1 or 2 cars for 8 people?

[braddillman]

Our trip to WDW in April just expanded from 7 to 8 people. We are staying offsite on Int'l Dr., and we were planning to cram into a rented minivan. I don't think I can rent a minivan with 8 passenger seating. I'd be willing to try, but I don't trust any of the rental companies to actually keep the 8-pass minivan for us ("sorry, all we have left is 7-pass"), even with reservations.

However, renting a full size van is considerably more than 2 economy cars. It seems cheaper, even paying for double the parking every day at WDW.

So I think my best option is 2 economy cars.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance (and see you in April, any who're going ;-)

 

[christiane]

Just went through this with Avis last week. Our SUV really only fits 6 comfortably, but we had a 7th passenger coming on a ski trip with us. I made a reservation for a 7 seat SUV ~3wks before our travel date.

Well, despite calling for several days ahead of the scheduled date to be sure we would be accommodated, on the day of travel --no large SUV was available. Of course, all of the excuses were there but that didn't help us.

Luckily, I was getting concerned enough 2 days before the trip that I double booked with Hertz, and sure enough they had a large SUV available for us.

So, I would cover yourself with a plan B since the rental companies will tell you they cannot guarantee a certain vehicle will be available. You can make multiple reservations with 1 company or with several. There is no fee to do this. Just remember to cancel them as soon as you can so the vehicles can be freed up for others.

 

[who's ur daddy?]

I'm almost in the same boat. We have 4 adults and 2 kids going in March.

With 2 car seats and lugguage, even a minivan is a tight fit. But most importantly the cost is prohibitively expensive.

A minivan would cost me $399 for the week. A compact car would cost me $83. Compact cars are the Chevy SSR type, so they're not that small in fact...

I think we're going to do the 2 car route unless I can find a better deal on a minivan...

 

[CDNmouse]

Also keep in mind that the extra person probably will have a suitcase too so you will need extra space for that too.

Two cars and a two way radio system would probably work best. The radio system is a must when two cars travel together to communicate needs for stops, car problems, or when you get separated in city traffic.

Gary

 

[bev r.]

My suggestion is to go for 2 vehicles. I find the biggest problem is that most vehicles don't have the storage capacity. Even with 5 people, a minivan can be a tough go, if you have a lot of luggage. Vans are great if you're only moving people, but forget it once you throw in cargo.

Just don't forget how much luggage people will be bringing or the size of it, that will be the bigger issue rather than trying to cram in the bodies.

 

[epicureangirl]

I always get fantastic deals on vehicles through Priceline. Last time I got a full-size car for $15 a day, then was upgraded to an SUV when I arrived.

However, even if I 'could' get a van, I'd probably like the convenience of two cars. One of you could pop out for groceries, or you could split-up for dinner or do different parks if you wanted to. The only thing that I wouldn't like, is if you are going to the SAME parks together everyday and paying for parking for two cars. Still, if you Priceline a couple of cars, AND pay for parking, you may still be ahead from paying for an 8 passenger van.

Good luck.

 

[Luxo]

We just did a long trip with 7 in a minivan (~8000km) and it worked fine ONLY because we had a cartop carrier to get some of the luggage out of the van. 8 would definately be a tight fit...

 

[Luxo]

We just did a long trip with 7 in a minivan (~8000km) and it worked fine ONLY because we had a cartop carrier to get some of the luggage out of the van. 8 would definately be a tight fit... how much do your passengers value their personal space?!? I think we'd be tempted to do 8 in your situation - its nice having everyone together for talking, road games, etc.

 

[braddillman]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, I appreciate it. We've decided to go for 2 cars (don't know which yet). We checked and our resort will let us park 2 cars no extra charge - but of course WDW will charge us twice. It's still cheaper than an 8-pass van, plus we have the flexibility. We're only going between the airport, resort and WDW, so not too much driving, I'm not worried if we're cramped. 5 of 8 are kids, and only 2 of those use boosters (not full size child seats).

I hope you all have nice trips to WDW yourselves as well.

We have older FRS radios (no security codes), but last time I tried them at a park (Darien Lake) they weren't much use, too many teenagers giving us trouble. We know our way around I-drive well enough, we shouldn't need them.

 

[nokidz]

Also keep in mind that the extra person probably will have a suitcase too so you will need extra space for that too.

Two cars and a two way radio system would probably work best. The radio system is a must when two cars travel together to communicate needs for stops, car problems, or when you get separated in city traffic.

Gary

yes, you need the walkie talkies. we just drove down and back in two cars. the walkie talkies were a life saver...........

 

[Eveningsong]

I would make sure you have unlimited kilometres for your rental vehicles, and ensure you are allowed to drive to the state of Florida and back with your rental vehicle.

We just drove from Ontario to Orlando, and back and we put on almost 6,000 kilometres. We used Hertz and rented a mini van (an Uplander).

I believe only Alamo and Hertz in Ontario give unlimited kilometres on rental vans.

If anybody in your party has a Disney Annual Park Pass you get free parking at the parks (otherwise it is $11.00 per day, per vehicle).

 

[merfsko]

I think one of the most important things about travelling with two cars is that if someone gets fed up with someone, they can switch cars.

Or at least, that was essential with our family- who knows, maybe we're just crazy (Who am I kidding- maybe? Ha! We ARE crazy).