Which vehicle to rent for 8 people?

[mom2rm]

I need some advice-there are 8 of us going for our Disney vacation next May (we are staying offsite). We are looking into car rentals but there are 8 of us (4 adults and 4 children). We would like to only rent 1 vehicle but the minivans say it only holds 7 people (plus we'll have some luggage!). I saw on one of the car rental websites you can rent and extended van (seats up to 15 people) but this is probably too big. I'm thinking this type of vehicle would cost extra to park at the parks too. Any suggestions?

 

[CMHusband]

By the time you get a bunch of luggage for 8 people in a vehicle, the 15 person van won't seem so big. Its probably still cheaper than renting two vehicle, and having two drivers, and the gas for two vehicles, insurance etc etc...
We always have this problem and the mini van that seats 7 is really just NOT big enough. EVER!

 

[cpdrn7]

we did a large group a few times...we got the bigger passenger van because once you add luggage..you really need that extra room...
and we did two vans once...

 

[BarbWB]

Check into the cost of 2 smaller vehicles. It is often cheaper than one big van. Plus, you can split up if you want and it is easier to take a small car to the store, restaurant, etc. You will have double parking charges.

 

[SandrA9810]

as long as it's still a two axel vehicle, you'll pay the same price as a car.

The passenger vans really aren't that much bigger than a full size van. I'd say go for it, unless you want the freedom of being able to split up. Then two cars might be worth it.
Plus if the kids get into the whole "he's touching me"... there's enough room to sit two to a row without them touching, or enough room to sleep.

 

[Kay1]

Our Astro van accomodates eight and there's lots of room for storage under the seats.

Best of luck to you.

 

[tlbwriter]

If you do go with the 15 passenger van, be aware that they are very difficult to drive, and are notorious for being involved in serious wrecks when an inexperienced (not in general, but in that type of vehicle) driver is at the wheel. So be very careful and make sure everyone wears a seatbelt.

 

[Anne34]

A Suburban will seat 8, plus have some luggage space in the back. The only bad part is that they suck gas....you might be better off with 2 smaller cars.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I drive a Tahoe and 7 of us go to WDW at least twice a year (6 adults 1 child)- luggage space is scarce and we always have a luggage carrier on top. An extended length Tahoe or a Suburban would be comfortable and you should have enough luggage room. For the 1000 mile round trip I usually fill up the gas tank 4-5 times. I drove an Astro Mini-Van for years and the SUV that I have now is much more comfortable.

 

[mom2rm]

Would a Tahoe fit 8 of us (4 kids-with 4 boosters) and 4 adults?
I'd prefer to rent a van or SUV over an extended van. Does anyone know of a good website with good deals for these types of vehicles?

 

[MSSANDRA]

One thought on one one or two is do you want to be together or not for the entire drive. We used to travel often with our best friends and enjoyed the days when we all fit in one van because we loved the time together to laugh and talk and let the kids entertain themselves. If this is overkill for you, rent two.

 

[mom2rm]

We are flying down-just need a rental to get to and from the airport and to the parks. We'd like to have just one car to save on parking/gas.

 

[Darcy03231]

We went with 9 people and rented a mini-van and a car and it worked out great. I gave us the freedom to do different things and the cost really was less than a 15 passenger van (we looked into that option).

 

[megsters]

Would a Tahoe fit 8 of us (4 kids-with 4 boosters) and 4 adults?
I'd prefer to rent a van or SUV over an extended van. Does anyone know of a good website with good deals for these types of vehicles?

I *think* you could fit 8. I'm not sure how much room it leaves for luggage when you utilize the 3rd row though.

 

[tlbwriter]

VERY little room in the back of a Tahoe when the third row is in use. Unless the design has changed *substantially* since my SIL had one. Or maybe there's an XL version.

 

[Anne34]

VERY little room in the back of a Tahoe when the third row is in use. Unless the design has changed *substantially* since my SIL had one. Or maybe there's an XL version.

The extended length version of the Tahoe is the Suburban. It is the same vehicle, just a couple feet longer. We have lots of room behind the third seat for luggage, etc.

I don't know if rental places will guarantee a suburban -- many just say SUV and then you won't have enough space for luggage.

 

[kaywoody]

If you do go with the 15 passenger van, be aware that they are very difficult to drive, and are notorious for being involved in serious wrecks when an inexperienced (not in general, but in that type of vehicle) driver is at the wheel. So be very careful and make sure everyone wears a seatbelt.

We went on a road trip with Girl Scouts with 9 people. We didn't want two vehicles, so I rented a 12 passenger van. It was a comfortable fit with our luggage and supplies. I had considered the 15 passenger, but the rental place suggested the 12 passenger instead because of stability.
He said people squish 15 people in with a ton of luggage which makes it overweight and less stable. He said we'd still probably be fine with the 15, but the 12 would be easier to drive.

The 12 passenger van was pretty easy to drive (all 3 drivers drive big SUVs) and we were glad we could all be together.... for better or worse!

 

[DisnyMama]

Two things you might try. If you have a car rental agency near you (just go to their websites and for "location" type in your zip code) and see if they will let you come by and take a look at the larger vehicles you are thinking of renting so you can see for yourself. The other option is going to a new car dealership and looking at the vehicles there.

 

[csharpwv]

OK - here is a suggestion

Rent a small car for two days -

The day you arrive and the day you leave - one way rentals in the Orlando area are much much cheaper than anywhere else.

That way you don't have to worry about putting EVERYONE on the same vehicle -AND dealing with luggage.

OR just have a couple people take a cab to the resort - and back to the airport - OR depending on where you are staying have some folks take the LYNX bus from the airport. OR does your resort have an Airport Shuttle? You could still rent a car to haul some people and luggage - but divide them to enable you to rent a much more manageable vehicle.

If you rent a 16 passenger van that you are only going to need for the trip FROM and back TO the Airport. You are going to have to drive that monster throughout your vacation - and always worry about parking the beast.

Other than that advice - I have two words....
MAGICAL EXPRESS! HAHA

It really is a life/time/money saver!
We use it every time we fly.
On our last trip we rented a car for one day to go to Mass on Sunday.

But other than that - we rely on WDW Transportation System a lot.

Depending on where you are staying - some hotels have car rental locations right in the resort - a few in the Downtown Disney Hotel District have them - I know there is an Enterprise and an Avis.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I rented a Chevy Savana (15 passenger van) once for a trip to Fl and it was fine to drive, once you got used to it. It was not difficult. I was able to park it ok as long as there was enough room to 'swing' it straight into the space. The lots at places like Disney are typically large enough for that. Or just pull through the space.

Most minivans only seat 7 unless it is a model that has 8 seatbelts. You'd have to find out for sure, I think most places rent the 7 pass ones.