View Full Version : BEST VEHICLE FOR 8 PEOPLE AND LUGGAGE
steve699
31-08-2009, 01:36
Hi
Eight of us going to Orlando area to visit Disney parks and stay in a villa.
There will be 5 adults, two children ages 6 and 9 years and a baby 20 months.
Could anyone kindly give me some advice regarding what would be the most appropriate vehicle to hire?
In addition to the eight people there will be quite a lot of luggage.
erowlands
31-08-2009, 02:21
The 8 seater mini van is usually a Toyota sienna, seats 8 comfortably but is limited on luggage space, the next up is a 12 seater van, we used one in April, we left the airport with the back seat piled high with our suitcases and managed ok,the only trouble I found that it was like driving a school bus around but you soon get used to it, we had a brand new Ford from Dollar, I would far sooner the Sienna though
You will have a great time though whatever vehicle you choose
Eric
Robert5988
31-08-2009, 02:39
Surely you will have far more flexibility if you get 2 small cars.
caroline
31-08-2009, 05:23
I think I'd go for an 8 seater and a car - that way you can all go out together with just 1 driver or have the option of splitting up - you will also have no problems going back and forth from the airport.
lafifille
31-08-2009, 13:54
I agree with Caroline. Having an 8 seater allows just one parking fee ($12!)if you're all going to the parks at the same time. Having another car allows whoever wants to do something else at some point to do just so, avoiding bad feelings and frustrations, specially when there are young children in the party... they tend to have their own schedule, which can be slightly different from the adults' ;). The extra car also carries the luggage (or some people) back and forth the airport.
Have a great time in Florida!
steve699
31-08-2009, 22:22
Thanks everyone for your kind advice.
Our group now need to get together and talk it through.
We have all been to Florida twice before but only with package holidays hence we are unsure about the vehicle hire situation.
The two vehicle idea sounds appealing but we would need to consider the extra cost involved. With having young ones we always go to the same parks for the day and the adults fit in with the childrens schedule rather than do our own thing.
Does anyone know if the eight seater comes complete with Sat Nav or have you to rent one seperately or take your own.
Steve
erowlands
01-09-2009, 03:06
You can rent one off the car hire link on the orlando villas site, they post it to you a few days before you travel, all loaded up with the address here you are staying, pop it in the post when you get back, much better value than hiring when you get to the car hire desk
Eric
lafifille
01-09-2009, 13:40
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steve699
Thanks everyone for your kind advice.
Our group now need to get together and talk it through.
We have all been to Florida twice before but only with package holidays hence we are unsure about the vehicle hire situation.
The two vehicle idea sounds appealing but we would need to consider the extra cost involved. With having young ones we always go to the same parks for the day and the adults fit in with the childrens schedule rather than do our own thing.
Does anyone know if the eight seater comes complete with Sat Nav or have you to rent one seperately or take your own.
Steve [/quote]Keep in mind the luggage aspect: you DO need to carry the luggage from and to the airport AND sit the 8 of you in the same vehicle if you go for just the 8 seater... could be tricky [msnwink]. The 12 seater is probably a sound advice, but then maybe it's not so much more expensive to go for the 8 seater and a car rather than the 12 seater, depending how long you're staying, and how many people share the cost...
There were 8 of us last October and we had a Ford Expedition 8 seater from Budget (thru this site). 8 people and all the luggage including a buggy fit is this (not easily but it went in). It was the EL version, see thread.
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_49928.asp
We definitely only wanted one car so this was great. You only need the space from airport to villa and back again. We actually hired a limo in the UK from MCO to our villa. A treat for the kids and we put all the luggage in there, sent my mum and the kids off to the villa while we sorted the car out without any luggage (heaven)!! The return journey was only to Downton Disney so not that far.
For our holiday next Feb we have booked an 8 seater SUV with Alamo and i expect to get everything in there including a double buggy this time. If not then $50 for a taxi isn't that bad.
Personally I can't think of anything worse than eight people all wanting to do different things and only one vehicle. Even when our family come over, they all hire their own cars and although we more often than not go out together we don't feel that we have to and that way we all enjoy our holidays and don't have any arguments. Also if the children get fractious then only one couple need to go home, the rest can stay and enjoy themselves.
Andrena