Driving To WDW in December?

[krishouse]

Driving to Disney for Christmas are we crazy!
Hi everyone,
We are currently planning our first Christmas at WDW and have decided to drive.
We have driven in the Fall a couple of years ago and although it was a long haul we had a great time.
I was wondering if anyone has had experience driving the I77/79/95 route in December or January and could give any insight... I do realize that the weather is pretty sketchy but I know my Canadian friends could advise me since we all have some experience and a little snow does not scare us!

thanks everyone!
Kristin

 

[NancyK]

Hi Kristin,
Sorry I can't offer you any insight into the 77/79/95 route in the winter. Although I love that route, we always switch to I-75 during the winter months. It seems that the weather is less extreme on 75.

 

[hockey mom]

We are also going in December and if Southwest does not offer some good fares then we will drive. We will take the 75 route though. Not as many hills and turns and more gas/rest stations.

 

[krishouse]

Hi again,
My next question is if we were to drive the 75 route how many more hours does that add on considering I am literally 7 minutes from Buffalo and the NYState Thruway?
Is that route really alot easier than braving the mountains in Wvirginia?

Thanks again
Kristin

 

[dandee00]

Hi again,
My next question is if we were to drive the 75 route how many more hours does that add on considering I am literally 7 minutes from Buffalo and the NYState Thruway?
Is that route really alot easier than braving the mountains in Wvirginia?

Thanks again
Kristin

Bump

 

[hockey mom]

It only adds on a couple of hours if you are blessed with good driving conditions on the 95 route. My sister and sister in law were both forced to stop over night somewhere because of bad weather conditions while we breezed right home past them(they wouldn't take my suggestion to change routes).

We love the 95 route in April or summer but not for winter.

 

[kellyla]

We drove the 77/79/95 route in December of 2003.We drove in snow from Fort Erie to about Pittsburgh.We had great weather driving through the mountains.We checked the weather right up until the time we left.We wouldnt hesitate to take this route again during the winter.

 

[krishouse]

Thanks everyone,
I guess i will look into both routes and depending on weather reports choose closer.
I am still hoping Southwest will have reasonable flights, It will be the holiday season so I won't hold my breath

thanks again,
Kristin

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

We drove 77/79 in December a couple of years ago and the weather through the mountains was terrible. We were just ahead of a major snow storm, which made it a little easier, BUT we had fog and freezing rain all throughout the mountain driving - I'm a very seasoned driver and never again!!

We drove to/from Atlanta about 2-3 times per year and alway took I-75 in winter after that experience. I prefer the 77/79 route, but in the winter there just isn't as may available places to stop if the weather gets nasty.

Check the weather before, and if it's going to be sunny, then go for it. Otherwise I'd take I-75.

 

[Rob&Jan]

Last time we drove in Dec i asked CAA for a trip tick for 77/79 route and they refused to give us one saying it was to dangerous and unpredictable that time of year. Were in Burlington and its 22 hours behind the wheel on I75, with good weather. We also went one year in Dec vis 75 and it took us 12 hours to get to dayton Ohio because of the snow. You could always decide at the last minute depending on the forecasts down both routes. good luck