Driving to Disney

[BVC4us]

Has anyone from Ontario (Toronto), driven to Disney? If so, what route do you usually take?

 

[Evelyne]

We always drive from the «Ottawa area. Customs at 1000 islands (401)
81, 83, 495,695( to avoid Baltimore and Washington), 95, 4 and here goes the World!!!





1990 to 1992, off site with DB+ friends/ 1994 off site with DB+ family/
1995 off site DB, DS (2) and DD on the way/ 1998 off site DB, DS DD/
1999 off site DB, DS, DD, + family/2000 to 2003 DB, DS, DD All star Sports
2004 to 2008 Pop Century with DB (after 28 years I can say DH), DS, DD and family
2008 to 2009 Pop Century DH, DS, DD/2010 and 2011 Pop DH, DD and her friend
September 2012 DH and me alone for the 1st time. Can’t wait to check inn at the POP!!!

 

[Questforthemouse]

Has anyone from Ontario (Toronto), driven to Disney? If so, what route do you usually take?

I'm in Burlington (30 mins west of Toronto). We always go through Buffalo (cross at Peace Bridge in Fort Erie).

Peace Bridge > 190 > I-90 > I-79 > US19 (through Summersville) > I-77 > I-26 > I-95 > I-4 > WDW

It's only DW and me. We stop twice on the way down (Princeton, WV and Kingsland, GA) and once on the way back (Princeton or Beckley). takes us 19 - 20 hours.

 

[iluveeyore]

I'm in Burlington (30 mins west of Toronto). We always go through Buffalo (cross at Peace Bridge in Fort Erie).

Peace Bridge > 190 > I-90 > I-79 > US19 (through Summersville) > I-77 > I-26 > I-95 > I-4 > WDW

It's only DW and me. We stop twice on the way down (Princeton, WV and Kingsland, GA) and once on the way back (Princeton or Beckley). takes us 19 - 20 hours.

If you are not driving in the winter months, I would take this way - it is our favourite - so pretty, lots and lots of nice rest areas, and lots of places to stop and eat and gas up. I have taken the I-75 once as we had a side trip to Talladega, and I found it went through a lot of busy city centers and plus I had to drive about 3 hours west before heading south, so I prefer going straight down. Just be careful on the US19 - I think that area survives on ticket money, because they will stop you for speeding if you are going 1 mile an hour over the speed limit!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'm in Burlington (30 mins west of Toronto). We always go through Buffalo (cross at Peace Bridge in Fort Erie).

Peace Bridge > 190 > I-90 > I-79 > US19 (through Summersville) > I-77 > I-26 > I-95 > I-4 > WDW

It's only DW and me. We stop twice on the way down (Princeton, WV and Kingsland, GA) and once on the way back (Princeton or Beckley). takes us 19 - 20 hours.

We've done this route many times. We live in Oakville and from the GTA this is the most direct (shortest)route. As mentioned, when driving in the winter it is often preferred to go the I75 route but for us we just monitor the weather conditions along the route and if it's clear we still take the 77/79.

 

[Questforthemouse]

If you are not driving in the winter months, I would take this way - it is our favourite - so pretty, lots and lots of nice rest areas, and lots of places to stop and eat and gas up. I have taken the I-75 once as we had a side trip to Talladega, and I found it went through a lot of busy city centers and plus I had to drive about 3 hours west before heading south, so I prefer going straight down. Just be careful on the US19 - I think that area survives on ticket money, because they will stop you for speeding if you are going 1 mile an hour over the speed limit!

You're right. Definitely, stick to the speed limit along US19. There's no need for folks to speed through there. You're still shaving a good 40 minutes of time off your travel vs. staying on the 79/77.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We also did the 190- I90 route from the Peace Bridge, When we stopped for gas before Summersville the lady at the station warned us to be really aware of our speed. The triptik provided by the CAA actually re-routed us around that area because of its reputation, but we went that way because it was shorter. There were actually warning signs at the side of the road too. We saw quite a few police cars and several people pulled over so make sure you don't speed through there.

 

[GrUvGrL]

Typically we drive down for our family trips as flying a family of 6 when we travel turns out costly in airfare. This year we lucked out with airfare and there are only 4 of us.

We try and have some fun with the trip and decorate the van. We use Disney wall decals, light adhesive and the kids will generally do the window art with common window markers found at any department stores in the crayola section (sometimes in toys, sometimes in art/school supplies) the end result is people smile when they see the Disney mobile coming. Last time we did this trip was 2 years ago and to this day we still have lotso tied to the front of the van because it makes people smile and kids get all excited when they see lotso.

 

[pigletto]

Oh my goodness that is so cute!!! I would laugh out loud to see Lotso on the front of the van like that.

As for us, we have never driven, preferring to scout for airfare deals and maximize time at the parks.
This summer we have more time and I am seriously considering it. One, because we are bringing dd's friend and that's 5 people to find airfare for. And two.. I HATE flying.
I used to be fine with it, but I just returned yesterday and hated the whole flight. I spent the entire plane ride feeling like at any moment we were going die. I have flown a millions times and it's never been my favourite, but I swore yesterday that we were driving next time.
I just don't like it anymore.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We drive it a lot and will be driving again in September. We live in Guelph, and always cross the border in Detroit and go down the I-75. We do this mostly because we have the "Along the I-75" book that lists every restaurant, hotel and gas station along the route (as well as alternate routes to avoid big cities). Since we're usually driving with young kids, we find that extremely helpful - we can look ahead to see where the next washroom is, or what food options are coming up, etc.

TP

 

[GrUvGrL]

I am the opposite with flying I prefer to fly after making the drive a few times! By the time I get to Florida my ankles have swollen so bad, I can hardly enjoy the parks in the August heat! My nights at the resorts are spent icing my ankles and putting my feet up to get ready for the nexy day.

With flying, my ankles still do swell up a bit, but NOWHERE near when we make the drive.

They only thing i do miss about making the drive is stopping at Cracker Barrel for at least one Breakkie, one lunch and one dinner! YUM YUM! And there are cracker barrels all the way down I95!

I wish we had Cracker Barrel in Canada!

 

[minnie mum]

They only thing i do miss about making the drive is stopping at Cracker Barrel for at least one Breakkie, one lunch and one dinner! YUM YUM! And there are cracker barrels all the way down I95!

I wish we had Cracker Barrel in Canada!

Just give it time. It seems they migrate a little further north every year!!

But I agree with you. DH and I try to hit a Cracker Barrel at least once each on the way down and the way back. (But I still refuse to eat grits...)

 

[bdoyledimou]

Just give it time. It seems they migrate a little further north every year!!

But I agree with you. DH and I try to hit a Cracker Barrel at least once each on the way down and the way back. (But I still refuse to eat grits...)

Grits are awesome with a little bit of cream and maple syrup
and that IS an awesome van .. lucky guy who drives that

 

[Reese]

I'm a big fan on the I-75. We've driven both but I find this route is straight forward and well marked. We drive stright thu so I also like that this route has nice clean stops right off the highway. I don't like having to drive ten minutes off the highway at 2:00 am to look for a gas station. Also I have the Along the I-75 book that has saved us a couple times. Once our windshield wiper blew off in the rain at 3:00am. I was able to find us a 24 hr walmart at the next stop.

 

[Questforthemouse]

I am the opposite with flying I prefer to fly after making the drive a few times! By the time I get to Florida my ankles have swollen so bad, I can hardly enjoy the parks in the August heat! My nights at the resorts are spent icing my ankles and putting my feet up to get ready for the nexy day.

With flying, my ankles still do swell up a bit, but NOWHERE near when we make the drive.

They only thing i do miss about making the drive is stopping at Cracker Barrel for at least one Breakkie, one lunch and one dinner! YUM YUM! And there are cracker barrels all the way down I95!

I wish we had Cracker Barrel in Canada!

Not sure if you're close but...If you fly out of Buffalo there's a Cracker Barrel on Transit Rd by the I-90 East. 10 mins from the airport. Had dinner there the night before we flew out for our cruise this past March break. It's a good CB.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

We drive it a lot and will be driving again in September. We live in Guelph, and always cross the border in Detroit and go down the I-75. We do this mostly because we have the "Along the I-75" book that lists every restaurant, hotel and gas station along the route (as well as alternate routes to avoid big cities). Since we're usually driving with young kids, we find that extremely helpful - we can look ahead to see where the next washroom is, or what food options are coming up, etc.

TP

Every time "Along I-75" comes up I feel the need to chime in and say DON'T DRIVE I-75 without this book. It is absolutely indispensable. And Dave Hunter is one of the last of a breed. When I was researching our 2010 trip, I found our old copy of ALONG I-75 was outdated...but the new one wouldn't be published until three days before our departure date. I emailed Hunter's company, and Dave himself emailed me back within the hour to tell me that he could have a copy in my hands a month before it hit the bookstores. I was very impressed with the customer service. The fact the product is so good just reinforces my recommendation.

 

[GrUvGrL]

Not sure if you're close but...If you fly out of Buffalo there's a Cracker Barrel on Transit Rd by the I-90 East. 10 mins from the airport. Had dinner there the night before we flew out for our cruise this past March break. It's a good CB.

We are leaving too early to stop in the morning... BUT there is one near the MCO airport

Grits are awesome with a little bit of cream and maple syrup
and that IS an awesome van .. lucky guy who drives that

Honey you are such a goof ball!

 

[dreams of disney]

Has anyone from Ontario (Toronto), driven to Disney? If so, what route do you usually take?

I am wondering this too. I have no choice but to drive (due to cost for 5 of us). It will be in the winter and when I google map it, I get 3 different routes.

I have driven to myrtle beach before going through Richmond VA and had alot of mountain to drive. Is the most direct from TO.(I79-I77) the same?

I prefer not to have to drive to Detroit before heading south. Any suggestions and tips?

 

[baby_tran]

This August, we're driving I79/77 route down to Miami, then taking the I75 route back to Toronto.

 

[archdandy]

I'm in Burlington (30 mins west of Toronto). We always go through Buffalo (cross at Peace Bridge in Fort Erie).

Peace Bridge > 190 > I-90 > I-79 > US19 (through Summersville) > I-77 > I-26 > I-95 > I-4 > WDW

It's only DW and me. We stop twice on the way down (Princeton, WV and Kingsland, GA) and once on the way back (Princeton or Beckley). takes us 19 - 20 hours.

Do you make a stop at a hotel to sleep at all? I'm just wondering because DH and I have talked about driving before and one of the things that always put me off was having to stop somewhere and waste hours sleeping at a hotel. I guess I just wanna know if it can be done without stopping for sleep