Cheapest Transportation from PA

[tebright]

I need some advice here. We are going to Disney the first week in December. My husband and I and 2 children aged 10 and 11. First I must say, my son will not fly....he's scared to death.

Our original plan was to take the auto train down to Disney and arrive 12/1/03 and stay offsite at HIFS and stay for 5 nights and go back home on the auto train on 12/6/03. This whole vacation which is our room, free breakfast, auto train and hopper passes will cost $2700. Now this is really my budget, can't afford much more than that right now.

We would love to do the 7 day land/sea plan. I can book that which includes 4 nights at the Carribean Beach Resort and then 3 nights on the Disney Wonder cruise which also includes our hopper passes for a cost of $2727. Not bad huh? I would love to do this but of course that does not include the cost of the auto train. The cost of the auto train roundtrip with our SUV is $933. I'm really trying to figure out how to afford this cruise trip but don't see anyway to make it work.

We have driven to Disney 2 years ago and actually that cost us more money but we stopped 2 nights on the way down and the way back. Has anyone driven straight through and how bad was it? Or do you know of 1 place to stop that is really cheap on the way down that we could stop at for one night? I'm just looking at suggestions on how to afford the cruise trip and be realistic.

 

[Lewisc]

Not the answer you want to hear but you probably can't afford the cruise. I don't think your cruise price includes any shore excursions, pictures, tips, cost to park when you're on the cruise...You're probably better off sticking to your original plan.

If you drive straight through you'll probably save some money vs the auto-train.

 

[tebright]

LOL...I think you're right about not being able to afford the cruise but I think I needed other people to tell me.

I figured this is where the budget experts were at so I would try for some suggestions here.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

My DH and I drove down from Philadalphia w/ our 2 DDs (2&3) last November and it almost caused a divorce! We left after dinner and figured we would drive staight through because the girls would sleep at night. The plan was that I could nap the first half, then drive the second while my husband slept. Wishful thinking. We had a portable TV w/ a VCR for them in case they got bored before they fell asleep but my littlest one ended watching it ALL night and screamed bloody murder if I turned it off. That was actually tolerable but the ride home was WORSE! Imagine the same scenario but everyone was exhausted from a very active vacation in very close quarters. My advice is, if you drive down, stop at a hotel for some rest ESPECIALLY on the way back. If you go to Holiday Inn's website they will track your route for you and give you a list of all their hotels along the way.

 

[DoeWDW]

We live close to Harrisburg and often drive. It's me, hubby (our only driver), DS 15 and DD 13. Our kids travel well and don't mind the long trip.

We've stopped overnight (Hardeeville SC right above the Georgia line seems to be a good spot for us on the way down, although we've stayed other places as well). However, on the way home, hubby tends to drive straight through during the day.

My budget for the drive is usually $450 total which includes $200 for hotels (stopping one night on the way down and another night on the way home - $100 each night), $100 for extra meals, and $150 for gas for the minivan.

 

[Mskanga]

We did that a couple of years ago , also from PA , but we flew. We did the same cruise you want to do and I can tell you one thing, without any excursions, I still had a $700 tab to pay for.

 

[TZMOM]

When we moved to Clearwater, we drove straight through from outside of Philly, PA. It took us about 20 or so hours from what I remember & it was only 2 adults. I don't know how you all can drive down & back and do it all over again the next year!! I was bored to tears & my butt fell asleep.

Maybe that's why we divorced shortly after we moved there. . . . . hmmm puts a whole new twist on it. . . . . . .

Good luck whatever you decide. I'd try the autotrain if you can swing it - it's something out of the ordinary!!