drive from Ontario?

[CdnMom2]

Sorry, all if I get this wrong, but I've never posted to anything before.
We are just starting to plan a trip to Disney for Dec '02 or Jan '03 for 2 adults, 4 kids. Budget is very limited. Thank you for all your info. I have been addictively "lurking" for a week now.

My question is: how come some people from Toronto are driving via I-75? I also got the book on I-75 out before I realized that my Trip Planners & my own looking at the maps make the trip shorter and straighter crossing at Niagara Falls and eventually getting onto I-95.

We are also looking into Auto Train at least 1 way to save poor sole driver, DH, some aggravation. Expensive with 6 & van, but... he's worth it. Kids should get a hoot out of train too. Any info on the drive down (all the way or to Lorton) would be appreciated.

Also what about good family fun cheap hotels/motels on way down? Any cool pools for the kids. Indoors, I guess once still in upper half of U.S. What about must-see tourist stops? Perhaps we'll make the drive a little more leisurely for DH with 1 decent stop.

Thank you from a real newbie -- to Disney & posting on forums

 

[eleanor]

When we drive we always pick up coupon books at the state rest centres. They have coupons for motels etc. Always found a good inexpensive place. Take lunches for at least 2 days in the cooler . All the rest stops have picnic facilities.Some motels give breakfast or take food with you for breakfast. One year we even took the toaster. Have fun.

 

[Canadave]

Welcome to the DIS, CdnMom2.
We are driving next January from the Toronto area. We have never driven to WDW before, but I'll give you the advice that we have received so far. I see that you are going in the winter, too. The I-95 is more mountainous and one horror story I've heard... a family were stuck for 3 days due to bad weather. The I-75 is the better winter drive of the two. I assume you have Dave Hunter's 'Along I-75'. It is the bible for travelling to Florida (we have a lot of snowbirds in my town that travel to Florida every winter and they love this book) It has great info on every exit and some interesting history and info on sights to see in the areas you travel through.. as well as some goods tips to help you on your way. We hope to use it a lot to help the kids pass the time on the long drive. If you're a CAA member, they can give you books on the states that are on the way...with info on hotels, sights, etc.
Canadave

 

[grover]

CdnMom2,
Sorry I can't answer any of your questions but I just wanted to give a big DIS welcome!!

Grover in Winnipeg

 

[CindyAnn]

Hi CdnMom2 and welcome to the DIS! I hope we can eventually help you with all of your questions. I remember looking at the autotrain last year and being surprised at the cost . It was actually cheaper for the 4 of us to fly from Toronto, if I'm not mistaken, assuming that we would have berths on the train. I know it's somewhat cheaper if you're willing to travel coach, however. When we added the cost of airfare + car rental and balanced it against hotel rooms, gas, additional meals, and (in your case) the train, there was less of an advantage to driving than I had thought

Have you looked into airfares out of Buffalo here on the Southwest Air website? Sometimes you can get great deals and taxes are much, much cheaper than flying from Canada.

Just in case you haven't found it yet, I also wanted to let you know that there is a Budget forum here on this site that might be of help - more for when you're there in Orlando, rather than on the way.

We're glad you decided to stop lurking and join us!!

 

[PoohBWV]

A big DIS welcome CndMom2. I live in southwestern Ontario and have driven via I-75 in the past. I have not driven I-95, but I would definitely be monitoring the weather for both routes prior to leaving. I-75 does have a reputation of being a less "wintery" drive, but if there are no weather problems, I would go ahead and use I-95 if it would save you substantial time. We usually drive straight through, with my DH doing the majority of the driving - he won't relax if I'm driving anyway. I would definitely recommend stopping at the Welcome Centres as you enter the state where you plan on stopping. There are usually coupon books with good deals on lodging if you are not sure where you want to stay, although I would personally try to book something ahead of time. Visit CAA and they will be able to give you guide books for each state and provide you with a trip-tik. If you are not members, it is probably worth becoming a member before going, both for the info and discounts, but also for the peace of mind.

 

[CdnMom2]

Wow! Thank you for your speedy replies. These boards are great! I really appreciate the Canadian one with the Cdn $ and travel issues we have in common! Now on to more reading...

 

[kristas mom]

CdnMom2 I have never heard of the Auto Train. Can you do this from Toronto area to Orlando. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[CdnMom2]

Believe me, I don't know much about Auto Train or travelling to Disney yet and there are many others on this site who do, but...

Auto Train is run by Amtrak and departs daily from Lorton, Virginia around 4pm to Sanford, Florida around 8:30am (1/2 hour from Orlando, I believe). Tix for each person are required (reduced fare for kids) and another charge for your vehicle which travels with you. Minivans are more expensive. You get dinner, breakfast, movie, small pillows. Can book (for many more $, naturally) sleeper cars, but many have reported that coach is comfortable. It is not cheap, but everyone needs to put their own price on convenience, speed, wear & tear on driver/car. I'm still working that one out myself!

Check out Amtrak (not sure.. I assume is amtrak.com?) or a search on this site with those words.

 

[Nagle]

Krista's Mom, I am not absolutely sure, but I think the AutoTrain runs from just south of Washington D.C.( Fredericksberg?) to Florida. Not sure of the exact cost, but when I was looking into it, I remember that it was quite pricey.

Nagle

Looks like I was a minute slow. Cheers CdnMom2

 

[kristas mom]

Thanks very much, I was able to get an idea of the fares from their website, it does seem very pricey. Thanks for the information!

 

[Quasiboato]

I've driven TO to Orlando 3 different ways. The most recent being through Niagara, then Erie Pa and down I-79 through W. Virginia and Virginia. Avoid this route in the winter, the mountains will be treacherous and slow.

Going from NF and "eventually to 95". "Eventually" is the key word. There's no easy direct route to I-95. It is very time consuming. Also you will have to contend with the mountains in NY and PA, and Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC traffic.

The problem with the Autotrain is that you have to get to Lorton - see above.

Taking I-75 is a better winter drive. Count on 22-24 hours driving time.

I disagree with CindyAnn about flying, with 6 people at a minimum of $200 US round trip, you're looking at around $2,000 CDN just for the flights, then you'll need a rental van in FL. You'll be able to drive for much less.

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

<Font color=navy face="comic sans ms">Just wanted to say, "Welcome to the DIS, CdnMom2!" </font>

 

[CindyAnn]

Quasiboato - There certainly are lots of things to consider when you weigh out the pros and cons of driving vs. flying. I agree with you that generally driving will be cheaper, though you also have to factor in stress, tiredness, extra vacation days off work, and how many times you can listen to your children say "Are we there yet?". On one hand you have the expense of a flight, car rental, and transportation to the airport (at home) vs. the costs of hotels, additional meals, gas, wear and tear on your car, and additional mileage on a leased car, if that's applicable.

I guess I'm really trying to make the point about the autotrain, and the fact that it more or less blows the numbers out of the water. We were very surprised at how expensive it was last year, and when I look at it this year it doesn't look any better. When I use travel dates of December 3 - 10th, for a family with two adults and two children, using the cheapest accommodation on the train I can't beat a price of $916 USD return, and that's using a special 30% discount (I think for this figure I considered our mini-van to be an oversized vehicle, but I'm not sure if that's really the case). Now, that's taking the train both ways, but in addition to that I would have a very solid day of driving to get to Lorton and then another long day back to Toronto on the return trip. That's only the train cost, and doesn't begin to address the other costs of car travel.

If I try to find airfare for my family on the same dates, I can get a total round trip non-stop price of $486 USD for 4 people through Southwest out of Buffalo, which is only slightly more than the one way cost of the autotrain ($458 USD) alone. Given those options, I'd be choosing the one that only needed about three "Are we there yets" - easier and cheaper.

 

[disneyvacationmom]

When we drive we always take 75. It just seems like an easier drive to us-a nice straight road. We stop in East Ridge Tennessee and then get into Disney the next day around 4pm. We have also checked into the Autotrain but found we could fly cheaper. It costs us about $1100. Canadian to fly from Buffalo.(4 people) Hope you have a great trip.

 

[hockey mom]

Welcome CdnMom2, we have driven from Peterborough for the last 6 years, and we have tried both routes. Now I know that it shows I-95 being a quicker route and if weather conditions are perfect it will shave about 2 hours off your drive, but we have found the best route is to cross the border in Fort Erie and work your way over to I -75. You mentioned that your husband will be doing all the driving so the last thing you need is a route that requires alot of turns, and I-75 is very straight forward. My sister way stuck in fog for 6 hours along I-95 and my sister in-law was delayed overnight due to a severe thunderstorm. Also because I-75 is the major truck route there are more very clean and well lit gas stations than I-95 offers.(We feel safer). We drive straight through, 24 hrs door to door, so I cannot offer any lodging opinions. Gas in total for the whole trip runs us about $250 Cdn. Now we splurged in April and flew out of Buffalo, and for the 5 of us to fly it was $1200 Cdn. Whatever way you decide I hope you have an awesome trip.

 

[minnie56]

We do the drive at least once a year, in all seasons.I-95 is a bit more pleasant visually and if you keep an eye on the weather forecast, it is usually fine.Two years ago we drove home from Orlando in early January via I-75, and the drive was treacherous!For all of the second half we were in snow-storms and our usual 21-23 hr drive, took us 29 hours! Either way at that time of year can be dicey, just plan your departures going and coming according to weather predictions!Hope you are a bit flexible!