best vehicle for our trip?

[gbell26]

Hi there
We're flying into Orlando Int Airport on 28 March 09 for 13 days- haven't booked car hire yet but would like some advice/guidance before I do so! There will be 4 adults and 3 children (aged 4,2&1) plus luggage and a buggy! What size of vehicle would be best to hire and would I be better taking my own car seats with me or hiring from rental Company even though they an expensive extra? Which is best rental company to use or does it matter? Any advice would be greatly welcomed!!
Many thanks
Genevieve

[Albert the Frog]

The best company to use is the one on the links at the top of thr page-i have no axe to grind i'm a user not an owner.they are courteous inexpensive and attentive.
take your own car seats they are not usually included in your luggage allowance-i'm sure roger or one of the other guys will advise on size

[sarahnmitch]

I can also recommend the site at the top of the page. So far they have been very prompt, and with their pricing, we were able to go for a 7 seater mini-van, rather than a station wagon. With children, I would definitely recommend getting the same size or larger than what you drive on a daily basis.

As far as carseats go, take yours with you. If they are FAA approved, the two younger ones may benefit from using them on the aircraft. They don't get 'lost' in the aircraft seat and know that the same 'sit still, we're on a trip' rules apply. Rental carseats are not to the standard that you would want or expect for your children, and I have heard some horror stories about the condition of said rental seats. You also have no way of knowing if they have been in an accident, and thus structurally compromised in some way.

[MarkJan]

Are you looking for 1 car or 2? I would suggest a 7 seater and maybe a small4 door car. That way, all 7 can go out in the same car if you wish or, you can go to different places using the two cars. You can set the booking(s) up so 2 or more of the adults can drive any car.

We generally use Dollar because of the reduced queuing time using the Dollar Express card. You will need to register on the Dollar website for this but don't book direct unless you want to throw money away! When we go to Florida in May, we are using Alamo for the first time in years as you choose the vehicle from a given row, depending on your choice of category.

www.uscarhire.co.uk/ at the top of the page is who we use no matter who the actual rental company is.

We always suggest to guests it is better to take your own car seats as your children will be used to them. I believe the airlines allow them in addition to luggage.

[gbell26]

Thanks very much for all your advice-it's really appreciated and a great help as it's our first trip to Florida! We want just 1 vehicle so I think I'll book an 8 seater as we'll only have the luggage in the vehicle coming from and going back to airport! What do you think?I've emailed Aer Lingus who we are flying with to find out about the car seat situation - I nearly sure they don't allow the car seats on board the flight which is a bit of a bummer but not to worry we'll manage!! It's the long flight we are not looking forward to with our 3 young children aged 4,2 & 1-will have to ensure we've plenty to keep them entertained!
Thanks again! Genevieve