Driving To Disney

[Sandi12404]

Do you have time to take a couple extra days for driving? Last time my family went (in 1992) we drove. This was before portable DVD players. There were three of us kids stuffed in the backseatBut we had a great time. We left really early and drove throught Ohio and down into Kentucky where we went to the Mammoth caves. Then we continued down to Alabama (my parents met while stationed in the Army there so we had to see their old base) and went to Nocalula Falls (sp?) even though there was no water. We spent the night there and then headed over into Georgia and went to Stone Mountain and then headed down to WDW. It was nice to take some little sidetrips and we have some great memories.

 

[momimouse27]

We have always driven and never flown. I don't like flying and we really cant afford airfare for 5 people. Id rather use it on a nice Dis resort! Although we live in GA now and its only 8 hrs, we grew up in MS(10 hrs) and used to live in AR(12 -14 hrs) I have to agree with the folks who say they left at night. We did that on the long trips. My kids were always pumped for about 1 hr or so and then it would sink in that disney was a looonnng way off! But then they would sleep for most of the night, and my dh and I and my mom would take turns drivining and sleeping.

Now that were only 8 hrs away, we leave early morning and its the good ole DVD player that really keeps us sane! My son would go ballistic if he didn't have that to watch....

 

[trennr]

I made the trip from NE Tennessee in about 10½ hours...2 minivans just booking it.

We take I-26 from TN thru NC into SC. where we pick up I-95.

I think I read someone wanted to know the Timeframe from the SC/GA Boarder to Orlando...Depending on traffic and weather and ammount of potty breaks your family requires...It's roughly 4½-5 hours.

We left our house at 4:03am and hit the SC/GA boarder around 10:30am we had 2 potty breaks one Breakfast stop and was starting to need gas.

Rules:
1] If were stopped (food, potty, fuel) everyone tries to use the bathroom...everyone.
2] See rule #1

Notes:
I-95 thru GA is roughly 110 miles
I-295 around JAX adds about 10 miles to the trip but it is a whole lot easier traffic wise. (I've had some bad experiences on I-95 through JAX)

Form the GA/FL down I-95 it is roughly 122-132 miles (thru Jax -- around Jax) to I-4.

From I-95 down I-4 to the first Disney Exit is 65 miles.

Total driving distance from the SC/GA Border to Disney is roughly 307 miles.
Avg 70mph = 4 hours 23 min.

 

[siestakeys04]

We have dual dvd players for the car. They have gameboy advance video game. They will have books to read and some coloring books. They will also have a journal that i plan on printing so they can write about the trip. We only have about a 9 hour drive from NC but i think that is plenty since they will sleep some too. HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!!

 

[nlugo]

It looks like everyone has given you some good advice. We drive straight through and it is roughly 20 hours from where we live. I would do a trip search and figure out how long it will take you. AAA has a good one. Anyway, take along snacks for the road and I would suggest a tv of sorts. Our children also used their gameboys. Know what kind of driving bothers you. I started out driving and then dh took over. I drove most of the way there, but he drove the way back. I didn't get much sleep I guess while we were there.

 

[monymony3471]

So many great ideas. This is going to be my plan:

After surprising the kids at 6am, we will leave about 7 or 8am on Thanksgiving. I will drive to Atlanta and get a room to rest.

Next morning drive to Disney and get one more room with a pool that they can use. Rest up and get to Disney so we can hit the parks. I may get up extra early and check in at ASMo while they are all asleep. So when they wake up we can just go right to the park. Are the check in counters open around the clock?

We have the duel dvd player.
They have game boys, that they hardly ever play.
They have cd players, that they hardly ever listen too.

My mom will be in the back seat with them, so hopefully she can assist them and I will only need to stop for potty time and a leg stretch. We can pack food in the cooler and pre made sandwich stuff.

WOO HOO I'm all excited!
Again thanks for your contributions.