Will this SUV be big enough for us?

[AliceinMaryland]

We are a family of 2 adults, 2 kids, and 1 little person in a carseat. We will have 4 suitcases, 2 carry ons(backpacks), and 1 stroller.

I'm trying to find a rental car that is smaller/cheaper than having to rent a minivan. My husband keeps saying "I don't think it's big enough"-that's what I've been saying to him the last 15 yrs LOL I kid I kid. Anyway, anything other than a minivan and he says he doesn't know if it's gonna work. The savings could be significant. One site I'm looking at for a minivan vs. a mid-size SUV, we'd be saving $400. So you can see why I want to do some research.

I know the car rental places tell you what size suitcases fit but I wanted some real life stories from my fellow Disney travelers. If you have rented any of the following and possible stuffed a family like ours inside one of these vehicles, could you please tell me judging by what I'm bringing if you think it will fit in the trunk.

Ford Escape, Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Sante Fe.

 

[london75]

The last mid size SUV we rented would not have fit all that in I'm afraid. People yes, luggage no. 2 large suitcases and 1 small and that was it.

 

[letsgoreds]

Yeah, you need a minivan (or full sized SUV). The good news though is that prices change every day. I have found the best prices on costco (members) or carrentalsavers dot com. Often the best prices a day or two before we left. Good luck! Could also play around with bidding on the hotwire/etc. sites.

Sometimes upgrading at the airport (oops we thought there would be more room) is a better deal. $400 seems steep.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

Darn it! So what you're saying is my husband's right! He's gonna love that

I'm going to stick with it and keeping checking the prices everyday like I do with the airfare. Thanks for the suggestion of that carrentalsavers website. I've seen a few people mention that one and I'm going to go check it out.

One thing that dawned on me is I could also save hundreds of dollars if I just rented 2 different economy cars. I think it was Dollar or Budget has a city special and the economy car was like $113 for my 10 days. Hubby could drive one from the airport with a kid and some luggage and I could drive the other with the other kids and luggage. I'd still end up saving money. I'm sure we could just park one of the vehicles at the resort for the rest of the week. I think we'd all fit in one little car, without the luggage, just to get to the parks.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

If you can reduce the suitcases you should be able to do it. We fit 2@ 28" 1@ 26 and the 22" and back packs on the floor. The stroller was a larger umbroller type.
Get you and dh in one suitcase, the kids in another, baby in smallest. Roll up the clothes. There is a laundry, you can get diapers offsite. If you take tie downs you can perhaps put the stroller on the rack.

Why not stop by a car dealer and take a look, various years and models can vary, but give you an idea.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

Why not stop by a car dealer and take a look, various years and models can vary, but give you an idea.

Wonderful idea, thanks!

 

[cslittle999]

We own a RAV4 and we'll be driving two hours to the airport with five of us (2 adults and 3 teenagers). It will be cozy for the three teenagers. In your case the luggage will fit in the back with the stroller on top. I would put the backpacks at the kids feet.

 

[paults]

I have a jeep liberty and can get 4 -28" bags in the back and can put in 5 adults. With 3 kids you could put carry-ons in back seat under feet.

 

[LilyWDW]

I drive something close to that size and have rented a Ford Escape on more then one occasion. I think you would fit though it would be tight. Quite tight. One time I had that size of SUV, 3 adults, oxygen (tanks and portable concentrator), wheelchair, 3 suitcases, 2 duffel bags, and a handful of other stuff and made it fit. But no one could move.

 

[ericstac]

just rent the cheapest car that will fit the family and then one of your drive the kids to WDW and the other take a taxi with the luggage..

 

[london75]

Or rent a second car (cheapest you can get) one way to the disney car centre and just use it for luggage in both directions. One day won't cost much at all.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

Good suggestions thank you!!

What if I used magical express and went on it by myself with all the luggage and my husband got the rental car with the kids? Does magical express let you take everyone else's bags or does everyone that has a bag have to be on the bus???

 

[AliceinMaryland]

Hmmm, what if the whole family took magical express along with our bags. We would get dropped off at our resort and then does Disney have transportation to the car care center for hubby to rent us something? Many good suggestions.

 

[Gracie09]

Hmmm, what if the whole family took magical express along with our bags. We would get dropped off at our resort and then does Disney have transportation to the car care center for hubby to rent us something? Many good suggestions.

Yes they will pick you up from your hotel or park and being you to the ccc. And then the reverse when you drop it off

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Staying on site we've done that twice. I ride ME with the kids, have the heaviest luggage on ME except a bag for needs until our luggage gets there. The guys picked up the car. Instead of a minivan we had the SUV, Full or standard size.

The other thought, we had a lot more room in the full size then a RAV 4. I have a Passat and RAV, the seats are not as wide, and the trunk space is much larger. But our RAV is a 2002....

 

[AliceinMaryland]

So we don't ALL 5 of us, have to ride the ME for ALL of our bags to go on it???? If that is true, I'm pretty sure after talking it all out and listening to these suggestions, our plan is to have me and 1 or 2 children go on ME with ALL the bags. My husband and 1 other child will pick up the rental car from the airport(probably from Dollar), which saves us from having to spend all that extra money on a minivan. Then hubby will pick us up at the resort and we will be on our way to HS. We'll probably still get the bigger car which would be the Ford Escape but if we wanted we could downsize to a smaller car since the luggage doesn't have to go in it.

I'm so glad we have this website. I might've figured out what I wanted to do but it's a lot easier when you get ideas and can talk things out with like minded Disney people! Thank you!

 

[cslittle999]

Staying on site we've done that twice. I ride ME with the kids, have the heaviest luggage on ME except a bag for needs until our luggage gets there. The guys picked up the car. Instead of a minivan we had the SUV, Full or standard size. The other thought, we had a lot more room in the full size then a RAV 4. I have a Passat and RAV, the seats are not as wide, and the trunk space is much larger. But our RAV is a 2002....

The current RAV4 is a much bigger vehicle than a 2002. It's a little wider and about a foot and half longer.

 

[Jewel3k]

we owned a 2005 Santa Fe. It all depends on the size of your stroller. If its an umbrella stroller no problem. You can put it at the kids feet in a pinch or on top of the luggage in the back. If its a big stroller, than I don't think its doable. I have managed to stuff a ton of things into the back of the Santa Fe, with 3 car seats across the back seat.

 

[Sugardimples]

I would take the luggage and all of the children on ME and send DH to rent the car. And then do the reverse when it is time to leave.

 

[StitchBuddy]

I would take the kids and the luggage on the bus with me. The kids will like it and then get a small car to use for the week. You could spend the extra money on a fun activity.