Road tripping to Disney World is filled with excitement and anticipation. Traveling to begin your Disney vacation can feel invigorating. Everyone is ready to get there and enjoy the magic of their vacation. But what about when it’s time to go back home? The drive home from Disney World can feel much longer, and with everyone exhausted from their vacation it can be much more challenging of an endeavor. I have personally road tripped to Disney World several times, including trips with very small children. It can feel like an ordeal to drive back home at the end of your Disney vacation. Here are a few of my tips to make the drive home from Disney World a bit easier.
Walk Around Disney Springs Before You Leave
My biggest tip to those traveling home by car after their Disney trip is to not try and leave Disney property as early as you can. While this might have worked well for the drive there, it won’t be nearly as easy and exciting on the drive back. Take your day and really soak in your last day on Disney property. Drive over to Disney Springs for one last leg stretch, and for one last shopping trip before you depart. Now is the time to grab any souvenirs you want to purchase before you journey home. Have a meal at a table-service restaurant or a quick-service restaurant, and maybe grab one last Mickey ice cream bar.
Bring a New Toy For Your Children to Play With
It’s safe to say that your children won’t be nearly as excited for the drive home as they were the drive there. Either keep a new toy or activity from them as a surprise for the drive home, or purchase a new toy or activity for them at a Disney gift shop before you leave. The excitement from the new item will hopefully buy you some time before they start getting antsy.
Reserve New Movies For The Trip Back
Using the same concept as the new toy or activity, if there is a movie your child hasn’t seen yet try and save it for the car ride home. Download your Disney movie of choice from Disney+ and play it on your phone or tablet device. Or, bring a DVD and a portable DVD player if possible. Either way, saving new things for the ride home is always a good idea to keep your little ones entertained and content.
Bring Disney Snacks With You
Before leaving for your trip home stop at your resort gift shop and grab some packaged Disney snacks and candies. Break them out when the car ride starts to wear down you or your children and enjoy the novelty of eating the last of your Disney food on your ride home.
Stay Overnight At A Hotel
Even if your trip home isn’t that long, and even if you drove all the way through on your ride down, I still highly suggest booking a hotel somewhere along the way for the ride back home. Chances are, you are getting a much later start this time around and you are going to be much more tired from your time at the parks.
Do you road trip to Disney? What are your tips? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by
Megan Woodard
Contributing Writer
Megan was born into a Disney family. Her first trip to Disney World was when she was only 18 months old. Now as an adult, Megan loves to share the magic of Disney with her family. Keeping up with Disney news and Disney World knowledge is a fun hobby for Megan. Disney World is her favorite place to be and continuously brings back her childhood joy.
