1 Week left before our drive to DW 2009 - The DIS Discussion Forums

boettj · 10-29-2009, 09:32 PM

It felt like forever to get to a week before vacation, but it's been worth it. Next Thursday we drive from RI to DW. I've locked down the details for our trip. Below is a list of our items to take:

Electronics

GPS
Cell Phones
2 Netbooks with kids movies
2 DS's
1 Gameboy
Headphones
iPods
Camera
Video Camera
Inverter

Car items:

Emergency bathroom potty/cleanup
Two coolers
Dinner (We are leaving at 5pm, and will eat our dinner on the road.)
Tupperwear bin with sliced oranges, apples and bananas.
Trail Mix
Water, Water and more Water
Special treats
Books
Puzzles
Tray for baby seat
Pillows
Kids pajamas.
Roadside kit
AAA Trip-tik

The Trip-Tik says 19.5 hours. After posting other threads on the disboards, we are looking at about 24 hours. Our plan is to have my DW drive until we hit NY. I'll take over to get her around NY. Then she will drive until she is tired. I'll then take over for the through the night stretch.

If needed, I have a list of probable hotels to stop at along the way. Either way, I know that I will be wiped when we get there. Our plans are not to go into the park until Saturday. Friday will be a relaxing swim/sleep.

mousebymarriage · 10-29-2009, 11:51 PM

Since you will be driving through the night I suggest a pair of earplugs because when the night time driver gets tired everyone else will most likely be starting to wake up for the day. The overnight driver will need to be able to sleep eventually and unfortunately that is hard to do when the kids are awake, I have found earplugs are a life saver.

Another thing that worked great for me was an I-pod with ear buds. I was able to listen to music without disturbing everyone that was sleeping but, I only used 1 ear bud so that I could still hear police/ambulance sirens etc. if necessary. Have a safe trip!

margiemc · 10-30-2009, 10:42 AM

You have a good list. I would just add:
Blankets
Trash Bags (it's amazing how much trash get accumlated in such a short period of time)

We have driven down from Philadelphia for the last 8 years or so and don't mind it at all. Have a great trip!

chainkid · 10-30-2009, 08:24 PM

I'm flying down to Wd from RI on Friday and paln to meet up with my DH who has been away on a business trip for 4 weeks. We are staying at the Yacht club to celebrate our 40th anniversary and hubby's birthday. Hope you have a wonderful trip. I know I'm getting excited

boettj · 10-31-2009, 05:31 PM

I am bringing my ipod with me. Well iPhone, and will have one bud in once the kids go to sleep. This has always concerned me in the past, but I should be fine with just one in.

As far as sleep goes, I spend 4 years in the Navy. We worked 8 hours on 8 hours off. This resulted in odd sleeping times. I can sleep just about anytime, any place.

Trash bags are on the list. Just didn't put them.

billwendy · 10-31-2009, 07:25 PM

Sounds like FUN!!! We drive down from Philly too - our kids love it when we have glow sticks in the car at night, they also like lap trays to color on, some books to read, sometimes we play our favorite music and all sing along, HANDIWIPES cause you always get sticky or someone spills something - lol!!!

HAVE FUN!!!!!

hanutedmansionmomma · 10-31-2009, 08:15 PM

we drive from KS - about the same # of hours...DH and I can't do the drive all nite thing, but we're never sure where we'll stop, so I programmed the phone # for hampton hotels in my cell. We earn points for staying. When we start to get tired, I dial 'em up and they find the closest place. It's been a nice addition to our long drives, and leaves the stress out of where to jump off the highway to find who knows what kind of hotel.

HTH

oh, our kids always run out of movies for the way back home. Make sure you bring enough

Have fun!!!!

mickey317 · 11-01-2009, 04:03 AM

All great ideas! We usually pack a few surprise bags for when the ride (to & from) seems to be getting long for them ---sometimes it is a dollar store item sometimes a new DVD or DS game. We try to pick up a couple of little things in the parks for the way home. Also, a book light for when someone wants to read or color in the dark

Have a safe & fun vacation!

duffy · 11-01-2009, 06:46 AM

We drove down in Feb. 2008 from western Pa., and one of my favorite tips picked up here was to bring a cheap shoe organizer that I tied to the back of the front seats. Each child was able to put her smaller things in a shoe compartment. It was really nice to keep the car neat, and they could easily find their stuff!

boettj · 11-01-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanutedmansionmomma

we drive from KS - about the same # of hours...DH and I can't do the drive all nite thing, but we're never sure where we'll stop, so I programmed the phone # for hampton hotels in my cell. We earn points for staying. When we start to get tired, I dial 'em up and they find the closest place. It's been a nice addition to our long drives, and leaves the stress out of where to jump off the highway to find who knows what kind of hotel.

HTH

oh, our kids always run out of movies for the way back home. Make sure you bring enough

Have fun!!!!

Great point about the way home. Hadn't put much thought to that.

boettj · 11-01-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey317

All great ideas! We usually pack a few surprise bags for when the ride (to & from) seems to be getting long for them ---sometimes it is a dollar store item sometimes a new DVD or DS game. We try to pick up a couple of little things in the parks for the way home. Also, a book light for when someone wants to read or color in the dark

Have a safe & fun vacation!

We put bags together for our trip to Washington D.C. this year. Today we are headed to Walmart to add stuff to them.

boettj · 11-01-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duffy

We drove down in Feb. 2008 from western Pa., and one of my favorite tips picked up here was to bring a cheap shoe organizer that I tied to the back of the front seats. Each child was able to put her smaller things in a shoe compartment. It was really nice to keep the car neat, and they could easily find their stuff!

Interesting. We have a mini-van. Wondering if the shoe organizer would make it difficult to get in and out of the rear doors. Definetly going to take a look at what Walmart or Target have for shoe organizer.

10-29-2009, 09:32 PM	#1
boettj Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: RI Posts: 486	1 Week left before our drive to DW 2009 It felt like forever to get to a week before vacation, but it's been worth it. Next Thursday we drive from RI to DW. I've locked down the details for our trip. Below is a list of our items to take: Electronics GPS Cell Phones 2 Netbooks with kids movies 2 DS's 1 Gameboy Headphones iPods Camera Video Camera Inverter Car items: Emergency bathroom potty/cleanup Two coolers Dinner (We are leaving at 5pm, and will eat our dinner on the road.) Tupperwear bin with sliced oranges, apples and bananas. Trail Mix Water, Water and more Water Special treats Books Puzzles Tray for baby seat Pillows Kids pajamas. Roadside kit AAA Trip-tik The Trip-Tik says 19.5 hours. After posting other threads on the disboards, we are looking at about 24 hours. Our plan is to have my DW drive until we hit NY. I'll take over to get her around NY. Then she will drive until she is tired. I'll then take over for the through the night stretch. If needed, I have a list of probable hotels to stop at along the way. Either way, I know that I will be wiped when we get there. Our plans are not to go into the park until Saturday. Friday will be a relaxing swim/sleep. __________________ Jason Upcoming: London England August 2011 Onsite: Nov09 6-15th - Port Orleans - Riverside: Dec06 - Saratoga Springs - First Coming Home : Oct05 - Port Orleans - Riverside : Oct97 - Honeymoon-Wilderness Lodge Honeymoon Suite Offsite: Oct98, Jan00, Mar01, Oct04 - Cypress Pointe : Nov02 - Visitana

10-29-2009, 11:51 PM	#2
mousebymarriage Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 394	Since you will be driving through the night I suggest a pair of earplugs because when the night time driver gets tired everyone else will most likely be starting to wake up for the day. The overnight driver will need to be able to sleep eventually and unfortunately that is hard to do when the kids are awake, I have found earplugs are a life saver. Another thing that worked great for me was an I-pod with ear buds. I was able to listen to music without disturbing everyone that was sleeping but, I only used 1 ear bud so that I could still hear police/ambulance sirens etc. if necessary. Have a safe trip! __________________ DH(39) ,Me(39), DD(13),DS(8) 1972(DH 1st trip) * 1978-1989(DH trips every other year with parents) 1978(My first trip) * 1986(school trip-me) 1990(DH & I first trip together-dating) * 1994(DH & I-now married 6 months) 1997(DD first trip 6 months old) 1998(DH, Me & DD) 1999(DH, Me & DD) 2000(DH, Me & DD 2002(DH, Me , DD, DS first trip 6 months old) 2003(DH, Me, DD, & DS) 2005 April(DH , Me, DD, & DS) * 2005 Oct.(DH & I only) 2006(DH, Me, DD, & DS) 2007(DH , Me, DD & DS) 2008(Grand Gathering 17 of us) * NEXT TRIP Feb.6th- 13th 2010 at Pop

10-30-2009, 10:42 AM	#3
margiemc Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 186	You have a good list. I would just add: Blankets Trash Bags (it's amazing how much trash get accumlated in such a short period of time) We have driven down from Philadelphia for the last 8 years or so and don't mind it at all. Have a great trip! __________________

10-31-2009, 05:31 PM	#5
boettj Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: RI Posts: 486	I am bringing my ipod with me. Well iPhone, and will have one bud in once the kids go to sleep. This has always concerned me in the past, but I should be fine with just one in. As far as sleep goes, I spend 4 years in the Navy. We worked 8 hours on 8 hours off. This resulted in odd sleeping times. I can sleep just about anytime, any place. Trash bags are on the list. Just didn't put them. __________________ Jason Upcoming: London England August 2011 Onsite: Nov09 6-15th - Port Orleans - Riverside: Dec06 - Saratoga Springs - First Coming Home : Oct05 - Port Orleans - Riverside : Oct97 - Honeymoon-Wilderness Lodge Honeymoon Suite Offsite: Oct98, Jan00, Mar01, Oct04 - Cypress Pointe : Nov02 - Visitana

10-31-2009, 07:25 PM	#6
billwendy DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: essington, PA Posts: 2,628	Sounds like FUN!!! We drive down from Philly too - our kids love it when we have glow sticks in the car at night, they also like lap trays to color on, some books to read, sometimes we play our favorite music and all sing along, HANDIWIPES cause you always get sticky or someone spills something - lol!!! HAVE FUN!!!!! __________________ (DH) (Me) (Zoey)

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10-30-2009, 08:24 PM	#4
chainkid Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 363	I'm flying down to Wd from RI on Friday and paln to meet up with my DH who has been away on a business trip for 4 weeks. We are staying at the Yacht club to celebrate our 40th anniversary and hubby's birthday. Hope you have a wonderful trip. I know I'm getting excited

10-31-2009, 08:15 PM	#7
hanutedmansionmomma Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 342	we drive from KS - about the same # of hours...DH and I can't do the drive all nite thing, but we're never sure where we'll stop, so I programmed the phone # for hampton hotels in my cell. We earn points for staying. When we start to get tired, I dial 'em up and they find the closest place. It's been a nice addition to our long drives, and leaves the stress out of where to jump off the highway to find who knows what kind of hotel. HTH oh, our kids always run out of movies for the way back home. Make sure you bring enough Have fun!!!! __________________ Haunted Mansion Momma...You know how you try all of these different screen names and finally one sticks then you realize it's misspelled? UGH! This is why I need to go back to Disney. momma 40, DH 41, DD 16, DS 11 12/2008 ASM Suites 12/2009 Coronado Springs (40% room rate pin code)

11-01-2009, 04:03 AM	#8
mickey317 Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 44	All great ideas! We usually pack a few surprise bags for when the ride (to & from) seems to be getting long for them ---sometimes it is a dollar store item sometimes a new DVD or DS game. We try to pick up a couple of little things in the parks for the way home. Also, a book light for when someone wants to read or color in the dark Have a safe & fun vacation! __________________

11-01-2009, 06:46 AM	#9
duffy DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 947	We drove down in Feb. 2008 from western Pa., and one of my favorite tips picked up here was to bring a cheap shoe organizer that I tied to the back of the front seats. Each child was able to put her smaller things in a shoe compartment. It was really nice to keep the car neat, and they could easily find their stuff! __________________ Every time you pluralize a word by adding an apostrophe and an "s", God kills a kitten. Please, think of the kittens.

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