Anyone drive REALLY far to get to WDW?

[digskat]

We have driven the last two Falls, and will be driving again this November. It is roughly a 22 hour trek for us, but I don't fly so......
I have also argued the cost issue. To fly out of Toronto (the most expensive airport in North America) it would cost us $1750 round trip. Out of Detroit $750 for the flight, $60 for gas, $120 hotel, and $100 meals, roughly $1030.
To drive, has cost us $300 for gas, $300 for hotels, and $100 for meals ($700). Add in the fact that we have our own vehicle at Disney.

So far, the kids don't mind the drive, and I am more than happy to do all of the driving.

 

[kerry34]

We drive from MA and it takes around 23 hours or so depending on how many times we get stuck in traffic. One of my little ones has some anxiety issues and I am not yet comfortable enough to put her on a plane just yet because there is no getting off for her and she would freak out completely. I wouldnt do that to her or anyone else on the plane for that matter. Also we have five kids so flying can get expensive. I would rather spend that money on staying in a deluxe because I know we couldnt afford the plane fare and deluxe accomodations. At least I don't want to part with that much money.

 

[Unregistered]

I can't believe we are driving in August! We live on the northern tip of Nova Scotia--about a 36 hour drive. It will take us 3-4 days each way, depending on how often we stop. We will probably not drive more than 12-13 hours per day because it would be too tiring. We have always flown before but since we are going during the summer this time, we have lots of extra time and decided to make it a real adventure! Our kids are 16 and 19, our vehicle is new, and we have iPods and a DVD player so hopefully it won't be too bad. The kids would really like to see a bit of the US so this should certainly be what they want!!

 

[DisneyGerry]

I drive once every three times down from DC/ Baltimore area but pass/ get passed by Canucks also Disney-Bound--so some of the have to be some of the furthest travellers by road?

Anyone travelling by road from Mexico?

Gerry

 

[Grendalynn]

Just wondering if there is anyone else who despises airports and airplanes, and who drives to WDW from afar.

DW, DS12, DD7, and I will be at POP for a September trip and are driving from New Hampshire. This is the 2nd time we have made this 22 hour (or so) commute to the happiest place on Earth.

Anybody else choose the long drive over flying?

I cannot even tell you how many times I have driven to Disney from New Hampshire!! More than I can even begin to count! Once with our own children and countless times as a child with my family. We considered doing so last October, but felt we would have more time if we flew; DH only had limited time that trip and we wanted to get the most vacation time we could.

I think there are many pros and cons to flying and/or driving! Here is my take on the deal:

If you drive: You may get a little fried with your children on a long ride, and can be a bit over tired once you reach the "world". Bt if you plan properly by leaving in the late afternoon or early evening (so they can sleep a majority of the way) and bring plenty of new and exciting snacks and entertainment, it certainly helps! I would never leave home w/o A DVD player for a long ride and new non-messy toys to bring out one by one ehwn the going gets rough! Also - Plan to make a few stops if needed for an hour or so to strectch legs and run a round and get some energy out. Plan a night out of Disney so that you can relax a day and catch up on naps and rest before jumping in with both feet at WDW. Also plan a day or two on the other end of your trip to get home before school or work start up again. Time to recoup and get unloaded and laundry caught up. This is something I ALWAYS try to do on every trip!! The car ride home is usally a lot a help getting the kids better rested from the go-go-go they had experienced at WDW. But Moms and Dads patience can be far and few between at this point as well.......

If you decide to Fly: You will get there faster and have immediate satisfaction arriving at Disney. Little kids usually always love to fly. Be sure to have gum as the whole ear popping thing can be hard on their little ears. It will cost more to fly, which can be an incentive to drive so you have more money in hand/pocket. Also plan a flight early in the day incase of any incidents or flight delays - you will still get to WDW if all goes well. Kids are generaly better behaving and fresh earlier in the day. We made the mistake once of taking teh last flight of the night so we would get more time in Florida; one delay and we had to sleep in the Atlanta airport. ((Some of you reading this may have read that horror story I posted back in April!!)) But Flying does cost more - even with the cost of fuel these days. http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/ has a fuel cost calculator that is helpful to strategize a budget as well. We flew non-stop from Boston Logan last October and I will be flying non-stop from Logan, Manchester, NH or Portland, ME in the future to avoid any and all possibilities of spending the night on the floor of an airport again. Dear Husband said he will NEVER fly again after that, so who knows - Time will tell! We willsee who wins that battle......

Hope this helps - Just our 2 cents worth, but worth sharing with others! No matter what your choice is - the end esult is that you get to go to Disney on a wonderful Family Vacation that will give you lots of happy memories and soemthing your children will remember for the rest of their lives! I can still remember my first trip to the World in 1980 when I was 3 1/2! I hope my boys will have the same great memories!!!

 

[beachgrl001]

We are flying in September I haven't flown since I was 12y/o Im a little nervous but my dh is not happy about it at all. This time I just bought the tix and told him we were flying! in 2002 we drove, and get this... my parents drove their car too!!! (everyone couldnt fit in my jeep) we should have just rented a minivan!!! It was fun driving down but driving back was not fun. This time my dad is not going because he will not fly. So I am already starting to plan our next trip this time I guess we'll be driving I dont want him to miss it again.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We have driven every time. It is approximately 18-20 hour drive from Northern PA. Last two times we rented a motorhome with in-laws and split the gas cost. It works great with kids. We stop overnight, usually SC or GA.

 

[GrumpyCAdad]

My DW and I plan on driving our next trip, Nov 2007 (too far off!!) from Colorado, since there are 5 of us and plane tix are so expensive around Thanksgiving.

 

[postalcop]

i have always drove down to disney, countless times with my family in the 70's & 80's, and now the past 3 years with my dh, ds, & dd. i think i only flew there 3 times, and also took the amtrak once,( i think that was harder than driving), of course flying is easier & faster but i just dont like to fly, and the price of 4 round trip tickets are just way to much.

it usually takes us about 18-20 hours depending on DC/Baltimore & JAX traffic. this year we left on a friday, (exactly 6 weeks ago, boo-hoo- i wish it was today) at 2 am to avoid DC traffic & we almost did it, only sat for about 20 min. not to bad. we usually stay in Savannah, GA. alot of hotels to choose from, (i thinks its exit 94). eat dinner, get a good night sleep. get up early, eat @ the hotels continental breakfast, (much quicker than a restuaunt) from there its about 4 hours from Disney.

the kids so far have been great. we have there dvd's and thats really all they want. we bring crayons and books. but what ever will keep them quiet and entertained. also we was an rv/camper, so we have a refigerator and bathroom on board so the only time we really stop is to get gas.

good luck

~sue

 

[fasttrakphil]

Just made the drive down from Chicago in May. Was'nt bad but will be flying for the January trip, not taking any chances of a snow covered interstate.....

 

[Natalya]

We are driving down from Connecticut. Its going to take us a couple of days to get there. We decided to stop along the way to see a few things. We will leave CT late at night and stop for the night somewhere along the way. My DH refused to fly so he is taking care of the particulars for this part of the trip...I took care of the Disney details.

 

[lorrainesy]

I tried it once, I drove from NY to Orlando and back. I did all the driving myself. My cousin who was 14 at the time sat upfront with me to keep me company, she slept most of the way and when she was awake she kept turning my country music to rap. My mother and nephew (4 at the time) sat in the back. My mother needed to stop every hour for drink, food, potty, or shopping. My nephew spent the whole two days kicking the back of my seat. To make it worse it was Spring break and we could not find a hotel room on the way down there so I had to drive stright 26 hours. On the way home we made it to an hour before our house and I could not drive anymore I made my brother-in-law and sister come get us. Never again will I drive. but looking back it is funny now

 

[jimenyfan]

Our 8 1/2 hour drive seems like nothing now. We just cant justify paying the cost of airfare when the drive can be done in less than 1 day.

 

[Princess89]

Every year for the past 6 years we have driven from NJ. We leave about 7, sometimes 9 pm depending what time DH gets out of work, and aside from gas, the first stop is breakfast at 7 am when we reach the beginning of FL. Then from there we take our time getting to the Orlando area. The kids sleep in the car all the way down there. Last year DD who was 1 woke up quite a few times, but we go packed with a DVD player, PS 2 or X Box for DS to keep busy. We pack a bunch of things in the car for them to entertain themselves with. The only thing we don't bring is food, some drinks. We stop for dinner before we go, and the only thing left is breakfast.

DH likes it, I hate it, because I am the one that drives straight through! The rest of them sleep, but its the only way I am able to go to WDW, DH refuses to fly!

 

[penguin087]

http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/ has a fuel cost calculator that is helpful to strategize a budget as well.

Thanks Grendalynn!
Thats a great little tool. I'm not sure if the prices are accurate. I haven't seen gas under $3 in a while. I'd tack about $50-$75 to the round trip total to be on the safe side.

 

[Phalene]

I don't drive to WDW, I don't even want to think how long it would take me Just flying takes over 12 hours!

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

We considered driving from Oklahoma City area but I didn't want waste my vacation days driving. We still have to make the 3 hour trip to Dallas. Flying out Dallas is saving us over $600. I can live with a 3 hour drive for $600.

 

[cristbaby]

We drive once or twice a year for the past ten years, I wouldn't go any other way

 

[TaylorsDad]

Last year for our first trip we flew. This time we will be driving the 13-14 hr trip. But last year by the time we had to deal with drive to airport, parking, lugguage, check in, security, layover, and delayed connection flight in NC we still were tied up from 9 am until 7 Pm. At least Make a wish picked up the tab. But the main reason I want to drive is for the memories. Growing up, my family and I made a yearly drive to Tampa Fl to visit my Dads mother. The drive seemed awful at the time, but by the end of the trip we would all laugh at the stupid things that happened. The misreading directions and roadsigns, the silly misunderstandings, the arguments we kids would have brought on by restlessness, and all the other silly situations. These are now some of my most cherished childhood memories. So now I get to experience the same exasperation and joy with my wife and child. Remember guy, getting there really is half the fun

 

[Showpony]

We're planning on driving from California to Florida in October. This will be our 2nd trip to DW, we're mostly DL folk! Am planning on a 7 day adventure so we can stop and site-see along the way. Should prove interesting, but in my mind it's better than flying (which is a big pain these days!).

Counting down the days!