Minivan Help

[EpcotQueen]

For our April trip I'm trying to figure out if the 8 passenger minivan will work for us. For part of our trip our DS and family will be joining us. We'll end up a group of 4 adults and 2 children in child booster seats. PLUS...we will have 2 ECVs to stow in the back. Do you think the 8 passenger will work for us? Apologize if this should be on Disabilities board.

 

[Aliceacc]

I drive a Kia Sedona minivan. It has 2 seats in the front, 2 in the back, and a bench seat in the back. Plus there's a bit of room in the back-- not sure they cold both stow in the back, but I'm guessing you could manage.

But I do want to bring up a related issue-- the height of a minivan. My 86 year old mom struggles to hoist herself up and into the seats of my car. She's able bodied, but it's a bit of work. Depending on why your family members need that ECV, it could mean at the very least that you'll want to bring along a folding stepstool.

 

[Mjkre]

The room behind most third rows in a minvan is usually not huges. And you need the third for at least one person. So first, make sure the third row in the mini van has a split bench seat. Assuming it does, it still seems tight to me for 2 ecvs. Do they fold up as much as a wheel chair? Although my mom's wheelchair folds "flat", it is still bulky. Two of those would fit but without much room to spare. And the person who is sitting in between two car seats is going to be squished! Or are they just the small boosters? Those are better. Maybe call the car rental place specifically? I am guessing they get all kinds of questions like this. Is it possible to rely on Disney transportation- then everyone fits with no worries?

 

[sam_gordon]

We have a Toyota Sienna. The amount of people would fit fine. Luggage would even be OK. I'm not sure how you'd get two ECVs in the back though (and luggage). We took six people (two adults, two 18yo teenagers, and two kids (12 & 10)) to the airport for a week's vacation in our van and barely had room for everything. I don't know if something like this is an option: http://www.discountramps.com/scoote...46-QduW-V9ZPvh5Rhva6pVhLsea3dNwc-KhoCk8zw_wcB, or if would handle two ECVs.

 

[Govols1997]

My Odyssey could hold two of the smaller fold up ECVs in the back. It did last fall. But that was back and forth to parks. Not the entire trip w luggage, etc.

 

[Aliceacc]

Yeah--- luggage adds a whole new dimension to your issue. Though I suppose you could look into renting a carrier rack to put on top of the van? We use one when we go upstate for vacation; I'm sure someone must rent them.
http://www.sears.com/x-cargo-xl-15-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

This all sounds so complicated-- would 2 cars (assuming you have 2 drivers) or staying on site be worth it instead?

 

[Dis703]

I agree with the others, people and luggage no problem. But 2 ECVs on top of that I'm not sure that would work. I have an 8 passenger Toyota Sienna. There isn't a ton of space behind the 3rd row for something that large.

 

[joelkfla]

If you're renting the ecv's, see if the travel size ones that break down easily will fit your needs. The batteries don't last as long, but should be adequate for a typical day in a park if you keep the speed down. I think some vendors will rent an extra battery, but unless they also provide an extra charger it may be tight trying to get both batteries fully charged overnight.

You can find search for a user manual on the web for directions on how to break them down and reassemble them. The only tricky part is that the front and rear sections have to be perfectly aligned to snap together.

 

[MudQueen22]

We drive an Odyssey. We are two adults with two children in car seats.
It's plenty of room to stretch.
But I can't see that many people with luggage and two ECVs.
You need a full size van.

 

[tcufrog]

I recommend two vehicles. Fitting 2 booster seats in the 3rd row of our Odyssey is a major pain and we know where the Latch connections are. I suspect that the ECV people will be in the second row. They will have a difficult time helping the kids in and out of the third row and then fastening them into the booster seats if they need help.

Doing this while on vacation in a car you don't know in advance will be very stressful. I also agree that the trunk will be too small especially if you plan to bring a stroller or two.

 

[EpcotQueen]

Thanks all for your feedback. No luggage. Child seats are the smaller boosters. No strollers. And the ECVs are the 3 wheel portable ones.