Driving time from the keys... have dinner ADR

[Gena001]

Hello all!

We are spending a few days in the keys before driving our rental car to WDW. We have a dinner ADR at O'hana the evening we drive up. Google maps places the trip about 6 hours. I'm wondering how realistic this is... have you done it before? Course, we'll need to stop for gas & food... (hope there isn't any accidents on US1).

Thankfully I have two ADRs this evening...5:25 PM & 8 PM. Of course, I'll need to cancel one (which I'll post on the Cancelled ADR thread ). And, I'm ordering a cake to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary (suprise to the whole family) so I need to peg this drive. 8 PM just seems so late, but it also affords us more time to be leisurely on the trip up & get to WDW ASAP & poke around the resort.

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[andyman8]

I live roughly halfway (maybe a little less) in between the Keys and Disney, and I've done the drives to both many time. 6 hours is optimistic, though entirely possible if everything goes right and you don't stop. Because you can't guarantee that and want to probably stop for gas and lunch, you'll want to leave more time for the drive than just six hours. This also depends on where you're coming from in the Keys (it takes roughly two hours to get from Key West to Key Largo alone) Also, an accident on US-1 in the Keys or on the Turnpike between Fort Pierce and Disney is not uncommon, and because of the lack of alternate routes can eat up A LOT of time. Assuming you're leaving from about halfway down the Keys, I'd recommend moving your ADR to 8pm and leaving no later than 11am, leaving you time for a lunch stop and a gas stop. That way, you might arrive early and have time to check in and explore your resort or you might get there just in the knick of time if you hit an accident or two.

 

[Gena001]

Thanks andyman8. That is exactly the info I'm looking to learn. I figure we'll be on the road by 8:30 AM at the latest... What were we thinking...going to the keys first? Why didn't we pick Ft. Myers or somewhere in that neighborhood???? Ugh! I think about how far we can drive from our home in 6 hours and I'm thinking we'd be better off flying! Or changing to Ft. Myers area. Except everything is paid for and I'd be penalized now if we changed. Oh well. Live and learn. Hope our DDs enjoy the islands. Guess I'll cancel the 5:25 & keep the 8 PM just to be sure.

Thank you!!!!

 

[CAS239]

I'm from the Fort Myers area and you're not missing much over here lol

 

[andyman8]

Thanks andyman8. That is exactly the info I'm looking to learn. I figure we'll be on the road by 8:30 AM at the latest... What were we thinking...going to the keys first? Why didn't we pick Ft. Myers or somewhere in that neighborhood???? Ugh! I think about how far we can drive from our home in 6 hours and I'm thinking we'd be better off flying! Or changing to Ft. Myers area. Except everything is paid for and I'd be penalized now if we changed. Oh well. Live and learn. Hope our DDs enjoy the islands. Guess I'll cancel the 5:25 & keep the 8 PM just to be sure.

Thank you!!!!

No problem! Hopefully, that helped!

Also, while I haven't been to Fort Meyers in years (so can't really comment on that), the Keys are absolutely gorgeous, and the water is the warmest and some of the clearest seawater I have ever experienced. I'm not sure which island you'll be at or where you're staying but many resorts and companies offer fantastic snorkeling excursions or even simple eco-tours that are inexpensive and certainly unique to the Keys. Plus, the beaches are nowhere near as crowded as most of the others in FL. The drive may be long, but it's worth the distance. Heck, since you're leaving that early, maybe you stop somewhere along the way briefly for just an hour to break up the drive. Plenty of nice areas just off the Turnpike in South Florida!

 

[Gena001]

I'm from the Fort Myers area and you're not missing much over here lol

That does make me feel better - just hard to get past everyone saying how gorgeous Naples, Captiva, etc are. I know Sanibel is my MIL's favorite vacation spot.

No problem! Hopefully, that helped!

Also, while I haven't been to Fort Meyers in years (so can't really comment on that), the Keys are absolutely gorgeous, and the water is the warmest and some of the clearest seawater I have ever experienced. I'm not sure which island you'll be at or where you're staying but many resorts and companies offer fantastic snorkeling excursions or even simple eco-tours that are inexpensive and certainly unique to the Keys. Plus, the beaches are nowhere near as crowded as most of the others in FL. The drive may be long, but it's worth the distance. Heck, since you're leaving that early, maybe you stop somewhere along the way briefly for just an hour to break up the drive. Plenty of nice areas just off the Turnpike in South Florida!

Yes, I've been looking at many of the tour sites... hubby & I want to go to the National Park fort, but think we'll wait until a trip we take w/out the kiddos. Our DD16 will love it, but out DD6 probaby would not. Now I'm considering a day excursion, or in the least the guided jet ski around the island (you're no longer allowed to operate a ski anywhere...just in a reserved area OR by following a guide). DD6 really wants to parasail so I guess I'll compare the prices in the keys vs Sammy Duvall at WDW. We're staying at Cudjoe Key, so while not quite all the way down, we're pretty far. Let me know if you have any recommendations. I'm open. I hear so much conflicting info on the beaches...some say beach A is good & don't go to beach B. Others say just the opposite. Guess it depends on the weather & your individual preferences.

 

[andyman8]

Yes, I've been looking at many of the tour sites... hubby & I want to go to the National Park fort, but think we'll wait until a trip we take w/out the kiddos. Our DD16 will love it, but out DD6 probaby would not. Now I'm considering a day excursion, or in the least the guided jet ski around the island (you're no longer allowed to operate a ski anywhere...just in a reserved area OR by following a guide). DD6 really wants to parasail so I guess I'll compare the prices in the keys vs Sammy Duvall at WDW. We're staying at Cudjoe Key, so while not quite all the way down, we're pretty far. Let me know if you have any recommendations. I'm open. I hear so much conflicting info on the beaches...some say beach A is good & don't go to beach B. Others say just the opposite. Guess it depends on the weather & your individual preferences.

Let me just save you some time, we found ourselves with a similar choice a few years back (parasailing in the Keys vs. at WDW), and not surprisingly, it was significantly cheaper in the Keys! Anyways, growing up in Florida, I've been to many islands in the Keys quite a number of times, so I'd love to PM you with some suggestions/tips tomorrow if you don't mind. The islands are truly beautiful.

 

[Gena001]

Let me just save you some time, we found ourselves with a similar choice a few years back (parasailing in the Keys vs. at WDW), and not surprisingly, it was significantly cheaper in the Keys! Anyways, growing up in Florida, I've been to many islands in the Keys quite a number of times, so I'd love to PM you with some suggestions/tips tomorrow if you don't mind. The islands are truly beautiful.

That sounds fantastic! I'll watch for your message!

Thank you SO much! I should probably go to sleep anyway.... LOL

 

[mom2rtk]

OP, there's plenty you're missing in Sanibel/Captiva, but I imagine you'll love the Keys as well.

And I'm not sure how your drive from the Keys will be, but our drive from Sanibel to Orlando a couple months ago was frustrating (took a full hour longer than the navigation system estimated).

Have a great time!

 

[gtpoohbear]

My parents live in Naples. It's nice, but doesn't compare to the keys. Like others have said though, allow plenty of time. The highway through the keys (can't remember what it's called) moves very slowly, at least it has everytime I've made the trip. One time we didn't even move for over an hour. Google was probably being unrealistically optimistic,

 

[sharona]

Loved our recent trip to the keys. Did a ton of driving! Be prepared for getting around the keys taking twice as long as you'd think with so many 1 lane roads and so many people just leisurely putting along. If you'll be in KW I recommend Sebago for parasailing. If you're interested in some activities in the upper and middke keys, check out my TR from the 2nd link in my signature.

The drive from Key Largo to Orlando was 5+ incredibly boring hours with 1 very brief stop for fast food lunch. We left KL at 10 am on a Thursday and saw no traffic.

The Keys are well worth the drive. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Hootch]

We used to go to Key West once or twice a year before kids. I think it took us about five hours to get to FLL.

I miss it. And to make things worse our son was near Islamorada this summer for scuba diving.

 

[mummabear]

Sorry to hijack your thread! This has made me wonder. We have 3 kids who will be 6, 4 and almost 2 and we are travelling in Nov. Our plan right now is to have 2 weeks at DL (with FD) then 2 days at BG and 1 at SW, so we have a package booking and a room only booking at WDW. I am now considering changing our plans to drive down to Key Largo for 2 nights. This would mean dropping either 2 Disney days (we have 10 day tickets plus 2 parties) to fit in SW/BG earlier in the trip or drop SW/BG (which we do really love both).
This is our 4th WDW trip.
Those of you who have hit the keys before-do you think it is worth it with 3 young kids? Or do you think it is better to stick in Orlando?

 

[Disnsyncey]

Sorry to hijack your thread! This has made me wonder. We have 3 kids who will be 6, 4 and almost 2 and we are travelling in Nov. Our plan right now is to have 2 weeks at DL (with FD) then 2 days at BG and 1 at SW, so we have a package booking and a room only booking at WDW. I am now considering changing our plans to drive down to Key Largo for 2 nights. This would mean dropping either 2 Disney days (we have 10 day tickets plus 2 parties) to fit in SW/BG earlier in the trip or drop SW/BG (which we do really love both).
This is our 4th WDW trip.
Those of you who have hit the keys before-do you think it is worth it with 3 young kids? Or do you think it is better to stick in Orlando?

I have vacationed in the keys from Orlando and GOSH it took forever to get there and back......I wouldn't do it for 2 nights, only giving yourself 1 full day.....if you want 2 nights, I would pick someplace closer on the gulf near Tampa or near Cocoa or Daytona....

to the OP, I would definitely expect it to take longer than 6 hours, just adding in bathroom/food/gas breaks.....its like a neverending drive....

 

[larryz]

Two words: Miami.

 

[sharona]

Too far to drive for just a 2 day stay. Also, IMO, Key Largo is better suited for tweens/teens than younger kids.

 

[Hootch]

Sorry to hijack your thread! This has made me wonder. We have 3 kids who will be 6, 4 and almost 2 and we are travelling in Nov. Our plan right now is to have 2 weeks at DL (with FD) then 2 days at BG and 1 at SW, so we have a package booking and a room only booking at WDW. I am now considering changing our plans to drive down to Key Largo for 2 nights. This would mean dropping either 2 Disney days (we have 10 day tickets plus 2 parties) to fit in SW/BG earlier in the trip or drop SW/BG (which we do really love both).
This is our 4th WDW trip.
Those of you who have hit the keys before-do you think it is worth it with 3 young kids? Or do you think it is better to stick in Orlando?

I would go to the Gulf if you want to do a beach. There are a number of islands/keys that are within a couple of hours drive. The Atlantic is a bit closer, but we prefer the Gulf with kids your age. The water is generally smoother there. We have stayed on Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Siesta Key. They all have their benefits.

 

[Xennia]

Yes 6 hours is more than enough time. I'm in south Florida. It takes us 3 1/2 hours to get there.

 

[Gena001]

Loved our recent trip to the keys. Did a ton of driving! Be prepared for getting around the keys taking twice as long as you'd think with so many 1 lane roads and so many people just leisurely putting along. If you'll be in KW I recommend Sebago for parasailing. If you're interested in some activities in the upper and middke keys, check out my TR from the 2nd link in my signature.

The drive from Key Largo to Orlando was 5+ incredibly boring hours with 1 very brief stop for fast food lunch. We left KL at 10 am on a Thursday and saw no traffic.

The Keys are well worth the drive. Enjoy your trip.

Hi Sharona! I read the keys peon of your TR. Sounds fantastic and you lucked out missing the rain that one day! We're going to be further down, nearly to Key West. I'm not sure how much I want to drive north for activities. That said, all up and down the keys seems to be the same type of activities, for the most part. I'd love to do the dolphin activity you did, but I don't think the budget will stretch that far. (Hopefully next trip! )

Thank you for the ideas and suggestions.

 

[Gena001]

Yes 6 hours is more than enough time. I'm in south Florida. It takes us 3 1/2 hours to get there.

Thank you Xennia. I think I'm most worried about getting to the mainland. I believe we'll be fine too. I need to pull out my atlas and not just rely on Google Maps. (I LOVE to study maps for trips and "someday" trips!)