Will 2 car seats + ds8 fit in rental car?

[pm914]

We're going to WDW for 7 nights at the end of this month.
Our regular car is a mini van which easily accommodates 2 car seats for ds2 and dd5 (39lbs.), ds8 in a lap/shoulder belt, and 2 adults.
The price difference between renting a mini van or a full size car for the week is $180. So, we've rented the car. They said it could be a Lumina, Century, or Grand Prix depending on what they have in their lot the day we arrive. Does anyone know how the back seat will work for the 2 car seats plus ds8? We have full size car seats (T-straps-not boosters). Also, does anyone know if the middle seat has a shoulder belt in these models? I don't think 2 seats would fit right next to each other and we want our 8y.o. to have a shoulder belt.
Thank you.

 

[NotUrsula]

According to http://www.automotive.com/Reviews/ the Century has lap-only belts on both front and rear seats, the other two have 3-pts in the center rear, well, actually, the Chevy Impala does, not the Lumina, the Lumina does not appear in the listing for this year. (If this is Natl., most of the full-size Chevys I've seen lately have been Impalas.)

The Century has a front bench seat, allowing the older child to ride there if he absolutely can't fit in the back with the carseats. (I know the recommendation is not to put a child under 12 in front; I'm just pointing out that it *is* possible to seat someone in the center front seat when it's a bench, but not if the front seats are buckets.)

 

[pm914]

Thanks for your reply and the info. I need to check out your link.
This is such a tough call. We are absolute sticklers on car safety so letting ds8 ride in front probably isn't an option for us.
Even if we make sure that the car we get has a center shoulder belt, I'm now wondering if he'd even fit in between the 2 car seats. The rental co. is Nat'l, which we've been really pleased with in the past - but maybe we should check the other rental companies and see if we can get a mini van for less (doubtful).
Thank you.

 

[beattyfamily]

We rented a Full size from National this past December and there were 5 of us. Our family of 4 (2 DD's ages 4 and 7) with 2 booster seats and then our 14 year old niece seating in between the 2 booster seats.

It was tight especially with the luggage but we did just fine!

It was MUCH cheaper than a mini van so we had to do it.

It can be done!

 

[jel0511]

We usually rent a full-size car from National when we're in WDW, but we only have two children. Most of the full-size cars I've rented only had shoulder belts on the two outbound seats, with the middle being just a lap belt. There also wasn't much room in between for someone to sit, but for a short period wouldn't be too bad, except for buckling and unbuckling. Since one of the car seats is right next to the buckle, it could be VERY tight getting in/out of the seat belt. Try Dollar for a minivan. They usually have deals for around $230 plus taxes for a week. You can access the discount codes for Dollar at www.mousesavers.com She actually has all types of codes for all major rental agencies at MCO, and Dollar is one located on-site just like National, so it wouldn't be too much of an inconvience.

 

[pm914]

jel0511, coincidentally, I just got off the phone with Dollar and we were able to rent a minivan using a rate code we found on Mousesavers!! As you said, the rate is $229.99 for the week and $287.73 with all taxes and fees. I used rate code KISS3 and it worked! It was my second call to them - I think you have to get a receptive res. agent.
Incidentally, I had just gotten the same rate from Alamo using a mousesavers code but I wanted to try Dollar one more time because they and Nat'l come so highly recommended.
I feel so much better about the car situation now. The mini van will be well-worth the extra $70 or so dollars.
Thanks again,

 

[R4racing]

Not that it matters, since you have a van now, but it is possible to fit in the back of an Impala between 2 car seats. I have done it between a rear-facing seat installed using the seatbelt and a forward facing booster (with harness straps) installed using the LATCH system. I am not a tiny person, it was a cramped fit, but can be done.

Oh, and for what it's worth, they do not make Luminas anymore, the Impalas replaced them.