how crazy am I

[princess-rn]

...for deciding to DRIVE (instead of fly...to save money) from Birmingham Alabama to WDW for our Star Wars Weekend trip with a 2 1/2 year old???? I can't find any cheap airline tickets...so I"ve pretty much decided to drive. Anyone have any helpful ideas for a car trip with a toddler..or does anyone just think I am nuts.

 

[misslauri]

I don't think you're nuts. My little one did fantastic on car trips when she was 2 1/2. Just plan on stopping often, and try to find hotels along the way with a playground so she can stretch her little legs. We brought her favorite toy, a soccer ball, along for rest stops to take in a good 10 minutes in each of their little grassy areas. We also brought a portable DVD player for an occasional movie and some of her music for the trip, DH wanted to beat his head into the wall after sooo many hours of the Wiggles, but hey, she was content. Also, I opted to diaper change in the backseat in the parking lot rather than inside the rest areas themselves.

I do, for the record, think my parents were crazy when they packed me (3) and my sister (10 months) into our un-airconditioned car (a pinto) and drove us from Cincinnati to Siesta Key Florida. Something they will never, ever forget.

 

[ErinInCT]

I grew up driving 15 hrs from MI to CT every year since birth. We had 3 kids in the family & sometimes even brought the dog!!! Those trips asre some of my fondest memories.

Now, as an adult with kids myself, I have no problem lugging the kids on car rides. We drive 10 hrs from MD to MI every year & I just got back from an 8 hr (that turned in to 10 hr) drive from MD to OH a couple weeks ago. So my kids have been driving long distances since birth (well, ok, one is 4 & the other is 1 yr old so it has not been that long). Both are excellent passengers. We stop periodically to eat or stretch our legs. I have done some trips with dh (much easier) and by myself with the 2 kids!! We have a dvd player which is the best invention since sliced bread! My kids are THRILLED to get to watch 10 straight hrs of tv!! They usually will nap a bit too.

We try to have a lot of snack type of foods that the kids can eat out of baggies (or the 4 yr old can feed the 1 yr old) & juice boxes (with those hard juice box holders so they don't squeeze them). They also take little toys and books to play with. Stickers are great. Keeps them occupied for hours. We also love the invisble ink books (you can find at Toys R Us or Target/Walmart) or the Color Wonder crayons & paper. I have found that having too many distractions causes more of a problem b/c they are overwhelmed with what to play with. The dvd's are probably enough! I try to get some new ones that they haven't seen as well as their old favorites.

If your 2 1/2 yr old is potty trained you may want to bring a portable potty with you. Even my 4 yr old hardly gives me enough notice!! Or have them wear a pull up so you don't have to worry about trying to find a potty in an unfamiliar place.

Make an adventure out of it & have fun!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Ha!! Try 19 hours with 3 children!

Actually, we really enjoy it. That's 19 hours of no waiting to go through security checks, no waiting for boarding, no connection flights, no airplane food, no telephones or anything(like at home) to interupt our time together.................just time to be together and have fun. Not to mention we spend about $300 round trip on gas. The five of us would never be able to fly for that price. Not from here anyway.

 

[DreadpiratK]

Best thing we've found for long car trips are books on tape (or cd) Even the really young ones like them. Our kids are older 14,12,11 and they actually look forward to long trips because they can listen to a really long book! You should be able to find something age appropriate, and if it's not too inane, it doesn't drive mom and dad nuts either.

At 2 1/2 your child might enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia, the new audio edition is excellent, fully acted out with music and sound effects, and with all seven books, it takes a LONG time to get through them all. Since I love the books myself, it was a pleasure to listen to them with my kids over several trips.

A great source for lots of audio books is www.audible.com
p.s. if anyone sees this and decides to join, please use me as a refferer (sp?)

 

[cricket429]

Dont think your nuts at all. With airfare and rental car for the 3 of us, there is no way we could afford to go if we didnt drive and we are looking at about 22 hours. Plus there are all the little extra things you can bring to save you money on your trip that would probably be too much to lug onto an airplane. We are bringing cooler for room (no fridge rental fee), coffeemaker, snacks, breakfast food, etc. Sometimes I get tired just thinking about the drive and other times I am actually excited.

 

[princess-rn]

Thank you all so much!! Keep the ideas coming!! We do have a portable DVD player. (it was great for the airplane and is even better in the car)

 

[Lesley]

We drive with 3 kids. My suggestion, from when we drove from PA with 2 children many times is to try to do the drive overnight if possible. That means, if your child will sleep in the car seat and if one of you is able to handle driving (ie. staying awake and alert) in the wee hours.

Late at night the traffic is almost non-existant and you make better time. Plus if your child is sleeping you're not likely to have to make nearly as many breaks for food/potty/etc... We made it from PA to WDW in 16 hours once. Our best from SC has been about 6 hours. But I used to work 3rd shift and was easily able to do the overnight portion of the drive. Do not take this suggestion if you have any doubts about being able to stay awake all night.

Good luck!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

My child always liked to be read to in the car. When he was little we would bring a story book collection type book and read away. One big book was easier that a lot of individual ones. As he got older we went to chapter books and at about 6 we discovered the harry potter ones. We also like to sing and play guessing games. We truly like to drive as it is time together with no distractions!!

Jordan's mom

 

[Katd52]

Well, If your crazy then so are we!!! We'll be driving down from Ma.on Friday with a 9yo,8 yo, 6 yo, 2yo, and 7 month old! We're leaving around 7pm and we are hoping everyone will sleep through the night! We will be bringing the DVD player and the Gameboys. Keep the tips coming!

 

[luvthatduke]

Here's another one for the rubber room - err, car!
Me, DH & DS (just turned 2 today!)
will be driving thru the night from South East Pa.
I'm thinking about renting a portable DVD player...

 

[Lesley]

luvthatduke, I think we have you beat as far as nuts driving from PA....as we did it once through the night with a 5yo and 6mo.....In a Geo Metro! LOL

Have fun on your drive...its half the reason we moved to SC! We used to live in Berks Co.

 

[luvthatduke]

In a Geo Metro!

WOW! I am not worthy!
Although we'll be driving it in a Hyundai wagon,
that's gotta count for something...

Have fun on your drive...its half the reason we moved to SC! We used to live in Berks Co.

Thanks! I think I must be nuts because I'm actually
looking foward to it - must be the Castle at the end
of the road...

 

[mickeymousefan]

We have driven to WDW from Southern NJ the last two Decembers. The first trip went great..... no problems. The second trip.....yikes....a whole different story. It really depends on your childrens tolerance of long car rides and how long they can sit without going nuts. We had a DVD player, toys, snacks etc. and they still where miserable. We have decided to fly from now on, even if it means saving longer.

 

[DreadpiratK]

Here's another idea, but from a friend of ours.. they got markers made to write on/wipe off of glass, and the kids had a ball drawing on the car windows, said it kept them busy for hours. We've been looking for them, but haven't found them yet. Seems like a good idea.

 

[MomofKatie]

We drive with DD to all vacations and she does fine. We bring along non-messy snacks (apple slices, carrot sticks, fruit rollups- nothing crumbly or drippy), portable DVD/CD player WITH HEADPHONES, books, art supplies (colored pencils- crayons can melt, and markers can get on the upholstery), and pillow, small quilt, and favorite stuffed animal.

The way we manage is we leave in the evening, and drive through the night, or get going early in the AM- 3:30 or so- and drive then. DD sleeps as long as it's dark, and there is less time for her to get antsy. Also, you won't have so many potty/rest stops. Traffic is much better, too.

From one crazy person to another- have fun and remember, they're only young once!

 

[aussiemouse]

We'll be driving from Minnesota this June me, DH, DS(7), DD(4) and my Mom (yikes)! DH is going to drive thru the first night and then I'll drive the next day ... after that we'll take it easy and stop along the way.
If you can find the lap top tables, they're really good for coloring, playing barbies/action figures on and they help with keeping snack time a little cleaner. We also keep a few suprise toys hidden for just the right time. My kids have survived many trips to Australia (about 36 hours all up), so hopefully they'll (okay I'll) manage this! Good luck!