Is our rental car big enough?

[Leedsfan]

We have booked our wdw holiday with virgin for November 2014, after booking we were wondering whether a 7 seater minivan will be big enough [5 adults and 2 children under 5]
We already planned on 2 adults getting a taxi from mco to crb as luggage space is limited, but for day to day driving in Orlando would it be a tight fit? The only other option was a Toyota sienna 8 seater but our travel agent said it was not worth it as the extra seat is a small fold away one, any advice? For the record we are normal size by that I mean the tallest person is 6 foot and although I am sure I could lose a few pounds we are average size lol

 

[Minniesgal]

I would imagine you will manage. One of the adults will have to go in the very back with the kids as they are usually a 2 2 3 configuration but you will manage. As you have already figured luggage will be an issue but you have that sorted.

I think your only alternative would be to hire two smaller cars.

 

[chmurf]

We have booked our wdw holiday with virgin for November 2014, after booking we were wondering whether a 7 seater minivan will be big enough [5 adults and 2 children under 5]
We already planned on 2 adults getting a taxi from mco to crb as luggage space is limited, but for day to day driving in Orlando would it be a tight fit? The only other option was a Toyota sienna 8 seater but our travel agent said it was not worth it as the extra seat is a small fold away one, any advice? For the record we are normal size by that I mean the tallest person is 6 foot and although I am sure I could lose a few pounds we are average size lol

ok, first of all, be aware that the rental company will ALWAYS try to tell you that your car is too small. They WANT you to pay for an upgrade ... DON'T

now if I may ask a question

if you're staying at CBR, why do you plan on taking a cab when you have free Magical Express ?

Why not send a few adults with the car and luggage to do check in at CBR
and meanwhile, one adult and the 2 kids would take the Magical Express and arrive, probably after the whole check in process has been taken care of by the adults (the lead passenger(s) on the bookings must be present at check in.

Granted that the kids are able to cope with waiting and taking the bus, wouldn't it make it a more magical way to arrive at Disneyworld ? (and kill 2 birds with one stone by solving your luggage issue and keeping expenses to a minimum)

just thinking.

for day to day transportation the 7 seater will be fine (but you'll need booster seats)

 

[catherine]

In Aug we booked a full size car with Alamo. We had 4 adults and a baby. We knew that there was no way that we were going to fit all of our luggage, stroller etc. in. We took ME to OKW and then DH went to the car care center and picked up our car. When we were leaving we just checked in at DD. The car was perfectly fine for our day to day needs. If you're flying with Virgin, could you not do something similar!

 

[flortlebap]

I would also just go with free magic express (don't forget to register) and two adults who can drive and check everyone in to speed up the process!

A mini van should be fine. The only concern I have would be if you were in a Jeep Commander or similar - we have one and it's fine for our family of six but you certainly couldn't fit 2 adults in the back row!

 

[Leedsfan]

Ok being thick and lazy [i am suffering 8 hour jet lag as just got back from s francisco] how does me work?

 

[wayneg]

I can't help with DME, not something we have ever used.

Last month we were 5 adults & 1 x 5 year old in a 7 seater minivan. Doubt another child in the car with us would have made a lot of difference, we had no problem fitting us in. We had luggage with us for over 3 weeks, all fit in OK. As said use the DME if you are concerned but I would be fine with us all in the minivan.

 

[pascalstongue]

We had a seven seater for five adults and two children. I had booked DME as a back up in case we didn't fit. We all fit just fine, we got all our luggage plus two single buggies in the boot. We just had to have the hand luggage in the footwell in front of us.

If you go to the WDTC international page you should find a link to book the DME. You will need your disney reservation number and flight details. You can book either outbound or inbound only or both.

 

[ilovemk76]

Driving around - You will be fine. Put the two under 5 all the way in the back and sit the smallest adult between them.

You probably will not be able to get all of the luggage in the van. Your taxi plan should solve this problem.

 

[flortlebap]

Ok being thick and lazy [i am suffering 8 hour jet lag as just got back from s francisco] how does me work?

DME is available for free for all WDW resort guests.

You register online here... https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/reservations/dme/index?bhcp=1

Then take your vouchers to the counter at the airport for your free transfer. They also hang on your hotel door the vouchers and details for your return trip.

 

[zippy99]

We had a Toyota Sienna back in 2011 for 4 adults and 3 young teens. LOADS of room. Myself and my female friend were up front - we had our husbands in the middle with my DD between them and the 2 boys at the back - no problems at all for room.

We were told we may need to get a cab as the car may not hold all our bags - well not sure what they were thinking but the boot was HUGE we got all out cases in there plus several crated of beer that we grabbed on the way to the villa.

As another poster says - they try to worry you into paying for an upgrade. On our most recent trip in August we were told our 'Intermediate Car' equivalent to a Ford Focus was in fact 'Beetle' size and therefore he had a bigger car for us - a Dodge Aveneger (similar to Ford Focus anyway) it was only when we returned the car we realised they had charged us $10 per day for an upgrade. At no stage had any additional cost even been mentioned to us - I was so busy making sure I declined all the optional extras that I never saw this and it was most certainly not highlighted to us. We did get a new bill showing us that they were not charging us after I complained at the Avis desk before we flew home, however, it did leave a bitter taste in the mouth as I know we were deliberately targeted and tricked.