Just back/21 hour car trip/2kids/7nights/5 parks

[LeahA]

21 hour car trip/each way--Dh and I took turns driving,
DS-3 got car sick, had to buy some dramamine. DS-10 months, didn't want anything to eat except his bottles and cherrios, all week! Had Tv/Vcr combo, music, coloring books, sticker books, books and some toys.
**Great thing-those coloring books with the magic pen, so when you color the page the ink comes off on the page not from the marker itself. Disney charachters, found them at Wal-Mart.

We had 2 stollers with, my older ds, always wanted to sit, he didn't want to walk, total opposite from home. Baby took naps all the time, his stroller has cup holder for baby and for mom and dad, which was nice.
**TIP-please either bring your stroller of rent one, I saw soooo many young kids just so upset that they had to walk around. I actually heard a child say "Please mommy, can I get a stroller?"

We had a suite at the Hawthorne Suites which worked out great with the kids, we needed the extra space. Baby did not want to sleep all night in Pack and Play, so ended up in bed with my dh, and I slept with my other ds.

The lines and crowds were the most at the Magic Kingdom. We had 4 day hopper passes and did 2 days at MK, 1 at MGM, 1 at AK and a night at Epcot. We also did IOA.

When we left the parks we left the parks, we did 1 night at Epcot, but, we usually left and went swimming late afternoon, before dinner. Older son either didn't nap or took naps in the car.

Everyone slept in their own beds last night

 

[redbirdgrad]

LeahA

Did you drive straight thru or did you stop somewhere in Georgia? If in Georgia where? What would you recommend now that you have done the driving from Chicago as a stopping point? Thanks for sharing.

 

[LeahA]

redbirdgrad,

We drove 12 hours the first day and stayed overnight at the Hampton Inn, in Dalton, GA. A very nice, clean Hampton Inn with restaurants and outlet stores within walking distance. Hotel had a pool and breakfast in the a.m. We drove the 2nd leg the next day, that was 9 hours.

On the way back, we decided to drive farther than Dalton, Ga and stayed overnight in Tennessee somewhere at a diferent Hampton Inn, a very dumpy Hampton Inn.

I would definitely stay again at the Hampton Inn in Dalton Ga. It's about 45 minutes over the TN/GA border.

 

[redbirdgrad]

Thanks You,

As a kid we always stayed in Dalton just wanted to make sure.

Redbirdgrad.

 

[DNSDisney]

As a ga native, i would highly suggest you take I-285 around the city to I-675 and join onto I-75 again on the south side of atlanta. you will avoid alot of traffic this way. I-675 deads into I-75 about 30 mins south of the airport. YOU could probably cut off about 1 hr of your trip this way . which you would spend sitting in traffic almost no matter what time of the day it is if you go through the city. Our city is beautiful but the traffic is terrible lol

hope this helps
sharon

 

[littleducksmom]

sharon,
thanks for the info. we are staying in marietta, in about 2 weeks, at the hawthorn suites, off the windy hill exit. is i-285 after or before the windy hill exit ? thanks in advance if you can help.
deb