Accelerating in a minivan w/ automatic

[Smile-n-Nod]

Beginner's question:

I have a minivan with automatic. What is the best way to accelerate on level ground to 30 or 40 mph from a standing start? Should I accelerate as slowly as possible and take longer to reach my cruising speed, or should I accelerate quicker and reach my cruising speed sooner?

[JV-Tuga]

In my car I find that I can punch it to 2000 RMP and then keep it under the 2000 RPM. Cruising between 40 and 60Km/h it revs around 1500 RPM. On 4th I can cruise up to 80Km/h under 2000RPM.