Drive from NY to WDW

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi everybody
Next year my DH is 40 & always wanted to go to New York. I was thinking if we are in the USA we could perhaps drive down to WDW to end our vacation.
Can you tell me how long this would take & if there are any places on the drive down that would be interesting (we would be taking our DD age8) and could stop a night or two.
It's still in the thought stage but we would look at flying into NY but going back home from Orlando.
Any comments/tips appreciated.
Also (last question!) how long do you think we would need in New York & would our DD enjoy it?
Thanks

 

[Evil Princess]

New York and Orlando seem like totally separate vacations to me, but I do live here in the states.

How long you need in NYC depends on what you're into. The Museum of Natural History is very cool, I loved it when I was little, and of course you should probably check out a Broadway show.

It's about a 16 hour drive NON STOP from NY to Orlando. Most people do it in two days and stay overnight. The drive down is not interesting at all. We did it in one shot once, stopping for lunch and dinner, and it took us about 18 hours.

I really don't advise it, that one roundtrip was the worst car ride of my life, but I HATE long car rides. I can't imagine being 8 and having to stay in a car for that long! Everyone is different though.

 

[disneymom06]

It is closer to 18 hours from NYC and you may be better looking into a flight from NYC to Orlando. We have driven it many times, it is tough and requires patience. For you I don't think that it would be worth it ,unless you had no time limits and were looking to sight see on the way down the coast.

The flight is only 2 1/2 hours and you really wouldn't want to waste time driving to Orlando. Also, very Expensive if you have to rent a car and return it in Orlando with all of those miles. Your best bet would be to fly down, then fly home from Orlando. Look into fares at the local airports, LGA has some really good deals. I have found JFK to always be more expensive and I have never looked into Newark. We use LaGuardia or White Plains<(Slightly out of the city).

The amount of time that you spend in NY is tough. My children love visiting Manhattan and they never get bored going into the city. There is A LOT to do.

Good Luck!

 

[jonesmatNY]

The Drive from NY to WDW is long and uneventful. However, you do pass through/around Washington DC. A historical place to visit.

As an alternative, you might want to consider flying from JFK to Orlando,(JetBlue) depending upon when you plan on visiting, you might catch some cheap rates for airfare. One way car rentals, NY to FL can be expensive, not to mention gas, tolls, etc. If you fly into MCO, using Magical Express Service to transfer to disney is free as well as the return trip to the airport.

The drive is also all about timing, weather and traffic can turn the drive into a very long ordeal. We have done it many times, sometimes it goes so well we drive straight through, other times, its so bad we give up and hit a hotel way short of our destination.

There is so much to do in NYC, a broadway play is a must do event. Mary Poppins just opened and would be great for your daughter. Museums are numerous, depends upon your interest. Dont forget the circle line tour!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Thanks for all the replies & suggestions - seems like I will look into flight prices to save on car hire etc.
Any suggestions for where to stay - is it best near Central Park. We will probably just be doing touristy things. Anything we must see? A play on broadway is a good idea. Can you go on a helicopter ride at night round statue of liberty? My DH has always fancied this for some reason.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Anybody??

 

[disneymom06]

What you are asking is a HUGE question. Try to put your questions into google.com and see where it takes you. You have more research to do than for Disney. Start with a book like the AAA tour book of new york and begin from there. I am sure that there are some great books, but since I live here, I don't use them. Hotels near Central Park I am sure cost a small fortune. There are so many plays on Broadway, it is a personal choice. The helicopter, I am not sure since 9.11. Good luck, NYC is a great place to visit.

 

[Alexander]

I would try to book a domestic flight from NY to MCO. Most airlines have direct flights, and you can usually get a pretty good deal. Check www.kayak.com and look for JFK to MCO. Jetblue has really good deals sometimes ($49 one way is not impossible to find.)

It's really not a fun drive, we used to to it all of the time from Upstate NY. Unless you take a scenic route, and add about 15-20 additional hours onto your driving, you won't see much other than rest areas and exits of I-95.

 

[SomePixiedust]

I would recommend flying rather than the drive, as others have said it's a rather boring drive and will take a day and a half. You said you were going next year so you have plenty of time to watch for good deals. As far as NYC, it is a fabulous place to visit. So much culture and so much to see. Disney has 4 plays on Broadway right now. Tarzan, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and Beauty & the Beast but Beauty is closing this summer and the Little Mermaid will be opening at the end of the year. Mary Poppins is fairly new and is a hard ticket to get if you don't plan far enough in advance, I'm sure the same will be true for Mermaid when it opens, so keep these in mind if they interest you. If your DD is into dolls, there is an American Girl Doll store that is fabulous to visit. Going to the top of the Empire State Building is fun to do as well. Just be prepared, EVERYTHING in NYC is EXPENSIVE. Sorry I can't help with hotels, but maybe try a travel agent or AAA. Good Luck!

 

[Dana49]

Thanks for all the replies & suggestions - seems like I will look into flight prices to save on car hire etc.
Any suggestions for where to stay - is it best near Central Park. We will probably just be doing touristy things. Anything we must see? A play on broadway is a good idea. Can you go on a helicopter ride at night round statue of liberty? My DH has always fancied this for some reason.

This is our favorite New York City hotel. It's very nice and close to most of the museums, Broadway, etc.
http://www.libraryhotel.com/

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Thankyou everbody for your replies & suggestions