driving to disney with kids

[java]

We drive every year from Western NJ. For us it is 16 hours. We do it in 2 days. Making the first the longer of the 2 travel days(we try to get to South Carolina on day one) We can get to Richmond in 5 if that gives you an idea of our location relative to yours. We have 4 kids (11,8,3,1) We drove last year when the baby was just a few months and we needed to stop more often for diaper changes and nursing... But this year we try to keep stops to a minimal. We try to plan fuel fillups with bathroom breaks- so on day one it is 2 fillups/bathroom breaks. A quick stop to pickup breakfast and eat in the car on the road and then a 30 minute fast food type lunch break. We stop at a hotel around dinner time so we all get a good nights rest and a good dinner. Then up at the crack of dawn the next day to make it to disney around 1. You can do it and we also enjoy the trip down. I got this book that I thought I hated last year(drive I95) but actually it was helpful for the trip down. it gives you hotels and restaurants along the way and also playgrounds, museums ect...but that is not on our agenda on the trip down. It did give us a great sandwich place outside of richmond and another great BBQ in Georgia. I pack surprise bags for the kids= to keep them happy and it works like a charm on the drive down and for the ride back everyone is too tired to complain! If I were you maybe stop at the relatives on the way back.

 

[pixiemagic30]

ok if I leave at 5am and I plan to drive 12 hours . How many stops should I plan on taking and for how long of time? I was thinking breakfast lunch and dinner and some potty stops?

We drive to Florida all the time. The way we plan our stops is we stop when we need gas (roughly every 300 miles). That averages out to be roughly every 4 hours. During these stops, we fuel up, make our potty stops as well as meals. Now, obviously there are times when our meals don't line up with our fuel ups but otherwise we try to stop as few times as possible.

You don't mention the ages of your kiddos. Depending on the ages, you will want to stop closer to 3 hours if they are younger so that they have a chance to run around for even 5 minutes. On this same note, if they are younger, they tend to nap more so you are able to drive longer between stops. We also like to drive at night. By doing this, the kiddos are sleeping no matter the age, which allows you to drive longer. We as drivers may stop more for a quuck stretch but it is only 2 of us stretching instead of 4.

All in all, it is not a bad drive. We have driven down (from Ohio) with a 6 month old and up and we have never had problems making good time. As for fun things in the car, we have done the coloring books, dvds, cards, small "toy bags". Now each of the kiddos have their own game boys which will keep them entertained for awhile -- well, at least we hope so!

 

[isyt]

ok if I leave at 5am and I plan to drive 12 hours . How many stops should I plan on taking and for how long of time? I was thinking breakfast lunch and dinner and some potty stops?

Ok , have done many trips, my kids are 4, 6 and 8, but have driven 2-3 trips a year. We usually leave between 5-6am and stop every 3 hours or so. Around 9a a bathroom break , at noon stop anyplace with a play area (McD or Burger King, those kids meal toys can be useful for hours!) than 3-4p a quick bathroom break and we always stop at a table service restaurant for dinner. We usually change the kids after dinner into jammies and drive as long as they can handle it (sometimes we get to Disney around midnight or stop close by) . My kids usually do quite well and we do have a dvd player. My dh is the "entertainment director" and I do most of the driving. It is my quiet time!! I think my best advice is to play it by ear and see what works for your kids. Don't have a plan to get there by 6p or stop in a specific town. If you are tired stop, if not go until you are ready!! Have a great trip!!!