Best Apps to Download for Your Road Trip to Disney
So you’re hitting the road for a trip to Disney? Be sure you have these apps downloaded and ready before you head off for your Disney-filled adventure!
Embarking on a road trip towards your Disney vacation can be an exhilarating adventure in itself, but it also requires careful planning and organization to ensure a smooth journey. Fortunately, in today’s digital age, there are numerous apps designed to enhance every aspect of your road trip experience, from navigation and accommodation to entertainment and sightseeing. Here’s a roundup of some of the best apps that will help you make the most of your cross-country adventure:
Taking a Road Trip to Disney? Be Sure to Download These Apps Before You Head Out!
Navigation and Maps
“Are we there yet?!” It’s a classic question, but in all fairness, it’s good to know where you are and how your trip is coming along. We highly recommend the following map applications for your device:
Google Maps
Download it for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Reliable navigation, real-time traffic updates, alternative route suggestions, offline maps.
- Why It’s Great: Google Maps is a staple for its accuracy and extensive database of points of interests, making it ideal for finding gas stations, restaurants, and attractions along the way. Our experience has been that Google Maps is usually the most accurate app when it comes to the itinerary and planning around traffic.
Waze
Download it for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Community-driven alerts for accidents, traffic jams, police traps, and road hazards.
- Why It’s Great: Waze excels in providing up-to-the-minute traffic information and the fastest route based on real-time data from other drivers. The speed-trap alerts are well-done (and help us slow-down ahead of one). Users can also report when there is debris on the road, or a car pulled on the shoulder. Plus you can interact with other drivers on the road near you!
We use both Google Maps and Waze depending if we need to know the way or if we want to prevent a speeding ticket.
Road Information
When you’re on the road, it’s always good to know what’s coming ahead. Check out these apps that’ll help you further plan your road trip to Disney:
IExit
Download it for Apple or Google Play
- Features: IExit shows you what services are available at upcoming exits on the interstate, from food and fuel to hotels and rest areas.
- Why it’s great: You can find specific services like gas stations, restaurants, and lodging and check user ratings and reviews for services at each exit.
After Google maps and Waze, IEXIT is THE APP we use the most. It is extremely useful to plan every stop, from what restaurants and hotels are available, where the next rest area is, etc. We don’t know how we ever managed without it!
GasBuddy
Download it for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Find the cheapest gas prices along your route, filter by fuel grade, and track your fuel expenses.
- Why It’s Great: Saves money on gas and ensures you’re always aware of nearby gas stations. You can earn points for reporting on gas prices and redeem them for rewards too!
Plug Share
Download it for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Find the closest EV Charging Station to charge your electric vehicle!
- Why it’s great: Not only does it help with finding an EV charging station quickly, but you can find a detailed map, charging tips and there is a useful trip planner tool so you can plan ahead of time!
Accommodation
Driving down from Canada to Disney World (Orlando, FL) or Disneyland (Anaheim, CA) consists of lots of hours on the road. You’ll want to have these apps downloaded and ready for your pit stops.
Hotels.com or Expedia
Download Hotels.com for Apple or Google Play
Download Expedia for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Wide range of accommodation options (hotels, motels, vacation rentals), user reviews, and flexible booking options.
- Why It’s Great: Allows you to book last-minute accommodations and compare prices across different properties. It happens regularly that the price for a room on Expedia is cheaper than at the front desk. Plus you can keep accumulating points!
Airbnb
Download for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Unique stays like cabins, tiny houses, and entire homes, local experiences, and host recommendations.
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for travelers seeking more personalized and home-like accommodations along their route.
Safety and Emergencies
Prepare for the unexpected, and always be ready for emergency situations. Here are a few apps that can help with that for your next road trip to Disney:
American Red Cross First Aid, CAA or your roadside assistance app
Download American Red Cross First Aid for Apple or Google Play
Download CAA for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Step-by-step instructions for common first aid emergencies, offline access to content, and safety tips.
- Why It’s Great: Provides peace of mind with essential first aid knowledge in case of emergencies on the road. It can also help finding the closest hospitals and clinics as well as close garages in case of a minor vehicle emergency.
Miscellaneous
Spotify, Sirius or other
Download Spotify for Apple or Google Play
Download Sirius for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Personalized music playlists, podcasts, and offline listening mode.
- Why It’s Great: Keeps you entertained during long drives and lets you create playlists for different moods and landscapes.
Unless you have Sirius or satellite radio already (which we would recommend), making yourselves a song list is essential for long drives. You will quickly get tired of trying to find the best radio channel in each state otherwise!
The Weather Channel app
Download it for Apple or Google Play
- Features: Hyper-local weather forecasts, storm alerts, and radar maps.
- Why It’s Great: Helps you plan for weather conditions along your route and stay informed about potential storms or adverse weather. It can help you prepare around a snow storm and pack accordingly!
With these apps at your fingertips, your road trip to Disney can be not only more efficient and safer but also more enjoyable and memorable. Whether you’re navigating unfamiliar roads, finding unique places to stay, or discovering local cuisine, these apps ensure that every aspect of your journey is well-planned and optimized. So, load up your smartphone, buckle up, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Safe travels!
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