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

[ceruleansummer]

emh1129, I know this might be weird, but congrats on a successful vbac with your daughter! I'm a pre-med student and like to watch all of those "birth" shows, so I think that is just the coolest! And I think that surprise trip for your kids is such a cool idea! I hope everything goes as planned

 

[PrincessMom4]

After my 3 boys and being high risk ( had ITP only during pregnancy-platelet count was 13 when most people's should be over 100-150) I tend to be even more appreciative of good health.

 

[emh1129]

emh1129, I know this might be weird, but congrats on a successful vbac with your daughter! I'm a pre-med student and like to watch all of those "birth" shows, so I think that is just the coolest! And I think that surprise trip for your kids is such a cool idea! I hope everything goes as planned

Thanks! I'll be starting my master's program next year for nurse-midwifery (and probably will keep working part-time as LDRP RN, too), so women's health and health-education is something I'm pretty passionate about, too Good luck with medical school!

Yeah, I hope I can pull off the surprise! I can't even count how many times I've almost slipped, though! I just need to figure out how to get everything packed without making it obvious. Maybe they can go to Grandma's for a few hours this weekend
And we decided not to use the car-top carrier, so the sheer logistics are going to be tricky. Ugh.
Not sure if everything will go as planned.. but I'm sure we'll make some great memories (assuming that DH and I don't want to strangle each other by the end... j/k )

 

[emh1129]

We drive from Canada with 4 kids under 11. We have travel games in the car, a dvd player (limited use-emergency only...lol) and some family fun games like I Spy We usually get towards the end of Virginia on the first day (about 12hours). Next day we drive to Jacksonvlle, Florida. Then on your resort check-in day we only have a couple of hours to drive.

Wow-- you really are a pro at this long-distance driving thing. Impressive!
I finally did cave a few weeks ago and I bought a portable DVD player to use in the van. We let the kids try it out once so far and they were just over the moon I certainly don't want it on the whole time, but I can see it coming in handy a few times on the long car ride.
Those family fun games are the best! I-Spy was always one of my favorites

Do you prepare activity bags or anything like that? I'm not sure exactly what to bring.. I don't want to clutter the van with unnecessary items. We'll be tight on space as it is, you know?

 

[emh1129]

Make two reservations based upon two possible places that you expect to reach on Saturday. Prior to 6 p.m. (when reservations are charged to your credit card) cancel one of them and drive to the other one.

Remember: Friday and Saturday night hotel/motel reservations tend to fill up faster than other (non-holiday) nights.

All the best.

Great tip. I think this is just what we'll do. Thanks!

 

[Marshay]

Do you prepare activity bags or anything like that? I'm not sure exactly what to bring.. I don't want to clutter the van with unnecessary items. We'll be tight on space as it is, you know?

We're doing our first driving trip and I'm preparing activity bags to be handed out every so often on the trip. However, my kids are young so lots of the bags have "McDonald's happy meal" toys in them. I plan to ditch the toys (or give them to someone down there). The other bags have small activity books, travel print-outs, coloring books and kids' magazines that won't be missed if they don't find their way back... The rest have snacks. So yeah, we'll start out with a boot-box filled with toys, but it'll get smaller and smaller. Gotta make room for those souvenirs on the ride back!

 

[monymony3471]

Thanks! I'll be starting my master's program next year for nurse-midwifery (and probably will keep working part-time as LDRP RN, too), so women's health and health-education is something I'm pretty passionate about, too Good luck with medical school!

Yeah, I hope I can pull off the surprise! I can't even count how many times I've almost slipped, though! I just need to figure out how to get everything packed without making it obvious. Maybe they can go to Grandma's for a few hours this weekend
And we decided not to use the car-top carrier, so the sheer logistics are going to be tricky. Ugh.
Not sure if everything will go as planned.. but I'm sure we'll make some great memories (assuming that DH and I don't want to strangle each other by the end... j/k )

The first time we traveled down witht the kids they were 10 months, 7 and 9. I downloaded all the great activities I found here on the dis. We travel I-75 and there are books about the drive. Maybe it's my kids and their personalities, but everything was short lived. They much rather watch the DVD player than partake in all the activities I put together. I think I was more into making the "bags" than they were using them. I had clip boards that had fact sheets about each state we were driving in and "land marks" to spot during the drive, wordsearches, toys, etc. They ate the candy and ditched the bags. I wanted to make it educational as well as fun. Maybe now that they are a little older.......we will see.

As for surprises, I packed while the kids were at school or asleep. In the laundry room I kept zip lock bags and after a certain outfit was washed, I just put a complete outfit in the zip lock and then transfered it to the suit case, hidden under clothes in a laundry basket, or some folded towels. They didn't catch on, any of the times we surprised them. Good luck there!

 

[ceruleansummer]

Thanks! I'll be starting my master's program next year for nurse-midwifery (and probably will keep working part-time as LDRP RN, too), so women's health and health-education is something I'm pretty passionate about, too Good luck with medical school!

Yeah, I hope I can pull off the surprise! I can't even count how many times I've almost slipped, though! I just need to figure out how to get everything packed without making it obvious. Maybe they can go to Grandma's for a few hours this weekend
And we decided not to use the car-top carrier, so the sheer logistics are going to be tricky. Ugh.
Not sure if everything will go as planned.. but I'm sure we'll make some great memories (assuming that DH and I don't want to strangle each other by the end... j/k )

Too cool! Thank you Grandma's is always a good distraction, or sending them to friend's houses for playdates. And you're right, whatever happens will happen, but your kids are going to be so shocked and in awe! What you and your DH are doing for them is incredibly sweet, and I bet you and your kids will be talking about it for years and years to come! Enjoy your roadtrip and vacation! Maybe my DBF and I will see you there next week!

 

[patclairesmom]

Which online directions are most reliable for time? AAA triptiks always has a faster times than mapquest or google maps? Just wondering from everyone's experiences which is more reliable.

 

[BC1836]

Great tip. I think this is just what we'll do. Thanks!

Remember to give yourself enough time prior to 6 p.m. to you cancel your other reservation(s). Don't wait until 5:55 p.m. At least 5:45 p.m., just in case you are placed on hold.

All the best.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I started a new thread. I thought it would be helpful for hotel recommendations to be in one place. I did read probably two thirds of this thread several months ago. I saved some hotel options into favorites, but I am seriously trying to figure out where we should stay. It seems too tedious to go through the zillion pages here. I think it will be a great resource for everyone.

I'd love suggestions from all of the seasoned drivers! Here is the thread: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36627017&postcount=1

 

[BC1836]

Lots of Mickey Mouse-head antenna balls out there. It's always good to see them on other vehicles during the drive. Too bad there wasn't one manufactured for 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! But then again, what would it look like?

 

[taximomfor4]

Lots of Mickey Mouse-head antenna balls out there. It's always good to see them on other vehicles during the drive. Too bad there wasn't one manufactured for 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! But then again, what would it look like?

It would have bags under its eyes, of course

 

[BC1836]

It would have bags under its eyes, of course

A great response!

[But bags under the eyes are better than bags in the overhead compartments on a plane!]

 

[HeatherC]

I'd also love to know what people find the most accurate:

AAA triptik
Google Maps
Mapquest?

I have the best luck changing routes on GoogleMaps, but wonder if the time estimates are the most accurate.

What do you think?

 

[dvczerfs]

Lots of Mickey Mouse-head antenna balls out there. It's always good to see them on other vehicles during the drive. Too bad there wasn't one manufactured for 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! But then again, what would it look like?

mine would have flames coming off the back of it!!!!!!

 

[BC1836]

I'd also love to know what people find the most accurate:

AAA triptik
Google Maps
Mapquest?

I have the best luck changing routes on GoogleMaps, but wonder if the time estimates are the most accurate.

What do you think?

For 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers, after the first drive there is no need to utilize the various on-line map services. In fact, we have never used them. Our first drive in 2002 was assisted by a conventional road map. For us it's I-95 to I-4. Bingo! Exit #67.

You have your primary route (and perhaps an alternate route around a major city) and that's about it. However, the times of Google Maps and Mapquest are essentially the same. They differ more on local/regional drives then anything else; in fact, they get a bit quirky at times. Of course, time of departure, weather, rush-hour traffic, construction delays, accidents, etc. all play a role in the time factor.

Keep a time log each time you drive...compare and contrast that info for your best drive info for the future.

All the best.

 

[marius97]

For 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers, after the first drive there is no need to utilize the various on-line map services. In fact, we have never used them. Our first drive in 2002 was assisted by a conventional road map. For us it's I-95 to I-4. Bingo! Exit #67.

You have your primary route (and perhaps an alternate route around a major city) and that's about it. However, the times of Google Maps and Mapquest are essentially the same. They differ more on local/regional drives then anything else; in fact, they get a bit quirky at times. Of course, time of departure, weather, rush-hour traffic, construction delays, accidents, etc. all play a role in the time factor.

Keep a time log each time you drive...compare and contrast that info for your best drive info for the future.

All the best.

I'm jealous of you Jersey Shore people...did I just say that?...I like your route of get on the highway, swith highways once and you're there. Not everyone is that lucky. I could probably go ten different ways. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, yet they are all within an hour's drive time of each other. That being said, I've found google and mapquest to be about the same as to time estimate. They both consitently over estimate how long it takes to get somewhere. I found on our trip that (outside of sleep times) the estimate equaled about what it took including our quick stops for gas, pee breaks, and food.

 

[WizardLarz]

To all those traveling this next week. I just checked the 10day forecast at Waether Channel.com and it shows a 30%+ chance of rain for the 17th thru the 22nd so far! Kind of looks like a repeat of last year.

Stay dry if possible and drive safe!

 

[BC1836]

To all those traveling this next week. I just checked the 10day forecast at Waether Channel.com and it shows a 30%+ chance of rain for the 17th thru the 22nd so far! Kind of looks like a repeat of last year.

Stay dry if possible and drive safe!

The forecasts are not that accurate for a week or more ahead. It's what may be, not what will be. We had a not-so-good 10-day forecast on our last trip but once we were at WDW, it hardly rained at all (except for one wet morning and afternoon). So hopefully the weather will be better than you expected.

All the best.