Advice???

[SplashMom]

We were supposed to visit DW in April but had to cancel due to a medical emergency. Once everything was resolved, we booked two weeks for August (I know, it's HOT!) to get the free dining. We are trying to book our flights through Airmiles and now there are no flights available. The cost of flights is around $2500-$3000 for 4 of us. I don't really want to spend that kind of money on flights so we are considering driving. Has anyone driven from Cape Breton? How long did it take? Where did you stop? I have tons of questions and we are so confused. If we drive, we will have to reduce the number of nights we stay at Disney because of time constraints. If we fly, it is going to cost a lot more. I have considered driving across the border and flying but it is probably a ten hour drive to the closest airport and the flights weren't that cheap, especially if we have to pay for parking as well. Is it just as easy to drive? Any tips or advice?

 

[sean-1966]

Try driving to Bangor or some other US airport and flying from there. It'll be cheaper.

 

[SplashMom]

We are trying to decide if it is worth it. Bangor is still a 10 hour drive and we would have to stay overnight and pay to park. We are thinking that it would be just as easy to continue driving. We normally rent a vehicle so we wouldn't have to if we drove. The time is the other factor, although the more we consider it, the more appealing it looks to drive. We have always wanted to drive and our vehicle is new. We have the vacation time...it just seems like a long time to be away. Maybe we should just be adventurous!!

 

[tribus121]

You are looking at aprox a 38 hr drive with 2 or more drivers you should be able make the drive in 2 1/2 to 3 days .There are some options Drive to bangor stay at a park and fly hotel ( you stay at hotel they let you leave your car at hotel & take you to and from airport .)Air fare would be aprox 1500 cdn .hotel $ 100 cdn if you time it rite you would be less than 24 hrs on the road .or you could drive to portsmouth nh and fly Allegiant Air aprox 875 cdn with free parking at airport but they fly to sanford and the cheepest way to get from sanford to disney is to rent a car .Hope this helps

 

[SnowWhite]

I would just drive. You are looking at a 35 hr drive but with two drivers it can be done in two days. Our drive from here in Peterborough is 24 hrs driven straight through. I do most of the driving myself. Yes it can be tiring, but once you hit the "magic" all the tiredness disappers. The first thing I did after checking in was go for a nice relaxing swim and had dinner.

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[dhluvsDisney]

I would do the Park'n'Fly thing as suggested. We drive all the time from Wpg to Minneapolis and it is about a 7 1/2 hour drive (in summer weather). We then catch a direct flight which is so much cheaper than from here, directly to Orlando. We find the drive very relaxing and a great way to get ready for Disney.

Linda

 

[SplashMom]

Thanks for the advice!! We still haven't decided yet, but my DH is definitely leaning toward driving. We'll see.

 

[tribus121]

One tip i have for driving is to stay on our time for the trip down that way when you stop for lunch at 12 it is realy 11 local time and the restaurants are not bussy .I allso like to leave around 2 or 3 am and drive till dark the next night leaving early the next morning 5 am or so ( a lot easer to find a hotel early ) and drive till 7 or 8 and stop for breakfast . Hope this helps I would allso recomend joining CAA if you are not allready a member they are a great sourse of maps and travel books and discounts

 

[SplashMom]

Thanks. We are members of CAA and I have ordered a TripTik. I am actually getting kind of excited to drive. We really don't have to rush--we have three weeks (actually I have all summer!!). I think we will take three days (maybe four if things look interesting enough to stop) on the way down. The kids are really young adults so it shouldn't be a problem. This may be our only opportunity to drive so I think we'll do it. Wish us luck--we'll be on the road in August!!

 

[tribus121]

You may consider using the route that I have used in the past .I 95 to I 495 ( This side of Boston ) I 495 to the Mass pike . Mass pike to I 84 . I 84 to I 81 ( Near Scranton PA ) I 81 south To I 64 ( Just past Harrisonburg Va )
I 64 to I 95 ( At Richmond Va ) from there I 95 will take you in to flordia . This is a much more scenic rt and avoids most of the large US citys also very few tolls all though slightly longer .

 

[SplashMom]

Well, we have decided to make this an adventure! We are going to drive, and we are interested in taking the I95 straight through, including driving through the major cities. Has anyone done this? We live in an area of beautiful scenery, and to be honest, we would love a change. The kids are 16 and 19 and want to see a little of the cities on the way down. The info we received from CAA routes us around most cities. Is driving through the cities really that bad? We have driven around cities like Montreal and Toronto and had no problems. Anyone like this route?

 

[tribus121]

Here is a link that may help http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm

 

[U2FanHfx]

Hi SplashMom

I'm from CB too! (Now in Halifax)

I don't think I would be into driving all they way as you are but I would love to hear your report when you return.

From all I have read (years of forums), it is a great idea to avoid the major cities. I have experienced first hand what the traffic is like if you hit one of these places at rush hour when I have travelled around once down in the USA. Either way, I'm sure you will have lots of fun. Have a great time!

You will LOVE AKL! We have stayed there twice and love it. Both times, however, the front desk staff was terrible and rude. It starts your experience off on a bad foot but just let it slide by and you will be on

Chad J.

 

[SplashMom]

Thanks for the great link Tribus21! There is lots of useful information.

Hi Chad--fellow caper I will be sure to do a trip report, especially the transportation part. I'm still not sure if we are adventurous or just crazy! We will be travelling through most areas on the weekend so hopefully traffic won't be as bad. It seems to be worse during the weekday rush hours. I'm sure we will love AKL! We have eaten at Boma a few times, but this is our first stay. It is our first visit in the summer (August) and I hope we can handle the heat! I noticed your upcoming wedding--congratulations! What a perfect place to celebrate! Lots of pixie dust to you and your fiance

 

[roxwithears]

Splashmom: My DH and I took on the driving adventure from Halifax about 15 years ago. We did it in Nov though and it took us a bit longer due to the shorter days - we didn't drive too long after dark. We had the Triptik from CAA and it was fine. The only problem we ran into was hitting the evening rush hour going through Washington DC. I would really recommend reviewing the map really well before you hit any major cities because you have to drive so fast to keep up that navigating "on the fly" can be difficult. Other than that we really enjoyed the drive down. It was the drive back that was torture - we didn't have the same energy and enthusiasm coming home!

 

[tribus121]

You are very welcome SplashMom . I was concidering driving ( I am a bus driver and love driving ) but my car is 13 years old and i would not trust it to make the trip so We are flying out of Bangor .