Road Trip to Disney World

[drk98]

We are planning a road trip to Disney World this year in our Redhawk. Kids are 4 and 7 and we're looking at a just under 1,200 miles each way.

So far the longest we've every take driven it is about 6 hours each way.

Does anyone have any suggestions for prepping the RV for the trip, over night camping hints, how long to drive each day, etc??

I know there are a few on here that travel long distances with kids and just wanted some general hints or suggestions.

Has anyone found a good set of headphones for the TV that would allow 2 sets? I confirmed the TV has a headphone out jack. I can't stand having the TV blaring over my head.

Thanks in advance!

[abarkl]

Originally Posted by drk98

Has anyone found a good set of headphones for the TV that would allow 2 sets? I confirmed the TV has a headphone out jack. I can't stand having the TV blaring over my head.

Thanks in advance!

Add a Bluetooth sound bar to TV and then pair it up with a set or two of Bluetooth headphones.

[Bucko06]

I will share our experiences for your consideration. A few notes. Our kids are 3 and 5. And, we have a travel trailer so we are stuck in the tow vehicle. We have found 400 miles a day to be a sweet spot for daytime driving. I do more when an over night is involved because the kids are sleeping. The iPad only gets a so far for treating boredom. We have done the truck stop/parking lot overnights. In most cases this option leaves little activities for the kids. We have started to opt for slightly shorter driving days and a late afternoon campground overnight. For us (me mostly), this has maintained my sanity by giving everyone a chance to get some energy out.

As for RV prep, we don't do anything different. We always keep fresh water on board for the bathroom. Early in my parenting career when I thought i could do 12 hour days like I was 23 again, I did carry a generator to give power for truck stop overnights in hot weather. With motorhome that isn't an issue for you.

[Bucko06]

Oh and I wish you the best at Disney!! We are heading there summer of 2018

[pconroy]

Our three are teenagers - I wonder if that's worse...

We too top out at about 500 miles per day. Portable DVD players are pretty cheap. We load up on Redbox movies and stop when the kids get cranky. They can earn spending money for treats when we stop for gas.

We load up the RV when we travel long distances - empty black and grey. Full propane, fresh water and fridge.

If we need to push it, then one of us will make lunch/dinner while we're driving as long as it's straight steady freeway.

Have fun!

[oldmanAZ]

Assuming you plan to be in Ft.Wilderness and in your Redhawk, my first suggestion is to reserve your site NOW, if you haven't already.

Another suggestion if this your first trip to WDW, talk with people that have been there before.

[RedHorse1]

All the above... And, bikes may be a plus or a golf cart (they may be avail off site at a reasonable price). For travel, 8-9 hrs is abt my limit, I did 12 hrs a couple of years back and promised "never again". If you have time constraints then one night stops may be required, if not then search for intermediate stops for 2 nights or more to add to the experience.
The bride and I did WDW a couple of years ago and stayed in Ft Wilderness. An excellent CG! We bought a delux meal plan which worked well for us. Pick your plan and options and enjoy. We also spent a day th Universal with the main objective to visit the Harry P experiences.
Safe travels!

[timbo1083]

We just did our big trip. And we said between 350-420 miles a day and it was perfect. Seems like not enough driving at first. But kids were always in a good mood (9,3yrs) and so were we.


2014 Jayco Redhawk 31XL
Towing 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

[RAurand]

We traveled from Pennsylvania to WDW. Kids were 8, 11, and 13, We stopped in Wally Mart parking lots for the night. Truck stops were too noisy. We would call ahead and get the managers permission. We would also ask if they have or had issues with RV's in the parking lots. Most said no. But we have talked with a few in our travels that told us they had some issues with theft on the RV's. We went to a different Wally Mart. We would then go in the store and look around. Stock up on anything we missed. Kids liked doing this. We did this down and back. Because we left home at 10:00 PM to avoid the heavy traffic on the Washington Beltway, our 1st stop was in Southern Virginia for the night. Second night we stopped in Georgia. We went to the Holy Land Experience at 4655 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. We called ahead and they allowed us to camp in their parking lot overnight.
Very pleasant trip. Fort Wilderness was nice although we were not there much as our days were at WDW. We went both ways. Boat trip to WDW and the Bus.
Recommend getting the express pass for some of the rides that have long lines.
Have a great time. We did.

[bansai]

My wife and I team drive when we're going cross country and time is at a premium. Not sure if that's an option.. but we do non-stop trips from Denver to the west coast, only stopping for fuel and to stretch our legs. We usually do 4 hour 'shifts' so nobody gets burned out. I like driving overnight when the traffic is a lot more reasonable. We keep our thermos full of hot coffee.

We are both a little haggard when we show up at our final destination and usually spend our first full day on site recovering from the journey.

If I was retired and wasn't burning vacation time getting from point a to b, I'd take my time.. but I'm always just 'wanting to get there' when my paid time off is at stake.

ETA- we keep our 14 year old daughter as occupied as possible, but normally we just 'encourage' her to sleep, read, watch a few movies, etc..

[Jopopsy]

I'm doing the drive from Jersey. I plan on leaving around 1-2AM and getting myself to Fayetville, NC around 10-11. That's my first planned stop. If DW helps me and I have more juice in the tank I'll go pass Fayetville down to the southern tip of SC and lay over at a KOA there. I have reservations booked for both locations; depends on my energy level. We plan on being at Disney the following day regardless of which stop I chose the day prior.

I've talked to and read about a lot of people who have done it this way; this will be my first time however. I'm leaving Jersey in that 1-2 time slot to avoid the DC traffic.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

snip... I have reservations booked for both locations; depends on my energy level. We plan on being at Disney the following day regardless of which stop I chose the day prior.

I've talked to and read about a lot of people who have done it this way; this will be my first time however. I'm leaving Jersey in that 1-2 time slot to avoid the DC traffic.

Do you also have reservations at Disney World?

Is this your first time in WDW?

[Jopopsy]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Do you also have reservations at Disney World?

Is this your first time in WDW?

I've had the Disney reservations booked for months now. I have all my reseravations booked also for my trip down and trip back.

Yes this is my first time.

[Midwest Jeffk]

We too have reservations at Camp Wilderness end of March. We live in Northern Michigan, and after talking to some snowbirds who make the trek yearly. We will be leaving in the evening and driving through the night to get through major cities on I-75. Goal is to be in southern GA late afternoon the next day. That way we can hopefully get into an open campground, and really start to relax. Nothing north of TN would be open that time of year anyways, and I would never be able to get any reasonable rest at a wal mart or truck stop. The important thing is to leave your schedule enough time to be somewhat flexible. Never know what might come up.

As far as the MH goes. I load my Greyhawk with half to 3/4 tank of fresh water and a full propane tank. If its been winterized for awhile, do a good thorough check of all mechanics. IE: air/heat, get fridge going, ck tire pressures, hydraulic lifts, and get water/water heater working. Don't want to get on road and find out you have a problem. Also, a decent tool kit and misc. spare parts is a must. Food, drinks, and entertainment for kids goes without saying. Hey, it's better than riding in the back of a car. Right?

[2500hd]

Being that you have a motorhome that makes it much easier especially with the kids. Overnight stops are not quite as easy with a trailer but not difficult.

[Grumpy]

Here are two of the threads about going to the FORT.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...ips-35393.html

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...ess-33832.html

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Midwest Jeffk

We too have reservations at Camp Wilderness end of March. ...snip

If this is your first WDW trip, Grumpy has posted some reading material worth checking out...

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Here are two of the threads about going to the FORT.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...ips-35393.html

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...ess-33832.html

WDW is huge and $$$. Doing some homework will make it a better trip.

A site not in the above posts my DW uses is 'The Disney Parks Moms Panel'

[drk98]

I really appreciate everyone's input. Now to do more planning...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Jopopsy]

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

I'm doing the drive from Jersey. I plan on leaving around 1-2AM and getting myself to Fayetville, NC around 10-11. That's my first planned stop. If DW helps me and I have more juice in the tank I'll go pass Fayetville down to the southern tip of SC and lay over at a KOA there. I have reservations booked for both locations; depends on my energy level. We plan on being at Disney the following day regardless of which stop I chose the day prior.

I've talked to and read about a lot of people who have done it this way; this will be my first time however. I'm leaving Jersey in that 1-2 time slot to avoid the DC traffic.

Scratch that we're going to leave between 7-8PM the day before. I'll catch a few z's in a rest stop somewhere in VA before I end up in SC for my first overnight.

[RAurand]

MUST DO. When you get about 125 miles from the NC/SC state lines, start reading the Billboards advertising "Pedro's South of the Border" They will crack you up. We stopped there for a quick visit and some ice cream when we made our Disney trip 2 years ago. We left at 10:00 PM to get around Baltimore, Washington traffic in the wee hours of the morning. It was smooth sailing. But, you do want to get past Richmond before you stop. We took a rest break after Petersburg, VA.
We always stopped for gas at the Flying J/Pilot at the Ruther Glen exit off of 95 (Exit 104). Cheapest fuel around.
Here is the address:
Flying J
24279 Rogers Clark Blvd
Ruther Glen VA 22546


We spent the night at this Walmart:
5070 Fayetteville Rd
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 738-2595