Travelling with 3 young children

[gigibeans1]

I need advice. I will be going to WDW mid-September for 2 weeks with 1, 3 and 4 year old children. Also, we will be driving from NY. I have some concerns....

My 3 year old is not good with long trips. I've purchased lots of toys for all of them and won't let them play with them until we leave. We also have a DVD player and plan on bringing lots of movies and cartoons. However, my 3 yo doesn't watch TV. I also plan on putting all of them in pull ups because they've learned that when they say 'i have to go potty'...we stop....every 15 minutes!

We are bringing 1 umbrella stoller and renting a double-side/side from abbf.com.

What else can you WDW veterans tell me about what to bring to the parks, napping, restaurants, the long drive....etc, etc...

Thanks!

 

[kimwim8]

First, let me say....GOD BLESS YOU!!! Holy cow, driving to Florida from NY with 3 children?! Can I ask why you are choosing not to fly? I don't know if I'll ever be able to make the trip in the car with my children, though we'd like to someday to save some money on the flights.

Maybe if you let the kids pick their 3 favorite movies each, then they might actually want to watch the tv. I would also suggest Magna-doodles, coloring books, children's music for sing-a-longs, plenty of snacks and drinks.

I wish you lots of luck, and I'd love to hear how you make out.

Hopefully someone with actual experience in long-distance driving with young children will also respond to help you out.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

First of all, welcome to the DIS.

You will need lots of patience.
I would never drive so I can't help you there.

In general, take things slow. Don't worry about seeing everything. Buy a guide book & read up before you go.

HAVE FUN!

 

[liznboys]

We'll be driving down as well...a 15 hour drive from here in Maryland. We drove last year, and at that time our boys were 3.5 and 17 months. Next year when we go they will be (about) 5.5, 3.5 and the new little guy will be 11 months. Anyway, the drive last year was a piece of cake. I dunno, maybe my boys are just really good at long drives?! But it wasn't hard at all! I brought lots of new little games/toys, plenty of snacks, books on tape, Disney music cd's... We didn't even have a TV in the car-didn't need one! (Although, my dh wants to take one on the next trip, so we'll see...I'm not thrilled with the TV in the car idea...) We love having our van down there, we use it to get everywhere, and never use the buses-and that is WONDERFUL!!!!

The best advice I have about being down there is to be prepared to take it slow, and be FLEXIBLE!! Let the kids rest as much as they need to, don't push them to do more than they want to. You definitely can't do Disney "commando style" with 3 little ones.

One book that I really like is WDW with Kids by Kim Wright Wiley It really helped me prepare and decide what we were going to do. I made a list of all the attractions we wanted to do, and there were many things we left off the list. We just knew we wouldn't be able to do it all (or even most) with the kids, and since we were prepared for that, it took the pressure off while we were down there.

Good luck!

 

[newtowdw1]

My dd7 was a terrible rider. Turns out, she gets motion sickness. We bought her some dramamine and things are easier now. The other good thing (putting on flame retardant clothing) they knock her out and she goes to sleep. DS3 won't sleep, but he doesn't fuss anymore either. He just sings songs to us and chit-chats.

I also save toy catalogs and only bring them out on long trips. Good luck!

 

[newtowdw1]

First step (I think) sells inflatable pottys that you line with a trash bag. We used it with dd when she was young. It's nice since, even though you have to stop somewhere safe, you can just let her go there and not find a sanitary location. When done, seal it up and throw it discretely away at the next rest area. Saved us lots of time, and was no fun because it was a 3 minute distraction, not a 15 minute ordeal. Good luck!

 

[LMC]

You may not like this but get some candy for them to have when they really start to have a melt down. Suckers will probably do fine or something special that they don't get on a regular basis. Anything to distract them from whatever they happen to be screaming about at that moment. Also, the 4yo (and maybe the 3yo) is old enough to understand that when you make your first potty break EVERYBODY goes potty. Then when the 1yo says in 15-20 mins that they have to go again, then the 1yo is the only one to get out and go. I had to lay down the law w/ my now 9,6,and 3yo's about this because trips became nightmares!! If you can get them to still wear pullups and use them then go for that. Have you considered driving the first portion of your trip at night so they can sleep most of it; then you can switch drivers in the a.m. and the kids can watch their movies and play w/ their toys while the other parent tries to get some zzzzz's. You definately have to break it up into at least a two day drive down then back up.

 

[korlows]

i told ya gina!
fly...

 

[miche61]

My favorite thing to bring for my kids on long trips--
Scotch Tape!!! They would tape anything and everything. Don't get fussed if they make a mess with it- it's just tape.

Also we loved to bring pipe cleaners. Good for the imagination.

We also saved any happy meal toys for weeks before the trips to use as little gifts on the way.

My kids do really well when they know it's a long trip, and I let them help chose their toys to go in their own bags.

Magnets are also good, as long as they're not too little for the ones still into chewing things.

Maybe window clings, if they can reach the windows?

Colored pencils, paper, magnadoodles, paper dolls.....

Have fun!!!

 

[asktriplets]

we're doing the 16 hr. drive with our 3 almost-2 yr. olds in nov...

here's what we've done in past for long drives and/or are planning on bringing:

pipe cleaners,travel magnadoodles, plastic slinkys, disney catalogs (to look at pictures, identify toys/characters, and then rip/shred/tear and throw around the van...it keeps them busy for quite a while!) , "magic" markers that only write on special paper, snacks for every few hours, and of course the laptop to play movies!

i'm also planning on bringing wrapped "presents" (new little toys or toys that they haven't seen in a while) for every hour or 2 of the ride---my kids love playing with the paper!! and it's a great distraction.

we also plan on doing stops at the welcome centers in each state...lots of grass to run and play. we travel alot with our kids, and i am always amazed at how agreeable they are to getting back in the car and driving some more after only even 15-20 minutes of running around!!!

sadly, my kids don't sleep well in the car, so we're planning on at least a one night stopover. we've found embassy suites to be great for us (although pricey!) because the kids can run around in the big lobby/atrium without me worrying about disturbing others, plus swim in the pool. with the separate bdrm., we can put the kids to sleep and we don't worry about waking them. they also have a great buffet in the morning that comes with the cost of the suite.

mine are too little for this, but one mom suggests this:
for every 15 mins (or 1/2 hr. or whatever) that the child listens well (follows directions, sits without whining, or whatever), the child gets a sticker. at the end of the hour (or 2 or day or whatever),if the child gets the required number of stickers, the child earns a wrapped "treat" from the goodie bag .
i think this really helps older toddlers get a bit of a grasp on the concept of "how long"....

good luck and have a great time!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

WHen are you going? My last trip to Disney my three were 4, 2, 10 months. We had a great trip. We flew (which can be an ordeal in and of it self....). We tookt hings easy. We went at the kids pace, took breaks, relaxed and only did age appropriate things. It was fun for all of us -- but three kids was more work thatn our past two trips with two kids, and one kid (Every trip I go to Dinsey I have one more kid -- not this time, though )

As for driving, this trip we're driving from North Jersey in December. My kids are going to be 6, 4 and almost 3. I'm doing most of what everyone above posted - snacks, wrapped surprises, good car games, etc. We will stop 1/2 way or so down. I was thinking of buying the Elefun game to play at rest stops to break things up and get kids moving. I like the State Welcome Center idea for maps and such. Yours may still be a bit young for that, but I wnat ot start teaching my 6 year old about geography.

I asked when your trip is -- because if it's after mine, I'll let you knwo how things went!

Good luck!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We traveled last summer with a 4 and 2 year old. This spring our new DD will be coming as well!

We did just about what everyone else suggested--DVD, lots of travel toys and stops.

And I also discovered that an endless supply of cheetos seemed to help

 

[WDW4KIDS]

I would try to leave for WDW at evening bedtime.While the children are sleeping you can knock off a lot of hi-way miles.I've driven 5 times with 4 kids and this has worked for us.Also plan on stopping every 2-3 hrs to let children run and potty breaks.Good luck

 

[adamandallie]

We drove to Disney last November with my 3 year old son and 2 year old daughter. It went surprisingly well. I bought some small toys and books for the car and kept them out of sight until the trip. When they got restless I would give them a new toy or book which would keep them occupied for a lttle while longer. We also have a portable DVD player which is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made. It kept them quiet for about 2 hrs at a time.

We also stopped more frequently to let them get out and stretch their legs. About every three to four hours seemed to do the trick.

However, we are going to West Palm Beach Florida with a short stay over in Disney in a couple of weeks. We were planning on driving but we now have a six month old who does not do well in the car. We decided to fly this trip. We got a great rate flying out of Laguardia in NY. It was $120 round trip pp which are the best rates I've seen in a long time. Check it out on Expedia if its in your budget.

 

[lovesdumbo]

We just drove to Maine (5 hours) with our 5,3,1 year olds. The best thing I did was put 5 & 3 year olds in 3 row of mini-van so I could sit next to baby and still reach the older ones. The ride up they baby slept for 2 hours but she napped just before we got in the car on the ride home and that was more of a challenge. We kept older ones busy with coloring books, stickers, magnadoodles...

As for the parks-plan to take it slow-thats the best way to take it all in too-you can't find the magic while running from here to there....I found the baby would nap in the stroller and then we'd bring the older ones back to the resort for a nap and the not yet walking baby would get some floor time. We also made good use of the baby centers. They are wonderful!

Enjoy!

 

[gigibeans1]

THANKS!! I had a feeling I came to the right place!

Most of the posted suggestions I already had...whew! I'm so glad I was thinking the same.

I hadn't thought about the pipe cleaners....I think they'll love them. I also bought sticker books and those clingy things you can stick on windows. My children are gonna think it's christmas...I've purchase sooooo many toys for all of them. I have tootsie rolls pops and individual boxes of animal crackers and tons of other snacks!

We'll stop every few hours so they can run around and stretch! I have a portable potty just in case.

We have the DVD player but, only the 4yo is interested. We've been recording their favorite morning cartoons for months now so I think we're set in terms of shows.

Our plan is to leave Friday afternoon and travel past DC, stopping around midnight. Then do 8-9 hours on Saturday and get there sometime around lunch on Sunday.

I rented a double stroller from abbf.com so we have more room in the car top carrier for other stuff.

We're leaving in 16 days....I'm Soooooo excited. I think we'll do fine!

I'll report back in when we get back!

 

[ahutton]

We drove down in June, and are doing it again in March. Our girls were 4 & 2, next trip will be 5, 3 and the baby will be 3 months, give or take. Lots of great suggestions - the only one I didn't see was when we stopped we picked a place where we could do everything. Gas, potty, food and a play area. We filled the truck, did a potty break and then the kids played while we ate. One more potty stop if needed, then back into the truck where the kids would eat. After they finished their meals then we would put a movie on. I found by forcing time in between things (movies, snacks, treats, games) it made the time pass faster for them. It couldn't have been too bad or we wouldn't be doing it again!

 

[SouthFLMommy]

We drive from Florida to NY 3 times a year with our 3 small children. DVD player is a huge help, believe me. My 6 year old brings a backpack of all his action figures, dinosaurs, etc. Those keep him very busy. My middle daughter loves to color and play with pipe cleaners. The littlest just goes with the flow.

Remember, the hum of the road usually puts them to sleep. They sleep quite a bit on the road. You really should stop to get their legs moving pretty often. I always worry about those blood clots forming in the legs from sitting too long. We bring a little kickball and play at a rest stop for about 15 minutes.

Good luck!

 

[homeschooler]

I have done the trip several times and we all love driving.

My recommendations are pretty much the same as everyone's. We stop every two hours. WE MUST. Even if no one needs the stop. We walk the rest area, play tag, the kids will roll down the little hills, etc. We plan on about 15 minutes each stop and everyone makes a trip to the conveniences. We then get into the cooler for a sandwich, slice of cheese, apple, whatever. (We also have surprises like homemade cookies or cupcakes) I buy chips and then package them in zip lock bags to limit how much is eaten at a given time.

I let the kids pick out a couple of things to get for the drive, magna doodle or whatever. They don't get them until the trip. They get to pack them away in the van as we are getting it ready but that is it. I also buy one or two small 'surprises' for them and when they have been particularly helpful or something, they get the surprise. Generally, at least once on the way, we stop at a Walmart or K-Mart for additional apples or the underwear we forgot to pack and if everyone is doing good, and the usually are, they can pick out something small again. (I don't like the cheapie cowboy and Indian play sets or the like but they have sure kept the boys busy for long periods of time. I get real compusive about them getting to the box so I just cover my eyes and don't even look at how empty the box gets. No set has ever survived both going to WDW and back.)

We do NOT do private disc players, TV, etc. We all listen to the same CD's. (Yes, we listen to DH's old country AND DS's favorites. We do ban DH's talk radio however.)

Last year we sang Sherry Lewis's song, "This is the Song that Doesn't End" except state instead of song while going through Georgia. MIL and SIL laughed. We stayed the night in Georgia and got up the next moring and MIL and SIL were singing "This is the State that Doesn't End."

We have FUN on the drive.