What does National use for minivans?

[amylucinda]

On National's US fleet list, it lists minivans as Pontiac Montana or similar.

Is that what they are using now?

Would it be enough to hold 6 (4 adults and 2 small kids) plus luggage for 9 days? Say 6 suitcases, a few small carryons, and a VERY compact stroller?

We have a Honda Odyssey, and I suspect we'd fit in for a short drive, but have no experience with other minivans.

 

[gw_lit]

When we were in Orlando, they had pretty much all Chevy Ventures on the minivan aisle. I believe all of them were standard length, no extended length. Since you have 4 adults and 2 kids, you'll need all three rows of seats, and there isn't much room at all behind the last row of seats. I think it would be practically impossible for all of you and your luggage to fit.

 

[amylucinda]

I see on the various car websites that 2004 Ventures/Montanas came in both a "regular" and "extended" wheelbase version, while the 2005s don't (unless, of course, there's a special fleet "regular" version for rental car companies).

So, what I really need to know is 2 things:

1) Will a "regular" Venture/Montana hold us all? Anyone have one or have any experience?

2) What size are the current National minivans: extended or regular?

I can get 2 full-sizes or 1 minivan for about the same price. The only issue is whether we'll fit from the airport. We'd prefer 1 vehicle, as I think my in-laws would rather not do any driving.

 

[amylucinda]

Thanks, gw....that's exactly what I needed to know! (I must have been typing at the same time as you, with my additional questions.)

 

[gw_lit]

You're welcome Amy!

There were only 4 of us, so we weren't looking for an extended length, there may have been one, but I don't recall. I know we looked at 4 or 5 and they were all standard (we were looking for one with integrated child safety seats... which we got). I'd hate to bank on finding an extended length and you get there and there aren't any.

 

[laughinplace199]

We've rented minivans from National for 6 of us (4 adults ans 2 small kids). I don't recall what make the minivans were, but we all fit with our luggage. We had 5 suitacses, 3 carryons, a diaper bag, and 2 umbrella strollers. We used the cargo area in back of the third row for most of the stuff. We also used the 7th seat for some of the bags. If you have little ones, you can use the floor space in front of their seats since their feet don't reach the floor.

 

[KerriMc]

When we were down last year in February, we were with Alamo, but I believe that Alamo and National were from the same row? (correct me if I am wrong - ). Anyways ... we had a Grand Caravan and we were six adults with two small children ... one in a regular car seat and one in an infant seat and we had two strollers that weren't so compact! We were stuffed in on the way to our resort, but really didnt' care and we packed a bit better on the way back and again were still stuffed in, but that didn't matter either. As long as we had lots of room when we were travelling around during our holiday. We didn't have six suitcases though ... we had two large ones and a medium sized one that the kids shared. Then we had a couple of carryons. We also had one duffle bag.

Hope that helps

Kerri