Big Florida vacation-will it be too much driving?

[snowball22]

I am trying to plan next years vacation for the family. I am thinking of either a cruise or a 10 day trip in Florida. We live in Ohio, so the trip will also include a day of driving up and back. In Florida, I would like to spend 3 days at Sanibel Island, 4 days at WDW, 2 days at Universal, and a night in St. Augustine. Do you think we will feel worn out with all the driving? Thanks everyone!!

 

[TEENEE]

I think I would scale it back a little. I know it takes us 15 hours to get to the Dayton area from here. That sounds like a commando style vacation. I think I would consider dropping the Sanibel or St Augustine part of the trip.

 

[rlovew]

Sanabel is about a 4 hour trip from Disney. I would suggest staying at the beach in the Tampa/St. pete area instead (only 1-2 hour drive). At. Augustine is a 3-4 hour drive in the other direction from Tampa or Sanabel. It would be too much driving for me to do that all in 1 trip and I live in South Florida. Also with gas prices getting higher this summer it will be very expensive.

 

[ilovepcot]

You couldn't shove me in that car! Way too much!

 

[GeorgeG]

I agree with TEENEE.

Not only is it a long drive down here (consider taking two days each way so you're not exhausted when you get here), but Sanibel is about a half day drive further than the Orlando area, and then back up again.

Sanibel is beautiful, as is the Fort Meyers Beach area, but just seeing Central Florida in one vacation is a lot. You can always swing through St. Augustine on the way home, it's not that big. You can drive up in the morning and spend the day, stay over, and head home the next morning.

WDW would take the most time to do and you can't see it all in one vacation. Depending on your ages, likes, dislikes, etc., you might not want two days at Universal. I've been there once since moving down here and that was once too may times. But, that's my own opinion. If you like amusement parks, then go for it. Sea World, on the other hand, should appeal to everyone and make for a great day.

Hope you have a great vacation, whatever you decide.

 

[wdwmom2]

It sounds like alot of driving for the amount of places you want to visit in the time frame of 10 days. Although the places are all wonderful, I don't think that it sounds like a relaxing vacation. Too much rush, rush driving from one destination to another.

I would need to come home and take a vacation from my vacation!!!!!

 

[disney junky]

Don't ask me. I love the drive. Put the Beach Boys or Jimmy Buffett on, turn the volume up and cruise to Florida....throw a cooler of coke where I can reach it and I'm all set. At times we've gotten off 95 to cruise up the coast on A1A and watch the pelicans fly along side the car.

 

[Laura]

It takes two full days of driving from Ohio, really. And Florida is a looooong state to drive around. I would leave out Sanibel or St. Augustine, or just drive down for a cruise.

 

[chyam]

Have you considered maybe doing 3 days @WDW then head over to Daytona for 2 days, it is alot closer than Sanibel and it would give you some beach time and a break between the amusement parks then swing by and do Universal and head home from there after about 2 days.

 

[snowball22]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I guess I will try and scale it down a bit.