First Time Driver from NJ

[tmcnelia]

We are trying to decide how it would be to drive from New Jersey to Disney this December. I just bought a minivan with a DVD and Navigation. I was thinking we would be able to save about $1000.00. My children are 7,5 and 2. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cranbiz]

Well, I drive from MA to FL frequently, in fact I'm doing it in about 12 days. Depending on where in NJ you are will determine what route to take, but I use the NJpike the whole way and continue on I95 until I get to I4.

For me, once I get to NJ it's about a 15-17 hour ride to Deltona (which is about an hour from WDW)

I have heard that there is construction in NC around Fayetteville and I will get confirmation later this week from some friends that live down there.

It's not a bad drive, make sure that you plan rest stops for the little ones to get out and move about. Depending on your preferences, you may want to stop and get a room for the night. There are many places to do this and make day 2 a shorter, rested drive.

 

[CleveRocks]

We are trying to decide how it would be to drive from New Jersey to Disney this December. I just bought a minivan with a DVD and Navigation. I was thinking we would be able to save about $1000.00. My children are 7,5 and 2. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Consider re-checking your budget and projected savings.

Call it 2,000 miles round trip. 25 MPG or so. 80 gallons of gas at $2.25 each equals $180. A hotel room each way at $75 each night equals $150. Three meals during each drive, so six extra meals at $30 each equals $180. Maybe another $50 for tolls (don't know, never done the drive). Putting on mileage that would put you two-thirds of the way towards an oil change equals about $20. So by my uninformed estimates driving will cost you about $580.

I flew Spirit Airlines out of Atlantic City, cost me $195 per person including all taxes, took Disney's Magical Express for free transfers to and from the Orlando airport, and used Disney Transport to get me everywhere I wanted to go in WDW. $975 in flying costs versus $580 in driving costs, so you're saving about $400 by driving.

If you love driving, go fo it! If you're not thrilled with it but are doing it to save money, is $400 worth about 40 extra hours of traveling on roadways? It's your call, but please consider ALL the facts and figures before making your decision.

-- Eric

 

[jazum17]

We always drive from central jersey. We usually drive straight thru. It has taken us anywhere from 17 to 21 hours. When the kids were small we would leave in the evening and let them sleep, most of the ride. In the mornig we'd be near the Ga border. Stop for a couple of hours so my dh could sleep while I had a picnic breakfast with the kids and let them strech their legs.

 

[msmayor]

We've done the drive twice: once when my kids were 3 and 1, again when they were 6 and 4. Our third trip we flew, but in six weeks we'll be driving again (kids are now 14 and 11).

We are in NJ, and quite frankly the drive isn't that bad. As others have said, plan timely breaks to stretch your legs a bit. Pack water and snacks in the car, and often you can get away with only two meals: breakfast and a late lunch/early supper. The DVD system will certainly help.

For my family, flying was nice but we still rented a car. Despite the Disney transportation system, I hate the waiting and much prefer knowing that my ride is waiting for me. The one incident that cemented that decision was when, on a prior trip where my husband had to take the car to a business meeting, my kids and I had to use the busses to go to Fantasia mini-golf. What normally took us 10 minutes by our own car took 90 minutes by bus. Huge waste of time. Plus, with our own car we have the option of going off Disney property to eat or do other activities.

 

[kimbac3]

We live in Cumberland County NJ and we hope to make it to Pooler GA the first night. We just put a 2 screen DVD player on layaway for the kids. They do long car trips well - they would have been fine without it but.....they saved the money for it and it does have four headphone jacks....

Kimba

 

[Uncleromulus]

Whatever you do, plan to get around DC either well before or well after rush hour. In DC, that's from about 5:30-6:00 AM until 9:30, and from around 3:00-3:30 until nearly 7:00 PM. Bad weather or any accidents only makes it that much worse.