Driving from Mississauga, Ontario

[pollioni]

We are planning to drive down to WDW in January, and we would like to make the drive in 2 stops. The first on about 12-14 hrs from home.

I was thinking somewhere in South Carolina.

Also how to survive the trip with 2 children 7 & 2. Washroom breaks, streching legs. Keeping them amused.

Any thoughts Ideas.

TIA

Robb

 

[Disney5Mom]

We had planned to drive last march break but we got a great deal on a flight out of Buffalo. If you consider hotels ,gas and food on the way down this may be a comparable option.

 

[hockey mom]

We are planning to drive down to WDW in January, and we would like to make the drive in 2 stops. The first on about 12-14 hrs from home.

I was thinking somewhere in South Carolina.

Also how to survive the trip with 2 children 7 & 2. Washroom breaks, streching legs. Keeping them amused.

Any thoughts Ideas.

TIA

Robb

We drive from Peterborough straight through. We have a DVD player that keeps the kids busy, play road games, books, and thier music but we find if we leave early morning that by the time they get cranky it's time to fall asleep.

If you are planning a stop in SCarolina that means you are taking the 77/95 route which if you don't mind me saying is a bit trickier in the winter months. We take this route in April but not in December.

 

[OntFamily]

There is a key piece of equipment necessary for a long drive -- portable DVD or VHS player !!! Don't leave home without it.

If you won't need a rental car at WDW, give serious thought to flying. The cost won't be much different (especially now with Magical Express now in operation).

Expect gas cost of approx $350, lodging of $400 (4 nights), and food of $250. You may be able to find a flight for close to this (and save the four days of driving).


However, if you'll need a car in Florida, driving will be much less expensive than flying and renting.


The routes to Florida (any of them) have great rest areas. When I drive with my two year old, we found every stop became a one hour break (but it gave him a great opprtunity to strectch his legs).

 

[SnowWhite]

Here is a link for you, this will help you plan your trip better.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...=ON&1z=&2ahXX=&2y=US&2a=&2c=Orlando&2s=FL&2z=


Hope this helps.

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[CharlesTD]

Although the portable DVD players are great if your kids are used to travelling any distance in a vehicle they should be ust fine. We have a DVD system built into our van and the kids never use it they are far more content reading colouring and listening to music than watching movies. We like to play travel games with them and crossword puzzles (word searches etc) we also like to talk about what we want to do ans see when we get there it helps pass the time quicly. We also reccomend leaving at night after dinner that way the kids sleep for the longest portion of the trip makes the drive easier. We spent 170 dollars US for gas this May with our Montannaand when we usually stop for the night only on the way down never on the way home we stop near the bottom of Georgia maes for a short drive the next day to WDW the rooms average around 49 dollars.

 

[cslittle999]

You should check out some of the ideas here, http://www.momsminivan.com/index.html. We've used a number of them.

Our kids are a little older now (DD8, DS6) but we've taken long trips for years and the key is giving them something to look forward to through out the trip.

We always make extra copies of the route map (usually from MSN maps for us). That lets the kids keep track of our progress.

On our last trip to WDW, DW made up surprise packages to give out as we crossed into each new state. The packages were all small things and were a combination of items for use in the van (books on cd, travel games, ...) and things for when got to WDW (disposable camera, glow sticks, ...). With each package was a little information on the state that our oldest had to read.

We take turns deciding who gets to pick the next cd. Again that gives the kids something to focus on and anticipate.

The kids have their own seat back organizer that has all of their drawing stuff and travel games so they can manage them themselves.

The other thing we have found helpful is that we always pick a hotel with an indoor pool. Right after we check in we always go for a swim to burn off some energy.

Unlike Charles neither myself or DW are good late night time travelers so we leave early in the morning. The plan is always that the kids will sleep until we get to the border but it never works out that way. It does mean that they have a nap in the afternoon which also makes the trip go easier.

Don't be in a rush to get back in the car at rest stops. We usually kick a soccer ball around or do some other activity for five or ten minutes before continuing the trip.

 

[NancyK]

If you are planning a stop in SCarolina that means you are taking the 77/95 route which if you don't mind me saying is a bit trickier in the winter months. We take this route in April but not in December.

I have to agree with this. We love the 77/79/95 route, but we go I-75 in the winter. I think CAA also recommends 75 for this time of year. The mountains aren't as high on 75 so the weather is usually less extreme.

 

[Torontogal]

will be driving from Mississauga as well. We are leaving in 1 month with 2 children ages 5 and 2. We are planning to drive about 11 hours on Day 1 and about 8-9 hours on Day 2 and the remainder of the drive on Day 3. We just bought a Sienna with a DVD player, we are packing a ton of CD's as well.
One thing that the children love is watching their home videos of when they were babies!
I recommend packing gravol, make sure they do not read in the car, keep the tem. cool. Also, getting them involved on the trip is good.
There is a good book by Dave Hunter re: driving to Florida. Chapters has it. I also recommend getting the official Disney Guide which has lots of park info. Where are you from in Mississauga?
Have a good trip!

 

[pollioni]

Thanks for the info. It appears that we may have changed our mind a bit about driving but it is still in the back of our minds. We probably will drive to Buffalo and fly from there. Southwest has great sales on now and then and they fly direct to Orlando from there.

I live at QEW/Cawthra.