2 Kids + Small Car + LONG drive time?

[westjones]

We have a mini van, but I hate driving it in traffic. I really prefer driving my smaller car (Vibe).

DH thinks the kids would fight all the way there, and he is probably right. We haven't driven to WDW in a couple of years (been lucky enough to get some good airfares, but that isn't going to happen this March).

SO.....has anyone driven a long distance (we have a 17 hour drive) to WDW in a small car with two kids (mine are 12-twin girls)? We wouldn't go straight through, we would drive about 10-11 hours one day and finish up the other 6-7 hours the next. What was the experience like?

Thanks!
DJ

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Went in an olds cutlass when we were in college (4 of us) not only were we young and wild and adventurous but we also cramped.... i would never go in a car again.

We've driven from Mass a few times with our kids but always in a van. Much more room for everyone to stretch out and get comfy, especially with two teenage girls. I'd leave the small car at home and take the van.

 

[runner26.2]

As a Vibe owner and a mini van owner I can't imagine driving 17 hours with my children. While generally well behaved I don't think it would go well. If we ever drive from Ontario to WDW it will be in our van. Just too cramped. Maybe your children would be different, but knowing my kids I wouldnt' do it.

 

[QT Pooh]

I don't know...maybe it's just me...but some of my best childhood memories were driving down to FL (a 21 hr drive) with my parents and 3 sisters (and I had a good childhood). I've done it by myself with my two children as well 5 times and quite honestly they were really, really well behaved. The Vibe IS small though...the trick is to keep them amused with something else before they find something that will amuse them (poking each other until someone cries for example). There are lots of games to play and new things to see. It also gives a lot of time to talk as a family. We'll be driving down again next August and although my kids are a little older now (12 and 11), we're all looking forward to it. ROAD TRIP!!

 

[westjones]

Northwest Airlines just saved me! This morning at 5:30 am I found flights for under $200 roundtrip for spring break in March....so now we are not driving. I'm so relieved! Thanks everyone!
DJ

 

[feda05]

My brother and I never got along, and always fought as kids. My mom however being the smart sensible person she is figured a way to keep us from fighting in a small car. She'd pack "activity bags" before we'd leave for any long road trip (and Disney was 17 hours for us) She'd go to the dollar store and get just tons of games and toys that we didn't have so we couldn't get bored with easily. Coloring books and crayons, small cheap hand held video games, books, licenses plate bingo cards (you can make you're own which is much cheaper) If your girls have game boys (or whatever the new handheld game things are now) Get ‘em each a new game, they can trade later so it's really like two games. Anyways so she's get these things and put them into separate bags, (sometimes wrapping them like gifts) If you leave early in the morning, and I recommend that you do hopefully they'll sleep for the first couple of hours. When they start to wake is when you start tempting them with the activities bags. (They should have brought some of their own stuff to keep them amused as well let those things run out first; I'd recommend a lap board also) My mom would say things like It's another hour till Baton Rouge, if you can keep quiet till then I'll give your first activity bag. Then when she'd hear us get restless, she'd tempt us again. It's another 100 miles to where ever if you can keep quite there's another bag. And you'll know how many bags you have to space out over the appropriate amount of time. Those things usually kept my brother and I from getting too feisty. Also the year we went to Disney my mom every couple hours would bring up some interesting fact from the Disney guide books she was reading, or let us plan different rides, or things we wanted to do when we were down there too keep us excited, and to remind us to be on our best behavior. Best of luck with your drive! Hope these ideas work for you!

~Manda