Strategies for driving from New England with toddlers/preschoolers

[molly2004]

Hi, I would like to how you drove from NE to WDW with toddlers. Our twins will be almost 3 when we go in November. The thought of going through airport security with the stroller and car seats plus other paraphenalia is so daunting, I wonder if driving would be a better bet. And I hate driving that far!

So I wondered what your game plans were when driving with such young kiddos. Do you drive overnight to avoid stopping? Or do you drive during the day and stop a billion times to stretch?

Or should I just brave it all and fly?

Any thoughts would be very helpful!

 

[Ms. Belle]

I drove from CT to FLA with a toddler and wouldn't do it again. It is a very long drive for an adult and really hard on kids unless you stop alot. For me, flying is the best option.

 

[amylevan]

I drove from NJ with a friend while I was in college, and bascially swore I would never do it again. 16 hours in a car just isn't for me, and you're farther north than me.

That said, I do know people who do it. I would certainly be purchasing one of those portable dvd things for my toddler to watch.

 

[goofy4tink]

FLY!!!!! I can't imagine being in my car with my 12 y/o, let alone 3 y/o twins. Flying really isn't so bad. Will there be a parent for each child? If so, you're golden!! Everytime I fly there are a ton of parents dealing with kids.
Regarding the car seats...are you using them on the plane?? They can only be used on the window seats if I remember correctly. Most people have their kids fly just sitting on the seat, but belted in at all times.
If you want, you can have the child in the stroller, then gate check it as you board. Then it will be waiting for you when you get off the plane. It's all so easy.
Just be sure to have a carryon bag for the kids with snacks, juiceboxes, and lots of things to do. I think that once you fly the first time, you will never think about driving it again. Heck, I flew with a cat in Nov....now that was not an easy thing. But, it all came out fine in the end.

 

[MARdisney]

We drove from KS to WDW w/2 & 4yr old. It went so much better than we thought it would! We broke it up with two overnight stops (20hr drive). But we could have done it in less time. Here's what you need- portable DVD player! We got the kind that hooks on the back of the headrest, so they didn't have to strain to see the screen. We took sticker books and color wonder markers(they only write on color wonder paper) and snacks. We took about 20 DVDs. The player portion sat on the floor board of passenger seat, and we had taken DVDs out of their cases and put them in one of the small zipper CD carrying cases. That way, we just popped the DVDs in the glovebox and we could easily reach to change movies. We had bought two new movies that hadn't seen, so each moring we gave them one.
We also stopped every few hours to change drivers and let the kids stretch their legs. I had printed off a list of Mcdonalds with play areas along our route.
It was really nice to have our car and not have to rely on the buses at Disney. Also, we wanted to drive to the beach, so it was nice to not have to deal with renting a car.
Anyway, it can be done driving. We had such a great time, we are doing it again in May.

 

[shafke]

We plan on driving next year when Ds will be 8 and DD 4. The car we have has a built in dvd player and we will also be bringing a portable player since we know they will not want to watch the same things. One of the reasons we will be driving is a brief stop near Atlanta to visit family. We could fly to Atlanta then rent a car for the Florida portion but that would turn very expensive.

 

[fran99999]

I have driven and flown. I would fly. The ride down is ok but long. The ride back seemed to go on forever. I left MA at 7PM hit NYC shortly after midnight. The lower states are very flat and boring, on 95. I stopped every 3 hours to get out and stretch. Stopped for bfast lunch and arrived at 4:30 pm in Kissamee. I drove the entire time. My DH can not read so him driving was out. We would have ended up in Cal or Canada LOL.

Saying all that I would just fly. Much easier. Go non stop or 1 stop. No way I would try to change planes. I am sure U could but I hate stopping. A 3 hour flight beats a 20 hour drive anyday.

Good luck have a great vacation.

 

[molly2004]

Thanks for your suggestions. Although a dvd player is worth a try, I don't think my guys have the attention span for it. They'll sit for about 1/2 hour and that's it.

I'm a mom who stresses out very easily so I guess that's why I plan things to the T so that I have some structure to go by. Granted there will be DH and me, the thought of lugging around two cars seats, stroller and carry ons seems to be overwhelming. We flew with the twins before without car seats and vowed never to do it again. They really do need to be restrained because they're a couple of monkeys otherwise. Without the car seats, it was do-able. With car seats... I wonder if it's worth the trouble. Besides, we'll need the car seats for the rental car anyway.

*sigh* Maybe we'll just move to Orlando.

 

[Mac and Us]

First I think it all depends on how well your twins ride. Our DD (4) is in the car for 80 min (40 each way) everyday. She goes to daycare/preschool near where I work. She's been doing this since she was 6 mo old.

We have a motorhome and travel a lot and she does really well as long as she has activities. She is in her car seat at all times while the motorhome is moving so it's no different than your car.

She loves color wonder, stickers, her DVD player, and other small things that I find at the dollar store and walmart. She plays, colors, etc during the day and watches her DVD player when it's dark.

What works for us is: leave central NH around noon. We share the driving and switch every 3 hours or so. When we stop she gets out of her seat for approx. 15 mins to go potty or just move around then we're back on the road. We stop around 7pm for dinner (approx. 1 hr)-- put her in her pj's, brush teeth, etc and set her up with a DVD and we're back on the road again.

We drive until midnight then stop for a 2-3 hour nap and continue on. She sleeps all night. Sometimes she wakes up when we stop to switch drivers, but goes right back to sleep. The next day we stop around noon, have lunch and take another nap. Then we continue on until we arrive at Ft. Wilderness.

We are lucky that she travels so well. We have gone to Florida 4 times in 2 years. We flew twice and drove twice. We prefer driving. It takes longer but we can bring more with us. She seems to like driving better too.

 

[jonestavern]

I have flown & driven long distances when DS was 5 -7 or 8 & when Dniece was1 1/2 yrs old. Helpful hints:

1) buy new toys that will only be seen or played with on the flight or drive--don't bring these toys into the motel or resort rms--remember, travel only
2) something to chew if flying, to unclog ears on takeoff/landing
3) if you can, when driving, we leave at night--less traffic & DS went to sleep--but beware, one of you had better be sleeping, too because the little darlins' will be energized!
4) pack snacks & drinks, plane or car

personally, I'd fly. There will be plenty of children on the flight to Orlando & the overwhelming majority of passengers do not expect yr sweeties to be perfect angels Just don't let them kick the seats in front of them--if they should, apologize profusely each & every time

There are good threads on here re: air travel w/children

Jean

 

[snowbunny]

The thought of going through airport security with the stroller and car seats plus other paraphenalia is so daunting, I wonder if driving would be a better bet.

You're comparing 30 minutes of hassle versus 18 hours with kids basically strapped into staitjackets...?

 

[Got Quattro?]

We have done the 1,000 mile drive from st. louis numerous times over the year....bith with and with out kids.

We always leave about 6:00pm.......drive all night......straight through.....ariving 15 hours later at about 9:00am. This kids slept from 9:00pm to 7:00am. We stopped in OCala for breakfast. then finish then drive all excited for disney.

I would rather be in a car fot 15 hours with the kids sleeping 80% of the time, then multiple 8 hour stints with the kids awake the whole time.

 

[molly2004]

You're comparing 30 minutes of hassle versus 18 hours with kids basically strapped into staitjackets...?

Yeah, I know...apples...oranges. I just thought that maybe if they were asleep and in "familiar territory" that the stress on them would be less too. But I guess that's just my convoluted thinking process.

 

[snowbunny]

Yeah, I know...apples...oranges. I just thought that maybe if they were asleep and in "familiar territory" that the stress on them would be less too. But I guess that's just my convoluted thinking process.

No, I can understand where you are coming from, it crosses my mind too. But then I think of actually driving through the metro New York area, the metro Philly area, the metro Washington, DC area...and I'm not even halfway there....