Driving from the Northeast???

[jmminarik]

I would tend to agree with PP and not drive. It's a nuisance, it takes at least a day away from each the beginning and end of your vacation, and there are too many unknowns (traffic, car trouble, horrible area to stop for an overnight).

I could completely disagree. Driving is part of the vacation, it gives us the time to decompress from normal life and gives us plenty of time to just talk, listen to books on iPod, sing old songs really badly, and other than driving around DC, is just pleasant, and when you get there, you have your own comfortable car.

Flying is a nuisance. You stress about getting to the airport, what they may or may not permit today, whether the weather will be good or if you'll sit on the tarmac for 5-6 hours before not taking off, planes breaking, airlines going bankrupt, plane seats designed for short, narrow shouldered people, and when you get there, either paying a month's car payment to rent a car or relying on public transportation to get around (which is just like being at home and not fun) and not having the freedom to get up and go when you want.

It's all a matter of perspective.

-Joe

 

[Flyerfan]

I could completely disagree. Driving is part of the vacation, it gives us the time to decompress from normal life and gives us plenty of time to just talk, listen to books on iPod, sing old songs really badly, and other than driving around DC, is just pleasant, and when you get there, you have your own comfortable car.

Flying is a nuisance. You stress about getting to the airport, what they may or may not permit today, whether the weather will be good or if you'll sit on the tarmac for 5-6 hours before not taking off, planes breaking, airlines going bankrupt, plane seats designed for short, narrow shouldered people, and when you get there, either paying a month's car payment to rent a car or relying on public transportation to get around (which is just like being at home and not fun) and not having the freedom to get up and go when you want.

It's all a matter of perspective.

-Joe

My thoughts exactly.

 

[georgeat]

I am doing the drive starting on the 28th of this month. Start at 6:00 am from Dover, DE and stop at exit 94 in Savanah. We are going with friends. Gives us time to talk about whatever and just have a good time. Stop in Fayetteville NC on the way back. Hate the hassle of Philly or BWI airports, the parking, the packing of stuff we bought for the grand kids. Just hop in the van and wing it. Leaving early on a Saturday gets us around Washington with out to much hassle

 

[mreid1974]

Been reading this thread and basically what it all comes down to is preference.. I like to fly but i also like to drive.. In january we are having guys trip down to the Mouse.. IM the oldest im taking my brother (21) and his two friends both 21.. For a graduation present from college.. I used to do the ride down when i was a kid.. I always found it enjoyable.. now a days there is a lot more to do on the ride down.. Like watch movies, video games and such.. I like seeing the scenary and stuff.. Makes it enjoyable..

Im from Western Mass. So its about 21-23 hours straight thru.. Which is what we will be doing. Only stops will be to switch drivers and gas.. And probably breakfast in florida.. We will be leaving at 2pm or possibly 3pm.. Which makes it so we miss all the big traffic for the most part.. And most of the ride is at night.. We are only gonna drive in 2 to 3 hour increments.. Which isnt much at all.. On the way home though we do plan on staying a night just for the mere fact it sucks going home and everyone is tired..

I hope you choose to drive it is a enjoyable trip even if its only once in a lifetime.

 

[mickeycrazzes]

Hey all,

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip for January (I'm absolutely dying for these rates to come out so I can begin planning more seriously). Unfortunately the both of us are on student budgets and barring a winning powerball ticket, are going to stay that way for awhile. Thought I'd ask all of you, have any of you ever driven down From the Northeast (I'm up in Burlington, VT). Is it more economical to fly or drive (even with gas prices) about how long does it take? Can you do it in one swift motion? Basically all of the usual questions.

Any input is absolutely appreciated.

We drive at least once a year to Disney from Lake George NY and even with our over sized SUV it's a lot cheaper than flying. BUT we go peak because of kids. You should really look into Jet blue from burlington or Southwest even out of albany. January you should be able to get those $99. specials. Keep looking at flights. Its probably cheaper for 2 to fly than drive in Jan. also disney offers a free shuttle from the airport to your resort. You don't need a car once your on disney property. Tell everybody thats what you want for Christmas!

 

[smacky1]

How far is it to drive from Burlington to Manchester NH? If your willing to drive, southwest has great rates if you travel during off peak times, which for Disney, January usually is. If you can download ding you might get lucky with a ding fare as well. We currently booked at $64 each way from Manchester...which was a ding rate, but, the published rate on the website right now is 69....(internet rate). I would definately check it out as that would be much cheaper than driving. Dont forget to add in $8-10 a day to park at the airport.

 

[lillylynnb]

I will not fly so we are taking Amtrak out of Albany with one lay over in NewYork Itwill takeus about 23 hours but it will be worth it. We dont have to drive and will be rested for our frist day at the world, and i think the kids will enjoy it being able to do something they would not normally do. We booked 4 months ago and it only cost us 625.00 round trip for the four of us.

 

[Katmat75]

I need a little help. This is our first time driving. We usually take the auto train or fly but they are both so expensive right now we figured it would be cheaper to drive (On a tight budget this year). There are four of us, myself, DH, DS 15 and DS 17.
Our check in date at WDW is 8/27/07. We are driving coming from South Jersey. We would like to stop for the night and not drive straight through. I would like to be at WDW for check in no later than noon time even by 10:00 AM if possible, even if our room is not ready we can still go to the parks. I'm trying to figure out when and what would be the best time to leave home and when and where to stop.

Can anyone give me any suggestions?

 

[louey]

I need a little help. This is our first time driving. We usually take the auto train or fly but they are both so expensive right now we figured it would be cheaper to drive (On a tight budget this year). There are four of us, myself, DH, DS 15 and DS 17.
Our check in date at WDW is 8/27/07. We are driving coming from South Jersey. We would like to stop for the night and not drive straight through. I would like to be at WDW for check in no later than noon time even by 10:00 AM if possible, even if our room is not ready we can still go to the parks. I'm trying to figure out when and what would be the best time to leave home and when and where to stop.

Can anyone give me any suggestions?

When we went this past Xmas we left around 4:00 a.m. which got us through Washington before the madness so factor that in if you have to. We drove to Brunswick, GA and stayed the night at a Embassy Suites ($150/night). I am sure you can find somewhere just as nice and save a little money. When we got up in the morning we were there in less than (3) hours from Disney. So when we arrived we checked our bags at AK and went to the park. Our room was ready by 2:00. We are driving again in June of "08" and may even try to go a little farther before we stop for the night. We are always so excited and could drive straight through but having that night of rest is definately the way to go. Have fun

 

[Katmat75]

When we went this past Xmas we left around 4:00 a.m. which got us through Washington before the madness so factor that in if you have to. We drove to Brunswick, GA and stayed the night at a Embassy Suites ($150/night). I am sure you can find somewhere just as nice and save a little money. When we got up in the morning we were there in less than (3) hours from Disney. So when we arrived we checked our bags at AK and went to the park. Our room was ready by 2:00. We are driving again in June of "08" and may even try to go a little farther before we stop for the night. We are always so excited and could drive straight through but having that night of rest is definately the way to go. Have fun

Hi Louey.
Thanks for the info. That will help alot. By the way, you left at 4:00 AM what time did that put you in Brunswick, GA? Just trying to decide how long it will take me to reach there.

Thanks again!!

 

[louey]

Hi Louey.
Thanks for the info. That will help alot. By the way, you left at 4:00 AM what time did that put you in Brunswick, GA? Just trying to decide how long it will take me to reach there.

Thanks again!!

No problem, not remembering how many times we stopped, but I know we were there early dinnertime because we checked in to our hotel and went to Applebees for dinner. Just make sure you plan to go through Washington either before or after morning rush hour on your way and on your way home too! Have fun I am counting the days until we return

 

[Hef4545]

We also stay in Brunswick. We have also stayed at the Embassy Suites which is very nice. An older Business Hotel attached to a small mall. They have since built a Holiday Inn and Suites, Country Inn and Suites and a Fairfield Inn at this same exit. We stayed at the Holiday Inn last year, 104.00 for the night and you can cancel up until 6:00pm same day. I can recommend this place as clean and secure. I always reserve a room because the more popular places will be booked as the day wears on. From Long Island, NY our total trip is about 1150 miles, leave around 3:30am - 4:00am and arrive Brunswick around 6:00pm with quick stops. We have hit major traffic at times which can cost you an hour or maybe even two. A real bummer when it happens.

 

[DarthKTrava]

For those who are flying and want to avoid paying to park the car at the airport, get someone (friend, family member who's NOT going, trustworthy neighbor, someone from church, etc.) to drive you to the airport and drop you off.

I was looking into flying but since the trip to Disney's going to be "piggybacked" onto going to Atlanta for a convention, it'd probably be more of a hassle (not to mention the ever-changing rules of what you can and can't take with you... ) to fly rather than drive... as for me, cheaper rates come from going to Charlotte to head out from here... seems all flights to Orlando and probably Atlanta come out of Charlotte....

And I do have a backup driver who can take over driving duties as needed...

 

[vermontgirl]

HI there,

Greetings from White River Jct, VT. Orlando is about 1500 from Vermont. Yes, it can be driven in about 24 hours with a few pee breaks. We are going down in December, at about 210.00 per person on Southwest from Manchester, NH. We drove about 12 years ago, and stayed overnight in North Carolina.....just remember, it's January, so the weather factors in until about Virginia.

Hope you have a magical trip!
Vermontgirl

Hey all,
Thought I'd ask all of you, have any of you ever driven down From the Northeast (I'm up in Burlington, VT). Is it more economical to fly or drive (even with gas prices) about how long does it take? Can you do it in one swift motion? Basically all of the usual questions.

Any input is absolutely appreciated.

 

[iggbees]

check southwest, i believe they fly out of nh and i know they fly out of hartford. download the ding program they have fantastic rates that way. it's so much less stressful to fly down there than to drive down there, unless you like road trips. you just waste so much time on the road.

 

[MissSha]

Hey all,

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip for January (I'm absolutely dying for these rates to come out so I can begin planning more seriously). Unfortunately the both of us are on student budgets and barring a winning powerball ticket, are going to stay that way for awhile. Thought I'd ask all of you, have any of you ever driven down From the Northeast (I'm up in Burlington, VT). Is it more economical to fly or drive (even with gas prices) about how long does it take? Can you do it in one swift motion? Basically all of the usual questions.

Any input is absolutely appreciated.

I'm from Massachusetts, and would never even consider wasting valuable vacation time driving in.

Maybe I'm a travel snob, but part of my vacation includes getting there. Why begin/end it with the exhaustion, stress, and cost - remember overnight hotel costs- of driving there.

If you plan your flights correctly, say mid-week to mid-week, you can save money on your airfare and have a much happier vacation.

Think about it!!!

 

[MissSha]

For those who are flying and want to avoid paying to park the car at the airport, get someone (friend, family member who's NOT going, trustworthy neighbor, someone from church, etc.) to drive you to the airport and drop you off.

I was looking into flying but since the trip to Disney's going to be "piggybacked" onto going to Atlanta for a convention, it'd probably be more of a hassle (not to mention the ever-changing rules of what you can and can't take with you... ) to fly rather than drive... as for me, cheaper rates come from going to Charlotte to head out from here... seems all flights to Orlando and probably Atlanta come out of Charlotte....

And I do have a backup driver who can take over driving duties as needed...

Or, instead of getting a friend to pick up/drop off at the airport, stay overnight at the airport before you leave, and reserve your room through the "park and fly" program.

We plan early morning flights when we go to Disney, stay over the night before, and pay less for the airport hotel with 2 weeks parking than parking for one week at the airport garage.

This way, you don't have to rush in that morning for an early flight, bother anyone to bring you or pick up, and you have plenty of "free", secure parking all for less money than a shuttle or garage parking fee.

 

[Cowboysfan]

Every time i think about driving from connecticut, i don't know why, but i think about National Lampoon's Vacation...

I'd fly.

Also, every person i know that's driven, has come back saying the same thing: "the drive down was great, we were all fun loving and had a great ride, but the ride home was hell." think about driving home from the happiest place on earth, tired and having to look forward to going back to work/school...

Whatever you decide, have a great trip.