Daytona 500 after cruise

[IndyDisneyFan]

Hi all of you experts out there. I am hoping that someone out there has done this and can give me some pointers. I have booked the 3 night Wonder for February 10 as a surprise anniversary gift for my DH(Our first cruise together ever!). We have Daytona 500 tickets, so we will be heading off of the ship and straight to Daytona. Obviously we need to get off the ship early to head north, but any tips as to how early? Also, we are eating dinner late, which means breakfast will be later as well. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!

Laura

 

[Melynny]

HI, I don't really have an answer to your quesiton, but I just had to post.. We are doing the 4 day cruise ( Sun to Thur) and then heading to Homestead for the Race events there before Thanksgiving. I just found it interesting that we were planning similar trips!

As for getting to the track early.. I'd say the earliest that you can!!Dh, SonIL and friends traveled from WDW to Daytona for the first night race there, it was also in the fall and they left WDW at 6:00 am. for the night race.. it was a zoo! We also traveled to Daytona again for the 4th of july race and we left WDW at 8:00am (drive time is around 2 hours) and had to walk miles to get there! I am sure that the 500 will be much more crowded since it 's the 1st race of the season! You'll love it. Get there early, there's plenty to do.

 

[Scotfan]

Hi there, cant help I'm afraid but I just had to say we will be getting on the ship as you are getting off!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I would also want to get off the ship as early as possible so I could get to the Speedway as early as possible. I don't know what time the race starts, but I'm sure it's an all-day festival of events. Plus, I'm sure the traffic will slow down your trip time. The driving time during <b><i>normal</i></b> conditions would be just over an hour. I'm sure it will take you <b><i>at least</i></b> two hours on race day.

 

[moinab]

I don't know this for sure, but you might be better off taking an alternate route north, such as A1A. I-95 will be crazy.

Also, you don't have to wait for the late breakfast. You can go to Beach Blanket Buffet and eat earlier, if you want to get off the ship earlier.

 

[makaylee]

We wanted to do the same thing, but since we are paying to fly all the way to Orlando we are doing the 7 day cruise. The only way to fit the Daytona 500 in was to sail over Valentines day and that sailing is out of our budget. I told my husband I was willing to do another cruise line so we could still afford Daytona and he said no. I was shocked! He never wanted to do Disney in the first place, but he said dd and I had so much fun on DCL he didn't want to mess with a good thing. I thought yeah right we werent the only ones who had fun. Keep in mind we are huge NASCAR fans too. I thought that was really sweet of him to give up the biggest race of the year so dd and I could do DCL instead of another cruise line.

Well, im sure your gonna have a great time!

Oh I also recommend skipping breakfast in a restaurant. I would just grab something at Beach Blanket Buffet so you can be off the ship as soon as possible.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

Thanks for all of your advise. We have left from Orlando and Disney to head to Daytona for the 400 and the 500, and I-4 is just terrible! I guess I was hoping that heading from the Cape would be better than that, and I am sure we would take A1A to avoid some of the traffic. I was just wondering how long it would take. I know this year's race didn't start until after 1 pm, so time won't quite be as critical as in past years, but we are huge NASCAR fans and we can't miss the biggest race. We are going to book the 7 night while onboard for Oct 2005 and take the kids, I just wanted us to give it a try first without them. Besides, with the booking onboard discount and room credit it will be worth the wait! It's great to know that I am not crazy by trying to squeeze in too much fun in one vacation! We will then head to Disney after the race for a couple of more days in the parks. Gotta love Disney!

Laura

 

[talicskai]

This past Feb we got off the Magic and went for the Bud Shootout @ Daytona. We parked in the Home Depot parking lot for $20 and had to walk about 10 minutes to the track. It was well worth the walk because after the race the traffic was insane but by the time we got to our van and got out on the main drag it was pretty much cleared out. Mind you the 500 will have more people but I wanted to give you the heads up on the parking. Definitely plan on taking A1A and if you are staying in Daytona alot of the hotels have a shuttle for $20 pp to get you to/from the track.
Do not cheap out on your hotel room. Anything under $125 is too cheap and will be gross. Trust me...........but that is another story.
We are huge NASCAR fans too. DH likes Jr. but I like Jimmie Johnson! DS7 likes everyone and DD4 loves the M&M Car!
Can't wait to someday do the 500 - enjoy yourselves!

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

Thanks for the heads up on the Daytona hotels. We have always just headed back to Orlando after the race because the room rates are WAY too much! Thanks for the parking tip. We have never parked there, but might give it a try. The park and rides are so crowded and impossible to get out of so we are always looking for alternatives. It is always great to hear from other race fans, especially ones who have tried to do close to what I am trying to accomplish with this cruise. And you will love being at the 500. There is nothing like being there in person!

Laura

 

[Izza]

I think it's great that you are squeezing two awesome vacations into 1. We are big Nascar fans too, but so far we've only made it to 3 Texas races. Someday we'd love to go to the Daytona 500. Now I need to plan a cruise to coincide with it.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Actually, you can't take A1A because A1A is not continuous. There's a break from Cape Canaveral to New Smyrna Beach, and another break between New Smyrna and Daytona Beach. I'd take I-95 as far as traffic is still moving, and then get over to US-1. Actually, looking at a map, I'd exit at Exit 256, take SR-421 east about 3/4 mile to CR-483. Take CR-483 north about six miles to US-92. That'll put you pretty close to the track.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

Thanks Dave for the driving directions! I will definitely write that down. As long as traffic is moving it isn't too bad, but when you have to stop and start for long periods of time it is terrible on your foot! That is why we hate I-4! Now I am trying to decide when I am going to tell my husband I am planning all of this. I am getting excited just thinking about all of it. I am enjoying reading everyone's posts on what to do and see on the ship. I am sure my DH will be a bit nervous because he has never been on a cruise before, but I am sure that after we get going he will be just fine. I am definitely counting down!

Laura

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We left Vero for the 400 when it was a day race at 5:00am, made it with 1 hour to spare. I think the 500 starts at Noon, I think you will really be cutting it close. Especially if there is a delay getting off the ship.

Just renewed my tickets for next year, not sure where we are going to stay, but it will be fun!!

 

[KimDisFan]

Let me see if I can add something. With the 500, planning is everything, the 2005 race will be our 14th. So try this:

#1 - I would get of the ship as soon as they start disembarkment

#2 - Make sure you have a map, like Dave said you can bail from I95 to US1 if necessary.

#3 - If planning to go to Orlando on the way back, you will want to park on the west side of the track. They turn alot of the roads to one way after the race. DIS will send the traffice plans with your tickets, and are probably on line as well. If you are not in a hurry, then if may not matter, you can hit the trailers. Remember traffic in front of the speedway will not move for at least 30 minutes after the race.

#4 - Get there early, we stay beachside and leave our condo @ 5:30 am. We leave for home after the race and drive home, so parking location is very important to us.

#5 - If there is a special guest again next year, it will take a little longer to get into the track, wasn't too bad this year. The Air Force One fly over was the highlight of the race for me.

#6 - I am guessing the earliest you maybe able to get there is about 10:30 (and that is being generous), if you chose to pay to park, expect at the least $30 and can be up to $50. The cheaper lots go early.

Let me know if you have anymore questions. Personnal I would prefer a 7 day DCL cruise . Oh that reminds me, better get the 500 renewel in.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

Thanks Kim for all of your suggestions! I need to get our renewal in as well! I have some great pictures of Air Force One myself! I know that challenge will be getting off of the ship and getting on our way. I am now trying to decide if it would be better to rent a car in Orlando(that is where we will be flying into the night before) and park at the dock, or rent one when we get off. I am thinking time wise it would be better to have a car waiting for us when we get there than try to pick one up. Any suggestions out there?

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Laura

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

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