PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums - View Single Post

DisneyMom23Boys · 04-07-2004, 03:38 PM

Hi!

Last May, 2003 we made our first 17-hr family driving adventure to WDW (from NW of Philadelphia). We'd always flown in the past, but the $$$ was just getting way too high for the five of us (self, dh & 3 boys-11, 9, & 5). It wasn't that bad!! It only cost us about $250 in gasoline as opposed to the $1,000+ in air fare!!

I did also drive down with my sister when the two oldest were 6 & 4, taking my grandmother along, too. Those were the longest trips down & back ever!!

The difference? In 1998 we drove mostly during the DAY and in 2003 we did most of our driving at NIGHT. In 2003 we left home around 5:30 pm and drove straight through, arriving at WDW at 10:00 am. (We even drove through rain straight from D.C. through North Carolina!!) We missed ALL of the rush-hour traffic! After checking in we spent a few hours at the pool before a fun-filled day at the MK, Chef Mickey's & Pin-Trading!! I was hoping to get some zzzzz's, but I guess I was too excited to sleep!

Returning Home: Our original plans were to leave WDW on Friday evening at 9:00 pm, drive to the FL-GA and stay in a motel overnight and drive the rest of the way home in the morning (which would have taken ALL day). Thursday afternoon while riding Splash Mountain we decided we were having way too much fun & decided to leave Saturday afternoon instead!! (It was WONDERFUL to be able to do this & not have to leave to catch a plane!) After a full day at Animal Kingdom we left at 5:30 pm to head for home, again straight through, and arrived home at 9:30 am. After unloading the necessities dh & I slept most of the rest of the morning.

Dh and I would drive 2-3 hours while the other slept & then trade places.

The boys watched DVD's on our laptop computer (which fit perfectly between the front seats of our Ford Excursion) for most of the trip. I do think that I will give the boys Dramamine before we start our journey this October, though.

We have a luggage carrier, but we didn't use it on our past trip. We have decided to pack as much as possible in there on our next trip to give us more room in the Excursion to stretch out, leaving down only the cooler, blankets, pillows, the laptop, some travel games (Disney Trivia on CD-Rom!), Pin-Trading backpacks, camera & fanny pack with AP's, etc.) We also used a plug-in cooler that was a life-saver for keeping drinks & snacks cold. This will involve a little strategy in packing the luggage carrier, though (make sure that our overnight bag for our 1-night stay at the Contemporary is right on top!)

Do you plan where you're going to fill up for gas ahead of time or do you "hit" gas stations as you see them along the way. The only problem is that you may travel a mile or two out of the way!

I can't wait to hear your car trip packing & survival ideas!

04-07-2004, 03:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
DisneyMom23Boys Community Rank: Sightseer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Womelsdorf, PA Posts: 86	Re: Car Trip Packing and Survival Hi! Last May, 2003 we made our first 17-hr family driving adventure to WDW (from NW of Philadelphia). We'd always flown in the past, but the $$$ was just getting way too high for the five of us (self, dh & 3 boys-11, 9, & 5). It wasn't that bad!! It only cost us about $250 in gasoline as opposed to the $1,000+ in air fare!! I did also drive down with my sister when the two oldest were 6 & 4, taking my grandmother along, too. Those were the longest trips down & back ever!! The difference? In 1998 we drove mostly during the DAY and in 2003 we did most of our driving at NIGHT. In 2003 we left home around 5:30 pm and drove straight through, arriving at WDW at 10:00 am. (We even drove through rain straight from D.C. through North Carolina!!) We missed ALL of the rush-hour traffic! After checking in we spent a few hours at the pool before a fun-filled day at the MK, Chef Mickey's & Pin-Trading!! I was hoping to get some zzzzz's, but I guess I was too excited to sleep! Returning Home: Our original plans were to leave WDW on Friday evening at 9:00 pm, drive to the FL-GA and stay in a motel overnight and drive the rest of the way home in the morning (which would have taken ALL day). Thursday afternoon while riding Splash Mountain we decided we were having way too much fun & decided to leave Saturday afternoon instead!! (It was WONDERFUL to be able to do this & not have to leave to catch a plane!) After a full day at Animal Kingdom we left at 5:30 pm to head for home, again straight through, and arrived home at 9:30 am. After unloading the necessities dh & I slept most of the rest of the morning. Dh and I would drive 2-3 hours while the other slept & then trade places. The boys watched DVD's on our laptop computer (which fit perfectly between the front seats of our Ford Excursion) for most of the trip. I do think that I will give the boys Dramamine before we start our journey this October, though. We have a luggage carrier, but we didn't use it on our past trip. We have decided to pack as much as possible in there on our next trip to give us more room in the Excursion to stretch out, leaving down only the cooler, blankets, pillows, the laptop, some travel games (Disney Trivia on CD-Rom!), Pin-Trading backpacks, camera & fanny pack with AP's, etc.) We also used a plug-in cooler that was a life-saver for keeping drinks & snacks cold. This will involve a little strategy in packing the luggage carrier, though (make sure that our overnight bag for our 1-night stay at the Contemporary is right on top!) Do you plan where you're going to fill up for gas ahead of time or do you "hit" gas stations as you see them along the way. The only problem is that you may travel a mile or two out of the way! I can't wait to hear your car trip packing & survival ideas!