Any DVC Folks drive from the east coast?

[ssawka]

We have always done it this way for the past 20 years. We started out by trying to avoid the DC traffic. I would rather stay on 81, since 15 is not a major highway and 83 is crazy busy. We make it to Fredericksburg in about 5 hours and 15 minutes. DD's boyfriend is from Waymart, which is near Lake Ariel and I have a cousin from Lake Ariel.

Yah, timewise I guess that's about the same. 15 is a highway through MD, but you're right, it becomes a two-lane road going through VA. I actually grew up in Cortez and went to North Pocono. Where are you actually from?

 

[kirstenb1]

We have driven from Richmond for many years. We leave on Saturday am, and about 9 hrs later, we stop in northern Georgia, around the Richmond Hill exits (savannah area). The next morning takes about 5-5 1/2 hrs to WDW. We sleep in, and leave the hotel around 10-10:30. Our youngest is 4 and has special needs, so we don't like to arrive, then wait a long time for our villa. Fortunately, we've never waited much past 4. Obviously, since we arrive later, that first day is just a pool/resort day.

As far as what we bring: the kids can bring pretty much any toys, pool toys, etc they want. We bring lots of beverages, and snacks. Also, breakfast bars, etc. Dh has his laptop permanantly handcuffed to him so of course that goes too.

The way back, we stop around Florence SC. Same deal---do the bulk of the driving the first day. The second day is about 6 hrs to Richmond.

This all started because of one vexing year with air travel. We only fly once or twice a year. Our return from WDW, we were stuck in the Atlanta airport for 6 hrs with our 2 yr old. That same year, we flew to Nova Scotia, and the Northeast had some giant power grid blackout. Again, just multiple hassles getting home. DH hates driving, but loves saving $$, so he puts up with the drive. I do most of the driving, since I don't mind.

 

[katmittens]

Yah, timewise I guess that's about the same. 15 is a highway through MD, but you're right, it becomes a two-lane road going through VA. I actually grew up in Cortez and went to North Pocono. Where are you actually from?

I live in Montdale, which is part of the Lakeland School District. I know where Cortez is. DD's boyfriend went to Western Wayne School District. Where do you live in Va.
We will stick with our driving route, we know it so well. We know where to stay over and where we can stop to eat, etc.

 

[RLRDA]

I would've been open to driving, my DH says he'll meet us there! We just drove to Philly and got stuck in traffic (not moving) for 1 & 1/2 hrs. near NYC. It nearly drove me (us) crazy. He turned to me and asked if I still wanted to drive to FL.....I think I'm all set. It took us 8 hrs. to drive down to Baltimore two summers ago. Last year we took SWA to Baltimore and we were there in an hour - priceless. If we lived 8-10 hours from WDW (driving) I'd suck it up but I don't think driving from RI is an option for us.

 

[Connears]

I would've been open to driving, my DH says he'll meet us there! We just drove to Philly and got stuck in traffic (not moving) for 1 & 1/2 hrs. near NYC. It nearly drove me (us) crazy. He turned to me and asked if I still wanted to drive to FL.....I think I'm all set. It took us 8 hrs. to drive down to Baltimore two summers ago. Last year we took SWA to Baltimore and we were there in an hour - priceless. If we lived 8-10 hours from WDW (driving) I'd suck it up but I don't think driving from RI is an option for us.

We have been driving to WDW since we became dvc members in 1994 when DS was 4. We go at least once a yr, often twice and HHI once a year and always drive. We love having the car at wdw and we have done the drive so many times we are on auto-pilot. We can really count 3 times when we had horrible traffic or weather (all at xmas time), but we take those times in stride. We are leaving for HHI on Saturday and driving again.

Connears

 

[RLRDA]

We have been driving to WDW since we became dvc members in 1994 when DS was 4. We go at least once a yr, often twice and HHI once a year and always drive. We love having the car at wdw and we have done the drive so many times we are on auto-pilot. We can really count 3 times when we had horrible traffic or weather (all at xmas time), but we take those times in stride. We are leaving for HHI on Saturday and driving again.

Connears

I know there are many New Englanders who drive down ....we just won't be among them (just think of it as one less car on the road ). I haven't done the math but whatever money we'd save wouldn't be worth our sanity .

 

[Redwolf8812]

When we had a camper, we would go every other year for two weeks. We'd leave at midnight, arrive at the Georgia/Florida border late evening the next day, spend the night at a campground, take our time getting up in the morning and arrive in Fort Wilderness @ lunchtime. We would beat the morning rush hour in DC by doing it this way. We've since sold the camper and joined DVC and plan on going every year for one week and still driving. The difference is that I can now help my husband with the driving (he had trust issues with his dear truck and camper), so we're going to try driving straight through. Our children are 15, 13, and 6 and the only major problem was when the truck had a breakdown. Other than that, driving is not much different than flying when kids are involved. There's always issues of one type or another. I just enjoy being able to pack whatever I want, and not have to spend huge amounts for plane fare and luggage rates.

I always thought half the fun was the road trip. Enjoy!