Do you drive from MA?

[allaboutmm]

We have always been a camping family(tent, then 2 pop-ups, and now 27ft camper)we live in N.E. and really only camp around here . we are also a big WDW family.......but have always flown down, and and stayed at one of their resorts. But we have been talking about maybe driving down next summer and staying at Fort Wilderness. The biggest PRO to this would be the cheap cost of the campsite letting us stay much longer(we usually only can afford 5 nights at a WDW resort), the CON's would be the cost of gas and just the driving time with 3 kids, and last the heat(we have gone in Nov, Dec, and Jan and were comfty). We think we are willing to take this leap, let me know if you have done this b/f and how it went. Thanks

 

[jbgard]

Hi,

We just returned (yesterday) from a 16 day trip to FW from RI. We allowed three days travel in each direction and stayed 11 nights at FW. Total trip was 2920 miles, including 200 while at WDW. Fuel cost (Diesel) was just about $800 and tolls were $80 and change. Also paid for two nights each way while traveling for an additional +/- $150.

 

[LegoMom3]

We have only camped at FW once and that was when I had family in NC and we could stop there for a day or two (was also pre-kids...!). We have a pop-up now and I just can't get excited about towing that thing 1400+ miles, even if it is to WDW!! We did drive with the kids a few years ago, just with the car, and stayed at a Value resort. Last year we flew. I hate flying, but I'd fly again in a heartbeat before I made that car trip with our three active boys!! It's really tough.

Now, that being said, that was OUR experience. This board is full of folks who drive from the north all the time and think nothing of it. Also, since you're from New England like us, you may or may not have A/C in your camper (we don't) so if you are thinking of a summer trip, you are in for a FAR different experience than camping there in Nov., Dec. or Jan. I for one couldn't do Disney in the summer without an air conditioned room or camper to come back to after a long day out.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[scotiacat]

We have driven down a number of times as well as having flown and rented a car.

When driving down, we always left immediately after the kids got out of school, meaning a short work day for us. Timing is everything. By doing this, the kids ate supper on the way down while watching movies in the back. While stopping for fuel, we let them change and get comfortable for another movie as they fell asleep. By the time they'd wake up, we'd be in Daytona. We'd then stop and let them change, use a restroom, get breakfast and finish the final 45 minutes (or less depending on traffic) to Orlando/Kissimmee. You don't know how nice it is not hearing "are we there yet?" every few minutes since they are sleeping and waking up already there.

Having said that, we're doing something a bit different this next time. We're having the grandparents along at FW (they're driving down early to visit some family and other friends before getting to FW and meeting me there in time for check-in). I'll be leaving sometime after them towing the trailer down, minus the wife and kids. Instead, they are flying into Orlando and taking the Disney shuttle bus from the airport to WL were we'll meet them at. They get in three hours after we check in and get the site all set up. So we, in-laws and myself, can relax for a litle bit or take in the Fort before meeting them and going out to Bass Pro Shops for some shopping (OK, we ALL are into fishing BIG TIME) and dinner. I'll have everything, so they can just wisk right out the airport and not have to wait for any luggage. They'll drive back home with me.

That should give you someting else to consider as well. It's less than 3 hours flight time and they like flying. I on the other hand, well, I hate flying, so I am all set driving. By the time we leave and head for home we can either stop for a meal to break up the driving and then continue straight through and they can wake up as we pull into the driveway or we can stop somewhere along the way home and spend the night, taking our time coming home.

 

[gillenkl]

We traveled from just outside Philadelphia this past June. We stayed on the road 2 nights each way- traveling about 8-9 hours each day and stayed at the Fort 10 nights. We have a van, popup (with air conditioning) and 2 kids. I give each kid a backpack of car travel fun and we bring videos that they haven't seen before, plus snacks and drinks. So far we haven't had any real issues. The kids love camping and we usually let them use the pools during our overnight stays on the way down and back home. That said, I couldn't do it in July or August - it would be too hot for me - June is bad enough.

 

[allaboutmm]

Thanks everyone! Lots to think about!

 

[Mr T]

Hello Everyone...

I would like to think of myself as a veteran on driving down to Walt Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground..18 trips since our very first one in September of 79...

We have done it alone and with guests,and to make the long trip more enjoyable with guests,we always bring along our 12volt TV with built in VCR and a portable 12volt DVD player to keep the peace...Everyone can pick several of their fav. movies and keeps everyone entertained...Also we have a "Dairy Queen" stop every afternoon..altho I have been know to stop in the morning as well..You can never get enough Dairy Queen ice/cream---LOL

The real problem living in Eastern Mass. is hitting 4 major cities if you take the coastal route--IE--Mass Pike,hop onto I-84 then I-91 in Ct.,then back on I-95 and over the GW Bridge and on and on...You see you are going to hit Hartford Ct.traffic--New York City traffic--Philly traffic--and Washington D/C traffic...Yes there are other ways to travel but I do not like to travel west on the Mass. Pike and go over to NY.cross the Hudson River THEN head south..it adds about 200 miles each way to the trip...YUK

You want to chat further let me know... Mike T

 

[allaboutmm]

Thanks Mr T- I had to chuckle with your love of D.Q., I was a "cone girl" back in high school (20yrs ago). Always makes me happy to hear a little love for the "Q"!!

 

[ghendricks]

we just did it from amarillo texas 1500 miles, the key is keeping the kids happy dvd gameboy ipod and books did most of the trick, we did it in 2 and a half days

 

[marybrat]

We stayed on the road 2 nights each way- traveling about 8-9 hours each day and stayed at the Fort 10 nights. We have a van, popup (with air conditioning) and 2 kids. I give each kid a backpack of car travel fun and we bring videos that they haven't seen before, plus snacks and drinks. So far we haven't had any real issues. The kids love camping and we usually let them use the pools during our overnight stays on the way down and back home.

This is exactly what we're planning to do.

 

[Mr T]

Hello Everyone...

Hit Ol Mikee on the head not once/not twice/but 3 times...

2 weekends ago I needed to meet a friend on the Virginia/North Carolina border as I was purchasing his propane style R/V gen/set..I decided to break all of ol Mikees traveling rules----WRONG-WRONG-WRONG..Heck I say to Myself
I'll leave Eastern Ma. at 10.30 am on a Thursday, hit Hartford Ct.at lunch time,blow by N.Y City via G.W Bridge mid afternoon with a little bit of luck miss most of Baltimore Traffic and deal with D/C traffic as it come ...Ok Ok Ok--Hit Ol Mikee again 3 times on the head...Heck Mikee says to himself,with all this new road construction it cannot be THAT BAD----WRONG-WRONG-WRONG

I am absolutely convince that anyone who lives north of Ct.and need to drive south on I-95 during the day should have their Head examined...I'm not even sure doing the Tapenzy Bridge in NY. would help!!!

As your great great Grandparents would have said---GO west young Man,Go West...

Head out the Mass.Pike-get into NY. get over the Hudson,then head south and plan your route to get back onto I-95 as best you can!!!

I have this target point of leaving my House at 6:30PM and stopping at the Edison Reststop on the New Jersey T/P. by no later than 11:00Pm.I have done it as quick as 4 hours and no longer that 4 1/2 Hours doing 63 MPH..(That is my best fuel economy with my 7.3 Ford Diesel and Lance Slide/in truck camper-13 MPG )Sleep there over night and as long as you are on the road by 8:00AM the next day you are golden..

Any one want to guess how long it took to get to that Edison plaza??? I'll post at the end of this letter...Needless to say from Hartford Ct. to Washington DC. It was bumper to bumper at all times and throw in 3 vehicle accidents and you SIT & SIT & SIT & SIT....Oh did I mention that My Trucks A/C system crapped out on the G/W bridge heading down to VA. and it was a cool 95 degrees...I could not take the heat anymore so WHEN I finally got the the Edison Plaza,I shut it down fired up the Kipor 3000 watt Gen/set and cooled my R/V down and went to sleep..I was going to do the rest of my traveling at night...

I finally met up with my friend(Friday 5:00PM),bought his Gen/Set-He left,I sleep in the cool R/V till 8P/M and drove non/stop back to my house in 13 hours...Talk about marathon driving--did not want to look at a steering wheel for a couple of days-----LOL

For you newbies who are just getting into the R/V thing---Don't forget you need to take the By/pass roads around Baltimore and Washington D/C..Propane is NOT allowed in the tunnels....

Mike T.

P/S--I pulled into the Edison Plaza on the N/J Tp. 8&1/2 hours later!!!!!

 

[mobrien207]

I've been in NJ for 15 years but spent my life in MA all before that. Many years driving from Central MA to Daytona Beach.

Anyway, this route can save you 45min to an hour depending. Basically get yourself over the Tappanzee Bridge and onto RT287 the NY State thruway. Stay on that about 12 miles. Then get onto NJ Rt. 287 South for about 45 minutes or so. Take Exit 17, Route 202/206 South. Stay in the left lane and stay on Route 202 South towards Flemington NJ. Continue on 206S through Flemington, then pick up Rt. 31 South until you get to Rt. 95 South just north of Philadelphia. You will pass through some dense areas with traffic lights on Route 202, but it's also refreshing to get off the highway for a bit. It also offers lots of places to make a stop to eat or pick something up if you need to. If you aren't in a hurry, Flemington is outlet shopping town. Once you're on Rt. 31 is much more rural.

I've sent lots of people this way and they've all loved it. Take a look on a map and you may see it's even more direct, even if it's only a two lane highway.

Happy trails,
mob