In my last post, I talked about driving straight through to Walt Disney World vs. stopping along the way. In many cases, it really does come down to your personal preference. Today’s driving tips cover what to think about if your choice is to stop overnight on the way.
First and foremost, if you are going to stop along the way make reservations for your overnight stay in advance. We were planning to “wing it” one year and stop in Baton Rouge on our way back home. It turned out that it was graduation night and there was not a room available anywhere along the highway.Research the best hotel deals online ahead of time and try to find one that includes a free breakfast. This will save you money while giving you a great start to the day. Also, I would plan to travel as far from home as you think you can before stopping. This will make traveling the next day a little easier.
Another tip is to have the correct address of the hotel and map out exactly how you will get there. You may be arriving at night, so you don’t want to be fumbling around with a map and a flashlight when you can have it all worked out in clear instructions ahead of time.
When you are packing for the trip, pack everything you need for that first night and the next day in one bag. That way when you arrive at the first hotel you won’t have to unload the whole car. You can either pack one suitcase with everyone’s belongings (and then use it later for souvenirs), or you can have each person pack their own in a plastic grocery store bag. It is totally up to you. Make sure to include your phone charger, toothbrush and toothpaste, contact case (if needed), medicines you will need to take that night or the next morning, etc. You don’t want to have to search through all the rest of the luggage to find something you packed in the big suitcase. Also, for safety, when not unloading everything from your vehicle, try to park under a street light or in a spot right by your room if you can.
Packing the little surprise gifts for the kids, as I spoke about in my last post, will not only keep them busy in the car, but will also give them something to do in the hotel room. The backpacks they packed ahead of time will also keep them entertained.
A little preparation ahead of time can save you so many headaches later. Being aggravated and short-tempered will not get anyone to their magical destination any faster, and everyone wants to enjoy the whole trip from start to finish. Oh, and don’t forget, if you have any questions feel free to post them here and we will bend over backwards to make sure your trip is all it can be! Happy travels!
Brenda is a native Texan born and raised on the Gulf Coast. She visited Disney World twice as a teenager and always dreamed of growing her family Disney. She took her first-timer husband and their three children to Disney World in 2000 and they now spend every Thanksgiving there. Brenda writes with a comedic twist on various Disney topics. She will be sharing tips she has learned during her travels and also hopes to enlighten people on little-known freebies that Disney has to offer. She wishes she could have met Walt Disney and considers herself to be a student of Walt. In parallel to his dream it is her wish that everyone would take at least one trip to Disney World in order to share in its magic with their families.
