driving to disney with kids

[stahshee]

we are going to do the drive from ny to disney. My whole extended family has me strssed on how far the drive is ( dh hates to fly) we were planning on driving 13 hours one way and then contine for 7? please let me know your experences.
Now I am thinking to split it up over 3 days. I have a dvd player and lots of car games but I am getting nervous about the long trip. I have an aunts house in Va that I could stop and stay and it is on the way. she is 13 from disney . I do not know what to do.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Relax - it's not as bad as it sounds. We made the trip from Oklahoma this past December with a 2 year old. The DVD player was a life saver. Just be sure and stop plenty of times and you'll be okay. We drove about 14 hours the first day and about 7 or 8 the second. Have snacks/drinks on hand along with toys/games and it's really not too bad.

 

[Momto3chicks]

We just drove down this past November from Ontario with 3 kids, 20 months, 4 and 5...we also have a dvd player as well as other activities for them to do....we were really surprised at how good they were....they didn't say boo the whole way and it was me who had to stop more for bathroom breaks than them...LOL..We drove about 10 hours the first day and 9 the next which took us into Daytona....We are doing it again this November...Just relax...it will be fine..

 

[Minnie824]

It really isn't that bad. We drove in Nov from Chicago area. Left at 1:30 in the am, and drove straight thru - with a 4 yr old and a 19 mo old. My concern, was that stopping overnight, they would not want to get back in for part 2 of the drive. We got there by about 9:30pm cst, 10:30pm local. We had movies, stopped for meals, and usually 1 stop between each. Our DDs did really well. There were some grumpy moments, especially from the little one, around 3pm, where they were just tired of sitting, but we stopped at a rest stop, got a snack and that helped. We even let them walk around the resort and get cookies at 11pm when we arrived.

We are planning the trip again this year, with one minor change...we're still leaving the same time, but stopping overnight in Gainesville. That way, only 2 hrs to drive the next day, and we should hopefully get to stop over/sleep around their bedtime. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[sanibelover]

Drove plenty of times with young ones (3 Sons) and without a DVD player (if you can believe that). We have had great trips! I too was nervous at first, but I would drive now in a heartbeat.

The first time I went to the Dollar Store and got presents and wrapped them for the trip - every so often they got to open them. They really didn't need them though.

The worst part of the trip is the mess that the van becomes. When we stop overnight, everything comes out and we reorganize for another day of driving.

We are probably driving again in September from CT. Actually looking forward to it.

Have fun!!!

 

[Vijoge]

We made the trip in 3 segments when we took the grandkids in Feb. We drove about 5 hours the first evening (left after school), 12 hours on day 2, and 3-4 hours on day 3, arriving at the World about lunch time. It was a nice relaxing trip.

We're going back in Nov. (no kids!) and I'm not sure if we'll do it in two days or three.

 

[MickeyP]

Hey, we're from central NY too and driving down this summer(yuck). Driving down is no problem at all.....you're going to Disney. I'm afraid driving home is a different story. It's probably 3X farther, longer, and you're sleepier.

 

[3mickeys&me]

I live in NJ and growing up we drove down with 2 adults (shared the driving) & 4 kids, a few times had 5 kids. My parents drove straight through. It wasn't that bad, then again I was a kid. We have driven to Myrtle Bch SC with our two kids and we drove the straight 10 hrs with no problems.
I say try to drive half way if you can or drive till you are tired then stop for the night then do the remaining miles the next day. Its really not that bad of a drive

 

[mickeymousemom]

I agree with most of the other posters. Its about an 18 hour drive for us and not that bad at all. My family has made this drive to FL since I was about 10yo. Now I make it with my own kids. I can't imagine wasting alot of my trip by taking 3 days to get there for just 18 hours. We usually leave early in the morning and drive all the way to southern GA(when possible, about 5 miles north of the FL line)...this is about 14 hours, approximately. We stay the night and head out the next morning to arrive in Orlando around lunch time. We try to stop alot on the way down(and wouldn't if it weren't for our 2yo) and walk around, stretch, etc. WE might stop for about 20 minutes at a time, but it's plenty to get everyone refreshed. My older two(16 and 12) take CD players and books...homework if need be...and sleep a good part of the way. We have a DVD player for the 2yo and it works WONDERS. All in all, the drive isn't near as bad as it may sound...people do it all the time.

ETA: Since it doesn't sound as if your kids are used to making longer trips of any kind by driving, then for everyone;s sanity you might try taking your time. If it works out okay, then shorten your trip next time and try to make it down in two days. You have to do what;s comfy for you and your family.

 

[ohboyx3]

Hey, we're from central NY too and driving down this summer(yuck). Driving down is no problem at all.....you're going to Disney. I'm afraid driving home is a different story. It's probably 3X farther, longer, and you're sleepier.

I agree. The trip going isn't so bad, but the trip back is terrible! We were so sad. There was nothing to look forward to and we were tired. Seriously though, I had my doubts. We drove straight through about 10 hrs. It wasn't near as bad as I thought. I'd do it again and I had an 18 motnh old, 4 yo , and 7 yo. Thay did great! Good luck and don't stress too much. Worst that can happen is you'll have to tolerate some fussing. It'll soon be forgotten once you're in Disney. It's all worth it!

 

[stahshee]

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?

 

[poohraedopey]

You know I'm doing it too I think it will be okay.

 

[jodifla]

I'd take the Autotrain at least one way. It's a very fun experience for the kids.....It leaves right outside of DC.

 

[tjmw2727]

We drove from DE to Clearwater for Christmas with a side trip to WDW and I dreaded it. Well, I was wrong we liked it sooo much better than flying that we did it again for our Cruise/WDW trip in February.

We left DE at 4am to make it through the DC traffic areas before rush hour and then stopped in Georgiia for the night - about 11 hours the first day. We stopped in GA and found a great holiday inn with an indoor pool and made it part of the vacation. We did the next 6 hours easily the following day and things went great.

My dd's had a portable dvd player, gameboys and cd players, all with headpones! I bought a couple TV series on DVD and that kept them very busy, moreso than movies. They watched two seasons of full house, some Raven and Kim Possible.

They also read, we all talked and we watched the states go by. My dd got a hiddent mickey book as a gift so we all spend some time with that in preparation for the trip. Any of the guidebooks would be great for someone to read aloud if carsickness isn't an issue.

We made sandwiches for the first day lunch but we did stop at a picnic area to eat and stretch. I also brought jump ropes for the kids to use during rest stops. Lots of water bottles and snacks for us all, some healthy some not so healthy!

Have fun!
TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

I'd take the Autotrain at least one way. It's a very fun experience for the kids.....It leaves right outside of DC.

Oh thats a great idea, I think it to costly for a r/t but maybe we will try that for the return trip next time!

TJ

 

[HiddenMickey3018]

I am from VA driving to Disney. I am told it will be about 800 miles I will be with my 3 children ages 8,11,4. I plan of leaving the 12/15 driving at least 500 miles and staying over somewhere and finishing the last two the next day. I have the portable DVD player ready to go, 3 or 4 movies goes along pretty fast when the kids are occupied! Just take your time and enjoy!

 

[Fies4]

A lot of our friends & family think DH & I are crazy but the drive (of any family trip) is one of the best parts for us. We really look forward to that! Road Trip! LOL!
Relax, it will be okay. Like the others are saying, it's really not as bad as it sounds. DH and I have driven all over the place (Florida, Minnesota, the Carolina's, Canada, etc) with two kids and this will be our very first trip with a DVD player. And what's funny is our children even enjoy driving like DH and I do (we lucked out with that one).
We try to make the drive into a "mini vacation/adventure" in itself. We give them each little maps or atlas's and coloring books/crayons, etc (things to keep them busy) and include them in the navigating. We also stop at fun places to eat out and try to pick one or two places to stop along the way that the kids will enjoy seeing (doesn't have to be places that will take all day but maybe an hour or so and we can stretch our legs). Our kids love hotels also so they look forward to stopping at the next hotel and taking a dip in the pool and then ordering dinner. So I guess it's just a matter of figuring out what the kids will enjoy and entertaining them (and you) and making it a family affair.
It will be great - just try to relax and have fun! You'll love it.

 

[sm4987]

we've driven from disney from texas straight. My kids are 10 and 6, but they were younger when we did it. We had a wonderful time and drive and we are planning on doing it again.

 

[rt2dz]

we are going to do the drive from ny to disney. My whole extended family has me strssed on how far the drive is ( dh hates to fly) we were planning on driving 13 hours one way and then contine for 7? please let me know your experences.
Now I am thinking to split it up over 3 days. I have a dvd player and lots of car games but I am getting nervous about the long trip. I have an aunts house in Va that I could stop and stay and it is on the way. she is 13 from disney . I do not know what to do.

I have not read the whole thread, so I apologize if I'm being repeative.

Don't worry about it. We drive EVERYWHERE right now because I just find it much easier with three very little kids and all the things they require (DS#2 has health issues and requires a lot). And this means ~1400 mile trips. The kids (we have 3 boys) at various times have been 2 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 7 months, 15 months, 20 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years. Here is what makes it sane for us:

We leave late afternoon/early evening. I rest up during the day and drive first. We usually get in a few hours of driving (no dvd player), stop, get out somewhere where the kids can run around and eat dinner. We then get 2-3 more hours of driving (still no dvd player) in before the kids get tired. We get out at a rest stop, let them run around for a while, work out all the kinks, and then they fall to sleep & DH with them. Everyone is dressed comfy, cozy clothes. This is where we make good time, the rest of the time we are trying to have a good time; the drive is part of the vacation. I drive until I'm tired, wake up DH. Switch drivers. I sleep while he drives. When he's tired we switch again. If we're both tired, we will stop; we will not risk anyone's life.

In the morning when the kids wake, we get out at a rest stop and wash up. We keep a bag with a change of clothes (two for the kids actually), toothbrushes, soap, etc. Then we go to a restaurant where the kids can get out and run around. Burger King is great for breakfast for this. Kids can eat there or in the car (kills more time for them if they eat in the car). We'll then break out the dvd player. We continue to stop every couple of hours to get out and stretch at rest stops, restaurants (we get out for every meal), points of interest. It does add time to the drive, but it makes the drive feel faster and much, much more pleasant. That is the most important thing.

We bring things that help keep the kids busy in the car. DVD player. Coloring books & crayons. Magna Doodle. Books. Books on tape. A few favorite toys & a few new toys (think cheap, like the dollar store). We play travel games. Have music for the kids. Gameboy. Travel pillows and blankets for everyone (ok dh & I share since whoever is driving can't use them).

I also pack lots of snacks. And plastic bags for trash. And paper towels. And baby wipes to wash up while in the car and clean up minor things. And lysol and febreeze. At every stop, we clean out (& up) the car. At every gas stop, there are bathroom breaks & diaper changes. Same with every rest stop we stop at. We also stop as soon as any kid says "I've gotta go"--they aren't kidding.

We have never had a rotten time driving & neither have the kids. But we do it often. The kids are pretty good in the car & all of us can sleep in the car.

Hope that helps.

 

[WAHMto5]

We drive every year and we have never had a problem. We used to drive over a couple of days and now found that it is a bit easier to drive straight through when possible. We always leave around midnight so the kids are good and tierd and we can get at least 7 good hours of diving in before stopping for breakfast.
We actually enjoy the road trips and a couple of times came home up along the East coast to stay on the Ocean a couple of days!