Drive Wisconsin - Port???

[the4nitz's]

Anyone out there who has driven from Wisconsin to Port Canaveral. We will be with a DD5 and DD3 for the drive if we decide to do it this coming Jan. We flew for our cruise this past Jan, because we got a great rate, but as of now we can save at least 500.00 by driving unless airline rates come down. Anyone have thoughts on this.

 

[kcashner]

Wow, that's a long drive. Have you thought about booking air on Priceline? You'd have to come down a day early, but that may well be worth the savings. I always come a day ahead anyhow and get a Priceline room for about $35.

I've never done priceline air, but have a friend who got a great deal. check out www.biddingfortravel.com for info.

 

[moinab]

We drove from Minneapolis to Jacksonville with a 1 year old. It took us 2 1/2 days, with a lot of stops. It's a very long drive, obviously, but it's doable if you have the time and patience. I just noticed, though, that you mentioned it will be January, so you could be facing bad road conditions for a significant portion of the trip. Personally, I think it would be worth the extra $500 to fly.

 

[wide awake]

It is a long drive, but could be fun. DH, DS, and I just finished driving to and from Yellowstone...we live in the Sacramento area. Two easy days...we listened to a couple books on CDs, DS listened to his music, and we had a good time. You may want to take a cooler with you...I hate paying for sodas or bottles of water every time we stop. If you're going to save $500 after figuring hotel, food, and gas I would go ahead with the drive.

 

[anlashokna]

I'm doing this at the end of March 2005 for my April Cruise and WDW vacation. I did my last disney trip in November and would have loved to repeat but didn't want to fly again. The puddle jumper to Milwaukee was the worse plane I have ever been on. Was concerned I would have to look for the airsick bag for awhile there (flown since i was a kiddie and never has this happened).

So as you know we're now looking at the other big obstacle....weather is iffy from Nov through Feb/Mar. Hey look at our weather right now!! Hoping this isn't a sign that winters going to be bad Seen to many geese already heading south or lost and confused!

I was originally going to break the drive into two days stopping somewhere in TN (Mufreesburo area or Manchester I think) but I have two tag alongs (older individuals) who are driving their own vehicle and can not handle 750 miles a day.

So it turns out to be about a 2 1/2 day drive. My recommendation depending on where you live...

90/94 to Bloomington
57 to 24 which will take you to paducah KY
24 to Nashville
65 to Montogomery AL
231 to Marianna
10 to Jacksonville
and then down the coast to cocoa beach.


Biggest recommendation is to avoid ATLANTA! You hit it at the wrong time which I have been told is anytime after 1pm and you're in a parking lot . Hence why we're going down through AL. Its a few miles difference in the mileage but looking at it its going to be faster than hitting Atlanta and trying to fight through.

I'll just be glad to have my own little car that I can load and bring Disney home with Too limited on the planes now too.

Hope that helps....With a young child I don't know how well you'll do. I'm still hoping we'll do okay with two vehicles, knowing full well I'll reach the stopping points long before the other two.

Stacey

 

[jennyl772003]

my parents did it last year with 4 adults and a 4 year old along. They always drive, and they had a full size van, which I think would be a plus. I would be concerned on the weather. My parents also left a early a booked a hotel in Coco Beach for a few nights. Going in the winter, that might be a good idea. That way, if you are delayed by weather, you won't miss the ship.

Also, take into account the price of gas and any lodging you would have to do on the way, food, etc and see if that doesn't negate the $500.

Jenny

 

[noahsmom]

I would fly, in fact that's what we just did. Did you try Midwest Airlines? They offer their supersaver rates to Orlando. I think it's just over $200 round trip from Milwaukee. We went in July. We drove to Milwaukee the night before and stayed at a hotel by the airport, most of them offer stay & park rates (you sleep there, leave your car and they shuttle you back and forth to the airport). It worked out great. The early flight gets you to Orlando by 11:00 if I remember correctly.

Kelli

 

[anlashokna]

I'll vouch for the Milwaukee / Orlando portion of the flight. Midwest flies on time I think we got in early both directions. That was first. Rates are great too. And I was fine on that leg of the flight. If I ever did that again I would driver the 4 hours over to Milwaukee and go from there. But then again weather could wreak havoc on flying that time of year too. Great weather in Florida that time of year if you can get there.

Stacey

 

[robertsb19]

We have done both several times.
Last time was Feb. - 03 (2 adults and 2 teens). We had 2 drivers, we leave very early Fiday (4am) and go as far as we can before we stop for the night. Got to the port Sat. around Noon.
I would fly if at all possible.
The drive is very exhausting & stressfull, especially if you have small children.
The worst part is knowing when you get off the ship you have that long drive ahead of you.
You really don't save that much money by driving.
Gas, food, tolls, hotel, & parking.
Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[webray]

Fly midwest express..if you book far enough in advance you get good rates. We love them.

The drive between FL and WI is very long..we have done it many times...and we prefer to fly when we can.

American and Northwest just had great rates..between WI and FL...$123 round trip. Almost convinced myself to book a trip home. The rates were good all the way through December.
Keep watching..there will probably be something for January also.

The other thing is..unpredictable weather that time of year..I would plan on leaving early, just incase.

 

[chasbos]

DH, DD's 10, 8, 6, & 3 and myself drove to Florida the last time we went in January from Ontario, Canada (I think the length of drive is about the same as Wisconsin). We took 2.5 days to get there - stopped in Ohio and Georgia. But coming home we only stopped once in Tennessee. If was a good drive and we are planning on driving again in January for our 4 day Wonder Cruise. We are planning on arriving the Friday before the Sunday departure just in case of traffic and car troubles and we also want to tour the Space Center. I figure we are saving over $1500 by driving but with six of us our flights are almost $2400. That is almost 1/2 of another cruise in savings!

So I guess only you can decide on how well your own children travel but my 4 travel very well with a TV in the van and plenty of books and of course finding a hotel with a pool so they can let loose when you stop for the night!

 

[twhipple]

I would check out the airline from Rockford IL. They offer free parking and it's a direct flight to Florida. It goes to Sanford, which I believe is on the northeast side of Orlando. Also check expedia. They allow you to check other airports with one search. We are actually flying out of Madison (usually do Midwest Express out of Milwaukee), but the price made all the difference. $174 RT with a stop at Midway. Decent times too. I wish though that we would have waited because Rockford came down to about $130 RT direct.

 

[momof3luvs2run]

We are in the Milwaukee area and have booked our flight with Midwest Express -- non stop flight, comfy seating. For us it is worth the extra $ to fly direct and get there in a few hours as opposed to taking vacation time to drive. We don't have those extra days to use for driving. Good luck deciding.

 

[anlashokna]

I'm am with everyone here but ended up driving because one of the two coming along does not fly. Oh well, I like cross country drives. Tend to relax me for the most part

Hope you have a good trip however you go.

 

[Disney4me04]

I am in Milwaukee too.

I have been watching flights for this October. Hoping they are same or better next October.

I have found on Midwest Express 514 (for both of us) or on NWA for 470 for the 2 of us.

Both where non-stop.

I would not drive.