Duluth to Disney -- any suggestions?

[Mom B]

We've traveled from Duluth (Minnesota) to Disney about 4 times,
always by air. However, under the current situation, some of
the group are less comfortable with flying than they already
were to begin with. Any suggestions?

I should explain that this will be a rather large family group,
13 total including 3 seniors, 2 baby boomers, 4 generation x-ers,
2 teens, and 2 elementary age munchkins. With luggage and
all we'll probably need 2 LARGE vans...I even considered renting
a bus, but there are not THAT many of us and it's too pricey
paying a driver and all.

We'll probably start from Duluth and pick up a couple in the
Mpls/St Paul area, then head south. How long will it take? Has
anybody tried a road trip like this that can offer advice? Is
this insane? Does it sound like he** on wheels?

 

[CarolMN]

To be honest, it sounds awful to me. What time of the year will you be going? How long do you plan to be gone? And how well do you all get along?

 

[robinb]

Microsoft Streets says that your trip is a total of 1700 miles.

I'm from Madison, WI (on your way ) and have driven to WDW and plan to do it again in December. It takes us 2 full days each way and we usually stop somewhere between Nashville and Atlanta. My guess is that it will take you at least one extra day for a total of 6 days on the road.

Have you considered the train?

 

[We4mickey]

We drive from near Milwaukee every time we go. It is two days of driving. We usually hit the road around 3 or 4am, drive to about Chattanooga, TN the first day. This is the longer of the two days. The second day is shorter then.We are usually to Disney by 1:00 in the afternoon. With leaving that early the kids sleep quite a bit. With all the people you have though, you could probably push it even more. You have lots of drivers. The last time we went we had a caravan of 5 vehicles. You will have a great time.

 

[caverill]

We live in Duluth also.

We only fly now, but with that many people I can understand looking at driving. Our problem is that we don't like to give up the vacation time it takes to drive and having to think about driving back after the vacation stinks!

My family drove down to WDW in 1978. We did it in two and a half days, but didn't travel at night. I think you could get down there in about 30 hours if you drove straight through.

Another option would be to take the train, which would leave from Mpls. You would need to go to the East coast however to get the train to Florida. I have looked at this option also, but again it would really cut into our vacation time.

You may also want to look at just flying out of MSP. You might really be able to get a "cheap" rate, depending on when you go. I know that doesn't help the people who don't want to fly.

I believe you would be better off flying since you will have more time at WDW.

 

[travelcoupons]

Flying is the 'only' option, I drove the 1800 miles once - never again. I took the train to New Orleans once and drove the rest of the way - never again.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Doesn't sound enjoyable to me. We fly. I know someone from Omaha who drives to WDW and back. They are a family of 6. They say they can't afford for six to fly. But just me, I would be tired by the time I even got there. Not to mention I don't have THAT much vacation time!
Many years ago (when we MUCH younger) we drove from northern Indiana to Disney. Even with two drivers switching off, it made a llloooooong trip. I would enjoy driving it, if I wasn't on a strict time frame.

 

[Mom B]

Thanks for all the observations, suggestions, etc. Realistically,
we probably will just fly from the Cities. The train does sound like
fun...I've tried to read the route maps and couldn't figure out if
it would be feasible or not, though. I agree that the close quarters
could be a little "too" close and though we get along pretty
well, some of the siblings might not be speaking to each other by
the time we got there. Unfortunately, we don't have quite enough
people to charter a bus and make it affordable. Guess I'll just
keep looking for deals on airfare. (And hi to you Duluthians...my
DD and SIL and my husband's brother and family live in Proctor.)