Updated! Anyone drive to WDW w/10 in van for 15 hours? - We did!

[mickeymom629]

***Editing to add that we are just back from renting a 12 passenger (15 passenger with trunk space) van. Unfortunately, I was hoping to get a Ford Transit but got a Chevy equivalent and there were no headrests or individual seats to recline. Front two seats, two rows of 3 and a back row of 4. Not what I was hoping for but plenty of room for luggage. We were a group of 10 (7 adults, 2 5-year-olds and a 2-year-old) going from MD to FL overnight with only 2 stops on the way down and back. No weather or traffic issues, thankfully! . We'd prefer not to do it again but would if that was the only way. ****

Hi All - I tried searching but couldn't find much. DH and I are planning a trip for January and have reserved a rental for a 15 passenger van for 7 adults and 3 kids in car seats (2 5-year olds, 1 2-yr-old). We are driving from MD. Luckily, on the way down, we are driving at night since one DS is a night worker, so hoping the rest of us can sleep most of the way.

Has anyone done a trip like that?

Editing to remove my estimation of hours and stops and to add that when my 4 kids were little, we drove everytime to WDW and/or to visit relatives in FL. We had a 12 passenger (15 passenger w/last bench removed for trunck space) van, so every kid had plenty of room. We are not new to driving long distances but this is the most people (adults) we will have. We will have 3 different drivers this time. Some passengers on the way to FL may fly home so there will be less people going back. The only one who gets car sick is one of the drivers.

I really was just wondering if anyone else has done anything like this or similar.

 

[Micca]

We hope to stop only 3 times on the way down and back

As long as you can get 10 people's bladders to synch-up, sounds like a breeze

 

[VAfamily1998]

We've done it a few times (from Northern VA.) We were in a minivan--2 adults and 4 kids-first time we did it they were 18 months, 3, 5, and 7. Left around 4 am and arrived at Disney in the evening. It's a tough day, but great to get it all done in one shot.

 

[PittPantherfan]

We've done it several times but not with as many people from PA. We have driven straight thru and also stopped overnight. When we stop overnight- we stop in Santee, SC.
When we have driven straight thru- we actually go to a hotel near Disney Springs for the first night - shoot over there for early dinner. Go to bed early after maybe some pool time, then get up early and go to our on property hotel then off to the an easy park day. With staying club level for those trips we went to the club for breakfast, then off to the parks.

 

[Woodview]

You have 10 Family Members in the hands of 1 driver ( + Spare ) driving for 15 hours

Is it worth doing this .

I would think of an overnight stop would be a safer Option .

The Cost of Motel would be a small amount added to the HUGE COST of

your Disney Stay.

 

[VandVsmama]

Hi All - I tried searching but couldn't find much. DH and I are planning a trip for January and have reserved a rental for a 15 passenger van for 7 adults and 3 kids in car seats (2 5-year olds, 1 2-yr-old). We are driving from MD. Luckily, on the way down, we are driving at night since one DS is a night worker, so hoping the rest of us can sleep most of the way.

Has anyone done a trip like that? We hope to stop only 3 times on the way down and back (which is what DH, DS and I did in April) in our car. But I had the whole back seat to myself.

With 3 kids age 5 and under, there is no way you’ll be stopping only 3 times.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Hi All - I tried searching but couldn't find much. DH and I are planning a trip for January and have reserved a rental for a 15 passenger van for 7 adults and 3 kids in car seats (2 5-year olds, 1 2-yr-old). We are driving from MD. Luckily, on the way down, we are driving at night since one DS is a night worker, so hoping the rest of us can sleep most of the way.

Has anyone done a trip like that? We hope to stop only 3 times on the way down and back (which is what DH, DS and I did in April) in our car. But I had the whole back seat to myself.

one thing you do not mention but have either of you or the drivers ever driven a 15 passenger van? I would suggest trying out one before your trip. I say this based on driving one for a daycare center before they were forced for safety reasons by state to change to minibuses. Ps have the littles been on any long trips? if not have a plan for carsickness if happens

 

[Castlequeen5]

I’m not really sure what kind of advice you’re looking for. But our drive is about 14-15 hours to WDW. We always leave after work and drive through the night. To me, it’s the best way to travel with kids…especially young ones.

I’ve made the trip many times with my 5 children. Although I’ve done it alone, usually there’s at least 2 adults. So we typically take turns driving. And it’s not really about saving money, but more about saving time. It is so much easier to drive straight through, than to stop and unpack/pack. We want to spend most of our vacation at WDW, and not wasting it on the road.

I’ve traveled with up to 7 kids in the car. It’s really not that hard. Typically we’d stop at half a tank and everyone was encouraged to use the bathroom. When they were younger, I’d make them at least try. Although we’d also stop between fill-ups if needed, it’s very rarely necessary.

There are 2 main pros to driving at night. The traffic is much lighter. And the kids sleep. Our drive is so much calmer, when they are asleep. I usually play quiet music during the night. I also turn off the interior lights. That way when we stop, the lights aren’t waking everyone up when the doors open. And if children are sleeping when we stop, I don’t wake them up. My children are older now, so trying not to wake them up is not a concern anymore. But when we make middle-of-the-night stops, most of mine prefer to stay in the car and sleep anyway.

We would arrive at WDW in the morning hours. Normally we go to the resort when we get there. Sometimes we’ve paid for an extra night and went straight to our room. And other times we didn’t. So we’d try to do an early check-in and hang out by the pool until our room was ready. The last time we drove, we went straight to Animal Kingdom. We stayed there until early afternoon. And then we crashed at our resort the rest of the day. I definitely wouldn’t plan a big busy day or a late night on arrival day. Keep it simple and get to bed at a early/reasonable time.

As far as vehicles, most our trips to WDW have been in my 9 passenger SUV. The last couple of trips, we used my 12 passenger Nissan NV. We went for Spring Break this year in the Nissan. There were 10 of us…3 adults and 7 teens. But it really doesn’t matter which vehicle we take, the trip is pretty much the same. Our vehicle is always full, so everyone has to get comfy in his or her own little spot!

 

[DVC-Don]

10 people + luggage for 10 people in one van. Not something I'd look forward to.

 

[mickeymom629]

OP here. Thanks for all the replies, but I didn't make my original question very clear. We have driven many times to WDW (including last April when we left after dinner and drove through the night with my DH and DS sharing the driving in our car - just the 3 of us) when my kids were younger and we had a 12 passenger van. On this trip, we have several drivers, not one, who will be able to drive this type of vehicle. It's will be a rental and we will add drivers to our contract. The bathroom stops were general and, believe it or not, I am the worst of all of them with needing to stop for bathroom and stretching. The 3 grandkids have driven to CT and Canada with their parents. Obviously we will stop as needed. I also have a porta-potty and pop up tent because of covid if needed. Luggage will not be an issue - I am the only over-packer.

I guess my question really was about comfort with the leg room for the adults. When we went when my kids were younger, there weren't adults in the back seats. I'm wondering if anyone has gone with adults in a van for many hours. Since we have a few more seats than people, I'm hoping there will be a little more leg room. I have watched some youtube reviews of large vans and I'm just wondering if anyone here has personal experience. Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

I'll assume the OP has already researched this so for the benefit of others...Some (many?) credit card rental coverage and even some personal auto policies exclude coverage for that size van. That might even include stand alone travel insurance. You may have to pay $$ for coverage from the rental agency.

 

[VandVsmama]

My kids never slept in the car. We tried on one fateful road trip to drive at night and it was a disaster. 7 hours of ODD crying and not sleeping the entire time. It was hell.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think any of us can predict how well you'll be able to sleep in the van. My guess is not as well as you hope. Many people. Probably a rougher ride then in a mini van.

If its clear you won't be able to safely finish your drive...alternate drivers didn't get sleep..Use your phone and find a place to stay
Maybe preselect a couple of suite hotels with an included breakfast

 

[ShayBells]

We use to do the drive from PA in a van with 7 of us. Just a regular van (not mini). Though this was a long time ago And I was a little kid. I still don’t know how my parents did it.

I would expect more stops then three. Thats seems low for 15 hours. I wouldn’t be able to sleep without room to move and seems like you’ll be pretty packed in. Just set your expectations low.

Just keep reminding yourself it’ll be worth it. Good luck!

 

[staceychev]

I don't think I'd be willing to do that - those 15 passenger vans aren't nearly as comfortable as a regular car or mini-van - they're closer to a school bus feel, although not quite that bad. They're standard transportation in the USVI, and after 40 minutes from St. Thomas airport to Red Hook ferry, I'm usually *dying* to get out of the van. (Also, if you have anyone with motion sickness tendencies, be wary.)

If I was in your shoes, I'd probably be more inclined to spring for two minivans or SUVs with a third row seat. It would be worth the extra cost.

 

[FCDub]

Not a chance this is something I’d do. Most people who I know who are SKILLED in driving 15-passenger vans are musicians. And if they had a 10-hour drive? They’d be complaining hardcore about it.

 

[mickeymom629]

I'll assume the OP has already researched this so for the benefit of others...Some (many?) credit card rental coverage and even some personal auto policies exclude coverage for that size van. That might even include stand alone travel insurance. You may have to pay $$ for coverage from the rental agency.

OP here - Thank you for pointing this out.

 

[Lewisc]

Some safety considerations
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/15-passenger-vans

 

[Octoberbaby]

Never done that in a van, but when I was a child we piled in a brown Oldsmobile station wagon and drove down. I'll never forget it. We were staying at the Grand Floridian and pulled up like we were famous.

No it wasn't comfortable and we drove all night with only one driver. My aunt worked nights as a RN, so she was the only adult with a backwards sleep schedule. She drove all night, and was ready to hit the parks as soon as we checked in. I miss her terribly!

I think you will make great memories attempting this!

 

[MouseOfCards]

We've rented 12- and 15-passenger vans many times for our trips. We've done short and long hauls (e.g. 10-hour Vancouver to Alberta), and haven't had any major issues - none of the adults has ever complained about leg room, comfort, etc. We do make sure to make stops for nature calls or stretching or pictures.

If you only have 10 occupants, and it's an option, I would recommend switching to a 12-passenger van. We've found that typically the only difference is that the 15-passenger has extra seats in the back, but a lot less storage/luggage space. In the 15-passenger vans, we usually need to put our large luggage either in the front passenger seat or the second row for ease of getting them in and out of the vehicle.

Also, regarding insurance, instead of getting the coverage from the car rental company, you can save a lot of money if you have/get an American Express card. The rental car coverage offered by most credit cards typically do NOT cover 12- and 15-passenger vans. But most American Express card holders have the option of purchasing Amex Premium Car Rental Insurance that does cover these large vans at the flat rate of $12 to $25 per rental period (NOT per day). Here's a couple of links:

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/american-express-premium-car-rental-protection/https://feeservices.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-coverage/home.do
Hope you have a great trip!