For those who prefer to drive to Disney

[marcyinPA]

Just curious as to what kind of car you drive and how many people usually travel with you?

My dh would like to drive on one of our next trips, but I am hesitant because we no longer have a mini-van. We are hoping to get another one sometime, but right now finances are a bit tight. I can't see driving down there, 18 or so hours, in our Hyundai Elantra or Plymouth Breeze with 2 kids who like to pick at each other. I just don't think it would be a very comfortable trip, IYKWIM!!

Anyone care to share their experiences?? Thanks!

 

[weluvpluto]

We have a mini van, actually we just got a new one with bucket seats - just so our two kids wouldn't pick on each other as much (we used to have one with a bench seat).
We've thought about taking our Nissan Maxima instead (for better gas mileage mainly) but our hesitant to do so, because I'm not sure how comfortable or quiet the trip would be. ("She's touching me!!"

 

[Nebsky]

Ive only driven once, but I absolutely loved it!!

We did it in our SUV, a Mitsubishi Endeavor back in March.

We got about 22 mpg the whole trip and we were driving about 75 the whole way.

We debated taking our Honda Accord because of the better gas mileage, but decided for the comfort factor to take the Endeavor. Im glad we did. We were able to have a full size cooler in there with us for drinks and snacks. It worked very well for us. But then again, we only had one kid with us.

A Elantra or a Breeze is about the same size as the Accord. If you have a DVD player it might not be too bad, but if not, Id put up a brick wall between the kiddos.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[bpr2002]

We like to rent a full size vehicle from Hertz. It usually means we get a Ford Taurus or better. It's quite comfortable, but we don't have any kids other than the bears

 

[gopherit]

We drive the 15 hrs each way to WDW frequently. We have always had a minivan -- we have 3 kids. However -- FWIW -- the size of the car plays no real bearing on whether our kids will pick at each other or not! I've seen them have fights across the expanse of our house and I've seen them travel amicably crammed in our Honda civic -- go figure. Maybe it's the pahse of the moon or something they ate/eat.

Typically on a vacation (we go nowhere without traveling at least 7 hrs each way.... we live in nowhere's ville USA) our kids get along FAMOUSLY on the way DOWN... it's the return trip (when everyone is in PVD -- post vacation depression) that the squabbles break out. My kids are aged 9,8,and 4 -- the oldest (ds) and youngest (dd) get along fairly well, and the oldest and middle ( both ds) get along well ... but the middle ds and youngest (dd) are like Israel and Palestine together. I just returned from a 15 hr drive with just those 2 sparring nations this wkend alone -- amazingly, they got along well -- TOO WELL. THere is, in fact, one thing worse than 2 kids who don't get along -- and that's two kids who get along and decide to use that synergy AGAINST YOU! Augghh!

We try to curb PVD with pit stops on the return trip to keep the kids interested... other than that, the biggest saving grace isn't the size of our car.... it's the TV/VCR we stuff in it. With a smaller vehicle, opt for one of those slim DVD players and go for it!

 

[firecracker]

we've driven three times...leaving on our 4th trip in 8 hours! Our first trip was in our old minivan...I miss her! The last 2 years we've driven our Toyota Corolla from Indiana to Orlando with our 2 dd ages (now) 8 1/2 and 7. With entertainment like Jungle Jam, Adventures in Odyssey, GameBoys, books, etc. we've never had much problem. Occassionally Daddy or I will ride in back for awhile so the girls can have a change of pace and ride up front.

This time we're renting a van b/c grandma and grandpa are going along!

I say Go For It! It's great family time, in our opinion! Hope that helps!

Carmen

 

[Snowysmom]

We drove down in our minivan. Our two DS's usually pick on each other but they were surprising well behaved (they are teens.) Younger DS did try to drive older DS crazy by humming one song all the way to Florida. We had a DVD player which helped alot. They brought books and games as well. We stopped every 2-3 hours to stretch and hit the restrooms. Snacks and drinks kept them busy too. I think that knowing we were headed to WDW helped keep the kids focused and on fairly good behavior. Although, they were well behaved on the way back I believe because we tired them out at WDW! We did drive to NJ from Mass in a Bonneville sedan when the kids were 5 and 9 and that worked out well. Good luck!

 

[Blueberry]

There are just two of us now and we have driven our new Ford 2004 Taurus two times this year from VA....We always drove when our three kids were small, drove our 1988 Taurus Station Wagon down several times back then and then our 1992 Taurus Sedan when we only had two kids going with us, no problem at all ever and they are good on gas for us..

Can you tell we like Taurus as a car....

 

[madhouserobey]

i drove a chevy wran. brother venture which has the vhs entertainment package .dw sit in back with the three kids 6,4,2.they watch video's all they way down 141/2 hours.of course they are all disney video .keeps the kid wanting to get to disney.of course food and gas stops

 

[tidoublegger]

Originally posted by Snowysmom
Younger DS did try to drive older DS crazy by humming one song all the way to Florida.

 

[ILPHIL]

There are usually 5 of us. Mw, my wife, our dtr (now 14), my m-i-l and our niece (now 12). We originally did it in a mini-van, but for the last seven yrs we have had a full-size Dodge conversion van.
At night we fold the rear seat into a bed, the girls fall asleep, and I rack up as many miles as I can before they wake up.
For us it's about a 24 hr trip. I couldn't imagine doing it in our Jetta. Although, at these prices getting 26mpg rather than 15mpg would be nice.

We leave in 3 days 10 hrs and 16 minutes. But who's counting!!

 

[tci1212]

On the last two trips we have driven down in a full size conversion van with a tv\vcr. Most trips there was 5 of us. But this trip there will be 7 , the kids already are complaining about being cramped. I told them they could stay home if they like , that didn't go over too well. As long as they are kept occupied you shouldn't have a problem .

 

[disneyagain]

My sister and I took her brand new Toyota Sienna Van.....

It was her and I (left the hubbies home) and our 5 children......ages 8-15....It was really quite painless...We were concerned..:yes:: .. but didn't have many problems at all.....Actually drove straight home on the way back. Left WDW at 4:00 am and arrived at Binghamton at 10:00 pm.... New Years Day is a great day to drive....little or no traffic at all!

We had a DVD player, gameboys, cd players and word game books.......

We put the 2 older boys (13/15) in the buckets and the 3 younger ones (boy - 10 and girls 8/10) in the back bench. Worked out pretty good, the older ones even switched back once in a while

What ever you do....ENJOY!

 

[parmtoo]

We drive down in our Ford F-350,( crew cab) pulling our camper. We have 3 kids, ages 16, 14 and almost 9. They fit fine in the back seat and don't fight anymore then they usually do. If we have the dog things get a little nutts, but eventually they all fall asleep listing to music.

Question for disneyagain,

I saw that you are from Binghamton. We recently relocated to the Watertown area. I was wondering what route you take to Fl., and about how long it takes you?

Thanks...............

 

[disneyagain]

We go 81S to VA and then across rte 17 to I-95 in Fredericksburg then it's a straight shot down I-95 (we used the beltways/alt rtes. around Jacksonville and in NC - can't remember what city) to I-4 then over to Orlando.

When we went last December we left at 3:00 am and arrived in Savannah, GA at 7:00 pm.....We stopped for breakfast (slow service) and lunch and gas stops...then we got stuck behind a couple of accidents on I-95 in southern S. Caroline...which added about 1 hr to the trip....So I'd say it was about a 15 hr drive with normal gas/food stops to Savannah....

From Savannah to WDW it was 4 1/2 hours. We were checked in at the Dolphin and were walking down the main street at MGM by noon that day.

Coming back we drove straight through with no traffic (New Years Day) we left at 4:00 am and arrived home at 11:00 pm....we stopped for breakfast, lunch and dinner...real quick fast food for lunch and dinner...That took us 19 hrs.

Very easy direct routes...

 

[Poohbear123]

The Beemer! No, kids so no Mini-van needed.

 

[monalsw]

since that trip where mom and dad packed up us 3 kids in the backseat of the nova; what a miserable time that was, lol!!!

grandma and i made the trip quite a few times in her ford escort; mom and i went once in her tracer; mom and i took my 2 kids many times in her cougar; and this year we are traveling (me, mom, my kids) in the new mini-van! it has 3rd row seating, so we can separate my kids and should be fine.

 

[d4est]

and I guess I am unlike the others here...I hate it!!! It is long and boring...takes us about 20hrs (disneyagain-I am about an hour from you...near Oneonta)

My first trip was in a huge motor home...not too bad, could move around, use the bathroom, lay down...

2nd trip a minivan with three adults and three boys 14, 5 1/2, & 4 1/2. With all the luggage & food it was crowded. I do have to say the kids were great. We worried about the two younger ones, but had no probs

The 3rd time was this past Feb in my durango with 3rd row seats. We had 4 adults and my DS 6 1/2. Crowded with all the luggage, blankets, pillows.

It is just such a long time to be sitting and to pass the time all there is to do is eat and smoke (if you are the type). We stop every state to stretch and use the b-room, BUT---I just don't like it. By the time we get there we are sticky (& pry stinky) and tired---just wanting a real bed.

Just my opinion---

We are definitely flying next trip!

 

[karemore]

DH and I drove in my Ford Escort wagon.

I'm sure with kids it would be very different.

I loved taking our car, we took a huge coleman cooler and I brought along plenty of drinks and food.

We brought our beach chairs and umbrella for a week at the beach...and we had plenty of room to bring back fresh citrus!

Not having a big gas guzzler would save you money....and with what you are saving on the airfare and car rental....you can buy the kids some new games to distract them in the car.

Good luck,
Karen

 

[manning]

Nebsky - Those Accords are pretty good. I like a big car (Ford big).

The last two years the wife and I drove my aunt to her winter home just north of Tampa Florida in her '02 Accord 4 cylinder. She loves to load the car up. That car rode pretty good and got good mileage. I think in the low 30s.