You know your kids best ... if you believe they'll be OK with long drives ... then fine. We drove our daughter long miles when she was very young without any real problems ... so, who knows.
So long as you are aware that you will be carbound for many hours ... hey, it's your decision ... but, as you have heard, many others would find it a daunting prospect.
Our daughter, when six, was frightened of some of the DLP rides ... we did it in one day ... quite enough for us!!
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I must admit, our first camping holiday in France was with a six month old - to St Leon sur Vezere in the Dordogne - but we stayed overnight with an Aunt in Kent, and then again in a hotel in Le Mans. That was tiring enough (though it didn't put us going again every year since) and I had no other children to deal with.
All French fuel prices can be found on this French Government website so you can look for the cheapest fuel wherever you make your overnight stops.
Good luck anyway. At least you have some suggestion, now, of routes and costs. Just one other thing, though, have a look at the Bison Fute website for a calendar of days when traffic can be very heavy (black on the calendar, or red) - and try to avoid travelling on those days.
Well, you've obviously thought about it.
Your revised budget looks reasonable, you need to seriously upgrade your food/spends costs in DLP though, as food is very expensive and you can't take food in as they search your bags. Yes, you can sneak some bits and bobs in, but not food for 8! Also, there is a constant stream of shops selling clothing and toys for kids, photo souvenirs and so on and with 2 Disney mad kids, it will be hard to be constantly saying "no". I'd say you need to at least double your budget for those days, and that will be tight. Without staying on one of the site hotels, you won't get any fastpasses so be prepared to spend a huge amount of time, queueing, in very high temperatures.
What we did, when we had littlies, was go to DLP off season. We went in February, when they do their kids go free deal, for under 7's. We stayed in the site hotels, at very reasonably costs, with Eurostar thrown in, and one year we got free dining too. There were hardly any queues, you didn't fight to get character autographs and photos and it was a much more pleasant experience. It was cold (in fact we had a bit of snow) but it made it more magical, to be honest, and we wrapped the kids up in ski suits and had lots of hot chocolate. All the rides were still open and lots of them were walk ons, so you could go round and round.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 25/4/2014
Just one other thing, though, have a look at the Bison Fute website for a calendar of days when traffic can be very heavy (black on the calendar, or red) - and try to avoid travelling on those days.
Brilliant site ... thank, Val!
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No problem - we used to use the Bison Fute 'recommended routes' for many years, following the little signs religiously - and my sons used to 'spot' the next sign - which kept them interested. I suppose it also lead to us starting to use non-toll roads - realising we could get to places nearly as fast without spending a fortune. In those days they used to have 'stalls' at roadside services where they handed out maps and information leaflets - one of which contained a printed calendar. Of course this was in the pre-internet days!
Hi sounds like you have thought it through financially (love the tip about couriering luggage!) and aI agree with Essexmum above as to costs whilst in DLP and if in high season also the queues, part of why I suggest doing another time as a separate trip when offers are on.
We have done long trips with our kids (Essex area to LA Rochelle area in same day for instance) a few times and they were fine, but you are taking twice that sort of distance each way so a considerable amount of travelling time and as said only you know your kids well enough
If money isn't the problem then flying for me in that situation every time personally
Several Belgian and Dutch couples on the site we go to in Palamos do the journey in one go. Also a Yorkshire couple leave at about 6pm, he drives thru the night, get the ferry & spend a night then in Dover. But these are couples who have been doing it for years, know the roads and the aires and generally don't have children.
We tried to do it last year going back to Cherbourg. However between thunderstorms and electric cable accident (a piece of metal on the autoroute sheared the cable between car and caravan), we only made it to the ferry with an hour to spare. Never again!
------------- Shirley
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Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: First time driving from manchester- Spain
