Car Trip Packing and Survival About This Page:

[Mossketeer]

We are 8 mos. away from our second drive down! The first ride went so well, we are excited to try it again! I can't wait to surprise the girls with Goodie Bags! I really like the idea of giving them a treat each time we enter a new state!

[crazycp]

I love the idea of the goody bags. We will be heading down in April. We are renting an RV and I hope it will make the long trek more enjoyable.

[MJMcEnery]

We are heading down in late March 2005. There will be my wife & I with our 4 children, 12, 10, 5 & 3, (he will turn 4 while there). This is our 5th trip down since '91, all staying at the Beach Club - Just love it there so much to do. The kid really enjoyed the last drive and we will add these ideas to our present ones. It will just improve the fun.
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91-BC, 95-BC, 98-BC, 00-BC, 05-BC

[YOLANDA]

HEY, I'm from Westchester County in NY also. I did make the drive to Florida years ago. I found that "South of the Border" was a ok place to stop and eat,take a short rest. On the way home I stopped there again, it was about 2am, I saw a van with a huge family sleeping-feet hanging out of the window and all, as I stood in front of the van to take a picture of the sight while looking through the view finder, what did I see but 'Grandma-all the way in the back-staring right at me. Needless to say I didn't get the picture but I do still laugh about it. ALSO_DON"T FORGET TO PACK TOILET SEAT COVERS AND A EXTRA ROLL OF TOILET PAPER_AND HAND SANITIZER!!!!

[Cheeser]

We use the I-75 book. MY DD since she was 5 has been using this book and absolutely loves it. She can tell me which stops for gas and food that we need to make and she plots it out. She also counts distance from Ohio to Florida in pages. She'll say 10 more pages mom...it's hilarious!
She also likes to peruse the passporter. We also get some fun audio tapes...or listen to Disney Radio on my Sirius satellite radio! Hey whatever works I also recommend those sunscreens for the windows at night. I just one to block up my driver side mirror...so passing car glare isn't soo bad!!! I can still see through the tinted fabric...but it helps to cut the glare...be careful though...I've accidentally rolled my window down and got those things lodged before...especially during Park Entrance excitement!

[emkaris]

We're an Army family so we've done plenty of long trips just moving around. Houston to Arizona with a 2 year old was one I was dreading! Since my husband and I were in different cars keeping her entertained was a challenge. The Dollar Tree is a dream! We were able to get lots of little things to introduce to her on our trip w/o spending a bunch of money. She also enjoyed having her own lunchbox in the back seat with her that had different, easy-open containers full of little snacks. We survived this long trip - w/o any video assistance. We're going on our next Disney vacation in 96 days (but who's counting). Now our daughter will be 7 and we have a new 2 year old. Although we'll have a DVD player this time, and our older daughter will be helpful, I plan to visit the Dollar Tree again. Another thing I've found kids like are stickey notes. They have so much fun writing on them and sticking them all over the windows. They're easy to clean up too. I hope everyone here has a great time on their trips! I'll be checking back for more great ideas and tips from everyone.

[belletrees]

These are all awesome tips !!
We will be traveling from Colorado to WDW next July in a Ford Escort with 4 people and I would love to have some ideas on things that could keep a 14 and 10 year old girl happy without to much space taken....or that could be thrown at the end of the day.....we are going to take our sweet time down there and back as we only have one driver.

Any more ideas would be appreciated.

[patsoxgal]

I will also be driving to WDW from Cape Cod, Ma in Feb. 06. I will be going with my sister and two kids ages 16 and 12 . I will be the only driver
the 16 should have her permit, but I don't think I want her driving on a major highway. All of the ideas sound great the DVD should help out and the book " Drive I - 95" sounds so interesting.

To go off the subject a little I am going to New Hampshire in 2 weeks with 3 children ages 11, 7, 4. We will be going to Story Land, Santa Villiage. All the information should help this trip.

Thank you

[auntread]

we now have the I-95 book and that will be a big help

[savazar]

For a side trip if you are stoping by Atlanta you can tour the Coke factory. If you call ahead you can make a reservation and by pass the line waiting to get in.

[bvanbrunt]

We are flying this time, but have often done the trip with our kids (7, 5, and 2 on the last trip) from New Hampshire (26 hours). Try a box of band-aids as an emergency "kids are yelling". That got us through washington...Also, chuck-e-cheese stops on the way down helped them stretch their little legs...

[kitkat]

These are great tips! We are planning on leaving about 3am so the kids will be asleep the first part of the trip.
Has anyone drivin from the Chicago area? How long did it take?
Thanks,
Kat

[Nova]

We made several trip from Pa to Florida 20 hours. We stopped along the way which was part of the adventure and swam in the pools. I agree that the trip home is the hardest because you are exhausted from Disney. I take a barf bag for car sickness I didnt see that in the list of packed items but then my Daughter use to get car sick so it was kind of on the top of my list. The portable CD players with the headphones was nice cause they could listen to the music without everyone having to. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

[saremca]

I love this thread! We scheduled an improptu trip for the 10-17th and because it was a last minute thing, we have to drive, which we've never done before. My kids are older, but I'm still nervous about driving so far.

[ShannonW]

Hello! I can't wait to read all of these suggestions! I am getting ready to head down for a 15 hour trip with 3 kids! We do not have a DVD Player for the car, and not sure we want to buy one. I had been thinking about renting one for the week.... But, not sure where to start! Any suggestions on where I can check to rent one?

Thanks,
Shannon