Crazy for Driving? Talk me into it, please!

[perdidochas]

I noticed that Cracker Barrell restuarants have a book-on-tape rental system. You pick one up and drop it off any Cracker Barrell nationwide. I thought about doing BOT for the driver while the kids have their headphones on with DVDs in the back.
DisneyMom3 - I think I'll enjoy the freedom on my own SUV to drive. Kids, especially one still in diapers, need TONs of stuff. Don't want the hassle of shipping it ahead or shlepping it through an airport hoping it doesn't get lost. It's just the 2 extra vacations days - are they worth it?
Thanks for all the comments guys. Lots of things to think about.

Books on tape or CD are great. You can also get them at many public libraries. Check out a couple before a road trip, that way if you don't like one, you can just skip it. Harry Potter books are a big favorite with my kids. They last a whole trip

 

[jillyjoey]

My 2 cents : we've done it both and we will probably end up driving

WHY you ask?

We are a 12-13 hour drive to Orlando (depending on pit stops).

We are 2 hours from the airport 2 hrs
Time waiting at airport before flight 2 hrs
Flight time 1 hr 15 min
Layover 2 hrs
Flight time 1 hr 38 min
Time to WDW 1hr 30 min
Total 10 hours 23 minutes

Now for the trip home

Time from WDW to getting on plane (ME) 3 hours 40 minutes
Flight 1 hr 38 minutes
Layover 2 1/2 hours
Flight time 1 hr 15 minutes
Leave airport to parking 30 minutes
Drive home 2 hours

Total 11 hr 18 minutes

Really did not save us that much time. I had to spend $40 for us to eat a crappy meal at the airport, my DD(4) screamed on every flight and DH yelled at me for choosing to fly over drive.

We have never had a problem driving ANYWHERE--- we make an annual trek to Outer Banks every year w/ our car filled, 2 kids, 3 dogs and we are fine (a little stinky but fine -- nobody complains). This year we flew -- everybody but me complained -- but I lost my Mickey watch. Oh well!!!

 

[bkfree]

Yes, I can see your point there.
But for us it is 11 hours in the car.
Or
25 minutes to airport
1 hr wait for flight
90 minute direct flight to Orlando

Same on the way home.

11 hours versus 3 hours.
Leave at 7 am and arrive at 9:30 am (8:30 our time)
Leave at 7 am and arrive at 6 pm

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

i know this is a bit off-topic, but just wanted to add because many of you seem to drive through tallahassee (and stop there...)

if you're looking for a nice hotel, stop at cabot lodge off of I-10 (Exit 199). they have a FREE happy hour (full bar!!! ) with popcorn, and a HUGE complementary breakfast each morning. also, the pool is great and the rooms are always clean. there's also a cracker barrel right across the street.

sorry to be off-topic, but it's a great place!

 

[northriver]

Wow there is some great advice in this thread! I thought I'd add my 2 cents too. Last trip to WDW I drove. We drove from central Iowa to Orlando - I don't how how far, but it was about 300 miles too far -at least that was the point where we all started getting on each others nerves on the way home, lol! Otherwise it was a good drive - we planned some fun things to do along the way, like smal town museums, and found resonable rates for hotels along the way. I think we took 3 days to get there and then came home in 2 very long days.

As far as your toddler, mine is 18 months now and we drive 3 hours each way about one weekend a month. Every trip is really hit or miss. Some days she sleeps. Most always she plays happily with her same old toys - if she gets fussy we sing. Sometimes she screams - in my opinion it is like driving drunk while she is screaming - I can't concentrate on the road. But I wouldn't rule out that it won't work for your family, especially if you are all excited and have a positive attitude about the car ride.

Flying pros: Faster! And it can be a fun adventure for the kids too.
Flying cons: Expensive. And YES buy the ticket for your youngest it is MUCH safer, not to mention more comfortable for everyone involved.

Driving pros: Bring all your stuff along. Have your own car when you get there. Save money!
Driving cons: Time on the road. Stress from the drive carrying over into your Disney trip. And don't laugh - a crowded hotel room because of all that stuff you could bring in the car. (Been there done that!)

Have a great trip!

 

[PreciousSadies]

I'm one that is up for an adventure...I would drive across Canada with my 4 children, but my husband would want to fly! Saying that though...I sometimes leave my younger ones at home, when I have done long road trips like yours!

If you take the approach that the whole vacation is an adventure, by stopping often to stretch legs, and offering new toys (wrap them up, and present them at different mile markers) then it could work.

On the other hand, WDW is huge and will take a lot of time and effort on your part while you are there, you're children may not want to go in the car for a short haul, anywhere. I always say, I need a vacation, from my vacation, when I have done WDW. If you aren't going until the fall, I would check into getting better rates on flights, car rentals. You then, can save up all your energy and mostly likely your husbands sanity, which you will need to have support, when your at the park, and have tired children.

Have lots of fun!

 

[gunit12210]

w/ four kids (from NY). It wasn't so bad. We stopped once each way at a hotel with a pool. This served as a decent bribe as something to look forward to. Of course many potty breaks with or without coffee as well. Dual DVD players, V-Tech Smiles, Gameboys, and books (some Disney CD books) came in quite handy. Of course the gallon sized Benadryl from Sam's Club WAS HUGE. Just kidding, good luck. Road trips are a great family bonding experience, take advantage if you can.

 

[perdidochas]

Yes, I can see your point there.
But for us it is 11 hours in the car.
Or
25 minutes to airport
1 hr wait for flight
90 minute direct flight to Orlando

Same on the way home.

11 hours versus 3 hours.
Leave at 7 am and arrive at 9:30 am (8:30 our time)
Leave at 7 am and arrive at 6 pm

What about the time spent waiting for luggage in Orlando? Flight delays?

I do agree that a flight is better than an 11 hour drive, but much less than 11 hours, and it become much less worthwhile.

 

[susieq76]

We've driven the past two times and we enjoy it. Actually the only reason we're flying this year is that I got such an incredible rate on southwest that I had to do it- it only cost us 100.00 more than driving- so now we get two extra nights in Disney

When we drive (we have three little guys) its 28 hrs (we stop alot- my sister drives through and makes it in 21). We leave at 8pm at night (the boys usual bed time)- they watch a DVD & fall asleep. We stop around 2am for a power nap and then awake by 4am to continue driving until the boys wake up about 6am for breakfast. We take a LONG breakfast break (we try to find a McDonalds with an inside play area and let them go to town) and then I take over driving & hubby sleeps a little more- the boys play with their leapsters or watch a video. We stop for lunch off the road where the kids can play outside and burn some steam. They usually nap after lunch and we drive straight to dinner where we usually have another long stop. We usually get to Disney rather late at night and just wait (sleep) in the lot until the morning hours to check in.

We have been given a room at 6am once and once we had to take showers at the pool area and head to the parks b/c our room would not be ready until check in.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I live 6hrs from Houston and roughly 10-12 hrs from disney (depending on how fast we are going and how many stops we make). DD6 has done this drive 7 times now and 3 were this year (July, Aug, & Dec). Usually we do this drive at night so that the kids would sleep through the drive. I like driving during the day now though we stop at a nice rest area on I-10 around florida/alabama line take a break stretch (15 mins total) and get back on the road we also stop at a McD's or a BK that has a playland and let the kids play we stay for about 45mins and usually don't have to do this anymore so we might do on our drive home. Bring lots of movies and a few small toys. You may even want to consider trying a longer road trip 2hr isn't long so they will be awake and crabby for most of that time. Try a 6hr trip (12hrs both ways) with a small stop and see how they do. The little ones can be just as crabby on a flight as they are in a car.

 

[becca011906]

lovin' all these trips...

Mandy you might want to fix or delet that pic in your siggy... before you get a frozen account... it needs to be smaller Try the tech board for help if you need some!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Mandy you might want to fix or delet that pic in your siggy... before you get a frozen account... it needs to be smaller Try the tech board for help if you need some!

Thank you I just added it two days ago and was having trouble with resizing it and tech didn't help much. A marvelous moderator fixed it for me this afternoon I just had to wait for him and now I am good to go.

 

[becca011906]

looks great... ok sorry back on topic! Just didn't want you to get your account locked up...