18hours on a coach with a 2.5yo

[NakedTigarCub]

Hello

PIL has booked a coach holiday to Disneyland paris in May. This means a 18 hour coach trip with a 2.5yo. How do I keep her entertained and change a nappy on a coach? Im a bit clueless about traveling with kids!

Has anyone else done this and can give me any tips advice please?

I don't want to discourage you, but I would find another way to get there! Train maybe? More room, can move around and the loos are bigger for changing nappies. If coach is the only way then take lots of different things to entertain her and stop her getting bored, books, puzzles, a DVD player for her favourite programmes? Makes sure you properly stretch your legs at the coach stops, take lots of snacks and drinks.

We have been before (with a trip organised through work, with coach travel included) and we paid extra to take a train down to Ashford the night before the Eurostar leaves. It works out at less than £40 return for the train and £100 for two nights stay in a cheap hotel and means we avoid a 2 in the morning start and we can have a relaxed breakfast, then two hours on the Eurostar to the park, and do the same on the way back. The days in the park are really long and active so I would avoid tacking 18 hours of coach travel on each way unless she is a good traveller/ sleeper.

Don't forget to take a pushchair as well, there's a lot of walking.

Also, take some rain proof shoes and clothes, we had a massive thunder and lightening storm there when we went in June and we got soaked! Kids willies there are about £25!

Sounds like a potential nightmare , sorry . Presumably there will be rest stops , is it by ferry or tunnel where you can take a break? Whereabouts are you that it takes 18 hours ?

South yorkshire coach via ferry all the way to Disney. I think its going to be a nightmare but I cant get out of it. She will have to be in a care seat on the coach as well.

What a silly thing for your PIL to have booked. Agree that if poss change the travel arrangements. Sounds like pure hell to me. Not just for you and dd but for the other passengers.

Can't you say thanks, meet you there and get the train.

Are you doing lots of pick ups , by my reckoning it should be max 12 hours journey time (6 to Dover, 2 for Ferry , 3 to Disney, 1 for stops). May give you time to hop off for a wander if so. Check what car seat is suitable too.

They want to put her on a booster with a lap belt, I want to take our rf car seat.

There are stops to pick other people up as well at different towns.

Yes they said "we can change seats so it will be fine" so im guessing they will look after her.

I cant afford to make other travel arrangments. Its this or let my dh and ds go without us

LIZS - from Glasgow it was 22 hours. There will be a few rest stops, bus limited to 60mph, check in time for the ferry, change of driver, etc. It all adds up and will be about 18 hours.

OP. this isn't ideal, but is do-able.

Try to get a seat with a table. This will give you room for nappy changes.

I agree about lots of little things to keep her amused. Try 1 'gift' to unwrap each hour she is awake (remember she'll sleep for a good part of that journey). Wrap up colouring book, small Disney figures, puzzles, etc. which can be opened and played with on the coach. Take a portable DVD or iPad for watching cartoons (take infant headphones if you can, the coach can be noisy, meaning you'd have to have the volume loud for her to hear, then you'll be annoying other people).

Lots of little favourite snacks too.

Make good use of all rest stops to allow her to run around, and remember that you've got quite a lengthy break on the ferry to look forward to.

Lastly, despite what I say above, try to have as little 'carry on' luggage to ensure that you've got as much space as possible. Overhead storage is small, so you'll end up having bags at your feet making the journey uncomfortable.

Try not to worry about the journey, treat it as an adventure to start off the holiday.

Enjoy yourself!

We did an 18 hour car journey last summer with a 1yo and 2yo, I was dreading it but they were actually really well behaved or slept the whole way, I bought some new toys and books and downloaded some cbeebies on to my iPad, I sat between them and played with them

Sounds like hell, what a stupid thing for pils to book!

I'd book a flight & meet them there. Or fly myself there & leave dc on the bus with them...

the little toys to unwrap is cute but you'll have enough to carry. one toy that will have some play value (elc used to do a threading set with cars and trees that was good), a sticker book and aquadraw

portable dvd player/tablet with movies is the best way to go but check charge time. check the coach itself doesn't play movies.

bread sticks or ritz biscuits to snack on ( no sugar, you do not want a sugar rush).

I used to have one of those roll up changing mats which has a pocket for wipes and a pocket for nappies.

I read the title and thought it sounds like a community service sentence
sorry

It feels like a.form of punishment

I've got my fingers crossed for you. You might want to check that your car seat fits on the coach.

I wouldn't do it. I often take 3 hours coach trips with DS but 18 hours - no way. Is any of it overnight at least?

I doubt a RF seat will fit on the coach btw, does it also face forwards? DS's infant seat would only fit on some seats (the extra legroom or front ones) on some coaches. A FF seat should be alright though so long as it's not massive. Don't just put her on a booster cushion as she won't be able to sleep properly and they need to weigh 15kg for the adult seatbelt.

Don't do it. Arrange your own travel and meet them there. Take a train the kings cross then direct Eurostar (only about 2.5 hours to Disneyland Paris)