For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[BC1836]

After driving the initial 1,000+ mile drive to WDW, we're finding it nearly impossible to cross paths with dvczerfs and sharadoc. Where are these good folks?

All the best.

 

[BC1836]

We have to share this:

The beat goes on. Although you can't enter a 7-11 or any other convenience store unless you pass the "no shirt, no shoes, no service" rule, you can at the Grand Floridian's Sugar Loaf club level building. We just got back from "Twilight Refreshers" where we noticed a bare-chested Neanderthal in his wet bathing siut. Now get this: he's looking over the beers and sees a Samuel Adams Summer Ale. And then he quips: "Ugh, Sam Adams Summer Ale; I'm going with an American brand!"

You can't make this stuff up.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

We have to share this:

The beat goes on. Although you can't enter a 7-11 or any other convenience store unless you pass the "no shirt, no shoes, no service" rule, you can at the Grand Floridian's Sugar Loaf club level building. We just got back from "Twilight Refreshers" where we noticed a bare-chested Neanderthal in his wet bathing siut. Now get this: he's looking over the beers and sees a Samuel Adams Summer Ale. And then he quips: "Ugh, Sam Adams Summer Ale; I'm going with an American brand!"

You can't make this stuff up.

All the best.

i was on the tour when you called, i was in the utilidors. i dont know what it is today but where did these people come from?????

 

[BC1836]

i was on the tour when you called, i was in the utilidors. i dont know what it is today but where did these people come from?????

Mutants come from everywhere.

We heading back to the MK withing the half hour. Give us a call if you're there or heading there.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

Mutants come from everywhere.

We heading back to the MK withing the half hour. Give us a call if you're there or heading there.

All the best.

we are ging over to the studios tomorrow. im sure we will come back around 1 -2 or so to the contemp. ill text you. watch out for that lightning!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

great pics laura!!!!!

 

[tazdev3225]

Hi all! I have finally read all 184 pages. I am new to posting here but have enjoyed reading everyone's adventures. DH and I are driving down for only the second time in August. Our last drive was in 1997. We will have one passenger, our DGS who will be spending his 13th birthday in my car. I have a 2006 Ford Freestar so plenty of room and it has a built in DVD system. It also has a little over 32,000 miles so it's in fairly good shape.

We are planning on leaving around 4:30 or 5 AM on a wednesday morning. Taking 95 straight down. I live 5 minutes from 2 entrances so it is the most logical route. We should miss traffic in Philly, the start in Baltimore and hopefully the tail end in DC. No stops are planned other than potty breaks and a 30 minute break at South of the Border just to show DGS the place his father thought was so cool on the last trip. He denies it now.

DH will be doing the bulk of the driving although we will switch up now and then. He's a sheriff and takes long distance road trips almost daily. We don't really want to stop until Orlando because our DD and her family plan on flying down the day after we leave and are meeting us at the resort. We are bringing her luggage so she saves on fees. I was a little nervous about the decision at first but am really looking forward to it now. I do have a question though. What gas station brands are the most prevalent? I know there is a Hess at DTD but my car doesn't really like that brand.

 

[jasko5990]

We are planning on leaving around 4:30 or 5 AM on a wednesday morning. Taking 95 straight down. I live 5 minutes from 2 entrances so it is the most logical route. We should miss traffic in Philly, the start in Baltimore and hopefully the tail end in DC.

May I suggest that you consider changing your departure time so you get through D.C. and into Virgina before 6:00 am. We have driven straight through numerous times from Doylestown and have found that if we don't get through D.C. before 6:00 am there can be some traffic delays. We now leave at midnight and get through D.C. around 3:00-3:30 am, and also through Richmond before that morning rush hour. We don't hit any traffic until we're on I-4 between Universal & WDW, and that delay is minor. Our whole trip takes about 15-1/2 hours, which includes stops for gas, food, & restrooms.

What gas station brands are the most prevalent? I know there is a Hess at DTD but my car doesn't really like that brand.

Go to the following website for infromation about gas stations along I-95 at (also food, hotels, construction, etc). www.i95exitguide.com. The app for the iPhone & Android phones lists each exit in every state along I-95, and everything at each exit (gas, food, lodging, camping, hospital, etc).

Have your husband check out the quote under my user name, I hope he recognizes it.

 

[sharadoc]

After driving the initial 1,000+ mile drive to WDW, we're finding it nearly impossible to cross paths with dvczerfs and sharadoc. Where are these good folks?

All the best.

True, unfortunately kids make planning too far in advance a total impossibility. The only time we saw the DVCZerfs family at the Contemporary was a lean over the balcony during wishes. We were right next door for gosh sakes and never ran into each other!!

 

[sharadoc]

Hi all! I have finally read all 184 pages. I am new to posting here but have enjoyed reading everyone's adventures. DH and I are driving down for only the second time in August. Our last drive was in 1997. We will have one passenger, our DGS who will be spending his 13th birthday in my car. I have a 2006 Ford Freestar so plenty of room and it has a built in DVD system. It also has a little over 32,000 miles so it's in fairly good shape.

We are planning on leaving around 4:30 or 5 AM on a wednesday morning. Taking 95 straight down. I live 5 minutes from 2 entrances so it is the most logical route. We should miss traffic in Philly, the start in Baltimore and hopefully the tail end in DC. No stops are planned other than potty breaks and a 30 minute break at South of the Border just to show DGS the place his father thought was so cool on the last trip. He denies it now.

DH will be doing the bulk of the driving although we will switch up now and then. He's a sheriff and takes long distance road trips almost daily. We don't really want to stop until Orlando because our DD and her family plan on flying down the day after we leave and are meeting us at the resort. We are bringing her luggage so she saves on fees. I was a little nervous about the decision at first but am really looking forward to it now. I do have a question though. What gas station brands are the most prevalent? I know there is a Hess at DTD but my car doesn't really like that brand.

Welcome! Many of the regular posters are here at WDW right now, so we're a little slow. Have you driven that distance before, or at least 8 hours or more in one shot? It can be a shock to realize how long you'll be in the car. But it seems like your DH can handle it. Just remember to keep a positive outlook and have a LOT of patience and you can do it!

 

[nono]

Tazdev,

I'd really back up that start time by at minimum 1/2 hour. And I mean on the on-ramp to I-95 at 4 a.m. Not 4:05 a.m.! It's just too draining getting stuck in traffic (DC) early on in a trip to take the risk, imho.

As for prevalent gas stations, do you have a preference? I don't remember not seeing any particular brand, but then you'll also have Pilot stations and other travel-related brands in the mix too.

Above all, have fun!!!!

 

[BC1836]

We are planning on leaving around 4:30 or 5 AM on a wednesday morning. Taking 95 straight down. I live 5 minutes from 2 entrances so it is the most logical route. We should miss traffic in Philly, the start in Baltimore and hopefully the tail end in DC. No stops are planned other than potty breaks and a 30 minute break at South of the Border just to show DGS the place his father thought was so cool on the last trip. He denies it now.

What gas station brands are the most prevalent? I know there is a Hess at DTD but my car doesn't really like that brand.

If possible, leave earlier. Traffic in the greater DC area will be memorable to say the least.

Don't worry about looking for a particular gas station; just make sure you have enough gas to get to the exit that has a gas station.

All the best (from Walt Disney World!):

 

[tazdev3225]

May I suggest that you consider changing your departure time so you get through D.C. and into Virgina before 6:00 am.

I have to watch my grandkids and he is planning on working the 2 days before we leave. Right now 4 to 5 seems to be what is planned.

Welcome! Many of the regular posters are here at WDW right now, so we're a little slow. Have you driven that distance before, or at least 8 hours or more in one shot? It can be a shock to realize how long you'll be in the car. But it seems like your DH can handle it. Just remember to keep a positive outlook and have a LOT of patience and you can do it!

After finally finishing the whole thread I realized quite a few of you were down there. We have driven to Maine and down to Williamsburg quite a few times. My DH is used to being in a car all day so he has already said he will do the bulk of the driving. The last time we drove to Disney it was straight through with 2 teens and a tween and my mom. I survived that this will be a picnic.

Tazdev,

I'd really back up that start time by at minimum 1/2 hour. And I mean on the on-ramp to I-95 at 4 a.m. Not 4:05 a.m.! It's just too draining getting stuck in traffic (DC) early on in a trip to take the risk, imho.

As for prevalent gas stations, do you have a preference? I don't remember not seeing any particular brand, but then you'll also have Pilot stations and other travel-related brands in the mix too.

Above all, have fun!!!!

I may try and convince him to leave earlier but DH and DGS want to wait. The only reason I asked about gas stations is I spent enough money at the grocery store this week to qualify for a $25 gas card. The choices are BP, Hess, Gulf and one other station. I just want to make sure I choose the right one. It's not much but it's free gas.

If possible, leave earlier. Traffic in the greater DC area will be memorable to say the least.

Don't worry about looking for a particular gas station; just make sure you have enough gas to get to the exit that has a gas station.

All the best (from Walt Disney World!):

I have been stuck in DC traffic quite a few times. My brother lives in Manassas so I usually try to visit on weekends after 10AM. Again DH's expertise comes in handy. He drives in rush hour traffic here in Philly all of the time and in center city where I don't even like to walk. Traffic doesn't phase him at all.

I do want to try and avoid DC if I can so now I have to convince them that we want to leave earlier. I may be driving the first shift since once I'm awake I'm good for several hours with a coffee IV.

 

[sharadoc]

Hey friends, checking in on the Virgin Mobile internet from OKW!

Just wanted to share the photo of the trip. The DVCZerfs and Sharadoc families at MK

Great night, great friends!

 

[PrincessMom4]

Our countdown is getting smaller and smaller now. Now I just have to entertain the kids for summer break. Heading to PA this week so that should be a nice end to school...lol

 

[TiggersBuddy]

Haven't read through the previous pages of this thread, sorry if my question has been covered already.

We drove from Northeastern PA (NEPA) to WDW last year for the first time, straight through, 1111 miles, 17 hrs, and loved it! We left at 4am on a Satuday in Sept. and made our way to I-95 and had zero traffic problems.

We are going again this Sept. and plan to take I-95 South, but want to take a different way back home, possibly staying over in Charlotte, NC. Our travel days would be Saturday & Sunday. Just me and my DW, we require few stops.

Does anyone have any comments, tips, or suggestions about the I-95, I-26, I-77, I-81 route back to NEPA?

Thanks in advance.

 

[angelat]

Haven't read through the previous pages of this thread, sorry if my question has been covered already.

We drove from Northeastern PA (NEPA) to WDW last year for the first time, straight through, 1111 miles, 17 hrs, and loved it! We left at 4am on a Satuday in Sept. and made our way to I-95 and had zero traffic problems.

We are going again this Sept. and plan to take I-95 South, but want to take a different way back home, possibly staying over in Charlotte, NC. Our travel days would be Saturday & Sunday. Just me and my DW, we require few stops.

Does anyone have any comments, tips, or suggestions about the I-95, I-26, I-77, I-81 route back to NEPA?

Thanks in advance.

If you go back to page 178 or so in the thread. There is some discussion starting there about this route. I asked some questions about this.
HTH!

 

[Guzzi]

I wimped out and got Jet Blue tickets last nite, no 2000 mile drive for me, I appreciate all the great info I got from all you great Disr's on this thread

 

[ThreeKMom]

O.K so it looks like this trip is actually going to come together!
Our two older DD's have backed out - they can't get time off from work. It will be just myself, DH and DD8, we are thinking of driving straight through.
Our trip dates are 8/26 - 9/2 and we will be leaving from Monmouth Co. NJ (exit 109 on the NJ parkway). According to map quest it will take just over 17 hours to get there.
What do all of you experienced round-trip drivers think of leaving on Thursday 8/25 around dinner time (5:00pm?)? Our thinking is that DD will fall asleep around 10:00 and hopefully sleep through the night, DH will sleep for a good part of the day on Thursday and take the first part of the drive, I have to work untill 2:00pm so I will take a nap in the car and pick up the second part of the drive around 4:00am and stop for breakfast around 8:00am.

Tell me what you think of this plan, will it work or are we making a hugh mistake that I'm not aware of?

Help, please!!!

 

[djh]

O.K so it looks like this trip is actually going to come together!
Our two older DD's have backed out - they can't get time off from work. It will be just myself, DH and DD8, we are thinking of driving straight through.
Our trip dates are 8/26 - 9/2 and we will be leaving from Monmouth Co. NJ (exit 109 on the NJ parkway). According to map quest it will take just over 17 hours to get there.
What do all of you experienced round-trip drivers think of leaving on Thursday 8/25 around dinner time (5:00pm?)? Our thinking is that DD will fall asleep around 10:00 and hopefully sleep through the night, DH will sleep for a good part of the day on Thursday and take the first part of the drive, I have to work untill 2:00pm so I will take a nap in the car and pick up the second part of the drive around 4:00am and stop for breakfast around 8:00am.

Tell me what you think of this plan, will it work or are we making a hugh mistake that I'm not aware of?

Help, please!!!

That is pretty much what I do. I am further north than you but leaving in the evening gives the kids time to burn off the initial trip excitement in the car then fall asleep. My 2 sons(6 and 9) usually sleep from 11pm to 7 or 8am so much of the driving is done by the time they wake up. The only problem you could encounter is if your daughter does not fall asleep.