHopper1 · Feb 8, 2016

I drive oversized vehicles to the parks, resort hotel and surrounding hotels all the time from a extended bed cargo vans to once even checking in with a full size semi truck...you will have zero problems with a Suburban.

Car parking - Chevrolet Suburban

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