Ultimate Guide: Road-trip to Disney World with a Family of Kids

Picture this: You're a parent in desperate need of a sunny vacation. You consult your trusty Travel Advisor (fingers crossed they are from HelloSunshine Travel) and get a quote for a magical Disney World escapade. Cue the internal debate with your partner. One of you is eyeing the budget like a hawk, while the other dreams of luxury upgrades.

In my family, that budget-conscious soul happens to be... me. As I ponder the quote, a wild idea creeps in – why not drive to Florida instead? Think of the savings on flights! But then reality hits: a 4200-kilometer road trip with three kids chanting "Are we there yet?" on loop. I mean the one benefit to this self torture, is I would be prepared for "It's a small world" on repeat, but will we survive? Will our sanity make it intact? The answer to that question is YES, you will survive, and indeed THRIVE during a road trip to Disney World. If your interested in saving money on flights to reallocate towards your dream family vacation, stay tuned and read below for our Ultimate Guide: Road-trip to Disney World with a Family of Kids!

Preparing Your Vehicle

My wife teases me about this, but I prioritize this step. There is nothing more satisfying then embarking on a solid road trip with a clean vehicle. Before hitting the road, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is in pristine condition for a smooth journey. A clean and organized van can make a big difference in comfort and convenience:

• Deep Clean: Vacuum the seats and floors, wipe down surfaces, and remove any clutter. A fresh, clean environment will make the trip more pleasant for everyone.

• Organize: Use organizers for snacks, entertainment, and travel essentials to keep everything within easy reach.

• Check Fluids and Tires: Ensure your vehicle is in top shape with an oil change, fluid check, and tire inspection. This will help prevent any unexpected breakdowns or delays on the road.

Planning Your Departure Time

When embarking on a road trip from Toronto to Disney World Orlando, timing your departure can mean the difference between long wait times at the border, sitting idle in major metropolis traffic, and ultimately if can mean the difference between a successful start to your road trip, or failing miserably.

• Consider departing REALLY early in the morning: We generally plan to leave Barrie, Ontario around 03:30-04:00 AM. This does require considerable planning on the outset, because you have to make sure that your vehicle is completely packed up the night before, and that the kiddies get off to bed a little earlier then usual.

  • PRO'S: Leaving at 0300-04:00 AM means (at least in our case) that the kids will still be sleepy, and they can be transitioned from their bed to the vehicle quite easily with the right preparation. (Think cozy pillow, blanket, pre-heated vehicle..etc) This buys you invaluable peace and tranquility at the beginning of your drive.

  • CON'S: If your children can not transition easily, then you may be in for a ride with the exorcist, while caffeine depleted, miserable and regretting your choices in life.

• Consider departing at Bedtime: We have elected to plan our departure around our children's bedtime before. This also requires some planning to ensure that the driver who takes the "first shift" has had time to rest. When we used this option, my wife was primarily working night shift, so it just happened to work with our life schedule at the time, and ultimately she drove the first part of the time.

  • PRO'S: Leaving at your children's bedtime allows you the opportunity of ensuring that you plan for success during the day. If you busy them throughout the day, and tire them out before the departure, and then set the vehicle up comfortably, you can plan for them to sleep through the night on the first leg of your journey. The other benefit of this, is you will miss traffic both in Toronto, and at the border crossing into the United States.

  • CON'S: One of you will be driving when everyone else will be sleeping. If your not a night owl, this will require some preparation. If your children are not good sleepers, it could make for a miserable night.

    
    

Planning Your Route

When embarking on a road trip from Toronto to Disney World Orlando, it's all about the journey and not just the destination. We generally do some pre-planning to determine our route. We have have done this road trip quite a few times, so we generally know where we will stop but the easiest way to plan is using either Apple Maps, or Google Maps. Here’s how to make the most of your adventure:

• Map Your Stops: Plan for regular breaks every few hours to stretch, refuel, and let the kids burn off some energy.

• Gas Up: Do not let your tank get below a 1/4 tank, especially in the Appalachian Mountains. There are some points of the route, where Gas Stations are infrequent even on main routes.

• Caffeine/Energy: For our fellow Canadian's - this is not Canada. It's the United States, and Tim Horton's does not exist. Thankfully, we have learned that our American friends are just as, if not MORE serious about coffee then we are! A fresh, delicious cup of Coffee is no further then the closest Gas station. No, seriously - you know how in Canada you generally wouldn't even CONSIDER drinking Coffee from a gas station? Well, in the United States places like Sheetz, Love's Travel Stop, and Flying Jay offer an incredible assortment of coffee with flavoured creamers, you'll be sure to love and they rival our beloved Tim Horton's.

• Select Unique Locations: Make pit stops interesting and budget-friendly by visiting places like Walmart. The variety of unique snacks and foods available in U.S. Walmart's can be a fun discovery for the whole family, especially the kids. It's a great way to stretch your legs, save money on meals, and take advantage of convenient restrooms. Believe it our not, this has become a road-trip tradition for us.

• Overnight Stays: If you plan extra time and the drive seems too daunting for one go, plan an overnight stay at a family-friendly hotel. Many towns and cities along the route offer great accommodations with fun amenities for kids.

Packing Essentials

To ensure a smooth journey, make sure you pack for success. Family Road trips for the De Sousa Family is synonymous with Snacks. When the kids know we are travelling for a long time, they number one concern they have is what kind of snacks do they have, and how many.

• Snacks and Drinks: My wife is the gate keeper of the snacks in this family. She goes out of her way to make sure everyone has a curated bag of goodies awaiting them in our vanborghini. It always a surprise when we finally get to open then up and see what is in store! (This is very much a personal decision, but she balances healthy nutritional snacks, with fun snacks we all love.)

• Entertainment: Bring along IPAD's/tablets loaded with movies, audiobooks, games, and travel-friendly toys.

• Comfort Items: Pillows, blankets, and favourite stuffed animals can help kids feel more at home on the road. Don't underestimate the comfort of a good blanket and pillow combination!

• Well Packed Vehicle: A basic first-aid kit, medications, and travel documents should be easily accessible. Since we plan to essentially live in the van for a day or so, I am meticulous when it comes to packing everything perfectly. A lot of effort goes into ensuring that our bags are well place and accessible, while also ensuring that everyone has the space and comfort they need.

Keeping Kids (AND US) Entertained

This is more forte - I'm responsible for the entertainment. For this, I aim to cater to everyone's interests here.

• Screentime: Netflix's download option is your friend here. I make sure Movie/TV playlists are curated and aim for about 10-12 movies each kid. When they tire of their own selection, they can trade and have a whole new set of movies! (Note: This is the only time we allow our kids screen time with minimal limits but we still control it to ensure they are resting and not overindulging)

• Travel Games: Classic car games like "I Spy," license plate bingo, and road trip scavenger hunts are lifesavers.

• Music and Audiobooks: Create a playlist of your family’s favourite tunes or download some engaging audio books to enjoy together. When everyone is asleep, I tend to listen to interesting podcasts, and it makes for some engaging conversation with my wife when she wakes up.

• Books, Magazines and Miscellaneous Fun: When we road trip, my wife always picks up a bunch of scratch tickets to play. Unfortunately we have never won enough to road-trip for free, but the excitement of the potential of winning definitely passes the time. Sarah and I also trade off back and forth asking each other interesting "what if", "would you ever" questions that are thought provoking and can generate some insightful conversation.

Staying Sane

• Switch Drivers: If possible, share the driving responsibilities to avoid fatigue. This is not the time to play hero and drive the whole way all by yourself. We generally start out with 6-8 driving stints and adjust as needed. Often times, later in the drive we reduce it to only 3-4 hours of driving at a time to ensure we get rest as needed.

• Stay Flexible: Kids can be unpredictable, so build in some buffer time for unexpected delays or detours. This is especially true if you have not done a lot of long road-trips. You may have one plan, but be prepared to flex as needed.

• Positive Attitude: Keep the mood light and make the trip fun with jokes, stories, and a sense of adventure. This is incredibly important because spending a large amount of time in a vehicle together can be spoiled pretty quick if you have even one unhappy camper.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on a road trip from Toronto to Disney World may sound like a wild adventure, but with a sprinkle of planning and a dash of enthusiasm, it transforms into a journey that will be etched in your family's memory forever.

For us, the road leading to our destination is not just a means of transportation but an essential part of the vacation experience. Whenever the idea of setting sail on a cruise or jetting off to Disney World crosses our minds, our hearts whisper, "Let's hit the road instead!" The money saved from skipping flights always finds its way into creating those extra special moments that make our trip truly unforgettable.

So, fasten your seatbelts, rev up the engine, and brace yourself for an expedition brimming with joy, laughter, and enchanting moments waiting to unfold!