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

[mom2maggie]

I didn't think I could join this thread, but I just mapped it out, and between my driveway and our resort at Coronado Springs it is EXACTLY 1,000 miles. So I guess that means our round trip drive will be EXACTLY 2,000 miles.

This will be our 3rd drive down from central Indiana - 2009, 2010, and now 2012!

 

[Disneyholic]

A New Year's Eve drive has that built-in factor of probably more than usual DWI/DUI drivers in the early morning hours of the new year. Take care.

All the best.

When we drove down New Years Eve 2004-2005, we did the turnpike to 95 and straight through to Orlando. We left at around 1 am on January 1 and after getting on the turnpike we saw only 2 other cars and no tractor trailers till we hit Georgia in the morning and even then it wasn't that busy. I think that was our fastest time to Georgia ever. Hopefully this trip will be as smooth although we will hopefully be leaving a little earlier this time.

 

[dvczerfs]

I didn't think I could join this thread, but I just mapped it out, and between my driveway and our resort at Coronado Springs it is EXACTLY 1,000 miles. So I guess that means our round trip drive will be EXACTLY 2,000 miles.

This will be our 3rd drive down from central Indiana - 2009, 2010, and now 2012!

add in bathroom breaks and gas stops and you'll be over 2000.

 

[BC1836]

When we drove down New Years Eve 2004-2005, we did the turnpike to 95 and straight through to Orlando. We left at around 1 am on January 1 and after getting on the turnpike we saw only 2 other cars and no tractor trailers till we hit Georgia in the morning and even then it wasn't that busy. I think that was our fastest time to Georgia ever. Hopefully this trip will be as smooth although we will hopefully be leaving a little earlier this time.

An interesting observation, to be sure!

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

We were there last year Dec 4-11 and it was brutal! I guess you're anticipating something warmer this year But seriously, when were you there in December? We froze all last year at Christmastime, based on the photo of DVCZerfs and me - we are all bundled up as much as could be, I think I have three sweatshirts on at the time! We had to leave the Candlelight Processional after 15 minutes because we couldn't stand the cold and wind.

 

[BC1836]

We were there last year Dec 4-11 and it was brutal! I guess you're anticipating something warmer this year But seriously, when were you there in December? We froze all last year at Christmastime, based on the photo of DVCZerfs and me - we are all bundled up as much as could be, I think I have three sweatshirts on at the time! We had to leave the Candlelight Processional after 15 minutes because we couldn't stand the cold and wind.

Just checking our notes from that trip: the mornings were the coldest: Orlando tied its low temp for Dec. 6 with 38-degrees [1981]. And Orlando's low temp on Dec. 8 was 30-degrees. On Dec. 9 it reached a high of 63-degrees. But the days were nice and, after all, Lake Buena Vista is much farther south than Orlando!

All the best.

 

[hsembrick]

Has anyone ever used a receiver hitch cargo carrier/basket for your luggage? We are thinking about packing our stuff in rubbermaid tubs and using a cargo carrier but just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with it. TIA

 

[pmdeve]

We plan on staying one night at POFQ before we check into the BC for our December trip. Would you empty all of your luggage, or leave it in the car until you move to the next hotel?

I know that you can have the luggage transferred for us but it we probably won't get to POFQ until 7 or 8 Pm and it seems easier to just leave it in the car and bring it with us. What do you do?

 

[hsembrick]

We plan on staying one night at POFQ before we check into the BC for our December trip. Would you empty all of your luggage, or leave it in the car until you move to the next hotel?

I know that you can have the luggage transferred for us but it we probably won't get to POFQ until 7 or 8 Pm and it seems easier to just leave it in the car and bring it with us. What do you do?

We are planning on doing the same thing but different hotels and are just going to pack on over night bag with pj's, toiletries and clothes for the next day. We probably won't arrive at our resort til around 8pm and it will just be easier to grab one bag then to try and unload everything that evening.

 

[Glenn&Sharon]

Has anyone ever used a receiver hitch cargo carrier/basket for your luggage? We are thinking about packing our stuff in rubbermaid tubs and using a cargo carrier but just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with it. TIA

We use one on the back of our motor home. It works for us.
We did have one stolen once, while we were napping at a rest stop in WI. Now we have a locking receiver pin.

 

[hsembrick]

We use one on the back of our motor home. It works for us.
We did have one stolen once, while we were napping at a rest stop in WI. Now we have a locking receiver pin.

THANKS! So sorry to hear that it was stolen!

 

[pwdebbie]

We plan on staying one night at POFQ before we check into the BC for our December trip. Would you empty all of your luggage, or leave it in the car until you move to the next hotel?

I know that you can have the luggage transferred for us but it we probably won't get to POFQ until 7 or 8 Pm and it seems easier to just leave it in the car and bring it with us. What do you do?

I'd go with the overnight bag also. Can't see why you would want to unload your car, haul it all to your room, only to call bell services in the morning and have them transfer it. I'm thinking -- tip to get it to the room, tip to get it out of the room, tip to get it transferred and delivered to your new room. I have better ways to spend my money!

We spend one night or two on the road and I pack an overnight bag for that. Works perfectly for us.

 

[dvczerfs]

I'd go with the overnight bag also. Can't see why you would want to unload your car, haul it all to your room, only to call bell services in the morning and have them transfer it. I'm thinking -- tip to get it to the room, tip to get it out of the room, tip to get it transferred and delivered to your new room. I have better ways to spend my money!

We spend one night or two on the road and I pack an overnight bag for that. Works perfectly for us.

when we stay over night, we do the same. pjs and one change.

 

[sharadoc]

We plan on staying one night at POFQ before we check into the BC for our December trip. Would you empty all of your luggage, or leave it in the car until you move to the next hotel?

I know that you can have the luggage transferred for us but it we probably won't get to POFQ until 7 or 8 Pm and it seems easier to just leave it in the car and bring it with us. What do you do?

Leave it. We're doing it in the opposite direction - another hotel for the last night and we'll load up and take an overnight bag in.

On our last trip, we stayed 3 days at the Contemporary then moved to OKW. We packed separate bags for the Contemporary and left everything in the van to move it ourselves. I think it's more trouble than it's worth to unpack just to have it moved and be unsure when you'll see everything at the new place.

 

[sharadoc]

I didn't think I could join this thread, but I just mapped it out, and between my driveway and our resort at Coronado Springs it is EXACTLY 1,000 miles. So I guess that means our round trip drive will be EXACTLY 2,000 miles.

This will be our 3rd drive down from central Indiana - 2009, 2010, and now 2012!

Oh, we welcome those that don't fit the criteria exactly Just as long as you love driving and won't bash us for not flying!!!

 

[mom2maggie]

We plan on staying one night at POFQ before we check into the BC for our December trip. Would you empty all of your luggage, or leave it in the car until you move to the next hotel?

I know that you can have the luggage transferred for us but it we probably won't get to POFQ until 7 or 8 Pm and it seems easier to just leave it in the car and bring it with us. What do you do?

We do this every time - we drive down and stay at a DTD hotel the day before our resort stay starts. I pack 3 sets of bags - 1 set is our regular/resort vacation bags, packed furthest from the door, then near the door is our toiletries bag and our overnight bags for the extra day. It has pajamas and a change of clothes. I pack 2 of them in case we get tired on the drive down and find somewhere to sleep for the night.

 

[mom2maggie]

Oh, we welcome those that don't fit the criteria exactly Just as long as you love driving and won't bash us for not flying!!!

Oh, I do! We prefer to drive - yeah, its a long way, and yeah, we have to add at least a day (or two) to each end of our trip, but we have our van with us, I don't have to fret about how to pack, and I can bring as much shampoo with me as I want - more than 3oz, thats for sure Plus, isn't it part of the fun? Who doesn't love a good road trip?

 

[angwill]

We plan on staying one night at POFQ before we check into the BC for our December trip. Would you empty all of your luggage, or leave it in the car until you move to the next hotel?

I know that you can have the luggage transferred for us but it we probably won't get to POFQ until 7 or 8 Pm and it seems easier to just leave it in the car and bring it with us. What do you do?

I have a small suitcase with all the necessities for all of us to get by a couple days and only take that one in leaving the rest of the luggage in the trunk. This way has always been easiest for us.

 

[BC1836]

We are also of the "overnight bag" club. We also take a few extra bags with us (especially the computer) when we check in to that pre or post-WDW hotel/motel. The rest of the luggage is kept out of sight in our vehicle by a removable shelf.

All the best.

 

[minniefamily13]

I'm glad to join this great thread! We are planning our 1st trip driving down in April 2012. We have only been to Disney once (in 2009) but we flew down.

We are excited to drive this time. Anyone out there from Michigan, have advice on driving down I 75?

We are planning to leave on a Sunday around 5:00 am and try to drive as far as possible but at least 12-14 hours. Any advice on where to stop for the night? It will be me, DH, DD8 and DD6.