1 Week left before our drive to DW 2009

[boettj]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.