Driving to WDW with a little one

[tracirae1105]

This is the first time DBF and I will be driving to the World, and we're taking his niece with us on this trip. Driving from Chicago will be quite a long trip, so I'm looking for ideas to keep her entertained while she's stuck in her car seat.

She's only 2, so most of the other posts suggesting word games and such won't work for her. And I do already have the portable DVD player and plenty of movies - just need some other ideas in case she gets bored with 20 hours of movies!! Any suggestions??

 

[DWGal210]

That trip sounds like fun! You'll be making some great memories with her.

I have a cousin who's that age, and one of his favorite games right now is "Can we find...". We'll say things like, "Can you find a green car?" or "Do you see any birds?" and he stays occupied for a little bit, at least, while he's looking out the car windows. I'm not saying this game would last for 20 hours, but it does take up some time.

You also might find that she naps quite a bit, especially since the car is moving and if there's a movie or music on as background noise. If she's a kid that is soothed by the car, you might not have to entertain her as much as you think.

Happy Travels!

 

[TheWescotts]

We did it with DD2 in September. We of course used the DVD player, but not the whole way. We were driving from VA, so it was about 12-13 hours total broken between 2 days. Then on the way back from DCL we did it in 12 hours straight.

Have plenty of different types of snacks.
Go to a consignment kids store and get some new toys or books. Pull them out one at a time as needed, and make sure you save some for the ride home.
Even though she was potty trained we put her in a diaper for the trip. We would only stop every 2 1/2 or 3 hours or longer so if she had to go it and couldn't hold it it wouldn't make a mess.

Basically though the DVD player was the big thing. She did the whole trip and barely cried.

Good luck. She still talks about her trip "Micky's House" She matured a lot. It was a lot of fun for a 2yo.

 

[koolaidmoms]

We started doing the drive from NY when DD was 18 mo. old. Videos are great for awhile but also have a bag of "tricks" just in case. We have an old duffle bag that I collect small toys in from clearance sales and the dollar store. Viewmasters with Disney reels, magnet trays with different theme magnets (Wal-mart), get a tray that will fit over her car seat if you can to use Color Wonder coloring books and markers, (even if dropped without covers on they last a few days and do not immediately dry out in our experience) and other little animals, people, etc... to make up stories with. Coloring books or paper are pretty good too but can get lost if you do not have a tray with side pockets on it.

Also food. Lots of special finger foods they may not get at other times. We pack a "special" insulated lunch box that gets pulled out when nerves get frayed. It usually has juice, animal crackers or a couple cookies some cheese cubes, meat and crackers. My kids still love this one to this day. I just set it in the top of our cooler until needed.

You may wish to take a ball or something to kick around at rest stops to get some running in and get the energy out!

Good luck. The drive there is a whole part of the vacation with our kids. We call it our Adventures.

 

[jenseib]

Well you are VERY brave. Being that she is not your kid, I may consider flying , as thats a long trip with a parent. But being with an Aunt with no parent along may be even harder on her. The whole trip actually might be hard, and she might get homesick.
But if you are going to drive, I would definately not do it straight through. You are going to need to take alot of breaks and get a hotel each way. It's just really hard for a kid in a car that long. We took two longer trips (about 9 and 11 hours) this summer with DD who was 3 1/2 at the time. We broguth DVD's snacks, toys etc. But it was hard on her. She got antsy, especially on the way back of the 10 plus hours one. She didn't sleep. When we went down, we left at night hoping she would sleep then, but she didn't til lreally late. So driving at night is a good thing too, as she may sleep most of it. But then when it comes time for you to sleep, she may not want to.
I drove down once with my two older ones when they were little. With them being 4 (almost 5) and 8. We drove at night, and it was s till hard. We got a couple of hours from Disney then stopped and spent the rest of the afternoon and night at a hotel. We swam and got pizza, and just took a nice long break. My mom went with us, so we took turns driving. The last full day of the trip I got really sick. So driving home sucked. I tried to trade off with my mom, but I couldn;t drive for very long at a time. She pushed it and drove straight back, and the kids did well,(they knew mom was sick) but we all were just beat when we got home. But after that I really have no desire to drive again. (we are in upper OH, on the MI line)

 

[MidgeD79]

We live in MI near the OH line and we usually drive. In June of '07 there were 7 of us in a Montana. It wasn't pretty, but we survived. I do all of the driving, and I was exhauseted, but I couldn't relax letting my then 26 year-old dd drive. We usually take 1.5 days and stop at whatever hotel I can find when I can't drive any further. I have learned to not say "We're on our way to Disney", because the youngest one (5.5 years) thinks that means in an hour or two. The youngest child that drove with me was 4 years old. He did ok, but it's not for everyone.

 

[Drewsmommybear]

We have done the trip from WV to Orlando twice with our son. The first time he was 2 and the second he was three. We also pack tons of movies and I brought many books and toys that he hadn't seen before. But, we also have a slightly crazy way of getting there

The day before the trip, my husband sleeps all day long. Then we have family dinner, take baths, and put DS in his night clothes. Then we pile in the car and our son sleeps while we drive all night long. On the way there, we usually drive straight through and use the day as a washout. I know that it wounds absolutely insane, but there's no entertaining that way. Both times the ride town was quiet except for one incident when DS woke up and thought that a NC gas station was Disney World This might not work for you since your trip is a little longer than ours.

On the way home, we drive during the day and split the trip between two days. That's when DS watches his movies. We also listen to a CD that we purchased while at WDW and talk about what we did.

 

[tzolkin]

I'm not sure what you were planning and I know others may say to stop, but we find that it's better to do the whole trip at once. Our kids will sleep in the car all night, so that's about 12 hours of driving that they won't notice.

My parents used the same strategy with us when we were kids. The few times they did try to stop at a hotel, we would not sleep so they wasted the time and didn't really get to rest anyway.


Two of my kids get horribly carsick, so there's really no entertaining them. We bring lots of snacks and recently got a DVD player (which doesn't help the carsickness, but does distract them a bit). They can't do books or drawing much. My youngest (2) enjoyed a travel aquadoodle that my sister bought him for our last trip.

 

[sashagiselle]

We went three weeks ago with a 6 and 2 year old, it was a 15 hr trip for us. We decided that it would be easiest for everyone if we drove through the night. We left at 8pm and the girls slept from 9pm to 8 am (11 hours of heaven!). Once they woke up, we stopped for breakfast and let them run around for bit, then made it to the finish line! Good Luck, thats is awesome of you to take your neice.

 

[funforfive]

I agree with the above post. We drove from near Milwaukee to Disney with three kids(2,3,5) and left at about 4pm, stopped for dinner around 6 and a bedtime snack/teeth brushing at about 9--and then the kids slept most of the night. They have become good car travelers over the years.

You are either courageous or crazy to take a 2 yr old without a parent....

Good luck--I wrapped presents, treats, matchbox cars, books etc to pull out when the going got rough

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Just wanted to mention to be sure to get a notarized letter from the child's mother to give you permission to get the child medical treatment if needed and get a copy of their insurance card. There is a nasty stomach virus (possibly Norwalk) going around Disney right now and there is always a chance you may need to take her to a doctor during the trip.

I have to agree with the suggestions to have a bag of new toys and save some for the trip back!

Have fun and good luck!

 

[TravelinMommy]

We have driven for long periods of time quite a few different times with our toddler. Probably half of the time she will be sleeping (at least ours did) and the other half, is when the entertaining is needed. We just brought our dvd player and he watched his favorite movies and shows...we also sat back there with him and talk with him about different things... I am sure the scenery outside will keep her entertained too.


I wouldn't worry, I am sure the drive will be great...just make sure to make periodic stops so she can stretch her legs

 

[shelby101301]

I am taking my 3 old girl in Feb and have an entire toy box of new toys I've been collecting for 6 months. I have the things mentioned above and also:

my little pony with brush - my girl can comb hair for hours!
magnet dress up doll - Doug and Melissa makes these
make your own jewelry (big not little, but my girl is 3 - check with the mom to see if she will put in her mouth or not)
mazes - printed free off the net
hello kitty notepad and pen - my girl can sit and draw for hours when it's her own pad and pen
jewelry box with princecss jewelry
puzzles for that age range got mine at the $1 store

I am also lucky enough to own my own scrapbook store and I have an electronic die cutting machine with a paper dolls cartrtidge, so I cut a shoe box full of those for her. Do they still make paper doll books though?

 

[luvmy2sams]

We made the trip from OK when DD was 21 months and took another one when DS was 15 months old. They're good travelers, but we packed lots of goodies just to be safe. Here are some of the things we always packed in the car or in their backpacks....

Lots of kid-friendly music
Sticker books and packages of stickers
Magnets
ABC coloring books with a Disney theme
New crayons/colored pencils
Bubbles
a few new toys
Pipe cleaners...mine loved bending these into all sorts of shapes

When we stopped for lunch or dinner, we would always stop at a McDonald's or similar restaurant with a playground. While DH and I ate, we'd let the kids play on the playground. Then we purchased their meals to be eaten in the car once we were back on the road.

Another idea is to put together small prizes to give out at predetermined times (for example, as you enter a new state). We used this in conjunction with a small US map to help the kids see how close we were to Disney. They don't really have a grasp of the distance, but mine loved being able to mark off the states we'd traveled through.

Have a fun trip!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Everyone has great suggestions - the only one I didn't see was drawing!! I know its hard in a car, but you could get a book for her, and sit back there with her so you can hold the crayons. Drawing is the one thing that keeps my kids quiet!!

Have a great trip!

 

[Supermom3]

I think that all these have been posted, but the DVD player is worth its weight in gold and bring way more movies than you think you need so that she'll have a good selection. Drive at night if possible so that she'll sleep a good part of the way. And a new coloring book and crayons.
Have fun!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You have gotten a lot of good ideas. Our DGS is 2 and we are plaining to take him this year. A few added ideas: Be sure that your little one has spent long periods of time with you and you know how to comfort her. Travel can be tramatic for toddlers. Our DGS spends more time with us than his mom so we are well prepared in this department
. Be sure that any comfort object is close at hand in the car; a blanket or stuffed toy can be so helpful.
Be sure that as you look at ideas for toys to remember to follow age guildlines. Some of the above ideas are for ages three and up. That is very important if she will be in the back seat alone.
Also be sure to consider choking hazards with any snacks. Limit the sugar and juice.
Remember her favorite toy will be you. Plan to spend at least some time in the back seat with her. Read to her, do finger plays or just keep her company.
Be sure her seat is installed corectly and is very comfortable.
Stop often and let her walk around.
If she is still in diapers charge her often to keep her comfortable.


favorites of our DGS for travel:

-Mr Potato head
-stickers-
-bendable character toys
-books
- a small toy car
-music player
-SNACKS SNACKS SNACKS- fun shaped crackers, gerber graduate fruit bites and yougert bites, fruit bars, cut up fruit,

ENJOY your trip..you will be fine.