Driving from Toronto to WDW (hopefully)

[KCMA]

We are split at 3 drives and 3 flights for our 6 trips .. we are in the Durham region just east of Toronto .. we actually don’t mind driving at all.. two children 5/9 were the ages for our first drive... we have had them on long car rides since they were babies and have always been great on long drives... we typically leave lunch time and drive straight through on the way down... we pack lots of food and snacks and it’s usually just gas and coffee stops... we will usually stop somewhere between Jacksonville and Daytona off the 95 and have a sit down breakfast.. be at the resort anytime between 10am and noon.. either get our room or just hang out at the resort or go to Disney springs . For travel home we split the drive and stay in Mooresville North Carolina.. it’s just under half way for us and we are very familiar with area tons of hotels and food options.. Walmart/Target... next day finish the drive

 

[azrivest]

I can't really help with stops or highways as I live in Alberta and drive to Disneyland (not world) but here is how my family does the 22 hour drive to Disneyland.

We leave at about 5pm on say Saturday. We stop for supper at about 7:30 (late for us) then keep driving. Kids fall asleep around 10pm and we have quiet driving till about 6am when they wake up. We stop for breakfast then continue till about noon. We have now gotten in about 16 hours of driving time with the kids sleeping half of it. We take a day in the pool and put the kids to bed early then hit the road the next day around 8am and arrive in DL about 2pm and have a nice restful day (check out downtown DL, etc), get an early sleep and everyone is raring to go first thing the next day. Now you need a good night driver to do this but it sure is easier on the kids!!

We used to do that when we were kids. My parents would drive straight down to Myrtle Beach or Florida without stopping.

I'm curious if anybody has any experience doing this with car seats though? At 2.5 and 6, the children with OP still need seats. What's keeping me from driving is I imagine kids would get numb bums pretty fast after so much time in their seats. Mine couldn't last the 24h drive...

 

[FigmentSpark]

As I said before, we don't drive through (DH couldn't handle sitting behind the wheel for that long, no matter how much he enjoys driving). But we've been doing these trips since the kids were toddlers. They are used to their car seats. It didn't bother them to be in them all that time. That said, we took a short (10 minute) break every couple of hours or more so they could stretch and run off some energy. Sometimes it was a bathroom break or meal, other times it was just one of those rest stops for a little walk around. When they were a little older, we brought a soccer ball or football to throw for a few minutes while at a rest stop.

I also had videos for my kids. Each had their own portable system, so they didn't have to watch the same thing, but could, if they wanted. Now, with other electronics, we make sure we have extra batteries and a bonus if the van has a plug to charge devices while on the road. Any "screen time" limits go out the window when travelling with small children.

Just as an aside, when I travelled by air when the kids were small, I also brought the portable video machines right in my carry on bag. People around me would start with the dirty looks before take off (when the systems were still packed) and by the time we landed, I was getting compliments on how good my kids were. The secret was keeping them occupied in ways that were not intrusive to other passengers. And over time, they matured and learned how to be good travellers.

 

[ChrisParker]

One thing I would suggest is get a copy of Along I-75. It lists every gas station and restaurant and everything else that's at every exit. It makes the drive easier and it's interesting for when you are in the passenger seat of the drive. Have fun. We're driving it from London at Christmas. (God Willing)

https://www.i75online.com/I75BookInfo.html
Beth

 

[Average Joes]

When we went from Windsor my youngest (just turned 7) had a decent car seat. I don't recall it being an issue. We stopped at Macon Georgia and straight thru on the way back. I see it being less of an issue for the younger kids since they are lighter. Maybe have a sweater/thin cushion strapped on to sit on if they are in pain or there is little padding.

I have to say that with my wife not comfortable driving on I-75 I won't drive straight thru again.