Am I nuts? Considering driving from central NJ to DL summer 2016...newbies to DL

[Tntfras]

So we have gone every year to WDW for past 13 years and wanna experience something different (but still Disney). We already have WDW set for March 2016 & WDW/DCL for October 2016. Thinking it would be neat to jump in car with me, DH, & twin DD (15) for the ultimate cross-country road trip. Anyone else do this trip and if so was it worth it?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Unless you plan on making a bunch of stops and seeing things across the country...you are nuts. There is a whole lotta nuthin out there.

 

[valiamo]

So we have gone every year to WDW for past 13 years and wanna experience something different (but still Disney). We already have WDW set for March 2016 & WDW/DCL for October 2016. Thinking it would be neat to jump in car with me, DH, & twin DD (15) for the ultimate cross-country road trip. Anyone else do this trip and if so was it worth it?

On my life's bucket list. Driving around North America and hitting every Country, Province, State and Territory..

In your case it might be really cool to take Route 66, and end up at Disney California at the RCR.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Fly.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Thinking it would be neat to jump in car with me, DH, & twin DD (15) for the ultimate cross-country road trip. Anyone else do this trip and if so was it worth it?

That could be a great trip, but you need time to take in the sights -- at least a month to make it worthwhile. Take different routes east and west.

Unrelated to Disney, DW and I did a one way cross country drive a few years ago. 3 weeks from South Carolina to western Canada and down the west coast, almost 6000 miles!

 

[StormyCA]

DH and I did a 7000 mile 44 day RV trip from CA to FL and back this year from mid April - end of May. It was glorious! Our primary purpose was to visit WDW and the Smokies but we ended up at Disneyland for the last 6 days of our trip. We drove east on I40 and cut south & south east from Amarillo. We went up I95 (after WDW) to the Smokies, then to So Cal via I70.

Do it. Do it! If it's in the budget, consider renting an RV. There's so much to see, even in the 'flat states'. I know people say there's 'a whole lotta nothing' there, but every type of terrain has its own beauty if you just open your eyes. And there's a real nice RV park near DL.

 

[alicat8]

I did it from ct right after college with friends. One of the best trips ever!

 

[luulu1999]

our drive isnt quite as far but we drive from SE MO when we go, cant get ny BF on a plane and train tickets are pretty expensive and we stay for 2 wks so we like having a car to do other stuff

 

[TrySomethingNew]

I've done lots of driving around the country, but that is a long drive depending on how long you plan to take, condition of your car, etc. could be a whole lot of fun though-and memorable.
I'll be going to DL for first time next month. Indy to Chicago then Chicago direct to LA -all on the Amtrak (4hr, 5hr layover, 43 hrs) I have a bedroom reserved. Almost planned to get off near Grand Canyon to hike for a day, but opted not to this trip. I've never taken the Amtrak so far, nor overnight so I'll have to report back later!
Good luck-it will be an adventure!! You're not crazy for considering it.

 

[jammyjam25]

As far as the road trip - yes, absolutely! DH and I drove from Baton Rouge to Seattle in 2007 and loved it. My BFF and I just finished a Seattle - San Fran - Disneyland - Las Vegas - Boise - Seattle loop the first week of October and it's always so fun to see other parts of the country.

As far as Disneyland in summer 2016, the park may be a bit of a mess with Star Wars construction underway, the ROA being closed, etc. But I think it's always worth a visit to the park no matter what's going on!

 

[Tntfras]

On my life's bucket list. Driving around North America and hitting every Country, Province, State and Territory..

In your case it might be really cool to take Route 66, and end up at Disney California at the RCR.

What is "RCR"?

 

[Tntfras]

As far as the road trip - yes, absolutely! DH and I drove from Baton Rouge to Seattle in 2007 and loved it. My BFF and I just finished a Seattle - San Fran - Disneyland - Las Vegas - Boise - Seattle loop the first week of October and it's always so fun to see other parts of the country.

As far as Disneyland in summer 2016, the park may be a bit of a mess with Star Wars construction underway, the ROA being closed, etc. But I think it's always worth a visit to the park no matter what's going on!

What is ROA?

 

[spellhex]

What is "RCR"?

I'm guessing they meant RSR, or Radiator Springs Racers.

What is ROA?

Rivers of America.

 

[wdwfan22]

RCR - I think they meant RSR - Radiator Springs Racers, an amazing ride at Disney California Adventure

ROA - Rivers of America

 

[jojomojo]

I'll be going to DL for first time next month. Indy to Chicago then Chicago direct to LA -all on the Amtrak (4hr, 5hr layover, 43 hrs) I have a bedroom reserved. Almost planned to get off near Grand Canyon to hike for a day, but opted not to this trip. I've never taken the Amtrak so far, nor overnight so I'll have to report back later!
Good luck-it will be an adventure!! You're not crazy for considering it.

This is what I was going to suggest! I'm not sure how the routes are from NJ to Chicago, but Chicago to LA seems like it would be a fun way to travel that distance. I've never taken Amtrak either, but we have a trip planned next month (coach, overnight from Gallup to LA) and a trip in April (roomettes, same route). We usually drive (12 hours). We're really excited to try it (especially my husband, the driver!).

 

[TrySomethingNew]

This is what I was going to suggest! I'm not sure how the routes are from NJ to Chicago, but Chicago to LA seems like it would be a fun way to travel that distance. I've never taken Amtrak either, but we have a trip planned next month (coach, overnight from Gallup to LA) and a trip in April (roomettes, same route). We usually drive (12 hours). We're really excited to try it (especially my husband, the driver!).

I'm traveling with my youngest DD, 9 yo, and may purposefully "forget" the iPad. I've bought a few things to do, but, if she gets some perspective on boredom, I think that is also good. I'm looking forward to seeing the SW as I've never been in several of the states this route (SW Chief) goes through. I'm excited too! I did buy plane tickets back home however, since we had to get back by a particular date.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you're going to fly part of the distance, fly into Denver. The drive from there is remarkable.

 

[KCmike]

I would personally save all the mileage, hotel costs, and pain and just fly. There is so much to see in and do in California! San Diego, Monterey, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Pacific Coast Highway to name just a few of my favorites. Spend a few nights at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego right on the ocean. See the magnificent waterfalls in Yosemite.

 

[quinnc19]

DD and I flew into LA last summer and flew out of Denver two weeks later (stopping at Disneyland and many national parks on the way). It was great!!

 

[valiamo]

What is ROA?

OOPS... RSR Radiator Springs Racers.. Based on the Cars Movies, with lots of Route 66 references