I always vowed to never be a "minivan mom"... things change when you have a child. We have one toddler and LOVE our DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. Now, due to the fact this will be a rental you most likely will not have all the extras. If you can though, see if you can get a van with the "stow and go". The floor opens up so that you can store your wife's camera bags, diaper bags, extra toys, etc.

This is the safest option should an accident occur... keeps everything from flying around at a force 100s times it's weight. IF the stow and go isn't an option or is too expensive then PLEASE invest in a cargo net and purchase some of those clip type things people use to hold their keys (like climbing clips). This should allow you to secure everything quickly and easily... again, preventing possible injuries due to flying luggage should an accident occur.

Minivans are great but many people tend to pack them full of things without safety in mind. We never mean for an accident to happen but that's why it has the name, "accident".

P.S... My child wasn't forced to wear a bicycle helmet and knee pads when learning to walk... I just took a few too many upperlevel calculus classes.