For 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers only!

[Flyerfan]

Leaving in 4 days for our trek south from PA. Doing 81-77-26-95. I will try to post traffic conditions when I can.

 

[HeatherC]

Not sure how expensive it is, but if they have laptops you could always get the Mobile Internet and they could "surf" their way to Florida.

 

[betty]

Not sure how expensive it is, but if they have laptops you could always get the Mobile Internet and they could "surf" their way to Florida.

whats mobile internet? is that the card you get with a cell phone? and has anyone used it driving down?

 

[blondietink]

Seriously, if my 13 year old kids could not behave themselves on a car ride when you are spending all that money on a fantastic vacation to WDW, then maybe they should stay home, IMHO. They are old enough to entertain themselves and behave themselves. My kids have been riding on long distance trips (even out to the west coast and back) since they were 6 & 8 years old (they are now teenagers) and we never have a problem.

 

[TillyDe]

For those of you that drive from the Dallas - Fort Worth area - Which route do you take?

I have found different routes depending on if I use google maps, mapquest, AAA maps. So, which route is the best?

We (3 adults and 1 age 6) plan on driving next June.

Debbie

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Seriously, if my 13 year old kids could not behave themselves on a car ride when you are spending all that money on a fantastic vacation to WDW, then maybe they should stay home, IMHO. They are old enough to entertain themselves and behave themselves. My kids have been riding on long distance trips (even out to the west coast and back) since they were 6 & 8 years old (they are now teenagers) and we never have a problem.

Well, I didn't ask your opinion on that, I just wanted ideas to keep them distracted...geesh...

 

[blondietink]

Sorry if you were offended. Ideas: reading a good book, portable DVD player, travel games.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Sorry if you were offended. Ideas: reading a good book, portable DVD player, travel games.

Thank you

 

[tiggerplus5]

We drive nearly every time we go to Florida. I know that some children just can't keep still and that makes it hard on a long drive.

I'm sure these ideas below have all been mentioned but just in case:

I have two boys that enjoyed tormenting each other when they were younger. I would wait until they got restless and then give them something new. Like a new DVD they haven't seen a hundred times. Redirect every time.

One time I listened the book on tape "The girl who loved tom gordon" by Stephen King. I didn't think the kids would even care. I got it for me! But they really got into it. They were tween age. It's about a girl that gets lost in the woods. Now that they are older, we listen to xmradio comedy channels. Time really passes by quickly when you aren't paying attention. I guess my point is that sometimes something totally different than what they are used to can make time pass quickly. Every family is different.

And bring a ball or frisbee to let off some steam when you stop. Even if they think it's "stupid" -you throw a ball to them at a rest stop and they can't help themselves. They have to run. It's like their doggie instincts take over and they have to chase things. And none of their friends are there to see them acting like kids again. **sorry I just digressed to my memories of my stubborn teenage daughter**

And always leave at bedtime so they sleep for around 8 hours. That's my favorite tip. Leaving at night also gets you through the high traffic areas before everyone is awake. I live in central MA so we have almost the same trip!

Do you have a laptop? Most of the newer puters have DVD capability already so you wouldn't need to purchase a DVD player. Just some thoughts...

And remember, even teasing is part of being a family. It's still quality time together.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

TiggerPlus5, thank you, thank you for your post! I will definitely pack a frisbee and ball to play pass while at the rest areas! Great idea (my son would love it!). We will have to invest in a dvd player (we had bought all 3 of my kids portable dvd players from walmart two years ago. They worked on one trip, but have since stopped working!) will probably buy from Best Buy and get an extended warranty on it.
My laptop is an older one that just had to be rebuilt So, no internet on the way down...
I will give audio books a try, we'll have to plan a trip to the library before we go (great idea!).
Thanks again!

 

[pwdebbie]

TiggerPlus5, thank you, thank you for your post! I will definitely pack a frisbee and ball to play pass while at the rest areas! Great idea (my son would love it!). We will have to invest in a dvd player (we had bought all 3 of my kids portable dvd players from walmart two years ago. They worked on one trip, but have since stopped working!) will probably buy from Best Buy and get an extended warranty on it.
My laptop is an older one that just had to be rebuilt So, no internet on the way down...
I will give audio books a try, we'll have to plan a trip to the library before we go (great idea!).
Thanks again!

How about some fun competitive games for the car ride. We used to play "My Flag" -- whoever saw a flag first claimed it, whoever had the most flags at the end of an hour (or the trip) was the winner. Our other game was "My Cows" -- every time someone saw cows, they would claim that herd as theirs. But if someone saw a cemetery and called that out, then the other players lost their cows. The first person to get to ten "my cows" is the winner. Of course, that was our family's rules, you might want to change them for your family.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

How about some fun competitive games for the car ride. We used to play "My Flag" -- whoever saw a flag first claimed it, whoever had the most flags at the end of an hour (or the trip) was the winner. Our other game was "My Cows" -- every time someone saw cows, they would claim that herd as theirs. But if someone saw a cemetery and called that out, then the other players lost their cows. The first person to get to ten "my cows" is the winner. Of course, that was our family's rules, you might want to change them for your family.

lol, that is a cute game

 

[Donald is #1]

Well, my sister and I leave tomorrow to start our drive down for our DCL cruise. My plan is to be on the road at about 4:30 AM to get to my sister's house at about 6. We hope to make it down to Florence South Carolina tomorrow but we'll see.

 

[BC1836]

Well, my sister and I leave tomorrow to start our drive down for our DCL cruise. My plan is to be on the road at about 4:30 AM to get to my sister's house at about 6. We hope to make it down to Florence South Carolina tomorrow but we'll see.

You'll be joined on the road by flyerfan and fwd facing tentacles who are also driving this weekend.

We are looking forward to traffic reports, road construction updates and "Vote For Pedro" sightings!

All the best to all!

 

[vbarry]

We have never made a family road trip but plan on either going to Disneys Hilton Head or Disneys Vero Beach in March. It is about 4-5 hours further to Vero Beach. It is about 15 to Hilton Head and 19 to Vero. (actually 248 more miles to Vero to be exact)

I guess I am asking 15 hours vs 19 hours...is it really that much difference when you are driving soo far anyway. Vero would probably be much warmer that time of year and I can always make a quick trip over to WDW but the drive to Hilton Head is much more appealing considering we have never driven on vacation before.

I will have girls ages 5 and 9.

Thanks for any help!

 

[vbarry]

Well, my sister and I leave tomorrow to start our drive down for our DCL cruise. My plan is to be on the road at about 4:30 AM to get to my sister's house at about 6. We hope to make it down to Florence South Carolina tomorrow but we'll see.

Have a great trip!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Well, my sister and I leave tomorrow to start our drive down for our DCL cruise. My plan is to be on the road at about 4:30 AM to get to my sister's house at about 6. We hope to make it down to Florence South Carolina tomorrow but we'll see.

Have a safe trip!

 

[ge0rgette2]

Have a wonderful time!!!!

 

[Fwd Facing Tentacles]

Greetings from the car in Virginia! Left north central New Jersey just after 6:00 AM this morning. Had breakfast as planned at IHOP in Maryland. We are taking the 81-77-26 route to Disney. There has been construction along the way but nothing that has slowed us down. Will post again with updates later today.

 

[dvczerfs]

have a safe trip eveyone!!! say hi to the virginia state troopers for me!!!