Who's driving in Nov/Dec?

[WAHMto5]

One more question/comment for those of you who are driving and are planning to leave early. My plan is to pack up the car the day before and then let the kids stay in their p.j.'s until our first stop with the hope that they'll fall back to sleep in the car. My fear is that one or all will be too excited once they get in the car and won't sleep and instead just be grouchy from lack of sleep. Has this worked out for anyone who's tried leaving REALLY early?

It has always worked for us (so far), even if they wake for a bit they normally will fall right bacj asleep with 30 minutes or so.

 

[photonut]

One more question/comment for those of you who are driving and are planning to leave early. My plan is to pack up the car the day before and then let the kids stay in their p.j.'s until our first stop with the hope that they'll fall back to sleep in the car. My fear is that one or all will be too excited once they get in the car and won't sleep and instead just be grouchy from lack of sleep. Has this worked out for anyone who's tried leaving REALLY early?

Our friends drive with their 4 children from the Windsor area (so a bit longer drive then you) and they eat dinner here at home, load the car, get everyone showered and in Pjs, and leave around 10 -11pm. Everyone sleeps through the night (except the driver of course!).

They stop for Breakfast, change out of pjs and switch drivers.... Kids feel rested because they have slept through the night....Drive another 8 hours or so. Stop for a hotel night and good sleep....then are just a short distance away for the next mornings drive. (about 5 more hours)

It works for them every year.


We are going to try this method ourselves in December!

 

[girliemomx3]

We're coming in November and coming from Northern New York. It takes us about 21 - 22 hours to get there. We have it all down to a science now. 24 days to go!!!!

We are driving down from northern NY too. Stopping half way in NC for a few days to see family and then making the rest of the trip Sun after thanksgiving!!

 

[Kim in TN]

Add us to the list as soon as the boys get out of school on Dec 2nd we will start our trip. We can't wait

 

[Juligan]

I LOVE ROADTRIPS!!! Of coarse we don't have any kids either

We are leaving MO after I get off work on 12/15 and spending the night in Memphis. I do all the daytime driving on roadtrips cuz I get board just riding and my DH takes over when it starts to get dark. It's a 22+ hour drive according to Mapquest so we will probably spend a second night on the road. Either way we plan to arrive at my brother's in Seffner on the 17th, get a good night sleep then off to POP first thing on the 18th (about 45 min drive). We hope to be checked in and at AK before lunch.

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks for all the advice guys. It seems alot of people are driving! It just feels nice to know others will be going through the same thing, some even from the same area. In a weird way I'm even starting to look forward to the drive. It's part of the adventure, you know? Of course I'll make sure to pack the extra large bottle of aspirin just in case.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

We are driving from NYC the day after Thanksgiving. It's an 18 hour drive but we are staying over one night in Georgia.We'll have a 7 yo 3 yo and 9 month old. I've always loved roadtrips. It will be a little difficult with the baby but we'll have my mom with us so she'll do baby duty for the drive. The two older kids will be in the very backseat of the minivan with a DVD player, 2 Video Nows, coloring books, snacks, Cd player and whatever else I can think to bring. On the way home my dad will be driving with us so it will be more crowded. I'm looking forward to it though, if we were flying I would literally feel sick to my stomach.

 

[pkb24824]

We are going down at Christmas and will be driving...it's approximately an 18 hour drive. We will drive straight through and do the same going back home. We have done it several times and it's not too bad! We will leave mid afternoon and that will put us down to WDW early to mid morning. I am looking forward to going! I love WDW at Christmas...it is fun times!

 

[Jon99]

We have never driven on Christmas day/night before, how will the traffic be????

 

[mommaU4]

We are driving from NYC the day after Thanksgiving. It's an 18 hour drive but we are staying over one night in Georgia.We'll have a 7 yo 3 yo and 9 month old. I've always loved roadtrips. It will be a little difficult with the baby but we'll have my mom with us so she'll do baby duty for the drive. The two older kids will be in the very backseat of the minivan with a DVD player, 2 Video Nows, coloring books, snacks, Cd player and whatever else I can think to bring. On the way home my dad will be driving with us so it will be more crowded. I'm looking forward to it though, if we were flying I would literally feel sick to my stomach.

Okay now don't think I'm nuts but I have an idea. Whenever we get something in the mail that is wrapped in that bubble wrap all 4 of my kids love to sit there and pop pop pop those bubbles. It's the simplest thing but it keeps them busy! So I went to our local dollar store and bought several rolls of the stuff to keep those little hands busy. Hope it works. Also all the toys/stuff that your planning to bring, wrap it up in wrapping paper. It makes it seem like more of a treat and kills an extra second or two while they open it. Hey those seconds add up! Have a safe and sane drive!

 

[always quiet]

We're heading out of PA at around 3 am on Dec. 3rd!!! We normally stop overnight in SC, then up around 5am, having our OJ at the welcome center by noon and in Disney by 3 pm! This year, I'm REALLY excited about the drive down!! Here's why!!

We just got a brand new 2005 Toyota Sienna yesterday!! Even got the dvd player for the kids!! Yep! Should make for smooth sailing!!!!! :thewave:

 

[jcdisneyfan]

We are leaving Dec 26 at 3:00 am driving straight thru to Orlando 17 hrs.. We will stay off sight at Holliday Inn Summersbay to rest up then hit the parks on the 27th staying at Old Key West... It may talk an extra 1 or 2 do to holiday traffic. Patience. So much Patience.

 

[kufan98]

We are also driving down on Dec 2nd. The drive is about 10 hours from NC, and we usually do it all in one day, but this time we are going to drive down to Jacksonville and spend the night. This should be an interesting trip, because we are going to WDW in conjunction with moving to MO. Call us crazy, but it should be fun.

 

[Sissy35749]

We are driving in December from North Alabama. I wanted to drive straight through, but DH wants to break it up into two short days. We will leave sometime on Dec. 22 and probably drive to Gainesville, FL to visit a cousin...then head to Orlando the next day. The rest of our family is flying to Orlando and won't arrive until about 5pm on the 23rd, so we plan on doing dinner and DTD once everyone is there. Then an early night so we can all be up and ready for our 8am PS at CP on the 24th!! I can't wait!!

 

[Diabolicdesire]

Leaving Florence,SC Sat Nov.12th about 8am. Should take about 6-7 hrs. Will be checking into Hotel and then off to EPCOT for the food and wine fest

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

We'll be leaving on Sunday, Nov 20th and driving down to WDW all in 12 hours. That has been the only way I've gotten there. I'm not much on flying. Sometimes we split the drive up, but this time we won't be able due to our schedule. So I went out and bought a portable DVD player for the car w/dual screens so the kids can watch a movie or play video games separately. We're still debating on taking 2 cars or just my van. There are 4 adults, 10 yr old dd and 17 yr old ds. My sisters are opting for the 2 car suggestion. This ought to be a very interesting drive up there and back. Oh well, as long as I get to go to my most favorite place, I'll deal w/the drive.

Cindy

 

[Poohs Pal]

I would have never thought of bubble wrap .Susan

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

My DD popped all the bubble wrap that came with DH's laptop. She would love it in the car!

 

[mommaU4]

bump

 

[madhouserobey]

autotrain down nov. 24 drive back to baltimore dec. 4 may drive thru or stop depends on how we feel