Car Trip Packing and Survival About This Page:

[lanie875]

There are many great ideas posted on this thread! We live in Holland, MI and we drive to Disney almost every year atleast once in our van. It is 22 hours and just to encourage all of you, you can make it and it will be fine!


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I agree! Coming from Grand Rapids, Michigan we also drove about 22 hours when I was growing up. My dad hated to fly so we drove over a few days. We usually stopped at least one night (Sometimes 2) which gave us more time to stop and stretch our legs and even go to some little side trips (Ruby Falls was a favorite). I think it's very doable if you have the right attitude and you're prepared. If people start getting cranky just stop and take a little break.

[agnes1956]

One more quick tip if just adults are traveling. The disputes between adults mostly seem to be about the right direction to take when in the car. If two people find themselves into that despute what always helped us cool down was a 'coffee break at MacDonald's'. This was our plan before we left home and it never failed to work and cool our tempers down.
One road trip to Florida one of my DD traveled with some friends in another car. That is a loud 'No' in our rules but not theirs. When they had a dispute between the men and their wives, the wives moved to one car and the males in the other car. The couples stayed at Ft. Wilderness with their own campers and had a blast.

[pago]

Over the years, I have found that I engage the sweet darlings (now 14 and 8) in picking their in car activities. When they pick them, they actually use/play with them. When I pick them, they do not get touched.

We start our travel in the dead of night to put a little distance on the trip odometer prior to the kids waking.

[Disney*Dreams*]

I love the idea about the play area at mcdonalds and then feeding the kids in the car!!! talk about killing 2 birds with one stone lol
thanks!!

[JeanneMorris]

OK, I'm still reading through this site so I don't know if this is here or not... make sure you have one change of clothes for everyone in the party easily available. Last trip, Dad spilled his coffee all over him...was really nice to have a change of clothes handy...he would not have been happy to wear wet and sticky clothes all day!

Also, having a portable DVD player has proved to be a lifesaver for us! And always at least one new Disney movie per kid....

Nini

[tracie52001]

We have driven to wdw the last couple times. This yr we are doing the same...$..for 7 to fly would be way too much. I'd rather use that $ for food, gifts, etc. I may have to look into getting one of those plug in coolers. We also purchased last yr portable dvd players that attached to the headrest of our Envoy. The kids loved it and it kept the baby quiet too!

[homeboys]

Originally Posted by pago

Over the years, I have found that I engage the sweet darlings (now 14 and 8) in picking their in car activities. When they pick them, they actually use/play with them. When I pick them, they do not get touched.

We start our travel in the dead of night to put a little distance on the trip odometer prior to the kids waking.

Yes!! on both counts. I plan to have a mix of their picks for toys and a few surprises, just in case. ;oP

Growing up (in PA), we never had much money. But my parents managed to take us to WDW several times, always driving. I absolutely *loved* when my dad would carry me into the car at 2am (I pretended to be asleep) and I'd wake up in my jammies in another state. In fact, I've been kinda looking for a reason to do that for my own boys, ages 14 and 8. So, even though my mom is paying for our trip in May and offered to fly us, I volunteered dh and I to drive. If nothing else, it's a life experience!

Besides, my children cannot go through life without seeing all those wonderful signs for Pedro!!!!

Adesa in Virginia

[Disney*Dreams*]

I plan on getting some dvds from the library or buying some that we have not seen yet, so my son and I will be engrossed in the movie and survive a couple hours at a time! I have not seen Ariel's beginning yet and I want to so bad LOL but I'm waiting until the drive down, (yes adults can't stand 14hours in the car too sometimes)

[Bethann]

Just finished reading this entire THREAD.... it was GREAT ... I added so many wonderful things to my packing list and things to do on the drive list ..... Thanks so much everyone....

I wish I had something to add.....

[mihada77@yahoo.com]

Lots of great tips. Thanks.

[vince730]

I definitely recommend Purell & Hand-Wipes to Everyone going to WDW, even if not driving!

If you find them in the Hotel gift shop, they are more expensive than at home (We take the small bottles in Carry-On for During the Flight, and pack the big 12 Oz. Bottle in the checked luggage for refills)

A Portable DVD player w/ Car Charger is also very good! You can easily watch 3-4 movies and keep yourself busy for 6-8 hours

[cmsizzlin]

Great Idea about the window markers - I would have never thought of that. We are driving down in August from IL w/my 7yr, 8 yr nieces and almost 2yr old great nephew. Van has the DVD (thank goodness) and we will bring the portable DVD player just in case. Both Nintendo DS's w/chargers as well as I-pods. My niece did however find this cool snack/play tray for her toddlers car seat so he can snack and play with his toys. We also take along those crayloa markers that only work on crayloa paper and this year we are taking some classic childrens stories on audio for all of us to listen too. It seems so far away but it does take alot of planning especially when driving so the time actually has been moving rather fast - only 148 days to go..................

[mommyto3cuties]

thanks. we're leaving next sun and I'm taking brand new magic wonder markers for each child, along with dvd player, game boys/leapsters, and snacks. We've driven for the past 2 yrs so we're pros.

[tjam]

Great ideas...making the drive end of May, this thread helped me make a great list for packing...I hope everyone has a great trip

[sparky72]

My wife, (christyleni), has been bugging me about driving to WDW in September I think! We are now down to 8 days until we go to WDW with our entire family of 11. this time we are flying, but she would like for her and i and the 3 kids to drive down! I finally gave in and told her to make all of the plans......we shall see!!!!!