For 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers only!

[beachphotog]

I am looking forward to it!

Any advice from any previous drivers? Tips? Shortcuts? Must-haves for the car?

 

[middlepat]

For those of you who drive down. What kind of car do you drive???

Just completed our first trip in our Toyota Sienna (2008).

Loved having all the space for anything that we needed.

A few tips that we picked up on here that were invaluable:

1) Kooltron Cooler. This was great to have cool beverages in the car and keep some fresh fruit available for the kids.

2) We had a tub of other snacks that we kept in the back and every stop we would transfer some stuff up front. This way the leg room was not always blocked.

3) DW read about using storage boxes instead of suit cases. Loved this as we put the clothes in drawers in the hotel room and didn't have suit cases to trip over.

4) When route mapping, don't over estimate traffic delays through major cities. On our trip down, I thought I'd be smart and avoid Chicago traffic. I added an extra 50+ miles to the trip and across some non-Interstate roads. Net effect was 2 hours longer down than home.

Hope everyone has a great drive. We'll definitely drive down again.

 

[dantedisney]

For those of you who drive down. What kind of car do you drive???

We took my wife's 2005 Acura MDX (with DVD and NAV). There were 2 adults and 2 girls (9yo and 3yo).

It is just big enough for all of our stuff.. I still think we brought too much though. Next time, we'll pack less.

 

[Mysteria]

For those of you who drive down. What kind of car do you drive???

2003 Honda Element. Normally just 2 of us in it. Tons of room and I can make my seat (and the back seat) into a bed if I want to.

 

[BC1836]

But at what point do total miles on the odometer suggest that it's time to use/buy another vehicle for subsequent WDW round-trip drives?

 

[u4ik]

For those of you who drive down. What kind of car do you drive???

We drove down first time in April in a 2005 Honda CRV. The car had enough room for the 4 of us for a week and great mileage. The only drawback was the ride is a bit rougher than a minivan and after 20+ hours, you do notice everything.

If I had to pick 3 essential things for the trip it would be - 1) bring car adapters for everything, 2) avoid the GWB in NYC, 3)lots of chewy snacks

 

[rotlex]

We drove down first time in April in a 2005 Honda CRV. The car had enough room for the 4 of us for a week and great mileage. The only drawback was the ride is a bit rougher than a minivan and after 20+ hours, you do notice everything.

If I had to pick 3 essential things for the trip it would be - 1) bring car adapters for everything, 2) avoid the GWB in NYC, 3)lots of chewy snacks

We love our 2006 CRV! While note quite as big or comfy as a mini van, it gets far better mileage than most, and still have plenty of space. When the kids are a bit older, we may have to move to a slightly larger vehicle, but I'm going to avoid that as long as possible. (Plus the CRV is paid for, which is always a good thing)!

 

[mrodgers]

But at what point do total miles on the odometer suggest that it's time to use/buy another vehicle for subsequent WDW round-trip drives?

I just use the following as a guide...

Ford, Chevy, Dodge - about 23,000-25,000 miles

Honda, Toyota, Nissan - about 200,000-220,000 miles

 

[disneyfan55]

I just use the following as a guide...

Ford, Chevy, Dodge - about 23,000-25,000 miles

Honda, Toyota, Nissan - about 200,000-220,000 miles

Sad, but pretty true. Even though many of the foreign cars are made here now! Mine was made in Japan as was my son's but many of the newer models are made here in the US.

 

[BC1836]

I just use the following as a guide...

Ford, Chevy, Dodge - about 23,000-25,000 miles

Honda, Toyota, Nissan - about 200,000-220,000 miles

Yup.
We've got a 2001 Honda CRV with 176,000+ miles on it but we don't take it to WDW anymore. It's just a concern about its reliability on a long trip with so many miles. Still, we've never had a problem with it. When it's time to replace it we'll probably select the same model.

 

[Kazzy1548]

Hi Guys ,
We are thinking of buying a toyota corolla or a nissan sentra. Anyone drove one of those cars for your trip down, yojur feedback will be much apreciated. We will be 2 adults , 1 teeneger and a 10 year old.
thank you

 

[Flyerfan]

Just returned this evening. This was our second drive in 2 months and honestly, it's too much driving that close together. We're sticking to once per year, or at least 9 or 10 months apart. We had a great drive, though. No traffic problems and great weather. Before we left home last Friday, we were considering 81-66-17-95 but with all the wind and rain from the tropical storm we took our usual 81-77-26-95 and had only 1/2 hour of light drizzle in VA. Not sure when our next trip will be. Good luck and great fun to all you 2,000 mile round trippers.

 

[maiyasmom]

My family drive to WDW from Central New Jersey at least twice a year. This year we drove down in June and then again during "Jersey Week" (Halloween thru 1st week of November). We love the drive down. The excitement as you get closer and no hassles with delayed flights etc. We usually leave no later than 6 p.m. and drive straight through to arrive by 11:30-12p.m. the next day. The drive isn't bad at all especially if you've done it a couple of times. lol

 

[rotlex]

The drive isn't bad at all especially if you've done it a couple of times. lol

This is so true! The first time we made the drive from PA, it was tolerable, but still seemed really long. Each time after, it seemed very tolerable. Now, it's kind of like a day trip; we don't even think about it, and actually enjoy the drive, making it a real part of the trip, rather than just travel time. I think once you know the route, and sites, it just starts to seem quicker and quicker each time, as you now recognize different points during the routes.

To be honest, unless there is a SUPER deal on flights, and rental cars in FL, I don't think we will ever fly again.

 

[dvczerfs]

Just returned this evening. This was our second drive in 2 months and honestly, it's too much driving that close together. We're sticking to once per year, or at least 9 or 10 months apart. We had a great drive, though. No traffic problems and great weather. Before we left home last Friday, we were considering 81-66-17-95 but with all the wind and rain from the tropical storm we took our usual 81-77-26-95 and had only 1/2 hour of light drizzle in VA. Not sure when our next trip will be. Good luck and great fun to all you 2,000 mile round trippers.

welcome home fan, glad you had a drive and trip.

 

[cey]

After having JB change my DS and DGF March flights (worked out well though as we were able to change for better flights!), I am really looking forward to driving down in February. To tell the honest truth, I am not missing checking the Alamo site for car rentals, and the JB site for flight changes for DH and myself! It just seems really simple, pack the car and go when we want to (weather dependant). We know it is going to be a long drive and I think we are in the right mind set. We take our time and no more crazy 24 hour drives!

 

[PattnFmly]

AAA sends us from home - through the Ted Williams Tunnel to the Mass Pike to 84 all the way into New York. Then 684 to 287 to the Garden State Parkway to the New Jersy Turnpike. We picked up 95 South somewhere around Baltimore I believe. I'd have to look at the triptik again to remember the exact details from there. We made good time though. We also had our snacks in the back. The boys' could turn around and get stuff out, as we put the food box just behind the seats. Less stuff underfoot that way!

 

[Catira]

We are going to disneyworld this coming december
Decided we are driving since rental cars are sky high for 12/20-12/31.

Plan to leave on 12/18 in the afternoon since kiddos have early release. We will be making our first stop in Houston, Texas after driving 6 hours. Still not sure where next stop will be.. DH doesn't want to drive 10-12 hours a day. He feels we are too tired the first day when we arrive at disney. He's hoping to divide trip into 2 days of driving.. arriving orlando on the third day 12/20. I had hoped to do 2 days of driving, but since he prefers to do 70% of the driving, I have to go by his plans.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

My husband prefers to drive too. I offer to drive, but on our last 2 trips I think I've really only driven about 2 out of the 22+ hour trip there or back. I don't know how he does it! He says he can't sleep in the car- but maybe it has something to do with my driving!!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

My kids & I were playing Disney "Scene It" last night and I realized it would be a great game for the drive. We have a DVD in the car, so the kids can play on the way to Disney. Even though they couldn't use the board part of the game, the DVD would provide some hours (hopefully) of entertainment.