7 pass vs. 8 pass minivan?

[shelly3girls]

We will be traveling with 3 adults, 3 children (2 in boosters) and an infant in a carseat. I know that technically we will fit in a 7 person minivan but I am worried about fitting the luggage and the stroller. My sister and I travel pretty light (we will probably each have a large duffel and a backpack) but our mom is notorious for traveling heavy (large duffel, small suitcase, 2 carry-ons). I am guessing that there is not much storage space in the 7 person. Will the 8 person minivan give us more room for the luggage? The price difference is about $50 and I don't mind spending it if it wil give us the space we need.
TIA

 

[Lucky'sMom]

We get the 8 - passenger. I really think you will need it, there isn't very much room behind the rear seat in the 7-passenger vans.

 

[cabmom]

I found when we rented a 7 seater in March that it did not accomodate our needs. Which is 4 children and 2 adults. It was the short box not the long box for a van. Our stroller does not fit properly in a short box. You might want to get the 8 seater or as for an extended van.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I would probably get the 8. We had the same amount of people last week. The 7 person worked for us because 5 of us and all the luggage took DME to the resort. For the return trip we were on 2 separate flights so only 2 adults and 3 children took the minivan back to the airport. There's no way we could have fit the luggage and strollers in the van.


Then again we did rent a 7 person minivan with 4 adults and 3 kids several years ago and somehow fit it all. We only had 1 single stroller that time.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I think that you will find the price difference between the two quite a bit more. I would suggest possibly going with 2 smaller vehicles (even 2 compacts) which might be more economical compared to the 8 passenger van...

 

[disneyeveryyear]

At one time I owned an 8 passenger mini van. It did not give me any extra storage space, it actually has less. It had the same bucket seats in the front, however there were three seats in the middle row and three seats in the third row. Thus, you lose the space either between the second row captain's chairs or on the side of the 2nd row bench seat. With all those little legs, you should have a lot of floor space to stuff duffels, carry-ons etc.

I would probably go with the 7 passenger. One time we just folded up the stroller and it sat right inside the sliding door for the trip to the hotel. Once we unloaded, we were good to put it in the back. We have always had the extended length mini-van. Which company are you renting with?

Have you thought of having a couple of people sign up for ME? Then ME could pick up your luggage. I have heard as long as one person from your party rides the ME bus, they will take all the luggage for your party. This is what we did in November so we wouldn't have to transport all the luggage to the hotel for 7 of us.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[justplaingoofy]

HOw about a couple of you taking the magical express?? that would mean a couple of less people in the van, and they can each register for 2 bags each.

 

[shelly3girls]

We are renting from either Alamo or National. I prefer National but Alamo is $40 cheaper. I have considered ME b/c I love the idea of them taking all of our luggage. I am the only one in our party comfortable driving so I would take the car. The problem is that I don't know if my mother or sister would feel comfortable taking ME. It is something definitely worth mentioning. Thanks!