14 hours-All in one day?

[DisneyMamaof3girls]

We have always driven to WDW and taken two days to get there. Previously, we drove from Indy. Now we live in Louisville and we are two hours closer. We are contemplating driving it all in one day. Our girls will be 11, 9, and 6 and they are really great in the car. Actually, they are better in the car than I am.

Would you do it in one day?

 

[NancyIL]

I would do it if there were two drivers.

 

[souris]

Can be done! My last road trip was 15 hours with a six month old... We just stopped every 3 hours or so to stretch out. We also researched a few hotels in between just in case it would be too difficult.

We used to go on crazy road trips every year with my family... we've driven from Canada (northern Ontario) to Orlando 4 times when I was young. So many great memories! We'd play games, sing songs together... it was nice bonding time enjoy!

 

[Amandaka78]

It's totally possible. We drive from Maine to Orlando in a straight shot with 2 drivers. We start in the afternoon and drive through the night getting there the next afternoon (about 23 hours with multiple potty and stretch breaks). If the kids are good in the car and you have 2 drivers I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to.

 

[ancestry]

I think you can do it. We regularly drive 12 hours straight through (my house to my mother's home) each year. Fourteen isn't much more.

 

[DisneyMamaof3girls]

Thank you! I think we will give it a shot. No hotel means more money to spend in the parks!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We drive 14-15 hours to WDW all in one shot. DH does most of the driving, but I pick up 4 or 5 hours so he can sleep. We did one trip that he did all of the driving because I ended up with a migraine about 5 hours into the trip and had it for two days after we go to WDW. We do go with the understanding that if we get tired, and a rest stop to get out and walk around, etc., doesn't help, we will find a hotel. We leave after school and drive through the night.

 

[sharadoc]

I would do it if there were two drivers.

We used to sleep over, now we do 16 hours straight through. The kids actually prefer it. They would rather just suffer through one long day, rather than a 12 hour day, sleep, and more driving!

We leave around 4:00 am, they sleep for a few hours in the car, then we should arrive around 8-8:30 pm. Enough time to grab a snack or late dinner, off to bed and ready for a nice full day at Disney!

The 2000+ round trip drivers thread has a ton of tips and info to help you cope. My main advice is to be prepared to be in the car for that long, don't think about how many hours or dread it. Once you accept the fact that you'll be driving that long, you can do it. Enjoy the time with your family.

 

[ccudmore]

If you're good with night driving I'd recommend leaving at 10pm or so and drive through the night. It's easier to stay alert at the end of a long drive if its in the afternoon rather than leaving in the morning and arriving after dark. Plus there's much less traffic on the roads at night.