Questions for those that have driven to WDW

[stacy6552]

First of all, check out this site.....http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm It goes exit by exit and tells you where the food and lodging is. It was great, bacuse I could say, "ok Burger King is comming up and then there's nothing for 15 miles....."

Secondly, I would advise you to stop overnight. We drove from VA a few years back and made it straight through, suprisingly easy enough. However, we were jetlagged for the first few days. I think it was the second day that we asked our son to just go back to the hotel midafternoon.

DVD's and books on tape are wonderful for the drive.

 

[bord1niowa]

I agree a dvd is a must but we take along the x-box and PS2, you can play the dvd's on those too. You know how kids are with video games, they become zombies for hours sometimes, which in this case can be a good thing...lol. We use a 13 to 19" TV in the van, everyone can see it from front and back too, and I even get to listen to the movies.

 

[pixiepower1971]

I have lost count of the # of long distance trips I have done with my girls over the years. We find they each need a pillow, light blanket, favorite stuffed animal, a good book, mp3, gameboy, some kind of puzzle book, and DVD player. They use the DVD player the least. I also like to have all my Disney CDs in the car. We will turn them up and sing and the time passes by quickly.

 

[Disneydreaming6]

I have driven from RI to WDW many times with 6 kids. I have also brought the dvd player, games, books etc. Pillows and blankets are a must IMHO since it helps the kids get more comfy. Me and df took turns driving thru the night. Every 2 to 4 hours we switched, usually when we stopped for gas.
Always stop at gas stations that are well lite, there are many along the way so that shouldn't be a problem. I always paid at the pump so I didn't have to move from the car. If someone did need to use the restroom they never went alone. (I have found the 7-eleven stores were the cleaniest.) I love the ride. If you have time make a couple of pit stops along the way. We always take side trips on the way home so it makes our vacation a little longer.

 

[Mom2R&D]

We've driven to WDW four times with our DS's and never once taken a DVD player. We've been lucky that they're both great travelers.

Something we did take when they were younger was their potty chair. I don't know if your twins are potty trained (or on the verge) but children always have to go at the most inopportune times (and inevitably right after you leave the last rest stop or gas station). We would just pull over, let them unbuckle and use the potty. Sounds unsavory but OMG, it saved us more than once.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

I agree a dvd is a must but we take along the x-box and PS2, you can play the dvd's on those too. You know how kids are with video games, they become zombies for hours sometimes, which in this case can be a good thing...lol. We use a 13 to 19" TV in the van, everyone can see it from front and back too, and I even get to listen to the movies.

First question, what kind of van do you have? It must have captains chairs in the second row.

Second, where do you fit that large tv?

Third, how do you secure it?

Fourth, where do the x-box and PS2 go, and how are they secured?

 

[nlugo]

First question, what kind of van do you have? It must have captains chairs in the second row.

Second, where do you fit that large tv?

Third, how do you secure it?

Fourth, where do the x-box and PS2 go, and how are they secured?

We don't have the captain's chairs in the second row. We use our cooler. We put beach towels on top of it and then put the tv on top of the towels. I don't usually have to secure it more than that. I kind of wedge the tv in between the two front seats as well. Does that make sense?? I hope this helps!

 

[Twingle]

Thanks so much for all the tips! We have a built in DVD with the car, so that's no issue. One of our fav things for the DVD players are the Disney books on disk. We had first purchased these for our son to use on the computer, but you can use them in the car with no problem. All three enjoy them, and will listen to them again and again.

My DD's are not potty training right now, but that can change at a moments notice. My DS was fully trained by this age, totally his idea, he needed no coaching from us. My DD's on the other hand, could not be less interested. Since I try to be a goin' with the flow (no pun intended!), I'm not too worried about it. If they want to train before Disney, fine. If not, fine. Can't decide which would be easier: potties or diapers!

Thanks again for all the advice. Also, glad that so many of you have driving it straight. I thank you for the tip to just stop, but it's just not what I'm planning. I've driven several times long distances like this (NYC to the Black Hills, South Dakota the longest) with no hotel stays, and I'm confident that I can do it this time as well. The kids may have their own plan, and I'm flexible with that.

Again, thank you for taking the time to post what has helped and worked for you!

 

[bord1niowa]

We have a full size ford conversion van, so we are able to have the cooler between the front seats and set the TV on that, a 19" fits nice and snug and we also put at least 1 bungie around it and the arm rests of the front seats. The 100 Qt. cooler has a top opening towards the front that is not hindered by the TV. The x-box and PS2 sit on the floor in front of it. It works well for other trips we have taken. My wife even climbs in back to watch the movies. Being that it's a regular TV it also is plenty loud for me to hear it behind me. The little DVD Players don't seem to be very loud. You do have to have an Inverter of course, at least 400Watts with that size TV. Cost me about $35.

 

[movtarget]

This may seem like a 'stupid' question but: What can kids do with Pipe Cleaners? Sorry, but I guess I don't have an imagination....

Pipe cleaners, being like fuzzy twist ties, can be used to create all sorts of 2d and 3d stuff, then taken apart and more stuff made.

We made fuzzy eyeglasses, Noah's ark (w/ animals), spelled out words/names, Disney shapes, etc.

Falls into the same category as Knex, Legos, or Play-doh, you can make anything. They are just a little cleaner or lack the tiny little parts of those other "think-it/create-it/build-it" items.

Moving Target in NC

 

[poohraedopey]

Great tips everyone. We are not going to go straight through on the way down but maybe on the way back. Or close to it. Sometimes my children arre good travelers and sometimes they are misserable! This will by far be thier longest car ride. They will have gameboys and DVD players among other things. DD would love the pipe cleaners! Just yesterday she raided my supply I had bought for scrapbooking.... I never would have thought of them for the car!