Are we REALLY crazy for driving?

[budafam]

We're planning our first vacation to DW in September 2010. I've booked it already and we're set! It'll be me, my husband, our 2 year old daughter and 4 year old son. We're from Wisconsin. We're driving. Are we nuts for driving? We have a minivan so it's not like we'll be super cramped or anything. I'm not a fan of flying and I'm just worried with all of our luggage, stroller, snacks, toys for the kids, etc, that it would be easier (and cheaper) to just drive. I love to see the country as well and I figure a good 2 days of driving and we'll be there. Everyone we tell thinks we're crazy... will it really be that bad???

 

[Bren's Mom]

I don't know if it will be bad for YOU...but I know I'd rather stab my eyes out with a fork than spend 2+ entire days cooped up in a car with a toddler, a preschooler and my dh.

 

[3boymthr]

We do a lot of driving vacations and while I usually don't mind; for that matter we drove across country MA to CA and back in 28 days with three kids under 10 and I LOVED it would do it again in second; I have to say I hated driving to WDW.

I don't know if it's because I felt totally pressed for time because of the gotta get there gotta get back no time to stop and smell the roses thing because we were spending sooo much for WDW and didn't want to loose that reservation or because I did 90% of the driving since DH was sick. Our trip took 26 hours each way. Also with all our stuff we just didn't have any room to spare in our station wagon (it's full size).

We did two 13 hour days each way. Because of the cost of hotel rooms and food on the road we didn't save that much money either only about about $250 and for that amount of money I would much rather have spent those four days enjoying WDW or visiting other FL places like Seaworld or Cape Canaveral or just relaxing at home.

 

[tonilea]

We drove from NW Arkansas last year - as far north and almost as far west as you can get in Arkansas - LOL. It was much better than I had anticipated. We left at around 10pm at night and DS slept until we got to Birmingham, AL. He did fantastic. I couldn't have asked for better. It went so well, we are doing it again this year!

Some things we did:

Stopped at McDonalds - he could play on the playground equipment and then eat in the van.

I packed a "goodie" bag with a few new videos and new toys. When he would start getting restless, I would break out something new.

DVD player - invaluable, need I say more?

 

[ceecee]

I would rather fly. We live in Ohio and we did it once (without kids) we swore we would never do it again and haven't, we were exausted when we got there and home and we lost precious vacation time. We like to do a direct flight and in just over 2 hours we're there. It would be much easier on your kids too. You can check the strollers at the gate and take Disney transportation once there. Just get some umbrella strollers that are easy to manuever and you're set.

 

[Chicago526]

My DB and SIL drove with their two boys to WDW at least once, maybe twice from the Chicago areas. They said it was fine, but then my nephews do pretty well in the car anyway.

I'd only say you were crazy if you were planning to driver straight through. As long as you plan to stay overnight about half way there, you should be fine.

 

[Pigeon]

If it won't bother you, there's no problem.

Me, I'd rather set fire to my own hair than spend four of my vacation days RT trapped with my loved ones in a minivan. It would transform a vacation into a new circle of hell.

 

[dizzy duck]

I also would rather be poked in the eye with a sharp stick than drive. We have found that the route south is filled with people who really should not be
1. driving a motor home
2. driving a car with a trailer full of bicycles, minibikes, all terrain vehicles, none of which are securely fastened down
3. pulling a boat (once saw a sail boat come sailing backwards down a hill in Virginia because it had come loose from the car that was towing it!)
4. trying to make it to Florida by breaking the land speed record
5. trying to make it to Florida by driving 50 mph when the traffic is moving at about 70.

It is just too hard on my old nerves. I'll fly and get picked up by Magical Express.

 

[dizkids]

We drive from NJ. My kids 12,10,7 prefer to drive with the dvd player, gamecube, and drinks and snacks at their disposal. We are power drivers though and usually make it through without stopping. We load up the mini van with a lot less stress than packing for the airport.

Way back when they were 7, 5 and 2 and we drove .....i said NEVER AGIAN!!!

 

[dhardawa]

Honestly, if my choices were driving four days (two there and two back) or not going at all, I'd stay home. So, yes, I think you're crazy and I'd definitely plan to fly.

 

[Va-bear]

I don't know if it will be bad for YOU...but I know I'd rather stab my eyes out with a fork than spend 2+ entire days cooped up in a car with a toddler, a preschooler and my dh.

Ditto!!!! And I hear girls are better, but my young sons start going nuts after about 1 1/2 hours in the car - two, max. The one starts saying over and over and over "my BUTT hurts!!!!!" the other gets car sick. (And it was even worse when they were 4 )

And my back cant take that long in a car anyway....

Well, good luck though!!! I once drove to Wisconsin w/ my DH (no kids and we were in MD when we started....)....it is still a painful memory. I do hope you have a great trip though and many, many folks love the long drive!

ps - I hate flying too, so I know where you are coming from. I just 'make' myself do it for the kids and the vacations sake. (And I REALLY look - we fly darn cheap - by the time you add in hotels, highway food, etc. we save by flying.)

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I think it depends on your mindset. We've been driving from NJ (21 hours) every year since the kids were born and my oldest is now 5.

We make the drive part of our vacation. As soon as we pull out of the driveway, we are on vacation. No stress, no structure, no whining allowed. We also have found that it's more fun if one of us sits in the 3rd row while the other parent drives - the one in back gets to watch movies, distribute snacks, and be a kid for a little while as well. Somehow my DH seems to end up in the back a lot... I've turned around to see them and could swear that I've got 4 boys... one is just a lot bigger than the others.

So no, I don't think you're crazy. If you've got the time to be able to add travel days before and after your trip without cutting into your Disney time then it can be a whole lot of fun.

We drive down I-95 and have the "Drive I-95 Exit by Exit" book which makes it real easy to plan stops / bathroom breaks. Highly recommend the book if you're on I-95 (my US geography isn't that great... ).

For us, it's relaxing as both DH and I work full-time and we love being together as a family. We could probably fly for less money and a quicker trip, but for now the drive is part of our tradition and so far the boys have a blast with us.

 

[ckoncurat]

We drove from maryland two years ago, and I was suprised how painless it was. I would do it again.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

Some tips for the long drive -
- foam travel trays are AWESOME!! They let the kids use crayons, matchbox cars, eat snacks, etc. with minimal risk of dropping stuff. I'll find a link to them.
- your older child might be more comfy with a crate or something as a footrest to avoid the leg tingles from dangling feet for that long.
- make surprise goody bags ahead of time (brown paper bags with Disney stickers that hold dollar store toys) and space them out for the duration of the ride.
- keep a portable potty in the back if you've got kids that need to go NOW.
- what kind of carseats are they in? Ours are all still in 5 point harnesses (oldest two in Britax Regents up to 80lbs) so they can lean their head on the side of their seat to snooze. If you've got any in boosters, find a way for them to nap comfortably.
- don't laugh at this (and I know there are folks that will take this the wrong way!) but the boys like small frequent snacks during the trip and the best way we've found to keep things like grapes and fruit from rolling around and ending up on the floor is to use cheap, small plastic tip-proof dog bowls. They each get a bowl that sits in the corner of their travel tray and we keep it filled with grapes, crackers, raisins, whatever their snack of choice is. They do make tip-proof bowls for kids but thanks to the marketing geniuses, they're quite a bit more expensive. Go figure.

It can be done and it can be fun. Honest. You just need a sense of humor. And a lot of patience.

The lap trays we use:
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Kids-Snack-Play-Travel/dp/B000KJBFC8
What I love about this one is you can leave the strap that goes behind the carseat in place and just unclip it when not in use. Or you can just unclip one side and lean it against the seat.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

good luck, my friend drove down 1 time- she'll never do it again- she had an Expedition... but one thing that I would suggest is Febreeze-- you'd be amazed where kids throw things (or where they end up!)

 

[jagmom]

I think if you normally would consider a road trip for a vacation, then why not for Disney. I have a feeling when my kids are older (they are 3 and 1 now) that we will do lots of road trips.

 

[edandcolleen1995]

nope never ever ever!

We did our WDW trip from just north of New York City..

Never again.. It does not save us enjoy money (had 2 nights hotels, food, gas in there) to make it even close to flying from an airport 10 mins from us to Orlando.

We tried it once. Never again. My wife would kill me if I even hinted at it

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I don't mind driving places but from Wisconsin I would need to know that my total vacation time will be about two weeks. That gives enough time to make a side trip on the way home.

 

[KNJWDW]

I don't think you are crazy at all! We have driven to Florida several times from Wisconsin. It isn't that bad of a drive if you can stop somewhere overnight. Our kids actually look forward to it. We usually buy them some new books, dvds and other things to keep them busy. We stock up on all kinds of yummy snacks as well. We really enjoy the time together. That doesn't mean they don't get whiny and stuff at times, but they do that even when we are just driving to our local Wal-Mart. Also, bring something along that you enjoy - books, magazines, ipod, or even having satellite radio helps me and my hubby relax and enjoy the ride more.

Amy

 

[lspst8]

If you and your family don't mind car trips, I say at least try it once.

Now, for myslef, I'm with those who would rather stick sharp objects in their eyes that go on that long of road trip! The longest I ever sat in a car was a 12 hour trip to Hilton Head, and I was ready to scream when we finally got there. Even 8 hours makes me feel crazy, so I will never be driving to WDW. I also HATE, HATE, HATE the drive home. Nothing is worse that that last day of vacation, and I couldn't imagine facing a 2 day drive to get back home. When vacation is over, I wish I could just teleport home.