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

[BC1836]

Howdy!

We have about an hour to go before we depart for WDW.

We wish all 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers well as we begin round-trip drive #25.

All the best.

 

[Disneyholic]

Howdy!

We have about an hour to go before we depart for WDW.

We wish all 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers well as we begin round-trip drive #25.

All the best.

Safe travels. Have a good time. Our time is coming soon, but not soon enough for me or DH.

 

[BC1836]

Safe travels. Have a good time. Our time is coming soon, but not soon enough for me or DH.

Thanks!

Greetings from Lake Buena Vista, Fl!
We departed the Jersey Shore at 12:18 a.m. yesterday and crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge at 1:55 a.m.

We entered the following states at these times:

MD...2:10 a.m.
VA...3.55 a.m.
NC...7:02 a.m.
SC...10:35 a.m.
GA...1:50 p.m.
FL...3::46 p.m.
FL...I-4...5:40 p.m.
Lake Buena Vista...6:48 p.m.

1,064 miles

Two gas stops (exit $33 in VA and exit #68 in SC): both $3.29 regular.

We took more rest stop breaks than usual due to a lack of sleep the previous night.

Lots of State Police activity in NJ.

Some construction in NJ on I-95 and MD; no delays during the early morning hours.

All the best.

 

[nono]

WOW! Still looks good to me. My last fill up here in New England was $3.37 a gallon!
We're looking forwar to lower gas prices as we go south in February. My memory is that prices get cheaper as we go south- but maybe not in CT, NY, NJ, and Virginia. Should we fill up at home and try to just north of DC before we gas up again??

I'd drop NJ from your list, in most cases. NJ has some of the cheaper prices in the Northeast. Now, the only thing that could mess you up is that the stations that have the exclusive contracts on the main highway rest areas are not allowed to change their prices as quickly as those off-highway. So, say there's a big price drop a couple days before you travel, then NJ won't be a good bet unless you get off at an exit v. a rest area on the Parkway or Turnpike.

 

[blondietink]

Left WDW at 9 am today.Arrived in Mt. Airy NC about 8 pm for the night. Cheapest gas so far has been Rock Hill SC at $2.98. We're hoping to see the $2.89 in Virginia that we bought 2 weeks ago on the way south. Here's hoping the rest of the way is free of rain and snow.

We thought the parks were busier than when we came at this time of year 4 years ago. I expected the Pop Warner groups, but there were those dreaded Brazilian tour groups also. The tree in Mk was not up on Monday, but was up when we went back to MK on Wednesday. Saw Fantasmic and Osborne Lights on Tuesday, and both were very uncrowded. Had a great time. One week is not long enough to see everything at this time of year. DH got sick which didn't help my schedule.

 

[sharadoc]

Thanks!

Greetings from Lake Buena Vista, Fl!
We departed the Jersey Shore at 12:18 a.m. yesterday and crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge at 1:55 a.m.

We entered the following states at these times:

MD...2:10 a.m.
VA...3.55 a.m.
NC...7:02 a.m.
SC...10:35 a.m.
GA...1:50 p.m.
FL...3::46 p.m.
FL...I-4...5:40 p.m.
Lake Buena Vista...6:48 p.m.

1,064 miles

Two gas stops (exit $33 in VA and exit #68 in SC): both $3.29 regular.

We took more rest stop breaks than usual due to a lack of sleep the previous night.

Lots of State Police activity in NJ.

Some construction in NJ on I-95 and MD; no delays during the early morning hours.

All the best.

Have a great trip!

 

[nono]

Hey, did everyone sneak of to WDW without telling me? We're getting geared up for our drive early in the new year.

 

[lovin'fl]

We are about 900 miles (MD) to Disney and we've driven 3 times to Disney, 2 times to cruise out of Jaxport and 2 times to cruise out of Port Canaveral. 4 years ago we lived about 260 miles (NC) closer to Disney and that was not a bad drive...we did it 4 times. We are 38 and just did the drive this past July. The- straight through- drive home was AWFUL!!!!! We said we'd never do it again, though we've said that many times before. It seems like we can handle about 8 hours. We are going to Disney next week and are flying for the 1st time because we got really great rates on airfare. I am REALLY looking forward to not having that drive.

 

[BC1836]

Howdy!

We've been here about a week and it's been wonderful! We've used our vehicle a number of times, like last night when we went to AKL and FWL to photograph their Christmas trees.

We had VIP seats for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
[We were pinching ourselves.]

Today, we were on the launch to the MK (via the Poly) and later took a cruiser to Fort Wilderness where we paid respects to Fess Parker and Davy Crockett at the Crockett Tavern.

Ah....

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

Howdy!

We've been here about a week and it's been wonderful! We've used our vehicle a number of times, like last night when we went to AKL and FWL to photograph their Christmas trees.

We had VIP seats for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
[We were pinching ourselves.]

Today, we were on the launch to the MK (via the Poly) and later took a cruiser to Fort Wilderness where we paid respects to Fess Parker and Davy Crockett at the Crockett Tavern.

Ah....

All the best.

 

[BC1836]

Cloudy, mid-70s and so relaxing.

Another launch from the GF to the MK via the POLY. Buzz, Pirates, People Mover and the "Celebrate a Dream Comes True" parade before heading back to our room. EPCOT tonight: Candlelight Processional and Illuminations!

Ahh.

All the best.

 

[pwdebbie]

Cloudy, mid-70s and so relaxing.

Another launch from the GF to the MK via the POLY. Buzz, Pirates, People Mover and the "Celebrate a Dream Comes True" parade before heading back to our room. EPCOT tonight: Candlelight Processional and Illuminations!

Ahh.

All the best.

Crowds? I'm thinking our April 2012 trip might be cancelled and I'd love try Dec. instead.

 

[sharadoc]

Cloudy, mid-70s and so relaxing.

Another launch from the GF to the MK via the POLY. Buzz, Pirates, People Mover and the "Celebrate a Dream Comes True" parade before heading back to our room. EPCOT tonight: Candlelight Processional and Illuminations!

Ahh.

All the best.

Jealous! How did you get VIP for MVMCP? Are you now a Disney VIP because of the book?? You're one of those celebrities now, aren't you??

 

[sharadoc]

Crowds? I'm thinking our April 2012 trip might be cancelled and I'd love try Dec. instead.

Oh, you have to try December at least once! I think it's the same or better compared to April. Just be aware that there's so much "extra" to do that you need to either give up some of the regular stuff, or concentrate on the special holiday happenings to maximize the December timeframe.

Like, we must have spent 4 out of 7 nights at DHS just for the Osborne Lights, no matter what we did during that day. It was worth it!

 

[BC1836]

Jealous! How did you get VIP for MVMCP? Are you now a Disney VIP because of the book?? You're one of those celebrities now, aren't you??

Greetings from Petersburg, VA...after a 12-hour drive from the GF at 8:30 a.m. This is our overnight stop. No construction of note on our drive, no traffic of note; we averaged about 70-75 mph all the way.

The VIP seating was offered as a result of a kindness; it was wasn't related to "the book." We watched the second parade at the beginning of Main Street; we needed to experience the "snow."

December can be hectic at WDW, especially withing one week of Christmas. But there's something quite wonderful about the parks' decorations, the music, MVMCP, the hotel decorations and the trees. HS, of course, is unique.

Tomorrow: our journey home.

We're planning our next visit for March. Let the countdown begin.

All the best.

 

[cruisingkat]

Back from our 6th trip to Disney this year. Now to put up the Christmas decorations at home. Guess I have to add another tree to our collection of 9 trees. With all the Disney ornaments that I bought at WDW and through Hallmark over the years, I have enough for an all Disney tree. So day after Christmas, I will be tree shopping for next year.
Then it will be time to get ready for our Feb. trip for the Princess half marathon that our middle daughter is running. Since we are driving and she & her children will be flying, we have to bring the "Go Mommy" signs as well as any other things that won't fit in her luggage. I expect that we may be bringing home way more than we take down. Can't wait - almost all the family should be there to cheer her on.

PS: It was our 6th trip to Disney but we only drove from home down to FL 4 times. The other two times we drove from another location in FL.

 

[sharadoc]

Greetings from Petersburg, VA...after a 12-hour drive from the GF at 8:30 a.m. This is our overnight stop. No construction of note on our drive, no traffic of note; we averaged about 70-75 mph all the way.

The VIP seating was offered as a result of a kindness; it was wasn't related to "the book." We watched the second parade at the beginning of Main Street; we needed to experience the "snow."

December can be hectic at WDW, especially withing one week of Christmas. But there's something quite wonderful about the parks' decorations, the music, MVMCP, the hotel decorations and the trees. HS, of course, is unique.

Tomorrow: our journey home.

We're planning our next visit for March. Let the countdown begin.

All the best.

Sounds like you had a lovely trip! Have a great holiday and Happy New Year1 Our countdown will officially begin when we tell our kids about the trip on Christmas morning! SO excited about a leisurely January trip in the cool weather again.

 

[stazmatic]

Joining the 2000+ crowd as flights are too stinkin expensive!! Plus, I would rather drive than take 6 kids through airport security. Last time we flew the kids got patted down because we tried to take our nebulizer as a carryon. UGH!

Anyway so we are leaving at 4am December 26th and I am getting very very nervous. There will be 10 of us total, 3 drivers, 2 teenadults to help with little kids, and 5 kids. I am worried about the potential for traffic. We are driving from north of Chicago straight through to FL. In the past we have left around 7pm to avoid traffic but this year that won't work. Any suggestions are very appreciated!

 

[nono]

Stazmatic, oh have fun!!!!!

I'd declare 2 20 min. sing-along times along the way. Start them when things get slow. Also, I suggest, with that large an age range, huge packs of colorful pipe cleaners. You'd be amazed what folks can sculpt out of them. Have an "art exhibition" at the end, where everyone oohs and ahhs over things.

Also, if any of your littles' feet don't reach the floor, use a small suitcase as a footrest for them. Someone on a thread like this long ago mentioned that, and it's been the best piece of advice ever.

Oh, and I'd make everyone change positions. When we travel as a group of 7 in 2 cars, we change out between cars for a couple segments just to keep things fresh during a day trip. It really helps to pass the time sitting next to someone else.

 

[BC1836]

Howdy!

We returned Sunday afternoon from our overnight stay in Petersburg, VA. No traffic delays except for a one-mile, three lanes into two situation due to an accident in MD at mm 94.

Gas prices were dropping all week at Disney Hess. By the time we reached Petersburg, VA, the price was down to $3.08. By the time we got home, the nearby Wawa was selling regular at $2.99.

Total round trip drive mileage: 2,235 miles (including 95 miles of driving in WDW).

"Bounce-back" WDW room offers of 35% off were distributed on those calendar cards in the rooms and we promptly took advantage of it for next October and December. Of course, we can't wait until October. And, of course, we'll never catch up to dvczerfs all-time record number of drives.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!

All the best.