OMG! DH wants to drive to FL with our boys....

[Pembo]

...this April! Our boys are 2 1/2 and 5. We had always said we'd wait until they were older!

So...I need HELP! Where to stay off-site with 2 little ones for under $100/nt???

Is it worth the savings to stay off-site? or will I really miss the bus service??? We've stayed on-site on all 3 of our adult-only trips.

Any other advice???

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[mgrebenc]

Hello,
We're in Mentor and we drive down every year. We stay onsite as we are DVC members. The bus service and the atmosphere is definitely worth it if you can swing the $$. Many on this board have recommended the Holiday Inn Family Suites. We usually divide the trip in half and stay in North Carolina on the way down. The ride is not bad enjoy yourselves.

 

[My2boyz1]

I would stay at the All-Stars instead of staying offsite. There is even some kind of upsell going on now for the moderates (when you call for a price on a value resort it pops up on the cm's screen - not sure of the dates though). The conveniences of staying onsite are well worth it, especially with little ones.

Natalie

 

[LisaNJ25]

we are also driving down the end of march. Are original plans were for the end of april, I booked all start sports last july. Total w/ tax was 116 a night.

Than we decide to rent a mini van to be more comfortable. Than my moms decides she wants to go w/my 17 yo sister. So than we started looking into the Holiday Inn Family Suites which came to $140 a night but we were splitting it. Than afte my moms talks to a co worker who tells her we have to stay insite (which I agree)

So I ended up getting 2 rooms at the Coronado Springs for approx $120 a night including tax (that tax rally gets you).

So now I am only spending $4 more a night and heres who will be in the car. Hubby (31), Me (26), Son(8), Daughter (21 mo), Mom (49), Sister (17), Sister (10)

We are driving down from NJ.

Im sre the 4 of you will do fine

 

[diznee]

We also have small children and drive down from here in Central Illinois at least once, if not twice, a year. Tips we've learned over the years: take a picnic basket stocked full and maybe a cardboard box packed with goodies to eat while there; take a small tv/vcr with lots of disney videos; make the enviroment comfortable with lots of pillows, blankets, small toys, color books and crayons and the like; stop at rest stops and picnic when you can because it gives everyone a breather and the kids can run around and burn off energy.
It's always worth the few extra dollars to stay on-site: the convenience of bus service and the added disney magic will definitely spoil you for any other alternative.
Just be prepared, like any good girl scout, and you will have a great trip! Lots of pixie dust to you!

 

[jimmybop]

Well... alright.. i didnt drive, but i took a tour bus with my marching band from Upstate, NY (near syracuse) to Tampa. it took is up about 27 hours each way, so if u dont mind a long hall (and the people who are rideing with you), then it sounds cool. (just make sure u are in a good spot in the van to be able to sleep ) Have a fun safe trip

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PREZ. WEEK 2001... HERE I COME!!!!! (stayin at PO)

 

[JorJor]

We have a mini van with the tv/vcr in it, so we decided to try and drive this time. We're going the end of April, and my kids are 9, 3, and 1 1/2. I hope it's a good experience, because I do not like to fly! So, if it works out, we can drive again next time. If anyone's renting a mini van to drive to FL, I would highly suggest getting one with the tv/vcr in it!!

 

[Slightly Goofy]

We drive from IN to DW each year and I make it in a day and a half but it is hard driving. There are things to see along the way and you can make it part of the fun. We always stop at the state borders and get the discount motel books and find a cheap place to stay. I would highly reccommend staying at All Star Movies if you possibly can. We had our 3 years old grandson there last February and he did not want to leave the resort because of the great playgrounds and the Disney Movie decor, especially the Toy Story stuff was awesome. There is also a McD's right outside the All Stars for a cheap snack. You might even consider getting two ajoining rooms if it fits the budget but even though the rooms are small, if you are going to be in the parks a lot the size of the room will not matter. I would really like to add that taking a break in the middle of the day will add so much to your trip. Not sure who gets more out of it, the children or the adults. LOL

Hope you enjoy your trip, you will be makin' memories.

Linda

 

[syncsk8mom]

WOW I am from Mentor also. Small world. IMHO I would rent DVC points for your stay and stay at the Key West style resort. The name is escaping me at the moment. I would go with that over Board Walk or Wilderness Lodge Villas as you typically need fewer points and the rooms are larger. If you rent a studio you would have a micro, fridge and patio. Very nice accomidations. Feel free to e.mail me if you have any questions. bingbing35@hotmail.com

 

[Disneydenise]

We started driving when our kids were 4&21/2. I think it can be fun if you have alot of toys and games so when bordom sets in you can change up. My hubby and I would switch off driving every three hours and at that time we would get out let the kids run alittle take a potty break and then back on the road. I would figure out a 1/2 way point then go to the AAA and ask for a book. Pick a 3 star and you should be okay with your accomodations. We would time our departure for a few hours till bed time and then the children would have more hours of rest time than awake time. We didn't have a TV/VCR in our car. They didn't make them too well then. Snacks really are a life saver and I did make sure they were not all sugary treats. They make fine choices when you limit the things you have available. Last I would say to make an on-site ressie. It really is most enjoyable that way especially since it is the way you are used to traveling there. I tink that you will have agreat time and the memories are priceless. Our children are now 16 & 15 and neither of them will get in the car to drive because they are spoiled now but they say they had a great time when we were driving when they were little. I thought the 16YO would want to tryout her diving skills on a trip this year but no way. She said she would pay for her own flight first. Spoiled. Have agreat trip and take lots of pictures they are the most precious souveniers.