Driving to DW ?

[cgajdzisz]

We are driving to WDW for the first time when we vacation in April. Does anyone have advice? We are leaving from NJ with our 2 DD's 7 and 2. We plan on stopping at South of the border but we're not sure where. Any advice would really be appreciated.

 

[Belle1962]

You may get more answers on the Family Board--this is a topic frequently discussed there.

Some people suggest:
driving at night while the kids sleep.
Purchasing a tv/vcr/dvd type thing to keep them entertained.
frequent stops to let them get out and run around.
Books on tape.
Limit drinks (potty accidents)
Games --like the alpahabet game, 2 door 4 door, etc,

The seven year old can count the South of the Border signs. I gave my DS a quarter for every sign he saw, then when we got there he hda his own money to spend.

How far do you want to drive each day? You may want to make a hotel reservation in advance--travel may be heavy in April--esp. around Easter.

 

[Emme]

We drive several times a year to WDW from NY and think we have it down to a science . We leave 5 am with a packed breakfast and lunch and stop to walk around every 3 hours. We stop for the night in 12 hours which is Florence SC, have dinner, get a great nights sleep, have a nice breakfast (always included in hotel), leave hotel around 8 and continue down I95 until we hit Palm Coast FL. around 12:00, eat at Steak and Shake, get back on 95 and arrive in WDW around 2 pm.

When my son was young we would cover the back seat with a sheet (catches crumbs, avoids crayon marks...) give him coloring books, crayons, game boy, and pack the car with snack and drinks. Get some books on tape for the car and some Disney CD's to listen to...

Driving is not as bad as everyone thinks...we actually enjoy the ride down and treat it as part of the whole vacation experience. It's so cool to leave NY cold and grey and as you get further south everything warms and turns greener!

Any more help PM me and I can even recomend some hotels...
We do it a bit different on the way back...we stop in Rocky Mount NC to sleep, it separates the trip in half...

Just relax and you will have a great time!

Emmy

 

[Desnik]

There's a tonof info about this on the family board. Here are a few links:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=488581&highlight=driving

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=226819&highlight=driving

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=459257&highlight=driving

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=445233&highlight=driving

I have done the drive numerous times. If you plan to drive all day and stop for the night, pick somewhere other than South of the Border. There have been some negative reviews on that area. It is basically very touristy and not so clean. I have only driven by so this is just info from others on these boards. You have already gotten good advice and I would second the advice about the DVD/VCR/TV. It really helps the time fly. We like to bring long movies like Harry Potter! I personally don't like doing the drive through the night with kids. I just don't like going into the bathrooms at rest stops with small kids at night. Some do have security, but sometimes those guards are nowhere to be found. Also I just have this fear of having car trouble and being stuck on the side of the road at night in a deserted area. Parts of the drive are very dark and desolate. Last trip we left at 4am, the kiddies were still asleep and stayed asleep until 9am. I had packed pop tarts and such for breakfast and drink boxes. After they both fell asleep again for hours!! We stopped for lunch and dinner and for potty and stretch breaks. We arrived at WDW at 10:30pm. Checked into ASMo got a good nights sleep then next day checked into BWV and were well rested and ready for the day. This worked out great for us. We found when we drove through the night, when we got there DH and I were exhausted and needed a day to recouperate. DD was well rested and ready to go! This caused a problem.
Good luck and enjoy planning!

 

[disneysteve]

We've driven from Southern New Jersey numerous times - just did it in November. First time, our DD was 5 months old. Now she's 8 years old.

Tips? Take a short break every 3 hours or so. We'll get out - hit the bathroom - stretch - and get back on the road. Maybe 10 minutes tops but its refreshing.

As for where to stay overnite, I'd also recommend NOT South of the Border. That's just a big tourist trap. Every exit on 95 has 3 or 4 (or 8 or 10) motels from every chain you can think of. Many include free breakfast which is a nice bonus. We never book in advance. When you get into the state where you plan to stop, go to the welcome center and get the hotel guide book. That lists all the hotels at each exit and their rates.

How to entertain the kids? Sorry, but I don't go for the TV/VCR idea. People have entertained their kids for years and years without them. I don't want my DD staring at a TV for 18 hours. Bring along books, travel games, music, etc. Bring along some favorite toys and also buy some new stuff that you give them periodically along the way as their attention wavers.

Steve

 

[mudnuri]

not everyone uses the tv/vcr/dvd all the way down. For instance, the last time we went down, the kids couldnt' watch a movie until after dinner. I knew we had about 3 more hours till our hotel (we have reservations based on where we know we'll want to stop)...the next day was same situation.

THe kids have a back pack FULL of stuff to do, books, crayons, game boys, leap pads, cards, you name it it's in there.

The only thing I do different than probably everyone is my kids are NOT allowed to eat while we are driving. When DD6 was 2, she choked in our truck...I turned around to look at her and she was blue in the face, eyes buggin out etc... almost lost her...not good...tell me where on I-95 your going to feel safe coming to a complete stop in an emergency? Not me...so they do NOT eat in the vehicle if the car/truck is running. They may have drinks though.

We stop when we need diesel, thats not too often considering we've got a 24 gallon tank, and on I-95 we average 21 miles per gallon...When we do stop, we stop at Flyin J's and theres enough to do at those to be out for 45 mintues to an hour...we also try to stop at those with schools nearby, same exit...they usually have playgrounds for the kids to run around etc..

We'll be driving down again in May...can't tell me that I'll spend anywhere close to the 850 I'd spend on tickets, plus the $75 I'll pay to park my car at the airport...

Brandy

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by mudnuri
We'll be driving down again in May...can't tell me that I'll spend anywhere close to the 850 I'd spend on tickets, plus the $75 I'll pay to park my car at the airport...

Brandy

Absolutely. That's always my reasoning. Plus the cost of a rental car for the week when we get there, we save about $800 by driving. Of course, the downside is we lose a couple of days of vacation, but we enjoy the ride so that's part of the trip too.

Steve

 

[Mishetta]

We have driven down 3 times (from Michigan). First 2 times we just had a 4/5 y/o who is great on long road trips. This last time (a couple weeks ago) was with our now DS8 & DS2. Well...it was pretty hard for the 2 y/o but we did bring along all of the above mentioned items. The DVD player kept them both occupied so I was pretty relieved.

Personally, if the kids are not fighting, then I don't care if they watched TV/DVD's all the way down. Afterall, the whole time we're on vacation, they didn't get to watch anything so...it all evens out! My goal on a long road trip is peace & quiet!

 

[caseymaureen]

We just did this the day after christmas, have done it many times, are kids now college students are used to the ride, we fly over half the time, but with the holidays and late notice, it would have cost a fortune. Traffic going down on Sat. Dec. 27 th was terrible it was more cars the road could hold, no major accidents, construction that we could see. Took us 14.5 hours to get to Jacksonsville, usually about 11. But the ride home on Jan. 2 was great from GA to MD no problems, with a few little stops less than 10 hours.

 

[AirForceRocks]

We made the drive from DC 2 years ago, and will be doing it again this coming August. DD will be 10, DS will be 8, and there is no way I'm leaving without a TV in car. I'm planning to buy the DVD/VCR and an extra screen. If they want to watch the same thing great, if not, that's great too.

When we went, we left here at about 5:00 AM, stopped for breakfast after we got into NC, then for a picnic lunch. We drove to Brunswick, GA, which is just north of the FL line. We had dinner after we got to the hotel, and the kids had time to swim, watch an in-room movie, and still get a good night's sleep. We slept in, then were at WDW for a late lunch.

Sorry, but I don't go for the TV/VCR idea. People have entertained their kids for years and years without them.

I see your point, but I disagree with your logic. The same could be said for air conditioning in cars. Our cars never had that when I was growing up, and we still traveled. But having it makes the trip much more comfortable and enjoyable for all. I view mobile video in the same light. No harm to the kids and it makes the trip more enjoyable for all, so I'm there!

 

[amcnj]

I think the most painless way for everyone, but the driver, is driving straight through the night. But I know I could never do that. For me getting up really early works. I leave from South Jersey about 2:30 am and and am in North Carolina by the time everyone else is waking up, and that is where we stop for breakfast and gas, in the 8-9 am range. Then we do gas stops. a South of the Border quick stop (half hour or less), etc. But basically I can be in the Jacksonville Florida area by 5 pm or so, and usually stop somewhere between Jacksonville and Altamonte Springs. Lately we have been going all the way to the Altamonte Springs area, arriving around 6:30 pm I believe. We could go stright to WDW instead, but we like that day to be a little shorter, have dinner, get a good night's sleep an then be in WDW early the next morning with everyone well rested. Not to mention a more reasonable hotel price too! For me the more difficult part is the ride home because I (the driver!) am the only one willing to leave early morning again. So instead we end up leaving around say 8 am iand stopping in Rocky Mount NC area for the night, and then still have 6 hours or more the second day. The second day is the long one for me as I am anxious to get home. if you have any other questions, just let me know!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

We've driven from SW Michigan several times and with a pop-up camper, no less!! We also have a system:

- On the road by 3:30 am
- Frequent stops for gas/bathroom/stretching
- Lots of books, CD's etc in the car (no TV ... driver gets to choose the music!)
- We have a mini-van with a total of 4 people going - we take out the middle seat which provides room on the floor for a cooler and space for the "other driver" to stretch out and take a nap
- We have snacks in a Rubbermaid tub behind the back seat where they can be reached
- We usually pull into Valdosta, GA (just north of the FL border) about 7:30-8:00 pm ... pizza in the room and good night's sleep
- Free breakfast at the hotel and then pull into WDW about 11:00 am

On the return, we have everything but the sleeping bags packed away the night before. We break camp about 6:00 am and are on the road by 6:30 am. (This gets us slightly ahead of most other traffic leaving FL. We've left after 7:00 before and have gotten caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic!!! Ugh!)

We pull into Elizabethtown, KY (south of Louisville) about 6:30 pm and have a nice dinner and then to bed. On the road by 7:30 and usually home no later than 1:00 pm.

Like the others, I actually enjoy the trip down, but HATE the one going home!!!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by amcnj
I think the most painless way for everyone, but the driver, is driving straight through the night.

For my crew, I would disagree. Though my wife and daughter are both able to fall asleep in the car, its not good sleep - not as good as in a decent motel bed. They would both end up tired and out of sorts the next day, and I'd be exhausted from driving all nite.

You do make great time that way, but I'd rather get a good nite's sleep, leave first thing in the morning and drive until about 9 or 10 at nite. Then we stop at a motel for the nite, get on the road first thing next morning and we're in Orlando in time for lunch.

On the video issue - I apologize if I sounded harsh about the players or if I offended anyone who uses them. We, my wife and I, just prefer using other forms of entertainment. When DD was little, we would take turns sitting with her and playing games, reading, etc. And now that she can read, some decent music and a good book keep her quiet and entertained for hours. One other thing we'll do sometimes is visit the library before our trip and take out some books on tape/CD to listen to on the way down.

One thing nobody has mentioned yet. When I tell people we are driving to WDW, invariably someone says, "Why would you spend all that time driving when it only takes 2 hours to fly?" Then I explain how it takes 1 hour to get to the airport and park. You have to be there 2 hours before your flight. If the plane leaves on time (which it never has), the flight is 2 hours or so. Then you need another hour to deplane, get your baggage and rental car. Plus another half-hour or so to get to your hotel. Suddenly its not 2 hours vs. 17 hours, but rather 7 vs. 17 which isn't quite as big a difference.

Steve

 

[AirForceRocks]

Suddenly its not 2 hours vs. 17 hours, but rather 7 vs. 17 which isn't quite as big a difference.

I totally agree.

 

[poohtown]

we just returned from our trip. It took us 30 hours to be exact to drive from CT to Disney and 24 back. The trip up we stopped every 4 hours to stretch and alternate driving. We also stopped at South of the Border (it is really neat to arrive at night with everything all lit up but nothing is open till the morning) There's really not alot to do there but look at fireworks. My kids were really good. They watched dvds, listened to cd's, colored, and played the license plate game. They are 8 and 15 tho, can't give advice on the little one except maybe to go at night and let them sleep. On the way home, we left at 7pm and my husband drove 10 hours straight, then I drove 10, then he finished the final 4. The kids and I slept right through the night. Each trip we only stopped once to eat and took some snacks for the back seat. (fruit, rice crispie bars, granola bars, etc.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We used to get up extra early when our kids were young so they slept part of the journey. Have always had a rule to stop every 100 miles or 2 hours, whichever comes first. Makes for a more alert and comfortable crew.

Stop at the state border, where you plan to spend the night, and pick up one of their coupon books for a good place to spend the night without costing a fortune.

I hate to have to agree but South of the Border is not a good place for people with children. It was just me and hubby the one and only time we stopped but I was underwhelmed by the quality and overwhelmed with the dirt and seediness of the place. Shame as it could really be a good stop but there it is.

Adele, Georgia is our favorite stop. Mama's Table and several motels and restaurants abound here. We come down 75 and am not sure what route you will take. We found a great stop last trip. It ws Acworth, GA 1-75 exit 278. A small shopping mall with a nice clean motel in the back and several eating places there. Fast food and otherwise. Saw a country bar and grill, Arby's Taco Bell etc. but we tried out a place called His and Hers and it was a good deal. Good southern cooking and it was only about $5 for all you could eat. We will stop there again.

How about a thread for all the main roads to Disney world with favorite places to stop? Something to think about. (smile)

Linda/Slightly Goofy

 

[NCRedding]

The main main of wdwinfo has a great listing of exits on I-95 including lodging, food, and hotels. I have printed it out because we are seriously thinking of driving next time (our trip would be about 10 hours).

 

[funhouse8]

We just drove to wdw on 12/28. We woke up and left at 4am. We arrived in Santee SC around 5pm and had a nice nights sleep at hampton inn. They had a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and we continued on our way to Disney I think we arrived around 2pm. We were surpised at how easy the drive was. My husband is the only driver. One time we drove to Mrytle Beach at night and it was murder. The drive during the day seemed to be so much better. I'm not sure why but it was. We have a VCR and we added a nintendo 64 in the car. I also printed word searches and such that I got off this website. The kids really enjoyed this and I gave the winner a dollar each game. I was going to get disney money but I never made it to the store. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Gina

 

[DS484]

Sorry if it's slightly off thread... But just wanted to add my two cents about our enjoyment of the drive to WDW.

My wife and I have made the trip from CT nine times, three times with our children, last time DS7, DD3 and used many of the above tips with great success.

Some people will do a cost analysis showing advantages of flying over driving breaking depreciation on car/ minivan, time etc...but for us the trip to WDW is not just about the destination, its also about the journey(drive) as a family.

For others, flying is the way to go. That's their decision.

But for us, driving ! We wouldn't have it any other way. Just my opinion.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by DS484
Some people will do a cost analysis showing advantages of flying over driving breaking depreciation on car/ minivan, time etc...but for us the trip to WDW is not just about the destination, its also about the journey(drive) as a family.

I agree completely. In the crazy world we all live in everyday where everyone is rushing constantly, we enjoy taking the time to drive to our vacations. In addition to numerous drives to Disney, we've also gone to places like Niagra Falls Canada, Boston, DC, and lots of others.

As a parent, I think there is a great educational experience to be had by driving a long distance. Before we leave, we sit down with an atlas and show DD the route and all the states we'll pass through. On the way, we keep a log of when we get to each state. We stop in the Welcome centers and learn a bit about the area. We sample some regional food specialties (love those Pecan Logs). We point out the cotton fields - no, cotton doesn't come from WalMart. One year, DD's class all took home Flat Stanley (from the kids book). The class had a map and put pins everywhere a student took Stanley. On our trip, we pulled over at each "Welcome to..." sign and took a picture of Jen and Stanley. Her class loved it and she got to put all the pins in the map when she got back.

Some of our favorite Disney vacation stories to retell to friends and family don't take place in Florida, but rather during the journey to and from.

Steve