Minivan rental to drive down to Orlando?

[rickdl]

This March (2007) we're looking to drive down to Disney World in either a minivan or passenger van rental.

We're looking to have 7 people in the minivan, with some luggage (3 additional people are driving seperately in a Hyundai Santa Fe, so they'll be able to also store some of our luggage for us that would be in the minivan/passenger van).

Questions I have is for others who have done this already, i.e. gone down to florida in either a rental minivan or passenger van. Which available rentals would sit 7 comfortably for a long drive? Preferably one that we can rent from some rental agency in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) at a good rate. Obviously they'd need to permit us driving across the border, and also either have unlimited KM's, or a low rate for purchasing additional KMs.

I was looking at a GMC Safari/Astro, only place so far I've seen that will rent the passenger van models for long distance travel was Owasco in Whitby, but they don't have unlimited KMs, and Whitby's kinda far away from Toronto.

I've done searches and seen some old postings about people who have done rentals to drive from Toronto to Florida before. But nothing recent. Anyone done this lately? Know of good rental companies that still allow this with reasonable rates?

best regards,

- Rick

 

[disneynuts777]

Budget will let you drive across the border to florida. We did so last year. I just talked to budget and you still can. A minivan in March for 10 days pickup and return in toronto is going to set you back 950.00. That is unlimited kilometers taxes,fees and surchargers. I did not find driving any less expensive than flying out of buffalo. By the time you factor in the gas at nearly 3.00 u.s a gallon and the stress I do not think I would ever drive again. The winter weather on some of those highways is nasty!! This year we are flying on Delta (family of four) for less than it cost us to drive last year. Best of luck!

 

[LdnCpl]

Although I didn't rent a van to do it I did have 7(4 adults,3 children) in my Caravan 2 years ago. I will say it can be done BUT unless it is the only way to get there I wouldn't recommend it. You need to factor a few things if you are planning on doing it.

1) Get a topper - very necessary for your stuff.

2) Limit your luggage as much as possible. Even with doing this we had to strategically place items in the van to make everything/everyone fit.

3) Plan on plenty of stops along the way. We left Sat at 6am, stopped overnight in Berea,Ky, drove to Valdosta Ga, stayed overnight and arrived in Disney Monday at 9am. The breaks and stops are necessary due to cramped quarters in back.

4) Study your route-get 'Travelling along the I75' book. It's worth twice what it costs. I never found it stressful at all and I did 95% of the driving. It is an interesting study in lifestyles as you head further south and I like seeing different parts of the country and meeting people from different walks of life.

5) Figure on $300.00 - $400.00 gas budget return trip and about $50.00 pernight along the way.

Hope this helped a little