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

[ksc37]

35 days (or 840 hours) exactly until we leave.

I haven't even made my packing list yet, so I'm feeling unprepared at this point.

 

[minnie mum]

Thanks for the tips. I'll have to give that information to my husband as he will want to do most of the driving. I don't mind driving but prefer to ride and he prefers to drive so it usually works out.

If I had my preference we would be flying but are trying to do this trip as cheaply as possible.

I hear ya! We could be sisters married to brothers by the sound of it. DH 'lets' me drive for a bit in the afternoons, but prefers to do the majority of the driving. I'd much rather just get there. But I must admit the trips haven't been nearly the torture I'd imagined them being. Actually quite enjoyed the scenery from Va. on south.

On the upside of such a long trip: Discovered a GREAT outlet mall just off the Interstate in St. Augustine. They have all the usual outlet shops, and we loaded up on a lot of clothes and shoes. But they've got a great Disney outlet there too. I got a couple of hoodies and Ts and DH got golf shirts, Ts and a really nice hat for 50-60% off the park prices. We're setting aside a couple of hours on the drive down just to stop off there.

Have a great trip.

 

[pwdebbie]

You all with your nice countdowns! I won't be going for another nine months. I'm thinking that once summer is over, instead of moving the summer clothes to the other closet, I should pack my suitcase so it will be all ready to go. Is that considered packing too soon?

 

[julluvsdisney]

Hey guys just wanted to leave an update. We left wed night 930 and got here at 830pm. We were gonna stop in sc but we made such great time we decided to keep on going. We shot straight down 95 hit very little traffic. One time was a car accident and the other was the tail end of rush hr in jax. Both jams only took about 10 min or so to get through! My.2 ds were angels with all things considered! We were lucky enough to get holiday inn resort lake buena vista for 45 through priceline which I booked during the traffic jam in jax at 630pm! The hotel is nice but the staff is kinda rude but thats for a whole different board lol! So we check into sheraton safari today for 2 days do some site seeing then check in at.pop for a week and hit the parks! So excited cant wait! Thank you everyone for your helpful hints!!! Safe travels all!

 

[BC1836]

Hey guys just wanted to leave an update. We left wed night 930 and got here at 830pm. We were lucky enough to get holiday inn resort lake buena vista for 45 through priceline which I booked during the traffic jam in jax at 630pm! The hotel is nice but the staff is kinda rude but thats for a whole different board lol! Safe travels all!

Glad you made it safe and sound.

Question: Did you stay at the Holiday Inn Express near the Crossroads shopping plaza?

All the best.

 

[Cdnmommy]

I hear ya! We could be sisters married to brothers by the sound of it. DH 'lets' me drive for a bit in the afternoons, but prefers to do the majority of the driving. I'd much rather just get there. But I must admit the trips haven't been nearly the torture I'd imagined them being. Actually quite enjoyed the scenery from Va. on south.

On the upside of such a long trip: Discovered a GREAT outlet mall just off the Interstate in St. Augustine. They have all the usual outlet shops, and we loaded up on a lot of clothes and shoes. But they've got a great Disney outlet there too. I got a couple of hoodies and Ts and DH got golf shirts, Ts and a really nice hat for 50-60% off the park prices. We're setting aside a couple of hours on the drive down just to stop off there.

Have a great trip.

Do you know the name of the outlet centre? That sounds like a great idea! Although, I would have to spring that on my DH as even though he likes to drive....he hates to stop and hates shopping even more! I might have to have it my my travel plans and say "oh, honey look - that would be a great place to stop!"

 

[minnie mum]

Do you know the name of the outlet centre? That sounds like a great idea! Although, I would have to spring that on my DH as even though he likes to drive....he hates to stop and hates shopping even more! I might have to have it my my travel plans and say "oh, honey look - that would be a great place to stop!"

The Disney store is at the Prime Outlet Mall at exit 318. Take Belz Blvd.

There is also a Premium Outlet Mall at the same exit (other side of the interstate). This is where I got most of my non-Disney stuff.
Here's a link to the I95 exit guide:http://www.i95exitguide.com/outletmalls/florida/index.php

We had planned to stop for only an hour or 2 around lunch time. 4 hours later we decided we really had to get back on the road. But we were still in Orlando in time for a late dinner.

 

[dvczerfs]

You all with your nice countdowns! I won't be going for another nine months. I'm thinking that once summer is over, instead of moving the summer clothes to the other closet, I should pack my suitcase so it will be all ready to go. Is that considered packing too soon?

its never to early to start packing. most of my stuff in always packed. there my disney clothes.

 

[PrincessMom4]

That's a good idea!!

 

[IndyDisney]

The Odometer read 1052 when we got to Orlando, straight through till morning. 17.5 hours. Maximized stops. Only had 3 between 3:30PM and 4AM. Had another 3 between 4AM and 8:30AM (That coffee went right though me ) DW finished the drive from JAX to Orlando. I was getting a bit bleary eyed and a bit wacky after 11 straight hours behind the wheel.

Glad we're here, but off to bed. Early to rise tomorrow to check in to CSR and get our KttW and then haul it to MK for 8:05 ADRs at Crystal Palace.

Cheers,
Indy

 

[Becky2005]

Tomorrow is our day to leave on our adventure!!! It will be interesting with Grandma in the car with us....probably bellyaching the whole way!!! YIKES....I'm driving the entire time so it's a little unnerving but I can do this. I drove the 1st half last time we went and we are stopping earlier this time around.

We are planning on leaving about here about 4:30 AM and picking Grandma up around 5ish (although it probably won't take us 30 minutes to get to Grandma's).

Let's see what we end up forgetting this year - there always seems to be something you forget. As long as it's nothing major we will be fine.

 

[dvczerfs]

Tomorrow is our day to leave on our adventure!!! It will be interesting with Grandma in the car with us....probably bellyaching the whole way!!! YIKES....I'm driving the entire time so it's a little unnerving but I can do this. I drove the 1st half last time we went and we are stopping earlier this time around.

We are planning on leaving about here about 4:30 AM and picking Grandma up around 5ish (although it probably won't take us 30 minutes to get to Grandma's).

Let's see what we end up forgetting this year - there always seems to be something you forget. As long as it's nothing major we will be fine.

grandma in the car!!! dont forget about aunt edna!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkbYDFlINM&feature=related

 

[BC1836]

The Odometer read 1052 when we got to Orlando, straight through till morning. 17.5 hours.
Cheers,
Indy

Your odometer reading and driving time are almost identical to ours.

Now it's time to forget about driving long distances; it's time to enjoy the magic! And you're soon to be joined at WDW by Becky2005.

All the best.

 

[blondietink]

You all with your nice countdowns! I won't be going for another nine months. I'm thinking that once summer is over, instead of moving the summer clothes to the other closet, I should pack my suitcase so it will be all ready to go. Is that considered packing too soon?

We always do this if we are planning on any winter/early spring trips. This year we are going on a cruise for a week after Thanksgiving and then spending a week at WDW , so when I put the summer clothes away at the end of September, I'll be packing those suitcases!

Then we have a vacation planned again to WDW in early April, so I'll just wash the stuff when we get back and then pack them in the suitcases again!

Yes, the minivan is going to get quite a workout in the next year. And DH is leaving in a week to go to Arizona/Utah, so that will also add 5,000 miles onto the minivan's odometer.

 

[BC1836]

This thread just celebrated its first anniversary!


posted on 7/12/10: For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

Welcome to "For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)", a continuation of the original thread which debuted on Dec. 6, 2007 and closed (with 251 pages of 3,755 posts and 210,793 views!) on July 14, 2010.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

This thread just celebrated its first anniversary!


posted on 7/12/10: For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

Welcome to "For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)", a continuation of the original thread which debuted on Dec. 6, 2007 and closed (with 251 pages of 3,755 posts and 210,793 views!) on July 14, 2010.

All the best.

 

[angelat]

I just realized we only have 19 days until we leave! I'm getting pretty excited. (who am I kidding...I've been excited since we booked!)

My son goes away to camp (Camp Cadet) this coming Sunday and will be back on Friday. Then we have a week until we leave. It should go pretty quickly.

I told my family about the license plate game for the ride and ever since then, they've been playing it! I tried telling them we didn't leave for WDW yet, ut they don't seem to mind!

 

[LadyBeBop]

This thread just celebrated its first anniversary!


posted on 7/12/10: For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

Welcome to "For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)", a continuation of the original thread which debuted on Dec. 6, 2007 and closed (with 251 pages of 3,755 posts and 210,793 views!) on July 14, 2010.

All the best.

Since we're already at page 200, this thread won't last 3 1/2 years as the last one did.

At the rate everyone is going, it probably won't last until the end of summer.

And I still have another 2 years plus until our next trip.

 

[Riverhill]

Leaving on the 20th of August from Michigan, arriving early on the 22nd. The first night we are stopping in Cleveland TN.


The second night we are debating between Lake City or Gainville. Has anyone stayed in Gainsville?

 

[BC1836]

Since we're already at page 200, this thread won't last 3 1/2 years as the last one did.

At the rate everyone is going, it probably won't last until the end of summer.

And I still have another 2 years plus until our next trip.

Indeed. This is an active thread, to be sure.

[Hey, this could be post #3,000!]

All the best.