Driving TX to Orlando w/ 3 year old

[toyotaae86lg]

We just got back from our September 2015 trip and it was a blast!! We want to try May 2016 next year. We usually fly but we know we will be flying to CT for my wife's brothers wedding also in May so the airfare for both would be quite expensive. We have talked about the notion of driving the 14.5hr drive to Orlando. We're in Huntsville Tx so the actual drive is not hard...I10 to I75 and boom. It's the 14.5hr with our 3 year old daughter is what scares us. We have never driven that far with her as of yet. I know every kid is different so it's hard to gauge. My plan would be to leave around 6PM and getting to Pop Century around 9-9:30AM hoping a room would be ready for a small rest. Also then I have to think about the trip back. It's still up in the air and being discussed. My other option would be to push back the trip to our normal September and fly then. Any questions or thoughts?

 

[maxiesmom]

I would never drive straight thru overnight. I've been in a car where the driver dozed off at the wheel. Thankfully hitting the rumble strips woke up another passenger, who screamed and woke the driver back up.

Plus, the odds of your room being ready that early are very small. What would you do if it is not? How ready to cope with an over-excited child would you be, without having any decent rest yourselves?

 

[sticker231]

We drive straight through from NJ. Our trip is 14.5-15 hours and we go straight through. We leave around 7pm. Although my kids are older now, we found it is helpful to leave around that time and keep them on their normal sleep schedule. We pack videos and since they are older they have their electronics to keep themselves occupied also. I am always off on departure day to make sure I am well rested.

You would be the best gauge for your daughter, but leaving around then would give you a decent amount of time with her asleep while you drive.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Overnight is tempting. However, I agree with the PP regarding possible lack of sleep. Especially if you aren't used to driving overnight.
We've split the difference somewhat. Our trip to Orlando is about 14 hours...takes us about 15 1/2 hours with breaks. We will leave about 2 AM. That way my granddaughter (now six) will sleep about six hours in the car. We eat breakfast, then DGD is content with movies and video games. Hotel room is ready when we get there. Good supper and good night's sleep, and we're ready for the next day.
If you aren't necessarily rope drop persons, what we've also done was stop a couple of hours before Orlando. Lake City or Gainesville is good, especially if you find a place with free breakfast starting at 6 or 6:30. Good night sleep, good free breakfast, on the road by 7 AM and to your resort by 9:30. Check in, take your luggage to your room if it's ready (if not, leave luggage in trunk of car), and cross into your first park no later than 11 AM.(We've done that scenerio too).
Good luck.

 

[Doug M]

I wouldn't drive overnight with kids in tow. Our drive down to Orlando is 23 hours, we split driving into no more than 9 or 10 hours a chunk, then a short drive day 3 to the parks when we drive.