Driving tips/suggestions

[plgshpz]

Driving in November for our first ever trip to WDW. I hate the idea of driving and was wondering if anyone could give tips or suggestions to help ease the tension. No men will be along for the ride (myself, sister, mom and children). We plan to make stops every two to three hours to get out and stretch, etc. and won't be driving at night.

Are there a lot of signs for directions to help us along the way once we get into Florida?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[ZerasPride]

This is our first driving trip to Disney and we're going in November too!

I don't have a whole lot of advice because we're newbies too but I wanted to say that there is a wealth of driving info on this site if the search feature is active. Someone posted a wonderful interstate site where I was able to print off valuable info plugging in favorite restaurants and hotels so they showed on our map. Also at www.discovery.com you can create your own cross word puzzles and brain teasers for the kids which I think is just great. I've created 5 or 6 different games for them to play in the car in addition to having their walkman's, gameboys handy and I'm making gift bags for both my boys. I'm sure others will have some good ideas to share and don't forget to use the search function - just type in "drive" or "driving" and you'll get loads of information. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

P.S. We took our first long driving trip to check out DVC at Hilton Head in South Carolina and had the most pleasant drive. I don't knock flying (which we usually do to go on vacation) and I know its the most convenient and expedient way to get from point A to point B but nothing could beat some of the sun rises, sunsets and rainbows that we saw on our leisurely drive. We live in a beautiful country and its nice to see it first hand - at least that's my attitude toward driving; I was really surprised how enjoyable it was. Like I have had to say repeatedly to people when they express surprise at the fact that we are driving this trip - we're going by way of our luxury sport utility vehicle - not covered wagon!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

We have driven from Michigan to WDW several times -- myself, husband and two children (now 16 & 17) -- towing a pop-up camper.

Basically I would recommend getting an early start (we actually leave at 3:30 in the morning). We have a cooler and snacks accessible in the vehicle and everyone brings reading/listening material and a pillow. We usually take the middle seat out of the van so that someone (the one not driving) can take a nap. We have studied the maps before-hand and so, even if we get in heavy traffic, we are familiar with what we need to do. AAA can advise you of any construction areas prior to the trip. We have our hotel booked for the night (easier than setting up camp enroute). Someone who can read maps always rides shotgun to keep the driver company (good way for children to pick up this skill, especially if you give them some coaching before you go).

We stop whenever anyone needs to ... drinking coffee first thing, we tend to stop quite a bit at first. No one minds frequent stopping and it actually takes a lot of the stress out if everyone is agreeable to stopping when necessary.

Couple of tips - (1) Make sure you have plenty of gas before going through big cities, (2) Make sure everyone has gone to the restroom before going through big cities, (3) Put a spare car key on a ribbon and put it around your neck under your shirt ... this way you won't get locked out of the car at a rest stop!!, (4) Before getting back on the road, take a look around your vehicle checking tires, etc., (5) Take a lunch stop (from your cooler, of course ... don't waste time at a restaurant) at a scenic rest-stop mid-trip ... everyone should stretch and/or "run-around" to get the blood circulating.

Usually we are at our hotel around 7:00 or 8:00 pm which is when we start to wilt and the sun is smack-dap in your eyes. A swim and an ordered pizza ... then to bed!

Once you arrive in Orlando, there are plenty of signs, so make sure you and the person riding shot-gun are paying attention. If you're staying at a hotel, try to make a grocery store stop first. (Make a point to stop at the "Welcome to Florida" Rest-Stop for fresh orange juice and a "we're in FLORIDA" celebration.)

To be honest, I actually enjoy these "Road Trips" and the kids have done very well, even when they were little. The key is to PLAN for the hours in the car and to be relaxed.

Have a great time!

 

[kel3420]

We did a road trip last November from Chicago to Orlando and it went MUCH better than I expected it to be

Make sure you plan your route before you leave. It is helpful to highlight on a map in yellow your route. We used Mapquest as an additional tool. When you get your directions from there, it shows exactly how many miles each leg of the trip is. For example, if Route X to Z is 14.5 miles, and you notice you have gone 20, you know you have gone too far. This helped me alot when I drove while hubbie slept.

As a good suggestion for passing the time, books on tape are wonderful.

Have a fun safe trip.

 

[Nuts4Disney]

I hope I don't come off wrong, but this might be easier to answer if you said where you were driving from.

We drove from NY for the first time this year & it was a piece of cake. No men needed. From NY it's a straight run, but like I said, I don't know where you're starting from. We were so ambitious we drove straight through, with no stopovers! Btw, that was not a good idea unless you want to arrive like this ! LOL!

If you or anyone you knows belongs to AAA, request a trip tik, it has useful info on it, like gas station stops. They'll even send maps & tour books if you request it.

We did a lot of the suggestions already mentioned. We found the cooler w/ small plastic bottles of water, Coca-Cola, sandwiches, healthy snacks a good idea. Antibacterial wipes came in handy, especially w/ all those self serve gas stations. Plenty of good music kept us going!

A car pillow & blanket were extra nice comforts. We kept a flash light in the glove compartment for map reading during night driving. We liked to keep track of where we were. But the roads were well marked. We encountered a lot of construction & bad roads, but that was just a nuisance, not a deterent.

I'm not sure how fast you're used to driving, but the speed limit is fast! A word to the wise, if you're not used to the speed, move over to the right & let the "Brother Truckers" pass!

Best of luck! Remember the pioneer women made it all across this great land, & they didn't have power steering, A/C, or cd players!

Have a fun, great, safe trip!

 

[Disney845]

You have already gotten some great advice and I will just second a lot of it. I have made quite a few Fl-Ohio, FL-Indy drives. Most of the time it is with my SO and he is a much stronger driver than I am. I do not enjoy driving very much, and tend to tire quickly. I also get very nervous in high traffic areas so it is a must for someone else to drive through places like Atlanta, Jacksonville, Chicago, lots of construction, ect... Whenever SO and I go we are able to drive straight through without having to stop for the night. I would definitely suggest calling AAA (if you are a member) for a free trip tik, they map out your whole route for you and provide you with info about where major construction might be taking place. You can also get guide books for the states you will be driving through. I think these things took about 2-3 weeks to arrive, but it might have been sooner.

Before you leave make sure you change the oil, check tire pressure, check all belts, have your air conditioner looked at. These are all things that can really ruin a long driving trip if they were to go wrong. Fill up the tank the night before and you might want to do a practice run on packing the trunk.

We always pack a cooler filled with some of the following:
bottled water
coke
deli meats and cheese
other sandwich toppings (lettuce, tomatoe, pickles, etc)
sandwich rolls
mayo and mustard
chips
jello or pudding cups
snack cakes or cookies

We will stop at a scenic rest area and get out and have a little picnic. It is better to not make the sandwiches ahead of time but to bring the loose items and assemble the sanwiches there b/c there is nothing worse than a soggy snadwich. I suggest doing this as opposed to stoping for a sit down meal or fast food b/c it gives you a real chance to stretch and move about. Plus sometimes the scenery is beautiful, and the fresh air does wonders for you after being in a car for several hours. Also fast food/prepared food might not sit well on your stomach on long drives. Bring a ball or something for the kids to throw around and release energy.

Another great thing to get is the road exit book. I am not sure of the exact name, but I got this at walmart. It was in the impulse buy section (checkout counter rack). This is a great book. It lists all the things you will find off of any exit off any major highway in the country, and gives you distances. Things included are restaurants, hotels, gas stations (very nice if you are using a gas card that works at only one brand of station, or like my SO are picky about the type of gas you use), stores, hospitals, and more. The book itself was only about $5.

Hope some of this helped you! Have a great trip!

 

[ducklite]

Just keep in mind when packing those coolers and snacks, no fruits or vegetables may be brought into the state of Florida. If you have to stop at an Ag check point, they will be confiscated (you will be given the option of eating them on the spot as well ) Penalties for breaking the law are stiff.

Anne

 

[kristielee]

We are attempting the same trip in Oct. DH, me, DD (age 4), and DS (age 2)....yes we probably are nutz!!!!

But I did find a fantastic web site at www.momsminivan.com
It is full of game and snack ideas to keep kids entertained while on the road!

Good luck. I guess it can't be that bad, or no one would attempt it, right?

 

[gibbys1]

We have driven eight times from PA. My husband likes to leave late at night while my son and nephew slept. In the morning we would stop for breakfast but my husband would sleep in the car while we ate. I would get him something to eat to go and I would drive in the morning while he slept. In the afternoon we would switch, he likes to drive on the way into Orlando.

 

[Disneydenise]

Imagine that I have broken the law several times. We use to drive when we had more time and always had a cooler packed with fruit. I am a rebel and I didn't know it. Why in the world would a cop stop you to inspect your cooler if you weren't driving irractically? I would think they'd be more concerned over beer or alcohol in the car than fruit. Of course I was appalled by the sale of beer at the gas stations in SC this summer. A gentleman was purchasing the largest can of beer I have ever seen and he was obviously past the legal limit. Very Odd rules wouldn't you say.

 

[Nuts4Disney]

I have to reply!

You mean you can buy fireworks on your way down south but there are stiff penalties for fruit?

As you may already know, there are huge billboards advertising fireworks for sale on the ride down south through some states. Come to think of it, there weren't any billboards to buy fruit.

I had to look this up in my AAA tour book. Under special regs it does say that trucks & trailers must stop at agricultural inspection stations, but not pvt passenger vehicles. There is no mention of the fruit. Could you see being hauled for having fruit in your cooler? Now I can't get Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant out of my head. OK, so I'm old.

 

[Disneydenise]

You can't be that old I had the same song in my head. I also thought about the line in Mrs. Doubtfire referencing a Drive by fruiting.

 

[Nuts4Disney]

LOL!