What's a good option??

[mommy*RN]

So we are traveling in late fall and I currently have a ressie with Alamo for a mid-sized SUV. I have 3 kids...a 7yr old, 4yr old and 20 month old. I'm thinking maybe a full-size car would be a good option. Now that there are baggage fees I know we won't be hauling as many huge suitcases and the car will mainly be used for transportation between the parks, DTD, the Boardwalk and our resort. My DH and oldest DS will be going to Universal Studios, but it will just be the two of them.

What type of car do all you other families of 2-3 (or more) kids under 10 yrs prefer??

 

[CarolAnnB]

I would stay with the SUV or a minivan. You don't say if you are taking a stroller or not? But it does not take much to fill up the trunk of a car. And I am guessing you will have a car seat also, so the back seat will be full as well, never mind kids' backpacks, diaper bag, etc. What do you drive at home? Keep checking sites every week, the rates change all the time. If you go to Southwest.com to their car rental page, it will list all the car companies and rates by class so you can see them all at once. Then I check the actual website for the lowest ones and see if I can get anything better.

 

[LMN]

What do you drive at home? Personally, I would go for a Suburban or something equivalent. My 3 kids are 12, 9 and 4, but we got our Suburban when they were about your kids ages. Since 2 of yours are probably still in car seats, you're going to need something with more than one back seat. Have a great trip!

 

[Tara]

So we are traveling in late fall and I currently have a ressie with Alamo for a mid-sized SUV. I have 3 kids...a 7yr old, 4yr old and 20 month old. I'm thinking maybe a full-size car would be a good option. Now that there are baggage fees I know we won't be hauling as many huge suitcases and the car will mainly be used for transportation between the parks, DTD, the Boardwalk and our resort. My DH and oldest DS will be going to Universal Studios, but it will just be the two of them.

What type of car do all you other families of 2-3 (or more) kids under 10 yrs prefer??

Alamo midsize SUVs are mostly Toyota RAV4 vehicles (some Nissan Rogues, some Kias, I think, maybe some Chevys, but I always pick a Toyota or Nissan). My sister drives a Murano and with a Britax Marathon and a backless booster in the back, there was just enough room for a small adult to sit in the back, too. Will the 7yo need a booster? If not, you should be okay with a midsize SUV in terms of having space. But be warned that buckling the seat belt between the 20mo's seat and the 4yo's booster (assuming you are using one) will be difficult to manage and the 4yo might need help.

As for cargo space, the RAV4 and Rogue have okay space in back - I usually have 2-3 small roller suitcases, and we used to carry a Maclaren Quest stroller with us. If you are bringing big suitcases or more than 3 suitcases plus a small stroller, you might need to move up a vehicle size.

We *always* rent a car and Alamo midsize SUV is by far my favorite. I just wish the prices weren't so high now! In May we ended up with a minivan because there was a "hot deal" for one for $199/wk. That was for a 7-passenger van, but we ended up with a Toyota Sienna (higher car class, 8 passengers) because they were out of 7-pax. We really liked this vehicle, too - the bag was very roomy and I was able to put my luggage PLUS my 2 Owner's Lockers in the back.

 

[mommy*RN]

Thanks for the advice! At home we drive a Chevy Trailblazer and it is a good fit for right now. Both my older kids will have booster seats and the lil'un will have a car seat. I agree with everything you guys have said. We will stick with the SUV. Thanks again!