Parking for 15-passenger Van

[DisneyDW]

We'll be there in a few weeks and there are 8 of us flying in so we have rented a 15-passenger van and will be using that to get around. We are staying offsite. Question - is there any problem parking a 15-passenger van at the parks? I'm assuming not but don't want to be surprised!

 

[Gillian]

I'm sorry that i don't know the answer to your question, but I was curious as to where you would rent that large of a van. Is it very expensive?

 

[jackmac]

There should be no problem parking anywhere. Buses make it into all of the parking lots. I believe a 15 passenger van is just a full sized one, no larger than a full size pickup truck. All of the parking at Disney is outside, should be no problem. Universal has parking garages so height may be a problem, but I doubt it.

 

[deadhedjen]

Please don't laugh...(ok, you can laugh if you want to...I do all the time)
But...I drive a 15 passenger van every day. It's our family "car". The kids call it "Monster Van".

We have 4 kids and they all like to take friends with them everywhere we go...so the mini-van just got too cramped. We actually took the back row of seats out so technically its "only" an 11 passenger van.

You should have no problem parking that van anywhere you want. My only advice would be that if you are not used to driving such a large van would be to back into your parking spot and then just pulling out when you leave. Or try to get a spot that you can pull into the front spot KWIM?? You will have to rely on your side mirrors to back up but really it is easy.

Family/friends borrow our van all the time for trips, but I'm sad to say we're gonna get rid of that gas guzzler. Currently looking at the Honda Pilot.

Jennifer.

 

[boswellnakia]

We were there two weeks ago with two 15 passenger vans. We were treated like everyone else. I even got in free parking with my AP pass, I wasn't sure of that but it worked. Occassionally, we would get waved to the "bus" parking area.

My suggestion, if you have a choice in your parking spot, remember that those vans need a larger than normal turning area if you have to make a sharp turn in the parking lot.

 

[Deb & Bill]

15 Passenger vans have a problem with tipping. So keep everyone out of the back seat. Also, if you have a tipping accident and the back seat is removed, you have no recourse against the vehicle company.

 

[DisneyDW]

Thanks all!

Gillian, I saw a good deal on one from Alamo a few months ago and nabbed it at $65/day. I just took a look to see if anything was better at the last minute and most were not even showing one available and if they did, they were $160/day.

And I am not driving that monster around. If I do, it will only be in the forward position! DH drives a dulley truck and pulls a big trailer everyday so he's used to driving something big.

Rolling over?? Is that a common thing????

 

[deadhedjen]

Rolling over?? Is that a common thing????

Well, like I said before, I've been driving one of these monsters....back seat removed and all for years now. I drive it both highway and around town. Heck, I even drive it through the crazy traffic in Manhattan when we go to NY, lol. We've packed that van full of family members and friends and never did it feel unstable or like it was going to tip over.

I'm sure I'd probably feel like the thing was gonna tip over if maybe I took a corner doing 90mph, but I don't think I'd ever put myself in that situation. Do you drive like a maniac? Most likely you don't, lol. I do agree with the person that said you'll need more room to make your turn in/out of your parking spot. Try to park next to a small car as opposed to a large truck/van. It'll give you more room to pull out of your spot. KWIM?? I'm sure if your DH is used to driving the dually around, he'll have NO trouble with monster van.

Have fun on your trip!

Jennifer.

 

[Deb & Bill]

From consumeraffairs.com


15-Passenger Vans Most Likely to Flip

June 2, 2004
Federal regulators are warning again consumers about the rollover risks posed by 15-passenger vans, including those used by church groups and airport shuttles. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) said new research shows that fully loaded vans are five times more likely to flip than vans containing only a driver.

In fact, NHTSA found that fully loaded 15-passenger vans are more likely to roll over than any other type of passenger vehicle, including cars, minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks.

Another study found that electronic stability control systems are only moderately successful at preventing rollovers in the big vans. A third study found that in crashes between 1990 and 2002, three-quarters of the 684 people killed in single-vehicle van crashes weren't wearing a seat belt.

Van Rollovers
• Study Confirms 15-Passenger Van Rollover Risk
• 15-Passenger Vans Most Likely to Flip
• NHTSA Creates New School Bus Category To Discourage Van Use
• NHTSA Warning
• Feds Propose Safer Vans
• Illinois Van Rollover Kills 2
• Ford Settles Suit


Between 1990 and 2002, 1,576 15-passenger vans were involved in fatal crashes, resulting in 1,111 deaths to occupants, NHTSA said.

NHTSA head Jeffrey Runge said the vans are "frequently misused" by consumers who are unaware of their limitations. The vans are banned for use by schools but are frequently used by youth groups, senior centers, colleges and other organizations likely to rely on untrained, inexperienced drivers.

Among NHTSA's safety recommendations:

• Use only trained, experienced drivers.
• Insist that all occupants wear safety belts at all times. An unrestrained 15-passenger van occupant involved in a single vehicle crash is about three times as likely to be killed as a restrained occupant.
• If possible, have passengers and cargo forward of the rear axle and avoid placing any loads on the roof.
• Check your tires: Excessively worn or improperly inflated tires can lead to a loss-of-control situation and a rollover. At least once a month, check that the van's tires are properly inflated and the tread is not worn down.

NHTSA warned drivers to be particularly careful when driving the vans at more than 50 m.p.h, or around curves. NHTSA issued similar warnings in 2001 and 2002. It's being repeated because of increased use of the vans during the summer.

Safety advocates were unimpressed by the warnings.

"What we need are better vehicles and not better warnings," said Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety, according to The Washington Post. "If these vehicles cannot be made safe they should not be used for passenger vehicles."

Runge said manufacturers are "studying the situation."

General Motors said its vans are equipped with safety features such as daytime running lights, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and air bags, and that its vans have an extra-long wheelbase that makes them more stable. Drivers should study their owner's manual, GM said.

GM and Ford are the only manufacturers currently making 15-passenger vans -- the Chevrolet Express 3500, GMC Savana 3500 and the Ford E-350. There are some 500,000 such vehicles on U.S. roadways.

The study was released two days after a fiery van crash that killed three members of a New York church group near Niagara Falls. Two of the three weren't wearing seat belts, Ontario police said. The van was carrying 12 people when it crashed.

The complete text of the three studies cited by NHTSA can be found on the agency's Web site.