Driving, arriving in the middle of the night!!!!!

[MemoryMakers2669]

We are planning to drive down in June, leaving home at 12:30pm...when dd gets off the school bus. The only other time we drove, it took us 14 hours each way. This was with a few stops each way, taking our time/relaxing. The kids were very little then though. Now they are older and the DVD is our best friend. It is my sister and I and we have traveled long distance by car many many times in our lives and are both awesome travelers, we don't waste time!

SO, I think we can make it there a little faster...13 hours I am planning!
Either way, we would arrive 1:30-2:30 AM!

Has anyone done this, arrived really really late? Did you book a Disney room? I don't want to just in case we get caught up in traffic somewhere or something, or we are just too tired to keep driving to get all the way there....kwim?

Can we just play it by ear and hope we make it there and HOPE there is room for us at one of the values? Do they just let you show up in the middle of the night like that....like you can a Holiday Inn? Or should we plan to just hit a Holiday Inn or other offsite place that night? We will do our second night at All Star Music and will have that booked already. Then we move over to OKW for the rest of the trip. I would rather just go to ASMu, that night, so we don't have to move twice.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Bumping this up!

Anyone ever arrive super late???

 

[drgnfly30]

When we've driven, like you are, we've always planned the trip to arrive near check in time... it takes us around 16 hours so we leave around 10-11pm, kids & I sleep, then I take over driving in the morning & DH sleeps. Then we have a relaxing evening (usually at DTD) & rest up for the parks the next day.

On our last trip we flew & arrived around 11pm, I booked a nearby Holiday Inn Express using my reward points & then checked into CR the next morning. Thank goodness it was a free stay, we got lost & didn't checkin until around 2:30am!

 

[Jen D]

i would think it would be risky to show up and assume there will be rooms, although it is big resort and there is usually something. I would probably stay someplace offsite and go in the morning, but I understand you don't want to move twice.

I wonder if you can reserve a room directly with the desk, with your cell phone, while on the road? At about 11pm or so, when you've decided if you're stopping or plunging on-- maybe you could call All Star Music directly and check on availability?

 

[kydisneyfans]

I would pack a 1 night duffle bag and find a $50.00 hotel somewhere close with a free breakfast. Why pay 100 plus for a half night's sleep, when you have to pack and move to another resort anyway.

We arrived 1 time at 5 AM and were able to check in 11 hours early to AS Movies though as our room was ready. You may check for that option.

 

[manning]

Pull into the welcome center rest area and pick up the discount motel booklet. You can get some good rates and the majors are in it.

 

[Pluto's Honey]

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WATING A FEW HRS TO GET THERE IN THE MORN ?

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WATING A FEW HRS TO GET THERE IN THE MORN ?

No, hadn't thought of that, but how would we do that? I can't stay awake that whole time. Is there a place we could stop and sleep in the car until 7am (isn't that the earliest you can check in at Disney for that day?)

 

[siouxi31]

I have flown in with my flight arriving at 1AM. I used priceline to get a room near the airport. The room was about 45.00 so it was much better than paying an extra night at the BC. It was also nice to arrive at WDW refreshed after a night's sleep.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Here's a thought--if you arrive after midnight, you're really arriving ON your scheduled arrival day...just 14 hours before your room is supposed to be ready. Isn't it POSSIBLE that they will let you check in "early," assuming a room is ready.

 

[Jen D]

Here's a thought--if you arrive after midnight, you're really arriving ON your scheduled arrival day...just 14 hours before your room is supposed to be ready. Isn't it POSSIBLE that they will let you check in "early," assuming a room is ready.

I think the "day" starts at 5am.

And of course they don't have to get you a room until 3pm... so not a good option for the sleep deprived!

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Once when we had continuing reservations at POP they told us that we could re-check in anytime after midnight--that's why I thought it was 12 a.m.

I think a lot depends on when in June their trip is. Beginning of June will probably not be sold out. Mid- to end of June will be a lot tougher to add a day.

Packing a one-night bag and calling from the road are great ideas.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

We will arrive June 17th!!! So, bad day really. I think I will just have a list of places to call, Disney first, then go from there. I do hate to have to pay for a room for that night though, but the other option is arriving midday Saturday, which ruins our day really. I just want to be there!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

No, hadn't thought of that, but how would we do that? I can't stay awake that whole time. Is there a place we could stop and sleep in the car until 7am (isn't that the earliest you can check in at Disney for that day?)

I think what Pluto's Honey was saying is why not leave you home later instead of when the school bus lets out.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I think what Pluto's Honey was saying is why not leave you home later instead of when the school bus lets out.

I understood that actually and I can't drive through the night! Too exhausting. If I had the chance to sleep in that morning, then it might work out OK to do it that way.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I think that's your best bet, too. And definately call Disney first. I wouldn't rule out the option of checking in real "early" for your already booked room. Maybe it will work....

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I'd plan on staying at a place 1-2 hours away. Try to get a good rate and a free b'fast. No sense arriving exhausted--you'll need that energy later.

 

[Pluto's Honey]

Just me here trying to say sorry. Somtimes beacuae I am a slow typer I just post to short of a message and it may not sound right after others read it. I saw a couple quotes from my other post and wanted to say. Just thought if you left later at night than leaving from school you wouldn't have to owrry about an extra night. But now i see that you prob not able to drive thru the night. If you think that it is probably safer to call a chamber of commerce for the area you will be in to find out of places to stay and book it. It never is pleasant trying to rest in a car. That isn't really caled rest.
Anywho, hope wahtever you do your trip is magical.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Ahh, don't worry Pluto's Honey, nothing was taken in a bad light. It was a great suggestion actually. That day will be crazy, having my dd to get to school and such. I can't sleep in a moving car either, so driving through the night won't work for us. Driving into it and stopping does though. I just want to get there!! I hate the thought of waking up on Saturday morning and still having a few hours to go...that will make the trip seem SOooooo long!

 

[Swimnoid]

We have arrived as late as 3 am but planned to. There was no trouble checking in...actually it was quite nice as we were the only ones there and the cast members were very nice.

We have also driven and stopped about 4 hours away.

I like driving and arriving late best. We stay at FW Cabins so we can drive up to the door, empty the car quickly and fall into bed, sleep for a few hours and HIT IT!