i am so torn...drive from MA

[weeyore33]

hi- we are in the process of planning our vacation, DS(8) is absolutely terrified to fly! i know we need to let him get over the fear, but at what price? we are trying to get ourselves ready for this road trip, i am researching all of the fun activities for the car, and times to go, and i am getting scared from some of the posts i have read.. so many people hate the drive.. if we drive we can spend an extra 6 days on our vacation, to stop on the way or spend more time in Disney. my son is so scared that I just don't feel like i would get him into the airport, i have another son, 5 yrs old, so i know this will be a LONG drive, me and 3 boys(2 DS, 1 DH) what would you do?

 

[patches-4]

don't know if this would be a possibility by on one of the other board someone mentioned using Amtrak. Maybe your DS would enjoy a train ride. I personally am to the point that I will do anything to keep from having to drive more than 4-5 hrs anywhere, and I don't have young children. Maybe I just getting old!!!

 

[JudithM]

We enjoy the drive to WDW! We don't relish the idea of sitting cramped in an airplane seat for a few hours, so we drive. I put together a list of the 50 states & Canadian provinces. Then on our round trip drive to WDW we check off what state license plates we see. We bring reading material, CDs, etc. We make several stops for gas, rest rooms, stretching, eating/snacking, etc. Driving is doable!

 

[eeyoresmom]

We just drove from central MA in Jan. with 5 kids. Will probably never fly again!We rented a van(IMO you need one anyway with kids even if staying on site. Saves a ton of money to be able to buy stuff offsite)The van had all reclining seats(most newer models do) We left at 5:30 PM, Rt 84 to I-95 straight through to FL! The kids slept through the night.We made maybe 2 stops overnight for gas and bathroom then breakfast in S. C. Arrived in Orlando at 1PM and were delayed by traffic or construction 5 min. from Disney! Checked in at 3:30. WE let the kids decide when they needed to stop to stretch or go to the bathroom,but they were excited to get there. The best thing we did was bring a 9 in. tv/vcr unit and borrowed several movies from libraries the day before we left. I also had a large tote bag flled with puzzle books etc.It really was much smoother than i expected!With 2 drivers you should have no prblems driving overnight(We truthfully found NO traffic, even through NYC) If you get tired there are tons of low priced chain motels all along the route, or you can stop at a rest stop(they are great on this interstate)I would also recommend you join triple A for the peice of mind if nothing else!We were able to bring a giant cooler packed with all the snacks, cereal etc. we needed for the week.I don't know if it would have seemed longer had we driven over 2 days(probably) but you should definitely try it.Our kids are 5,6 10,14, and we brought our 14 year old neice(the older kids brought their walkmans and CD's.My 14 year old told me after we got home that the drive seemed to extend the vacation,was fun to stop for lunch, see NYC, etc.We saved so much money by driving we can actually afford to go every year! Don't want to talk you into something you have great doubts about,just relating my experience.Hope it helps!

 

[weeyore33]

thank you so much for the advice, the train is out- been there done that-never again, feel so claustrophobic!
eeyoresmom- thank you so much for the great feedback- i am not so torn any more! i told my DH about the tv/vcr combo before and he thought it was unnecessary until he just read your post with me--- thanks, i believe we will be on the hunt for one now!
we have a new car (2001 escape) the back seat reclines, so that will be nice. looked in to renting but we can not see paying 700 to rent, not economical for us the truck will be serviced right before we go, everything is still under warranty and we have AAA and Ford road side assistance, so we should do ok...
if anyone has more advice, keep it coming i could use all anyone has to give!!!!
Thank you!!!

 

[patches-4]

bought our t.v./vcr from k-mart a few years ago in the spring when they put them on sale. It was probable 10" or maybe a little larger and the kids really did like it. There is also a place on it to plug earphone into which I will definatly use the next time. It really helps to speed the time for kids, and several times help put them to sleep. Maybe there is someone you can borrow one from. I have loaned my out to close friends before. Enjoy your trip.

 

[buzz5985]

We are also driving from MA. Can't believe it is finally here. I have a FunTV that I bought at Best Buy. VCR and can play video games on it. www.mobilefuntv.com Went to Walmart and bought a lot of great movies for $6.66 each. My DS is 5, so I have them wrapped up, so I can give him little gifts along the way. Along with crayons, coloring books, Matchbox cars (state cars with license plates) little stuff like that. Also taking our 10 year old dog with us. She is very excited. New leash, colar, harness, haircut. Most expensive part of the trip so far. LOL

 

[Tick-Tock]

We have both flown and driven (from MA) several times and far prefer driving. To my mind there are several advantages to the drive (i) allows 'depressurization' time for the adults (I have a fairly demanding job and the quick transition from work to WDW via air doesn't allow for the necessary attitude adjustment time), (ii) crazy/fun things to do on the way down (e.g. South of the Border in NC is a must-do for an hour or two each time), and (iii) permits a cushion for the post-WDW let down -- we usually build in one day on the trip back to stop and see something significant (e.g. Manassas Battlefield, Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg); this is something to look forward to on the sad day you leave WDW Maingate.

 

[MinnieMe2]

We've driven from Central MA to WDW several times with our four kids. They were responsible for their own 'in car' entertainment as we didn't have the tv/vcr combo (this goes back five or six years). They had books, games, Walk Men, whatever, and, of course, when they got tired of those things, they could pick at each other to help the time go by . Actually, we'd rotate seating, letting each of them get a turn in the front seat so that DH or I (whoever wasn't driving) could flop in one of the back seats of the van. I would bring books on tape FOR ME, plug myself in, and relax.

We'd take a couple of days, leaving MA at midnight, shooting thru NYC when there was absolutely no traffic to deal with. We'd get to DC early in the a.m., have breakfast and do the National Zoo, which is free, and then get back in the car until 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. We'd find a hotel, let the kids swim, have a relaxed dinner (sometimes just take-out in the room), and hit the road early in the a.m. One more night on the road, and WDW early on day three.

We have some wonderful memories of our rides to FL, and the kids actually like the ride as much as flying. By the way, we had a cooler that plugged into the outlet of the car. We'd have picnic lunches at rest stops for lunch and then had a cooler in the room once we got to WDW. And you can get Trip Tix from AAA which list all the hotels, restaurants, and tourist-y things along the route. They were an invaluable resource for us. It all worked out very well, and I can't say I blame your son for his fear of flying right now. I'd definitely follow my gut instinct as a mom on this one...

 

[Disneydenise]

We drove for years and the only part I dislike is the ride from SC to VA I don't know why. We used to drive all thru the night and that way we missed much of the traffic. when the kids were little they loved it. Now they are teens and the thought of them driving with us is too nerve wracking. i think they are too careless and just don't get the impact of trucks on the road so we will fly from now on but while you can I would enjoy the trip in the car. They will have great memories. Our kids enjoyed having our attention in the car and it was a rare occurance that I could sit with them and watch and entire movie so they loved that too.

 

[weeyore33]

!!i love it !!!! all of it!!!! i am actually getting excited about driving now.. and my ds is so happy that we are driving. i found a neighbor of mine who has the tv/vcr from best buy that they bought for their road trip to the "world" they told me it is a must! they are letting us borrow it for our trip! i am so excited, also DH laptop plays dvd movies! how great! i have been picking up little disney suprises to spring on the kids while we are on the way... disney dvd, movies and games for the gameboy, playstation!!!! what else should i pick up? we are bringing a cooler and lots of snacks!!!! thanks for all the help! this is the best place for all of us disnuts, huh????
we are driving from Plymouth....

 

[buzz5985]

weeyore33, my parents are leaving from South Yarmouth This Sunday. I'm leaving Saturday 2/23- can't wait. My sister is leaving from North Carolina Saturday. Big reunion Monday at Disney!!!!!

 

[bobcat]

I prefer to drive as well. I'm a single mom with two kids and we usually drive one full day, stop at the GA/FL border overnight and arrive at WDW around noon the next day.

We don't have a TV/VCR but we do use books on tape. Harry Potter is great for a long trip, we didn't want to get out of the car. We also stock up on books to read and always take a few games to play along the way.

Our lunch we have a picnic at a rest area. The kids can run and let off some energy. Dinner is always someplace where I can sit and be waited on.

 

[mom42860]

This is great! We will be driving from MA 1st time in April, I am a road-trip person so I am very excited, and love all the inside info. I get here
eeyoresmom, am I right that you did not stop overnight? We were thinking of leaving a little later and stopping for the night but your time sounds so good we may reconsider, I am most worried about the 18 month old. (other 2 are 12 & 10)
Tick-Tock you mention South of the Border? I have heard it mentioned so many times but haven't a clue??? Can you explain what it is?
MinnieMe2, love the comment about picking at each other! We're planning a rotating seat arrangement but know it wil be bloody no matter how we plan it!!
Thanks everyone!

 

[weeyore33]

so many drivers so much world to see, the more i read the more i learn!!! getting there will be an adventure itself!

 

[jenny2]

We drove for the 2nd time from central Mass, and it's not a problem! The first time it was just DH and I and we drove straight through there and home. It IS a long drive, but as long as you switch every couple of hours it's fine.

The trip we took 2 weeks ago included our 20 month old DD and a 5 month pregnant me We left Saturday night, drove straight through to Sunday around 5 PM. We stopped in Florence, SC for the night (it was Superbowl Sunday... DH wouldn't have missed that for the world!!).

NOTE: If you're near northern SC and need a place to stay for the night, Florence has about 60 hotels all right off the highway. We stayed in the Marriot Courtyard... it was right off the highway, had an indoor pool (to keep me and DD occupied while DH watched the SB) and was brand new. It was $85/night. A little more pricey than the others in the area, but I really wanted that pool. The novelty of swimming in February was just too much for this New Englander to pass up!

Anyways... back to the trip. We could have made it to GA by 5, but DH took a big wrong turn in NJ while I was sleeping and we had to back track. DD did so much better than we thought! I bought some inexpensive board books and games, and she looked at those for most of the trip. We woke on Sunday, and left around 9:30, making it to WDW around 4pm.

On the way home, we drove straight through. We left at 9:30 AM and just kept on going, making it home around 6:30 AM the next morning. That was with an hour and a half stop for dinner! It gets tough driving at night, but DH does great so I do most of the driving during the day and he does it at night.

On our way home we stopped in NC for dinner, and at a truck stop bought a 9" tv/vcr combo for $170! So on our next trip down (driving of course) we'll have that to entertain our DD and DS-on-the-way

Do the drive! It's like an adventure

 

[eeyoresmom]

eayore33,yes we did drive straight through.Being overnight, this was easiest for the kids. They slept 10 hours,we stopped for breakfast,drove a few more hours and because car rides make most people sleepy....they napped some. It was really painless.We drove about 5 miles over the speed limit(except for Virginia, low speed limit and state troopers all over I-95) You can't miss South of The Border, signs everywhere!

 

[weeyore33]

im so excited and i just cant hide it! the closer it gets, the more i am looking forward to it... i have been spending a lot of time in the car with the kids to get them(and me) ready... i think we will do the stop at a hotel on the way down to get some sleep for us and give the kids some swim time and run time..... i cant wait! i know that eeyore is waiting for me........

 

[matchmaker]

we have been on 16 hr trips often with our mini van and it helps to leave unnecessarry seats (usually the center one) at home so you have a big space in the middle. Bring some sleeping bags and lots of pillows and use the extra space in the middle to lay down with your sleeping bag. Instead of bringing suitcases or bags bring a laundry basket so you can put in all toys, snacks, games, etc. Just toss it there( including the dirty laundry). Pack all change of clothes in in one gallon ziplock bags in a set for each person (shirt,undies, socks and toothbrush, etc.) each person so you don't need to open up the luggage just in case you want to sleep along a roadside motel. Again put those dirty ones in that ziplock bag and toss it in the laundry basket. I hope that helps. Ohh..don't forget the flashlight.
good luck!

 

[weeyore33]

thank you thank you. all these ideas! this is the bes place for everyone to share! we are all so lucky!!!! although we do not have a minivan, we have an escape( small suv) we will definatley try the zip lock bags--- great space/time saver. got the flashligh packed already!!!not that i am trying to get ready yet.......hahaha