Hi all,

My husband and I are planning on a November Disney vacation. We are planning on driving down to Orlando from NJ with our 2 kids (age 8 and 4) and our lab (we are looking for a kennel in the Orlando area for him, but this way be don't have to board him as long).

Any stories on a similar trip (originating from somewhere in the Northeast)? How far you drove before a break, ways to keep the kids occupied, etc.? Was the trip a wonderful memory-maker or so miserable that noone is allowed to talk about it to this day?!? Thanks! Any advice is really appreciated!

Two suggestions:

1. Have a stash of toys/games/books/treats that the kids have never seen before. Bring them out, one at a time, at intervals when things seem to be getting stale.

2. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES plan your route to include I-95 from the DC beltway to Richmond if you are going to be going through there any rush hour (6-10 am, 3-7 pm) or any Fri., Sat., or Sun (except VERY early in the morning, like 8 am or before). This includes the part of the beltway that would take you across the river from Md. to Alexandria, VA. Between construction and general, eternal overloading, that part would slow you down by hours.

I moved from NJ to Florida when my kids were 2 and 3 and it remains just about the only bad memory of their childhood! The only suggestion I can give you is to do all your traveling at night so that they'll all sleep - hopefully!

Taking gameboys or one of those "Klutz Travel Survival Kits for Kids" - chekc your local bookstore - will help pass the time. I completely agree with lkm's recommendation to avoid rush hour periods around DC. Trip is very fast if you miss rush hour. Coming around Richmond,VA on 95-south use I-295 south/east loop, that will save you time avoiding downtown Richmond traffic jams which can be lengthy and occur at any time. Also when you are around Jacksonville Fla there is a 295 (495?) that circles city, I always take that to avoid downtown J'ville traffic. You might want to consider overnight stop around Emporia Virginia (right above north Carolina line, lots of motels. The EconoLodge at Skippers is old and shows it, but folks who run it are nice, rates are really cheap, and they allow pets. We stay there every year for Peanut Bicycle Rides and take the dog. Rural area so lots of places to walk doggie! If you are just stopping to sleep that might be a good, inexpensive place, just off I-95 at Skippers exit (but eat before you stop - no restaurant there).

You can get those TV/VCR combinations that work off your lighter. Rent one if you don't want to buy it.
When you stop for hotel, find a nice "Holidome" with an indoor pool. This is relaxing at end of day for kids and they'll sleep better
(I also suggest valium. Give 5mg after breakfast, lunch and before dinner and the kids should sleep well and be delightful.)
You are wise to visit Disney in November. Many hotels have kennels.Insist that your 4-yr old do a little time in stroller, no matter what protests you hear. That will add 3 good hours to the day.

I drove from Bergen County, NJ to the Orlando area with 2 children a few times...before the trip I would shop at the various dollar stores in my area and make them goodie bags filled with all kinds of toys and books that I would distribute to them at intervals...many people today have minivans equipped with a VCR, but I don't know if that is an option for you...you can also bring along books that come with tapes so that they can follow along...there are many rest areas along the way where you can let them out to run around and use the bathroom...you may also want to pack snacks and juice boxes...On one trip I left at midnight and they fell asleep on the NJ Turnpike...they woke up around 8:00 AM and we were already at the border between Virginia and North Carolina...I can't remember the exit number in NC where we got off, but there are always many chain restaurants at them...we had breakfast, used the bathroom and kept going until we reached Savannah, GA where we spent the night...we were up early the next morning and kept going until we reached Winter Park...for some reason I always found the drive from Yulee, FL (the first town) to the Orlando area the most tiring for some reason...it seemed to drag on forever...I had a condo there that we would visit about 2 or 3 times a year, but after a short while the drive wasn't fun anymore especially when I thought about the fact that by the time you reach Delaware, you can be landing in Orlando...and there only so many times that you can play "I Spy with My Little Eye." I agree with Postal that leaving late at night is the best idea.

Is your vehicle large enough to accomodate 2 adults 2 children and a Lab in comfort? If not you're going to have some grauchy folks. We always felt better leaving our family pet at home in a place we knew was good and that we had used before instead of a strange place we knew nothing about. To say nothing about finding accomodations along the way that will permit a dog. Just a suggestion. And we also left late at night, taking turns driving, while the kids slept. Have a good time!

Thanks everyone for all of your great replies and advice. I really appreciate hearing about routes to avoid! I was wondering if anyone has used a kennel in the Disney area.

As for transportation, we have a minivan and we are thinking about renting a TV/VCR (great idea!). Thanks again!

I have seen portable food and water bowl you can buy at the pet stores. They collapse when not in use. Make sure you take a copy of your dog's shot records if you decide to put him in the Disney Kennel and make sure the dog is vacinnated against kennel cough. All kennels now require that shot because kennel cough is so easily spread.

Try petswelcome.com or dogfriendly.co, for more info on traveling with a pet.

As for your kids, the vcr definitely will keep them entertained. As will a travel magna doodle. I take my daughters leap pad on long trips, coloring books, regular books. I also buy her a new toy and give it to her just before we leave so she has something new to play with. Last but not least, be flexible, don't try to drive without stopping and make the drive fun.

Kathlin, I am driving from Maryland to Florida with a 3 year old and a 3 1/2 month old next month. I will post my experience when I get back.

The best memories of my childhood that I have are my families trips 5kids/parents w/dog to and from NJ to Orlando every year for about 10years (we finally moved to Orl). North Carolina South of the Border is 1/2 way and by far the best and most entertaining place to stay especially with kids.

There is a kennel just outside of Lake Buena Vista/Disney called Windermere Veterinary Clinic & Kennel local place maybe a little cheaper than on site.

Lots of games! Have a great time!

I dont know how much it costs to rent a tv/vcr, but they only cost about $200 to buy (look at Walmart, BJ's, Best Buy, etc). We have one that we reserve only for travel ( no kidies get to sneak it in their rooms at home) and it has made long car rides bearable and do-able. It has paid for itself many times over. It's also nice at your destination-a VCR if someone wants to stay in the room, gets sick and is stuck in the room, and you can hook Playstation or other games up (in the car or at your destination)to it-very appealing for teenage boys.

Don't board the dog in Orlando. Go to a bookstore and get yourself a copy of "The Florida Dog Lovers Companion". They have done all the research and list places to go and stay that allow dogs to stay with you in the rooms. And since Rover won't be able to join you at the Magic Kingdom, won't it be nice to have him with you at night in the room?