Rental van or 2 cars

[molfrog]

2 families of 4 are traveling together, we both have 5 passenger suv's. We are debating on renting a passenger van, or taking two cars. Any suggestions?

 

[azdizzymom]

2 families of 4 are traveling together, we both have 5 passenger suv's. We are debating on renting a passenger van, or taking two cars. Any suggestions?

What is the price difference? I would consider if you are all going to want to leave places at the same time and have to rely on the other family to want to leave when you are ready...or if they want to leave early will you? Also, you will probably get differing views and what will work for one person traveling with 2 families MIGHT not be the best for you and your friends situation.

I would price the difference on 2 cars versus the van and then consider if you will all be on the same schedule for the entire trip. You can get good rates on cars if you search. www.mousesavers.com has the legit codes and coupons listed, also someone just posted on this thread how to bid on priceline. Remember that car reservations can change so if you see a good price make a reservation ....then keep checking and if rate gets better cancel old and rebook. It takes time and it is worth re-checking especially as vacation gets closer (my rate for Phoenix went down almost $100 in the week prior to our arrival...and sometimes a few times each day ...yes I was compulsively checking and even if it was $5 at a time I rebooked).

 

[everylastbreath]

I would suggest pricing it out both ways and seeing which one is cheaper, we traveled to WDW one year, rented a mini-van, once we arrived, we realized it would be too small for all of us + luggage, the rental person suggested a suburban vehicle, telling me it would $150 more, well, needless to say, I did not check the receipt when we left and at the end of the week learned it was $1500!!! I fought w/the rental company with no result, paid the bill. If I had know that at the beginning of the week, I would have gladly rented 2 vehicles, and it would have been nice to have the extra car in case someone wanted to go to a diff. place/park (which did happen a few times during the week)

I would go with 2 cars..

 

[wbarkhur]

Something else to think about is paying for parking at the theme parks. If you know you are always going to be together, only having to pay for one car to park will be cheaper.

 

[1tufgt]

Something else to think about is paying for parking at the theme parks. If you know you are always going to be together, only having to pay for one car to park will be cheaper.

If they stay on resort it won't cost them to park.

Anyways, the cost of a 15 passenger van seems to be outrageous these days that you can get away with 2 minivans, standard suvs or crossover for cheaper.

 

[tiggerrr]

I would have gladly rented 2 vehicles, and it would have been nice to have the extra car in case someone wanted to go to a diff. place/park (which did happen a few times during the week)

I would go with 2 cars..

Unless the cost difference is outrageous, this reason alone is enough to make up my mind for 2 vehicles. We have travelled with others a lot (family and friends) and in our experience we would rarely tie ourselves to 1 shared vehicle because you just can't be together that much. It is easier to do if you're staying on property, because you can take busses. But the first time one family wants to go to DTD for dinner and the other wants to go off-site, you'll be happy for two vehicles.

If you're staying off property, it is actually MORE important to have 2 vehicles, even despite the extra $14 parking per day, because you are more likely to separate (or have one family want to go home early). I would just factor the cost in and cut somewhere else in the budget if needed.