ECV, wheelchair & Minivan question

[starshine514]

So, we're thinking of (well, we have reserved) a mini-van for our trip to San Diego/Disneyland next week. Here's the scenario. There will be 6 of us. DH uses an ECV travel scooter (a Pride Go-Go Elite Plus), my mom has a collapsable wheelchair and I have been taking a medium-size stroller for DD4.

So, we'll be using most of our seating space in the van (4 adults, 2 kids in car seats/high back boosters) and I'm trying to figure out if we're going to have enough space due to the excessive amount of gear we have. I'm pretty sure they'll give us a Dodge Caravan...will we have room for our gear and some sort of luggage (you know, enough luggage for 6 people for 5 days)?

I could let the stroller go, if necessary, but the ECV, wheelchair and clothes are going to have to join us.

Our other alternative is to take my dad's extended-cab pickup. We've done it before, but the back seat is uncomfortable and somebody has to ride in the back camper-shelled area (with all the luggage and gear).

 

[peemagg]

I don't think you will have enough room. The only reason I say that is that I believe the back seat of the van almost touches the window of the tailgate. With this being on an angle, it limits the room that you would have. If you can put the ECV and the wheelchair in the back and stack everything else around everyone, then you might be able to do it, but it is a real long shot.

I would try and get either another car, or a full size van for all of you and your equipment.

 

[SueM in MN]

My best guess is that it will not all fit with a total of 6 people.

We have a Grand Voyager wheelchair ramp van, which seats 5 people sitting on seats plus one person sitting in a wheelchair. When we actually have 5 people plus our luggage, it is quite snug. The luggage space takes up all the available space behind the back seat and 3 people have to sit on the back seat ( a bench seat).

Regarding using the truck with a camper-shell - unless there is an actual seat there that was designed for someone to sit there during driving, I would not do it. It also may not be legal to have someone ride back there.

 

[Bete]

like renting a bigger van or whatever to accomodate everything. Also, if you are renting in San Diego area someone(s) may have to taxi/shuttle from the airport so you can cart everything back and forth to the airport in the van. You can take two trips (coming and going) back and forth from the airport and have someone wait with what doesn't fit in the van as another option. You can rent two vehicles as another option if you have a second driver available.

You can rent scooters, wheelchairs and strollers at the Disney parks, too and from outside sources (cheaper option) if you want these vehicles all the time. This may get you to be able to fit everything else in one vehicle.

If you want to try getting everything in the Dodge van then take some good measurements of space; go to a local car rental place that has the same van and see if it can work. I'm not sure about the weight or height of everyone but you could try keeping soft luggage between riders. Also, the adults could have luggage on their laps. The front passenger seat may allow for luggage on the floor if you have a shorter person in the front. Kids can have backpacks that should fit on the floor; maybe, even a piece of small luggage could fit there. I think I would plan for outfits for 3 days and wash there if you really try to do it all in one Dodge Caravan vehicle. I really think doing this would be quite miserable for all concerned.

 

[starshine514]

Thanks for all the replies! I was thinking I might have been a little crazy to think it would all fit - and you guys seem to agree. We'll figure something else out.

Thanks!

 

[starshine514]

Just wanted to report back, we made it with the minivan. We did not take a stroller and did end up with the wheelchair locked in between the two captain's chairs. My dad said that we probably could have done better if we had utilized the stow-and go seat storage area, but he didn't notice it until we were back from our trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the report back. Glad to hear you figured out a way to make it work.