are we ever going to fit all our stuff in the rental car?

[maci]

I am process of making lists of all the stuff I need to take with us on our trip in Oct. The further I get in the planning stages the more worried I am we are never going to get all our stuff in the rental car. Much less keep our sanity trying to lug it all to and from the airport and parks! It is me, my DH, DS (3), DD (6 months),and my parents going. Are we ever going to fit 3 big suitcases, one small one, a couple of carry one bags and a BIG double stroller into the minivan we rented? Anyone else ever feel totally overwhelmed by all the stuff you have to take with you? This is the first time we are travelling with my 2 kids and it is just sinking in, how much stuff 2 kids require!
I would love any thoughts on the subject!

 

[disneyag]

Remember that you can do laundry at each hotel, that might cut down on what you bring. WHen we traveled with a 6 month old we brought lots of diapers, but that freed up space to bring home souvenirs. I have heard of people mailing boxes of stuff to their hotel before their arrival. It is overwhelming to travel with kids of that age, but it IS possible. Try to relax. Most anything you forget can be purchased or borrowed there.

 

[casmanuel]

As long as everyone has a seatbelt, it sounds like you should be fine for one trip to the hotel and one trip back to the airport, even if the legroom isn't optimal. I did successfully ship one large box to our resort (ASMo). It contained disposables that I didn't intend to bring back and knew I could live without or replace if the box didn't make it.

 

[jel0511]

The main thing you should be sure of is make sure you are getting the larger form of minivan. When we rented a minivan from Dollar last year, we had a grand caravan, and were able to get 3 or 4 suitcases and a double stroller, as well as 4 adults and 3 children in. If we had had just the regular caravan, we would have been in a TON of trouble. REgular sized minivans don't have much storage space in the back, but the larger one's, like the grand caravan, do. Now, the double stroller and a few small bags, were stored in the main cabin, not in the back, but we did get everything in. The stroller was the last thing loaded and laid on the floor next to the sliding door. If you are really worried, not as convient, but probably the same price, is to rent two cars. It will probably give you much more space and you'll definately get everything there that way!!!

 

[gn2wdw]

I agree with jel0511. We had 5 adults, 2 kids in car seats, 4 large suitcases 5 carryons and a double stroller and fit it in to a Grand Voyager. You can put carryons under the kids feet on the floor. Stroller can go beside the sliding door after everyone is loaded.

Good luck!

Melinda

 

[wdwnutze]

We just had a Windstar on our trip last week and had 4 adults, 2 kids, stroller, 4 suitcases, 6 carryons. It was tight but we did it. It's all in how you load them into the back of the van. We also had to put the stroller on the floor next to the door. Just keep in mind that you won't be riding around like that all week.

 

[maci]

Thanks for the advice guys! I feel much better now! Is there anyway to know which kind of minivan we are going to have before we get there, or to request a bigger one? It sounds like we will be fine though. We dont care how uncomfortable we are getting there, AS LONG AS WE GET THERE!
Thanks again!

 

[deeshie]

You could also consider having some of your party take a shuttle directly to the resort. I thought of this the last time we were waiting for our Hertz rental, and I watched a very large family try to fit themselves and all their luggage in a minivan. Without the luggage they probably could have all fit, with the luggage they had people sitting on laps.

 

[Judie B]

What type of mini-van you have depends on the company from which you're renting. We rented from Hertz, they have Winstars. We did the stroller along the side like everyone else. I suppose you could even strap it to the top if all else fails, but then you'd have to pack bungee cords...

 

[elgerber]

I agree with the above posters about finding out which minivan you will have. You will want either a Chrysler "Grand" type or a Ford Windstar. This was one of the reasons I chose to buy a Windstar, you have much more room behind the seat than most other minivans.

Erika

 

[maci]

So we are renting from national? Anyone know which tye minivan they have?

 

[dandelion]

We drive a Windstar and we've had it packed to the gills many times. Carryons or even big suitcases can go in front of the kids carseats. Bring the bungee cords to fasten some things on top if necessary. Don't bring a huge number of diapers, or cans of formula, there are Walmarts etc. within driving range. Do make sure everyone is buckled in securely, that riding on laps thing scares me.

We took a long weekend trip to WDW when our dd was 3 and ds 6 months. I had reserved a compact car, dh had a good laugh at that one, as the double stroller probably wouldn't even have fit in the trunk. So we upgraded to an intermediate, and while it was still *tight* we made it. I think the backpacks were in front of my legs and smaller suitcases jammed in front of the kids.

Good luck!

 

[R4racing]

I have seen Chevy Venture's and Pontiac Montana's at National. I have also seen I think maybe GMC Safari's I think. We fit 4 adults, 1 child in car seat, 3 large suitcases, 1 smaller suitcase, 2 carry-ons, 1 very full backpack, 3 camera bags, and a medium size stroller all in a SUV, the Chevy Bravada. Myself and the other 2 adults stood outside it as DH was packing it all in, shaking our heads muttering, it's not all gonna fit, no way. But somehow he got it all in there. It was a tight fit in the back seat for the 3 of us though.