DH thinks overnight stay is pointless for 4 hour round trip

[Usernamqwerty]

Thinking of taking my little man to Thomas Land. It's 2 hours 15 minutes away by car according to Google maps. I want to break up the driving by going up the evening before, staying over (found a hotel at a good price), entering the park at opening time and then driving back afterwards. DH says this is silly and I should just get up in the morning and go and drive back afterwards. I am not a big fan of driving, but he is... AIBU?

I wouldn’t do an overnight stay for a 2hr drive, no. I agree with your husband.

And definitely not for Thomas land - it’s not that big, you’re not going to be there for 12 hours, it’s not like alton towers.

My parents live 2 hours from us, we do that as a day trip frequently (pre-covid). PIL live 4 hours away (not including stops), that requires an overnight stop - in fact we usually go for a week camping near by every year.

BUT if you want to make in to a little holiday, it doesn't matter if it is 15 minutes away or 15 hours!

That's not a long journey at all, I wouldn't book a hotel for something that is not exactly an exhausting drive.

It isn't needed but if you have the spare money it would be nice and make it easier.

I did this for Legoland and Peppa Pig World, makes it feel like a little holiday!! 100% should do am overnighter

He's not even going? Do the hotel, it makes it into a really exciting treat for your DS.

I would stay overnight. If its just you and your son it will be a nice bonding time for you both. Then later you can do the same with your daughter.

OP I'm literally 20 mins away from drayton manor theres loads to do near there (not sure if any of it is open though) tamworth castle, snowdome, bowling. Ide stay over and try go to the castle. Even if you cant get in the grounds are beautiful I've been to many weddings there.

If you can afford it, I don't see why not. I wouldn't personally, but a two hour drive one way isnt much to me so it wouldn't bother me. Done worse before, driven for 3 hours, spent most of the day walking and then driven back again. But that didn't include a small child either.

Normally I would consider hotel... But not at the moment. I would look carefully at Covid restrictions before booking.

I would definitely stay over too, it makes it more of an adventure and you can then start your day at Thomas Land fresh faced and with a yummy Premier Inn breakfast 😋
It seems a little odd that your DH has such a strong opinion when he's not even going!
Is it possible that he's not keen on you staying over as that's then more time he has to look after your DD singlehandedly?

If he were driving then fair enough but if you are going alone then it’s a long day round a theme park with all tgat driving both ways.

Why not take both children and your DH can drive?

Otherwise enjoy your night away, it’s a treat having a night away and breakfast cooked.

I took my two DS to Alton Towers once, a six hour drive away. Drove there, spent the day, drove back again. It was a good idea at the time but never again!!

We also regularly went to Chessington and Thorpe Park, both a two and a half hour drive away, without a thought.

But, if you want a treat of a night away then go for it, I say!

No he wouldn't come as well

Ok stop right there!

Not his decision.

You get to decide whether you're ok with the length of your drive and how you split it up, on your day out.

I wouldn't stay over for that. Btw the rides don't actually start til 10.30 so plenty of time to get there in the morning then it shuts at 4.30 so you wouldn't be back very late either.
I'd definitely take your 2yo too though and go as a family, there's loads there for younger kids.

I suppose if you wanted to make it a bigger overnight trip though then there's no harm in it.

We were at Thomas land at the weekend and love 2.5 hours away

Definitely stay over, it's a full on day out.

For reference I go see IL 2 hours away as a day trip but when there I get to relax, not ensure a toddler socially distances, stand in queues etc etc

I would definitely stay over, would not want to spend 4 hours of a day in car with young kid/s

I think I'd probably suck it up and do the drive.

I've done 4 hours of driving in a day, and although it isn't fun, it's do-able.

But if your DH enjoys driving, could you drive there, and he drive back?

That being said, if you could find somewhere cheap, like a travelodge, even 10 miles away from the park, it wouldn't HUGELY add to the overall bill, and would be a big adventure for your DS.

Ah if it's just you doing it on your own (driving and running after the 4yo in the park) then you do whatever suits you best.

Or take both kids, the 2 yo can still go in some rides , divide and conquer and your husband does all the driving.

We regularly do 3hr each way trips. 4 hrs all in all is absolutely fine?

In some instances, this is doable. I think if you have a theme park in the middle, then that will be tiring so a night in a hotel is a great option.

More generally though, you’re the best judge of what you can do. Other people may be able to manage it, but that shouldn’t impact on your decision about what is safe for you.

We are staying overnight on a 3 hr round trip.We haven't had a holiday this year for obvious reasons so itll be a nice treat.

Well a 2 hour drive is nothing to me, but equally I've gone away for weekends to places that are that distance or less away, so people who are making out that OP is a wuss to not want to drive it all in one day are missing the point. It's about what is more enjoyable with a child, not what is possible.

I'd definitely make a proper outing of it, with the overnight stay, maybe even 2 nights away (shock! horror!). It would be fab. Especially as DH isn't even going.

No he wouldn't come as well

Plus would need two hotel rooms as DH needs his own room

I'm confused. If he isn't going, why does he need his own hotel room?