Road Trip Tips for Traveling with Little Ones
Yay! You're going to Disney World! But, how are you going to get there?
With the recent challenges with air travel, many families are choosing to drive to Orlando instead of fly. Not only will this save you money in most cases, it can also save you from unpredictable flight schedules and cancellations. It may seem inconvenient, but it could save you a lot of frustration. Nothing is worse than being super excited about your Disney stay and finding out that your fight was cancelled, and now you need to find any alternative way to get there. Yeah, that's not so magical.
We here at Wave of the Wand understand that road trippin' with smaller kiddos can be a challenge all of its own! So, here's a few tips to help you and your family start the magic even sooner with a fun family road trip!
Consider Leaving Very Early
No one wants to get up at the crack of dawn, least of whom are the kids. But leaving super early in the morning (as in 5 a.m.) is a great idea and has a lot of benefits.
For one thing, by the time later morning arrives, you will be far along in your journey and closer to your final destination. Tired kids will also sleep a bit for the first part of the trip. And, getting on the road early will help avoid a lot of traffic spots and rush hours.
Bring Entertainment
Okay, now the kiddos are awake and already asking “are we there yet”. Now it's time to keep them distracted . This can be done in a variety of ways, but we have found video and audio entertainment to be the best way forward. Having a car headrest DVD player (I recommend the dual one so there is a screen on both headrests) can allow you to play movies. And if you're on your way to Disney, a classic Disney movie is perfect!
As we know kids, especially toddlers, have short attention spans. So, we highly advise having back-up entertainment especially if you're going on a long road trip. For example, audiobooks, hand-held games, puzzles, coloring books, and activity book. Be sure that none of these items pose as a choking hazard to your child. Road Games can also be great! Things like I-Spy, or 20 questions, or heads up can be a lot fun. I recommend Disney trivia to get ready for the parks and keep the kiddos excited!
Bring Food and Snacks!
Let no one get hangery! You should definitely plan ahead when it comes to food and drinks. It is recommended to stop at gas stations and allow your kids to pick out a “fun snack”, we also recommend to come fully prepared so you don't have to rely on fast food and gas stations.
Having a cooler or individual lunch box for kids with meals and snacks prepared in advance ensures more nutritious options and less hangery temper tantrums. And, you don't have to wait for the next “pit stop” which could be 20 miles away! You should also plan to bring hand wipes for cleaning sticky hands and any drips or spills. Also, remember to carry enough water to stay hydrated!
Schedule In Breaks
Many people like to take a break every two hours to switch drivers, rest, and grab a coffee. Driving long distances can be tiring. You will definitely need to take potty and stretch your leg breaks. Kids like to know when these breaks will come. So it is a good idea to schedule in regular breaks in advance. We give them general times of when they can expect a break.
Our family really likes stopping a Buc-ee's! Buc-ee's is a chain of country stores and gas stations with locations in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. These mega store/gas stations have clean bathrooms, good food, and of course gas to fuel up! If there's a Buc-ee's nearby, you'll see plenty of billboards tell you where to go.
Have Surprises
Long drives can cause everyone to feel tired and sometimes groggy. To keep the Disney excitement going, have Suprises planed! For example, each time you crossed into a new state you could give the kiddos a small gift.
Some surprises could be a new activity book, a bag of candy, a new DVD movie the kids haven't seen, a new game, etc. Something new and different that you brought just for this trip will help keep the kids interested and excited during the road trip.
Plan For Naps
This is my favorite road trip activity! Kids will inevitably nap on the road trip, especially if they are in the car for a long time. Planning for their napping comfort will help that go more smoothly. You can get a neck pillow to help them rest their head or bring their pillow from home. But they can be bulky and get in the way. It is important though that they stay upright and securely seated with their seatbelt on.
Have a First-Aid Kit Handy
You never know what will happen while on the road. Let me create a sicario for you, your kiddos get too excited at the rest stop and fall and scrap their knee. You can easily pull out your handy first-aid kit and clean off the wound. Now everyone is on their way to feeling better and one step closer to Disney World!
Be Prepared! (did anyone else sing the Lion King song while reading that? Just me? Moving on...)
Prepare For The Unexpected y'all. Two words: Car Sickness. I can't tell you how many times I have been taken by surprise by this. Travel with a handful of plastic bags (usually ziplock bags) in case one of our kids gets car sick. Also travel with an accessible change of clothes, a clean-up kit, a trash bag, and paper towels.
You should also be prepared for car issues. For example, the case of a flat tire. In fact, it is wise to make sure your car is in good working order, you check your tire pressure and have a spare tire just in case. It could also be a good idea to check your oil and top off fluids. Be prepared for the unexpected!
For Muti-Day Trips, Pack A “One Night” Bag
If you are planning to change hotels or locations often during your road trip, I recommend planning a “one night” bag along with the other items on your packing list. Pack individual outfits in freezer bags or a sweater organizer, inside your suitcase, including top, bottoms, underwear, and socks, and have a portable duffle bag. Set these at the top, so you can easily open up your suitcase and grab them. This way, rather than bringing in your whole suitcase in each night, and digging through it, you just grab your outfit pack, toiletries, and pajamas and put them in the duffle minimizing how much you have to bring into your accommodations each night!
As always, we hope this information helps you and your family. If you're wanting to visit the most magical place on Earth, please contact us! If you're interested in staying up to date on the latest park news and tips & tricks, consider following us on social medial and subscribing to our newsletter. As always, we hope this information helps you during your visit to the most magical place on Earth. Stay magical friends!
