Anyone here driven from Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama?

[vital]

In light of the recent activities, I've been thinking about driving to WDW next October. No, I'm not afraid of being blown up, I'm more afraid of the hassles of flying. It will be just DS8 and I. I can't imagine being stuck in an airport and missing our flights due to security reasons and having to deal with that. Especially since it looks like Gameboys and such might be banned in cabin. I was just curious how long it took you and what route did you take? Also, if you stopped half way, where is a good place to stay. Thanks!

 

[bengalbelle]

We always drive from the suburbs of Baton Rouge, La. It's about a 10-12 hour drive for us, deending on how many stops we make. We take I-10 to I-75, then I-4. We don't mind the drive and it's a pretty easy one. Sometimes we drive straight through, other times we break it up into 2 days. It just depends on what time we leave.

We've stayed at a Best Western in Tallahassee (wouldn't recommend it), La Quinta (I'll have to check with DH on where exactly it was) and a Comfort Inn in or near Milton, Fl.

 

[Magic2000]

We've also driven MANY times from Bush, Louisiana (right outside Covington). We take I-12 to I-10 to I-75 to Hwy 27 (through Clermont) and then Hwy 192 to Disney. It takes us about 10 hrs, if we drive straight through.

We usually bring snacks and drinks in the van, and we'll stop for lunch sometimes. In June, we actually got on the Interstate about 9:30 or 9:45 am (after stopping at Sonic for breakfast). We were intending to stop in Tallahassee for the night, but it was still a little early, so we drove further and further and then before you know it, we're only about an hour from Disney! We stopped at a Cracker Barrell on Hwy 192 for dinner and it was almost 8:00 pm. We were starving since we didn't stop for lunch on the way! We did pretty good - considering you lose an hour going to Florida! (I did between 70 - 75 on the Interstate).

Its really a nice drive - almost all Interstate. Tallahassee is the "half way" point for us, and there are some decent hotels there. We've stayed at Marriot a couple of times. Really nice hotel, nice breakfast too!

By the way, when we drove down in June, it was just me and my daughters. DH flew out a few days later to meet us there, and then drove back with us. It was a good drive, the girls and I had a lot of fun, and we felt very safe driving alone. The drive really isn't that bad... When we go back in Dec, we're flying though (just because we're only going for a few days and its only about 1.5 hrs to fly).

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[clkelley]

We drive all the time from North Alabama. If your drive is 12 hours or less, unless you have spectacular flight times on direct flights, you can get door to door quicker and with a lot less hassle.

 

[vital]

I'll be driving from Jackson, MS. I'm originally from Hattiesburg so I am used to the drive to Mobile since I used to go to Gulf Shores, AL every summer. I was curious how the drive from Pensacola down to WDW was. It sounds like it's not that bad. There used to be a nonstop flight from Jackson to MCO but they cancelled it earlier this year. If I still had that option it'd be a nobrainer. I now have to go through Atlanta. This June it took us about 10 hours to get there including getting to airport, connecting flights, luggage, etc. I'm seriously thinking about driving now since y'all made it sound so easy! From my house to WDW I think it's like 700 miles. I'll have to do some calculations but I think I may come out cheaper driving! Do any of you happen to know the distance to Port Canaveral from WDW?

 

[LSUmom4kids]

We drove returned from our fabulous family vacation at WDW! We drove straight through in a rented mini-van from New Orleans to our hotel (Swan). On the way down, DH drove the first leg (N.O. to Lake City, FL) of the trip and I drove from Lake City, FL to WDW. Total trip - approx. 11-12 hrs. We stopped several times for gas and once for dinner - Cracker Barrel in Crestview, FL. (We love eating here since it really fills you up!) I went to Cracker Barrel's website and mapped out all the Cracker Barrel's along the way!

On the way back home, DH drove the first part (WDW to ), we stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Lake City, FL for dinner. Then I drove from there to Mobile, AL while DH took a snooze. DH took the last shift from Mobile, AL to home since I had stayed at Magic Kingdom with DS10 and DS5 until the Extra Magic Hours Closing (1 a.m.!!!). I was a "little" tired!

We only stopped for gas and to eat dinner both ways. It really wasn't that bad of a drive; especially since we splurged and rented a 2006 mini van with a DVD player for the kids - hardly any fighting at all! We brought some DVD movies and all the kids had their gameboys, etc. We felt secure with a brand new van, our AAA card (in case of car troubles) and our cell phones.

There is a new toll road shortcut once getting off I-75 at the Florida Turnpike. Take Toll Road 429 South and get off at the WDW exit. It takes you directly into WDW between Animal Kingdom on the right and Coronado Springs on the left. (I made the mistake of taking Hwy. 192 one night around 10 p.m. and boy, was the traffic bad!!!)

We will definitely drive next time too. We loved the freedom of being able to come and go as we pleased! Let me know if you have any other questions.