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Road trip tips – PREP097

Road trip tips – PREP097

Did you know that 70% of people drive to Disney World? Today I have road trip tips to make the drive go more smoothly.

I also have recent news and a quick tip to allow you to enjoy a piece of Disney World at home.

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These are notes from this episode. There’s much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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Road trip tips

Some ideas to make road trips go more smoothly:

  • Play games – take trivia cards, book of questions (or 1 of many question apps), play the alphabet game, do Mad Libs
  • Make a road trip playlist and take turns being in charge of the auxiliary cord
  • Plan stops along the way using apps/websites like Roadside America (available for iOS) or Roadtrippers (available for iOS and Android)
  • Make the car homey by bringing trash bags, pillows, and snacks
  • Use the Waze app (available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone) to check for traffic issues (and passengers can stay entertained by recording things in the app along the way to accrue points)
  • Plan for the nighttime hours with book lights, glow sticks, etc.
  • Bring DVDs of old sitcoms younger people may have recently started watching
  • Encourage good behavior for kids by using clips that can lead to treats at rest stops or gifts that you’ve brought with you

News

  • DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney is closing in early 2016.
  • July 30 is rumored to be the date that premium events for Food and Wine Festival will be open to book.
  • Magic of Animation building at Hollywood Studios is closing on July 12.
  • A temporary Frozen boutique is coming to Hollywood Studios in mid-July and will be there through September 7.

Quick tip of the day

Although Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios is closing, you can learn to draw characters at home using YouTube videos that are hosted by Animation Academy artists.

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Shannon Albert

Kate

Monday 13th of July 2015

To add onto your suggestion about the buying the old TV show box sets of DVDs is to check out your local library because they have a lot of the older ones. The best thing is...they're FREE! Same with audiobooks if you can find one for the entire family.

Rachel Cannon

Wednesday 8th of July 2015

Watching a new/ old Disney movie can be fun to introduce kids to charcaters they may not know yet. (Marie, Mary Poppins, Arthur for the sword in front of the Carousel. )

Laurie

Wednesday 8th of July 2015

Do you know if the Frozen Boutique will offer reservations, and if so, when they will open up? We are skipping BBB, but I'd consider the Frozen one. Thanks!

Leanne Smith

Tuesday 7th of July 2015

Just googled our trip because we plan on driving--quick tip--have cash or card ready for tolls!!! i would have never thought to add that into the budget.

Does anyone know how much the tolls are/how much to budget for tolls?

Tia

Wednesday 8th of July 2015

Leanne, we just went in June (taking I-75 from Atlanta) and we had two tolls. Florida Turnpike was $3.00 and FL-429 was $1.50. So round trip was $9 for us. However, while driving around Orlando to do some shopping I missed my turn and ended up on a toll rode so we actually spent more. :) I always get about $15 or $20 in ones and quarters from the bank and put it in the console of the car so it's handy for tolls (it's quicker if you have correct change). Of course, you might need more depending on where you are located.

Jeanne

Tuesday 7th of July 2015

The best tip I can give to anyone traveling with a toddler is to make a travel magnetic board. It kept my 1 1/2 year old entertained for at least an hour at a time on our last Disney trip. You can buy small magnetic boards at any craft store and they also sell small wooden animals that you can hot glue a magnet to so that your little one can create little scenes or name their animals, cars, etc. It worked out so well for us!