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

[BC1836]

Our last day we go to Epcot in the morning. Mk in the afternoon. We head back to the resort around six pm. Shower and go to bed. We are up and on the road by 1:30 am. Straight thru and we hit home around 4:30 5 pm.

The only concern we have about your 1:30 a.m. departure is that you are paying for a full night's stay and leaving less than half way through. But if that pre-dawn departure works for you and yours, stick with it.

All the best.

 

[taychase1015]

Go 81. It is much more relaxing. Trips 1 & 2 from the same area were via 81. Decided for a change of pace and tried 95 for trip 3. Trip 4 (first time I handled the drive) was 81 again. No question in my mind which way I'll go if we have trip # 5. Hi neighbor!

Thank you PWDebbie! I definitely think that is the way I am going to go.

 

[chepic]

We are making our first of likely many upcoming drives to Orlando area. OCtober will be for vacation but it looks like we are relocation to that area in the next few years so we have to travel more to look around and 4 of us flying is pricey. I am glad to see this thread, making me feel a bit better about the drive. I want it to be part of the adventure! My 2 experiences as a kid driving were not a fun adventure. - Question- When you have a long ride home, what do you plan for your last day? I hoped to get in some time in Epcot before we go since I want to leave in the evening. We planned to drive later at night, trading off as needed. DH is used to long drives for work so Ill drive initially. I havent been able to sleep in car in the past but we never did an all nighter this far(we have an RV but its older and not tustworthy on this long of a trip.) Thanks

We drive to RI and have left Disney at different times. We find that we like to leave no later than noon. Also, we don't go into the parks on the last day. We have done it in the past, but we just feel sort of depressed as we leave. We tend to just take a last stop at downtown to grab a few mouse snacks for the ride, and everyone feels better. I have 2 sons and they have voted not to end the trip at the park.

We do drive straight home, only stopping for bathroom. My husband prefers it that way.

I am certain that no matter what you do, it will be right for you. Safe travels.

Cheryl

 

[jm106]

Thanks all, appreciate the experiences. We have a while to think about it. My original thought was DTD the last morning. I love 2 days at EP but this is the only way to fit in a second day, even if just short.
We fortunately wont have much packing as we are checking out of time share the day before, so only clothes and personal items for a one night stay(by DTD) before we get home. I dont want to exhaust ourselves before we drive home but fear refreshed kids on a 17 hour drive

 

[amcnj]

We are making our first of likely many upcoming drives to Orlando area. OCtober will be for vacation but it looks like we are relocation to that area in the next few years so we have to travel more to look around and 4 of us flying is pricey.
I am glad to see this thread, making me feel a bit better about the drive. I want it to be part of the adventure! My 2 experiences as a kid driving were not a fun adventure.
- Question- When you have a long ride home, what do you plan for your last day? I hoped to get in some time in Epcot before we go since I want to leave in the evening.
We planned to drive later at night, trading off as needed. DH is used to long drives for work so Ill drive initially. I havent been able to sleep in car in the past but we never did an all nighter this far(we have an RV but its older and not tustworthy on this long of a trip.)
Thanks

Being a bad overnight driver (ZZZZ), I tend to leave WDW in the morning. But if I could handle the overnight driving, I would consider your plan. Over the years I also got tired of stopping overnight on the way home, as day 2 just seems too long, even though it was half the driving time of day 1! So I have been going straight through coming and going lately. The last drive home I left WDW at 8 AM and was home just after midnight.

 

[DIS kid at heart]

We are about to take our 7th dribe although I feel like I'm missing one lol in may and we drive straight thru on our way back this time we will leave in the am so this will be new we have jeber had daylight until the end lol we have a dd7 and ds4 getting excited.

We are planning a trip for September and November but will use our Own car for those it is a 2003 Nissan maxima ajd is new to me lol but still the trips are close anyone done drives that close? I had a car doe on me on I-4 just a few exits away in rush hour before and that was not fun so I am kind of nervous. We are driving from Philadelphia.

I'm nervous this will happen to me!! We've never driven to Disney and we're taking our own car. Will be leaving one month from today, also from the same area (Central Jersey).

Did the car just overheat?? My car is about to hit 100,000 miles, but it hasn't given me any problems. It's a 2006 Chevy Malibu. Will be getting an oil change, tire rotation etc. before the trip.

 

[ness0905]

I'm nervous this will happen to me!! We've never driven to Disney and we're taking our own car. Will be leaving one month from today, also from the same area (Central Jersey).

Did the car just overheat?? My car is about to hit 100,000 miles, but it hasn't given me any problems. It's a 2006 Chevy Malibu. Will be getting an oil change, tire rotation etc. before the trip.

It was a older car and the transmission went! Sitting on the side of I-4 with a 2 year old and her carseat waiting for a tow truck and a cab was something I never want to do again. So we're alittle nervous but are hoping for the best it has been 5 years since we took our own car.

 

[DIS kid at heart]

It was a older car and the transmission went! Sitting on the side of I-4 with a 2 year old and her carseat waiting for a tow truck and a cab was something I never want to do again. So we're alittle nervous but are hoping for the best it has been 5 years since we took our own car.

Ahhh. I can imagine. Our DS is 2 now. I hope this trip goes better for you!!

 

[ParrotBill]

How bad are the delays on I-4 through the constructions these days? Bad enough to consider going around using the Bee-Line?

We now watch google maps with traffic to read the delays through Orlando now also. If the road looks red we use the Greenway all the way around (sure it costs but easy cruising at 70mph!)

 

[Goofygirl17]

So road trip number 6 is booked! The girls and I will be heading down the last week of June. We're going to leave a couple days early to stop at the beach- probably Daytona.

We're going to take the inland route again. It's a MUCH nicer, calmer drive. We drove down for Christmas week this year and took 95 all the way because we didn't want to get into the snow and/or fog in the mountains. It was the worst drive ever! We drove pretty much straight through from CT and it took like 27 hours!! It was horrible!! DH and I took turns driving but the stop and go traffic was making me sick so I did most of the driving.

So... back to the beautiful mountains. I can't wait!!

 

[rhughesdisney]

My daughter got accepted into Disney's College Program for the fall advantage. We live about an hour north of Pittsburgh and are planning on driving down a few times while she is in Florida. We have not driven in years and would like to know your different suggestions. Thinking of driving and staying around Brunswick the first night and finishing up the shorter drive the next day?? Any and all information would be great

 

[dvczerfs]

How bad are the delays on I-4 through the constructions these days? Bad enough to consider going around using the Bee-Line?

We now watch google maps with traffic to read the delays through Orlando now also. If the road looks red we use the Greenway all the way around (sure it costs but easy cruising at 70mph!)

I didn't have any problems in December and hit it at 4pm. but who knows what its like now.

So road trip number 6 is booked! The girls and I will be heading down the last week of June. We're going to leave a couple days early to stop at the beach- probably Daytona.

We're going to take the inland route again. It's a MUCH nicer, calmer drive. We drove down for Christmas week this year and took 95 all the way because we didn't want to get into the snow and/or fog in the mountains. It was the worst drive ever! We drove pretty much straight through from CT and it took like 27 hours!! It was horrible!! DH and I took turns driving but the stop and go traffic was making me sick so I did most of the driving.

So... back to the beautiful mountains. I can't wait!!

congrats on the new ride coming up!!!! say hello to the mtns for me!!!

My daughter got accepted into Disney's College Program for the fall advantage. We live about an hour north of Pittsburgh and are planning on driving down a few times while she is in Florida. We have not driven in years and would like to know your different suggestions. Thinking of driving and staying around Brunswick the first night and finishing up the shorter drive the next day?? Any and all information would be great

CONGRATS TO YOUR DAUGHTER!!!!

I drove my dd down in may to check in and move in. dw and I drove down a few weeks later in june. 80 days later in September and again 80 days later for Christmas!!!
there are people who visit this thread who come from your area that can help you out. (77 rings a bell?)

 

[msquoted]

What sort of things do you do with your vehicles to prepare for your trip? I was thinking we'd get all of our fluids checked, oil changed, and get a good detailing done (I enjoy traveling in a clean care). Anything else to think about? Tires?

 

[dvczerfs]

What sort of things do you do with your vehicles to prepare for your trip? I was thinking we'd get all of our fluids checked, oil changed, and get a good detailing done (I enjoy traveling in a clean care). Anything else to think about? Tires?

tire pressure. I usually take it for a tug and a wiggle. just tugs and wiggles everything to make sure nothing looks like its ready to go. we haven't taken a car down with more them 30k on it in years but that don't mean it cant break down.
make sure you got flash lights, spare tire is good and I always keep a few pairs of gloves in the spare incase I have to change a tire. I have m.b. road side assistance so they come get me if I need. I also have aaa.
I too cant stand traveling in a dirty car. we hit the car wash (no touch) at the hess station near the boardwalk with in a few days of arriving.
other then that..... luck plays a big part of it.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

What sort of things do you do with your vehicles to prepare for your trip? I was thinking we'd get all of our fluids checked, oil changed, and get a good detailing done (I enjoy traveling in a clean care). Anything else to think about? Tires?

My boyfriends cousin is a mechanic...so we were lucky, we just kinda took it in and told him we were driving to Florida, and to just do what he had to do lol. He did the fluids, oil, tires? He also saw my boyfriend had a break light out, so have them check those to so you don't get pulled over!

 

[joedplumber]

What sort of things do you do with your vehicles to prepare for your trip? I was thinking we'd get all of our fluids checked, oil changed, and get a good detailing done (I enjoy traveling in a clean care). Anything else to think about? Tires?

Leaving in a week! Here is my list.

1. Take to dealer for oil change, top off fluids, rotate tires and check tire pressures
2. Change all wipers and apply aquapel to windows
3. Wash and vacuum car
4. Preprogram all stops into car navigation
5. Replace batteries in wireless headphones for the kids

That's usually it for us.

 

[msquoted]

Leaving in a week! Here is my list.

1. Take to dealer for oil change, top off fluids, rotate tires and check tire pressures
2. Change all wipers and apply aquapel to windows
3. Wash and vacuum car
4. Preprogram all stops into car navigation
5. Replace batteries in wireless headphones for the kids

That's usually it for us.

Sounds like a great list- have fun! We are in the market for wireless headphones for our kiddos too. Do you use the Infrared headphones? Did they come with your vehicle or did you buy them aftermarket?

 

[joedplumber]

Sounds like a great list- have fun! We are in the market for wireless headphones for our kiddos too. Do you use the Infrared headphones? Did they come with your vehicle or did you buy them aftermarket?

The headphones we have are infrared and came with the vehicle. Would say we get about six months from a AA battery.

 

[RK13]

What sort of things do you do with your vehicles to prepare for your trip? I was thinking we'd get all of our fluids checked, oil changed, and get a good detailing done (I enjoy traveling in a clean care). Anything else to think about? Tires?

If you have mechanics you trust, have them do a trip check. It will cover what most posters listed. Also, check the belts and radiator hoses. Don't forget the spare tire air pressure.

 

[dvczerfs]

hey bc!!!! when are you going down again? I have to make a quick trip down for a few days and im going to hit the mk for two days and maybe I can plan it around your up coming trip.