Space in Dodge Caravan?

You could put, say 3-4 medium bags in the back. Not the large size but medium. There is room for one inbetween the two middle captain chairs.
But man is that back going to be stuffed. I don't have anyone in car seats so I really may not be a good judge of it. We have a swivel and go, that has 2 hidden storage compartments beneath the floor in front of the middle seats. If you have things in bags that are flexible, like a sack, you can squeeze quite a bit in them because they go all the way across with no divider. Good luck! It is a GRAND Caravan

Definitely find out if it's a GRAND Caravan vs. just a regular one. I owned a Grand Caravan for 8 years. There is a lot of space in the back behind the 3rd row. It goes maybe 12 inches deep and then all the way up the back of the seats. Someone else made a good point below - a Caravan (any type) only seats 7 people TOTAL. If you have 8 you should look at renting a Honda Pilot (not sure if you can rent one of those?) Know what I would do? I'd go over to the local Dodge dealer and peak inside the Caravan that you're looking to rent. Then you'll know what you're dealing with instead of taking our word for it! Good luck!

Do you mean seven passengers or six passengers and a driver? My Grand Caravan only hold seven total, two in front, two in the middle and three in the back. If you get one with stow and go seats there is TONS of space for luggage. Mine has a deep space behind the third row of seating, plus the two compartments where the captain seats would stow. There is also room for a suitcase in the isle between the captain seats. Find out if it had stow and go seats. That will make a huge difference in storage.

The back area holds a surprising amount of luggage.... and, you can tuck small things under the foot area where the car seat/booster seats are.

Hubby, daughter, and I drove our Caravan from Texas to Denver 1 1/2 years ago... coming back, we had basically 6 adults, and luggage (and misc. junk) for 6 adults (including a Japanese pinball machine (pachinko) about 3 ft tall by 2' wide by 8" deep).... (One person was dropped off about half-way through the trip, so there wasn't quite so much stuff after that) hubby, daughter, and I all packed light, knowing we would have a BUNCH of stuff from my son, who had been in Denver for a year.. (2 big suitcases and other junk)

We've had different versions of the caravan (voyager and town and country) since 1989, and travelled all over the place with 6 people.... including a 2 week trip from Texas to Washington DC. These were all pretty good sized people... no car seats or boosters on the DC trip.

I love my Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth vans!

I own a dodge grand caravan. Best vehicle I have ever owned. We bought it in 2005 still not ready to trade it in lol. but on to your question.

ours has the captains chairs. so you could put the booster seats and car seat in the back and the adults in the front and middle. when we go on vacation we have had 5 full size suitcases as well as various backpacks, pillows sleeping bags etc. you will be fine. unless your bringing 7 or more full size suitcases. and at that most of them have a luggage rack on top so you can if needed buy some bungi cords and strap some of the luggage on top.

I drove the Caravans and Windstars as company vehicles for years when I sold medical devices. I don't think the standard Caravan had much storage space at all. I don't know how you would cram seven people and all of their stuff. It is interesting that Wild Woman gave the info that the Grand Caravan is 12" longer. I think big SUV or two cars.

Get one with a roof rack, and take bungee cords with you. You can put any weatherproof/waterproof bags on the top - put them toward the back of the roof rack since they will slide anyway. And pack a lot lighter than you think you need to - you can do laundry in the villa. I know you don't want to do a lot of that, but honestly, you can throw in a load during breakfast or cocktail hour, and people can take turns.

The Grand Caravan is bigger behind than a standard Caravan. The Grand has more room behind the back seat than a standard. I have a Grand Caravan and have gone camping with it and taken vacations with all our luggage and other "stuff" behind the back seat with a cooler between the front and middle seats for snacks. I don't know how much room is behind the back seat in a standard but from the ones I have seen it looks like the back seat is almost right against the window. Not much room for luggage.
ETA: Please don't use bungy cords. My Brother-ln-Law literally poked hs eye out with one. Use tie-downs or ropes or something else. And why is it interesting that someone mentioned that the Grand is bigger when it's true?
As to your second question, yes, you can put a suitcase between the front seat and the second or middle seats.
If you can't get the Grand Caravan-look at something else. If it's a standard Caravan you will be too cramped.

Personally I would rent two cars. You have many people different ages, different interests. Also this way no one is cramped. I on e did seven people and luggage and would never do it again. I just think two cars would work better all the way around. Better to be safe than sorry. If you get there and find out things do not fit, and you cannot get another vehicle, then what.

K.:

If it's a GRAND Caravan, you will have a lot of space. The regular Caravan is 12" shorter.

I would NOT put a suit case between two seats. It would be a loose object in the cabin in case of an emergency or accident.

The seats are comfortable. So for an hour drive, i don't think you'll be cramped...might be tight depending upon the size of the car seats, booster seats and people...

Check into the Suburban. It seats 8 and has a TON of room! The one we rented got 25+ MPG highway...

Have fun!!

Well, our Caravan doesn't have captain's seats. It has a bench, but it's shorter, so your mileage may vary. We have taken several trips with 7 passengers (at least one in a car seat) and we've been a little tight, but we don't always need our snail on the roof. I think that part of the planning for you will be what do you REALLY need and what can be packed in space bags? You will have room for luggage in the back, behind the last row, and by the door (or between the seats), and at your feet. The kids being in car seats means they don't need the leg room and you can use their floor space. If you don't have or want to use a snail, you can get a canvas one (ask for a van with a roof rack). Your gas mileage won't be as good, but you'll have more space.

ETA: for just an hour, I think you will be OK, especially if you are packed for a flight. Just make sure you have enough seats.