Does anyone drive to Disney in the winter months?

[Surfinpiratee]

Are you ever worried about snow storms?? What's your plan if there ends up being one on your travel dates? Does anyone have any experience with this? (We drive from Illinois)

We went last January and we didn't encounter any, but it was still something we thought about. We might be going again this December, so once again, I'm thinking about it!

 

[sharadoc]

Are you ever worried about snow storms?? What's your plan if there ends up being one on your travel dates? Does anyone have any experience with this? (We drive from Illinois)

We went last January and we didn't encounter any, but it was still something we thought about. We might be going again this December, so once again, I'm thinking about it!

Oh yes!!

We were always January/February people, we loved the weather and crowd levels.

Our first problem was February 2010. That was the year of the blizzard that went all the way into the Carolinas. We had to book an extra day at WDW (boo hoo) in the hope that the roads would be good. What a mistake. The southern states had no idea how to plow a foot of snow. They were using bobcats and construction equipment, going sideways across the highway, and doing lanes and just stopping with no warning. They didn't plow out any of the rest areas, so god forbid if you had to go to the rest room! It was horrible.

Then in January 2012, we had a snowstorm here in PA that started around 4 am. We got on the road by 5 in the hope that we would beat it. Unfortunately, the roads were not plowed or salted yet so we ended up losing control and spinning out on the highway, and were stopped from rolling down a hill by a roadside sign. Smashed the side of passenger door, but van still drivable. Had to be towed up the hill, got back on the road around 6:30 am, and had to drive around 25-30 mph until we hit southern Delaware

So, that was it. We decided no more January or February trips again. We did December 2013 and it was great and we plan to do November 2014. Much less chance of snow in those months, but of course, it does happen.

 

[grimley1968]

If you're driving from Illinois, I'd say the biggest threat will be locally for you. This past winter around my neck of the woods (southern Kentucky) was quite a bit snowier in December than we usually get (a once-in-15-years kind of winter for us), but one could still have easily made it through on I-75 (or I-65 if you prefer), if you're more used to the ice and snow further north. We normally get our heavy snows (if they happen at all) in late winter, when Gulf moisture starts to return to the area but cold air is still present. The moisture in northern state snowstorms usually is gone by the time the cold fronts reach the upper south. That seems to be the case from about where I live and throughout the upper south. We get the cold air, but it's normally accompanied by blue skies.

To avoid the biggest chance of heavy snow, I'd just make sure I'm not getting on any roads east of I-75 until you get at least down into Georgia. That'll keep you west of the Smokies, which can sometimes get big snows while surrounding areas get rain.

 

[amcnj]

I guess the best advice is to pay attention to the weather and be flexible. One winter drive had absolutely no weather problems, while another I left with snow already on the ground and it still coming down at a good rate. Fortunately it was only raining further south so the snow was only the first few hours of the drive.

I guess my decision on altering plans would depend on the timing of the storm and how bad it was expected to be. Like if it was going to affect the drive down and be really bad, if possible I would leave earlier to be ahead of it altogether.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We don't go in the winter months because of this. The WV Turnpike isn't great on nice, sunny day; there is no way I'm going across it in bad weather! The one time we did go in February for our anniversary, we flew. Three hour drive to the airport was ok, but when we landed on the trip home, there was 8 inches of snow on the ground and roads were awful for the first half of the drive back home.

 

[droycro]

Too funny! I was just going to post this exact same question. We also live in the Chicago suburbs and are considering driving down in December. Great to read other's experiences with this drive.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

If you're driving from Illinois, I'd say the biggest threat will be locally for you. This past winter around my neck of the woods (southern Kentucky) was quite a bit snowier in December than we usually get (a once-in-15-years kind of winter for us), but one could still have easily made it through on I-75 (or I-65 if you prefer), if you're more used to the ice and snow further north. We normally get our heavy snows (if they happen at all) in late winter, when Gulf moisture starts to return to the area but cold air is still present. The moisture in northern state snowstorms usually is gone by the time the cold fronts reach the upper south. That seems to be the case from about where I live and throughout the upper south. We get the cold air, but it's normally accompanied by blue skies.

To avoid the biggest chance of heavy snow, I'd just make sure I'm not getting on any roads east of I-75 until you get at least down into Georgia. That'll keep you west of the Smokies, which can sometimes get big snows while surrounding areas get rain.

Yeah we take 75-65, no problems last year!!! And we should be pretty flexible. The plan would be to leave the early morning, however if we need to leave the evening before, we should be able to do that!

Too funny! I was just going to post this exact same question. We also live in the Chicago suburbs and are considering driving down in December. Great to read other's experiences with this drive.

We drove down January 2nd this past year. No problems! We left about 8:30pm. In Indiana we hit a not even measurable amount of snow on the ground, that lasted for maybe 30-45 mins. I was only going like, 40mph at the fastest because I'm a cautious driver. Haha

I really wouldn't worry. Like the PP said, just be flexible and watch the weather. Leave early if possible. Like another PP said, IF you hit any weather, it will be in Illinois or Indiana. Once we hit Kentucky/TN/and of course Georgia, it got significantly warmer (compared to our 0 degree temps haha)

 

[stasijane]

I drive down several times a year and have made the trip in about every month. Normally I don't have an issue I just pay attention to the weather. 2 years ago we had a snow storm come in so we had to leave a day early to drive down to Florida from Missouri, cant say I was upset by that By time we came home it was all melted

 

[LadyBeBop]

Chances of bad weather hitting you on your travel day aren't very good. Just be flexible and be ready to leave a day earlier or later if necessary.

Our experience. Late January 2010. Our original plans was to drive out of Cincinnati late Friday afternoon, stay at my in-laws just outside of Knoxville, the in-laws and us drive down to southern GA on Saturday (taking two cars) and on to Orlando on Sunday.

A forecasted snowstorm in Tennessee for Friday night altered our plans.

Instead, we were fortunate to be able to take off work that Friday. We left the Cincinnati area about 7 AM that morning, and met up with my in-laws at a rest area just south of Knoxville about noon. We stopped for lunch about 1:30 in Chattanooga.

When the snow began.

It wasn't too bad. DH drove our car (DMIL drove the other car). We averaged about 30 MPH for about an hour into Georgia, when the snow turned into rain. Then we travelled the speed limit, or close to it. We got through Atlanta just before rush hour, and stopped just south of Atlanta for the night about 5.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the northern Atlanta suburbs that night. We were safe, in the southern Atlanta suburbs.

With our reservations not until Sunday, we headed for the Tarpon Springs/Gulf Coast on Saturday to spend the night. Then Orlando on Sunday.

We were lucky the following weekend. The blizzard that Shardoc alluded to did not go beyond the Carolina Smokies. It was smooth sailing home, even though my in-laws live close to the western slopes of the Smokies.

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

I think you take your chances either way. A big storm is going to affect air travel too.

I got stuck January 2000 in ATL when the whole city froze over. We got lucky and the airline put us in a Westin. People next to us in line were getting some small, cheap hotel. And shortly after that, no one got a room.

December 2009, we flew from Ohio. My sister drove from DC. They left a day earlier than planned to beat the storm and didn't get out early enough, although one would have thought their timing was OK. They ended up backwards in a ditch, paid a tow truck driver CA$H to get them out, and found a room along the road that was not the best. Meanwhile, we were finishing our vacay in sunny, albeit cold, Florida (had originally planned a longer stay anyway. The rest of the eastern US was waist deep in snow and it affected our flights out as the airlines were playing catchup with stranded travelers for 2 days.

I would just have Plan B if the weather starts to look questionable. YOu can book rooms along the way, then cancel within the 24 hour window if weather isn't a problem. You can also alter your travel dates on the fly if you drive.

For me, I would just make my fly/drive decision based on cost and time available. I don't know the lesser of 2 evils is: being stuck on an airport floor overnight with 5 kids, or stuck in a crappy motel or at a truck stop with them. Neither is pleasant, but then we had issues with the 8 minute drive to VBS this AM.