does day of departure have to b a waste?

[kimber23ks]

so we r coming to FW for the first time next fall, leaving southern NJ on 10/27 late afternoon, DH has high hopes to arrive sometime that Friday afternoon 10/29. So will b there til next Fri 11/5. Keeping the 11 a.m. checkout in mind and knowing we have to be back sometime Sunday...wondering if we should start for home right aftr checking out or hang around for the day? DH also mentioned maybe driving til Myrtle beach to stay overnitr there before moving on. Just dont think well have enough time to do much either wayso why bother? but hate to lose the entire day YKWIM?

Just wanted to hear how others plan their travelling with their RV. This is our first season with our TT so learning!

 

[owensmama2007]

We're from Ohio and it's about a 16 hour trip. We try to break it up (both coming and going to The Fort) into 2 days so we're not so exhausted from traveling.

This year, however, we're traveling 12 hours the first day and stopping at the last CG in Georgia so we only have about 4 hours to travel the second and we can spend most of it at one of the parks without wasting a day.

 

[Flametamr]

That depends on how far you travel and how many drivers you have. We used to eat at Ohanas around 10 and head home. The last trip we went to the MK for half a day and did a few favorites. This year will probably be different since I will be pulling a camper. its gonna be a longer more stressfull trip and I will be the only one able to drive.

 

[Tigger1966]

We're from Ohio and it's about a 16 hour trip. We try to break it up (both coming and going to The Fort) into 2 days so we're not so exhausted from traveling.

This year, however, we're traveling 12 hours the first day and stopping at the last CG in Georgia so we only have about 4 hours to travel the second and we can spend most of it at one of the parks without wasting a day.

Not sure what route you are taking but the Eagles Roost is only 4 miles from the state line on I 75

 

[mnsprk]

You could leave WDW around 7-7:30 and stop in Jacksonville (Flamingo Lake) just West of 95 on 295, about 180 miles (you should be there by 11:00 pm). That would give you about 900 miles for Sat and Sun. You would need a ressie because of the late arrival..

 

[arielmomma]

We drive to MI (about 20 hours). When we were there in February, we checked out of the POP at 9am and spent several hours at the AK. We left around 3pm and drove straight home through the night. We were tired, but the trip home went well. We will be doing this again in July.

I know that kind of gun-ho driving isn't for everyone, but even with that drive we were able to have a nice day checking out the animals at the AK. Definitely not a waste!

 

[medic9016]

It is roughly 550 mile from the Fort to Myrtle beach.

 

[Disney Bunny]

It is roughly 550 mile from the Fort to Myrtle beach.

We come from Virginia Beach. It took us roughly 14 hours each way on our trip to the Fort. About 8 hours from the Fort to the KOA in Florence, SC which is only about 90 minutes from Myrtle Beach.

 

[amylevan]

We went during Jersey week 2 novembers ago...left north jersey after school on friday, and drove to virginia. Drove to georgia on saturday, and finished the drive to orlando on sunday. Then we stayed until Saturday - left really early (pulled out of FW around 7) and drove to Virginia. Finished the drive on Sunday. Completely exhausting, but back to school on Monday.

All of that to say, you could hang around on Friday and do a park and still make it back to jersey on sunday.

 

[ataylorrdh]

That depends on how far you travel and how many drivers you have. We used to eat at Ohanas around 10 and head home. The last trip we went to the MK for half a day and did a few favorites. This year will probably be different since I will be pulling a camper. its gonna be a longer more stressfull trip and I will be the only one able to drive.

Now see that sounds like my DH. It's making me second guess the whole camping ideal. Got a pin number yesterday for 20/30/40 (and yes I obsessed and finally got one) but just can't give up FW ressies.

 

[clkelley]

I do one of two things. When I leave, I completely break down the night before and hitch up, so all I have to do the next day is unplug the electric and head out.

I only have a 13 hour drive, so I have options. I have stayed the last night and left all the driving to one day. So in that case, I pull out by 7:30 am, drive to the Studios, have breakfast at H&V, then ride Toy Story Mania, then I'm out of the park and on the road by 9:30 am.

Another thing I've done is give myself an extra driving day. I pack up the night before and still get out the door early, but spend all day in the parks, then drive a couple of hours North that night, stop at Eagles Roost at the Georgia line, then continue on the next morning. I know I'll be doing this for my December trip cause my last weekend actually bumps into Holiday season, so I'll be checking out Friday morning all packed up and spend the day in the parks. I'll probably spend Friday night at a hotel on 192, then spend all day in the parks on Saturday too, then drive North on Saturday night, then finish the drive home Sunday.

 

[CSHaydt]

We are heading down in Sept. - We live in PA and i'm estimating 18 hours of driving - We are leaving at like 4 am on Friday - driving as far as we can taking short breaks for lunch and dinner. Hopefully driving 14 hours. Then spending the night somewhere i'm thinking on the lower side of GA/top of FL - then driving the last 4 hours before stopping at a grocery store, having lunch and checking in to FW - i can't wait... Sept. is too long away!!!!

 

[TOGA]

We're from Ohio and it's about a 16 hour trip. We try to break it up (both coming and going to The Fort) into 2 days so we're not so exhausted from traveling.

This year, however, we're traveling 12 hours the first day and stopping at the last CG in Georgia so we only have about 4 hours to travel the second and we can spend most of it at one of the parks without wasting a day.

That's exactly what we do coming from Dayton. We stop at the last KOA in Georgia in Cordele. The shorter hop to the Fort on the second day really makes doing other things more feasible. Same on the way home.

 

[byejou]

We also live in South Jersey and are going to 10/30 til 11/6. What loop did u request? We are hoping for 300. Maybe we'll run into to each other.

We PLAN, and I say that lightly, to leave around 7am on Friday driving 12 hours to Georgia. Not sure if we are camping or staying at hotel. Then all we will have is 4-5 hours left on Saturday.

Kids will be 9 & 6 and take 7 hour trips to VA well, so I am hoping with breaks they can make it 12 hours. All I can say is DVD and PSP. They are life savers.