Dallas to Disney?

[texasmomoftwins]

Anyone on the boards ever made the road trip to Disney from Dallas? We're headed to the World in Feb. '09. We're going to be pulling our 30' TT, with our 2 year olds twins, I might add, so we know we can't get into a hurry but would love an idea of how long we're talking it might take us to get there. We'd ideally like to split the trip up into two legs with an overnight stay somewhere mid-way. Is this possible? And if so, where is a good half way spot to stop? Are there any good route planning websites out there, other than the usual mapquest (which I hate)? Thanks for your help!
Lori

 

[Cdash]

I can't help you with the Dallas thing, but we went last October with a 2 year old and a 4 year old. We went 1700 miles in 2 days. We drove from 10am till midnight and stayed at a Cracker Barrel just south of Atlanta, then made it to Disney around 5pm the next day. Not sure what mileage you are talking about.

I get a lot of driving done when everyone is sleeping (no bathroom stops) and usually seem to get a long way between 8pm and stopping time. We usually just hit a Cracker Barrel or truck stop where ever we happen to be when it's time to get some rest. We carry the kids in and put them into the converted dinette since we can't get to the bunks with the slide closed. They think it's neat sleeping there and like breakfast at Cracker Barrel before we head out the next morning.

The best thing I think we did was to explain to both kids (many times) in advance that we were going to Disney, but it was going to take 2 days of driving to get there and we needed them to be good in the truck. They seemed to understand and for the most part were REALLY good the entire trip. We just brought lots of car things to do, dvd's and pillows and blankets. I know they are only 2, but talk to them and tell them what to expect and I think it will help somewhat.

 

[the5coops]

We have made 6 trips in the last couple of years and have 2 more coming up. We live East of Dallas and it takes us 22 hours to get to Disney. We have 4 kids (we take my nephew) and we make a lot of stops. We usually leave around 9:00 and stop at a KOA in Denham Springs, LA. They have a cheap breakfast so it makes an easy morning. We drive until Ocala and stay at North Ocala RV. We are only a few hours from Disney and that makes us have more time to enjoy on our arrival day. We make it in two days on the way home and usually stay somewhere near Gulfport, Mississippi.

We also use the new toll road off the Florida turnpike, 429 I think is the name. You will come in near the Coronado and then follow signs to the Magic Kingdom. We also stop at a Super Target just before the Disney exit to load up on fresh veggies and fruit.

One time we pushed into the Florida panhandle but it was not as relaxing of a drive.

Shelley

 

[Millermouseketeers]

We have made many trips from Dallas to Disney.Long drive! It takes us 19-20 hours, depending on stops. We leave at 4 am and can get there about midnight but we usually stop outside of Gainesville and sleep for a few hours at a security patrolled rest area. Then we go on and check in at the Fort early around 7:30. Our kids are older though, 15, 12 and 10. We have also driven to Tallahassee and stopped for the night. Probably done in 2 days is best for your little ones.

 

[WeCampDisney]

We live in the Longview area of east Texas and have made the trip in 20 hours plus the time zone change for a 21 hour trip. You can add 2 hours from Dallas. I have a few suggestions. First, stay on the interstate hw at all times. Pulling a trailer without traffic stops in towns is the only way to go! I go I-20 to I 49 in Shreveport, south to I-10 then east to I-75 then south to WDW. Second, get the book, "The Next Exit". All of the rv friendly gas stops, rest areas etc are in red letters so its very easy to plan all your stops at any milemarker. Third, go to KOA.com and use their trip planning tool and when plotting your trip, use the criteria of only KOA campgrounds within 2 miles or so from the interstate hw. After a long day you don't want to get lost driving several miles off the hw looking for you campground ( I did it once) Of coarse, some spend a night in a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot. The "Next Exit" tells you where all of those places are too.