Single mom driving from KC?

[Mizzoupoodle123]

I am considering driving to DW this summer from Kansas City. I am a single mom of 3 girls 9, 7 and 6. Is this a crazy idea? I need to stay overnight somewhere along the way and have to budget for food and a motel. Airfare is 250 a person roundtrip or according to a gas website about 227 each way for gas. I'm looking for opinions on this. I've been divorced about a year after a 21 year marriage and not used to making these big decisions. Thanks again!

Sophia

 

[kbheap]

I am considering driving to DW this summer from Kansas City. I am a single mom of 3 girls 9, 7 and 6. Is this a crazy idea? I need to stay overnight somewhere along the way and have to budget for food and a motel. Airfare is 250 a person roundtrip or according to a gas website about 227 each way for gas. I'm looking for opinions on this. I've been divorced about a year after a 21 year marriage and not used to making these big decisions. Thanks again!

Sophia

If you are driving for your budget, then it is okay. Just make sure you travel smart. Only stop in well lit areas. Make reservations in advane so that you and your kids are not trying to find a room somewhere along the way. Only stop at gas stations that are busy and well lit. Don't stop at rest areas. I am sure as a single mom you go about the day with your 3 girls on a regular basis anyway. You know where it is safe to bring them. The only difference is you are adding the hotel room in. You still eat with your kids everyday so that should not be an issue. Just be safe about the hotel and make sure your kids know the travel rules. I would almost even purchase a prepaid cell phone for the oldest just in case you need an extra along the way.

 

[Mizzoupoodle123]

thanks for the encouragement!! The cell phone idea is great too!

Sophia

 

[clkelley]

One piece of advice for the trip down and back, is pack a separate overnight bag just for the hotel stop. That way you are not lugging everything out of the car just for that stop.

We often stop overnight on our drives and always do this. We just grab that one small bag and the computer bag, and the rest of the stuff stays in the truck.

 

[Hannathy]

Add everything up and don't forget wear and tear on your vehicle, tolls , snacks, room, gas, food, etc and then subtract it from the airfare THEN look at the difference and decide if the time is more valuable to you vs the savings. It will take days away from your time in Disney, don't know how much vacation time you have. Also being the solo driver will make you tired when you arrive at Disney and also for the drive home and when you get home.

Sometimes it comes down to the money saved isn't worth the extra time and tiredness!

As far as driving I've driven 12 or more hours alone with my kids from 6 weeks on more times than I can count.

 

[casjen]

Whenever we take a long road trip, something always, and I mean always, happens to our tires. We get checked ahead of time and still, a problem. last time it was a giant bolt in the tire (on the highway!). Another time we blew a tire. Another time a flat.

Be sure you can get help if you break down so you don't need to be stressed.

 

[Mizzoupoodle123]

I appreciate all the thoughts. I am now kinda considering moving the trip to mid sept from late june. If I went in Sept. we'd save over 350. on the hotel and that could go towards a rental car. Then the difference between driving and flying would only be about 200 or so depending on what we ate down and back.

I've hesitated to take them out of school but the lower crowds, etc. might make it worth it.

Thanks again everyone and let me know what you think

Sophia

 

[smesmer]

Unless you are sightseeing at places other than Disney you can use the Magical Express which is free transportation to and from the airport to your disney hotel thus saving the expense of a rental car.

 

[charissemp]

Did you check southwest? We're going around Memorial Day weekend out of KC, and we were able to book airfaire at $120 round trip. SW fares go up and down during the week, so it generally takes some checking.

 

[DISFANSTHREE]

Ck on SW for air fares, we are just back KC - Orlando on SW. WE left Kc at 7 am and was walking thru Magic Kingdom By 1 30 pm... Cheap fares, but we did book six months out...

 

[Mizzoupoodle123]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I am going to keep checking on Southwest airline prices.

I'm trying to keep within a fairly tight budget which led me to the driving idea. The thought of how tired I will be has me wondering plus the breakdown issue.

Thanks!
Sophia

 

[staceyj2]

I'm from the KC area as well. Definitely keep checking SW. The kc flight prices just went up, but they did this last week and went back down a few days later. We recently booked for a late May trip and found $69 each way. Both our flights are non-stop. Good luck!