From San Diego, CA to Disney World

[itzmehkristine]

We are planning to go to Disney World in December, from the 12th-17th. We booked the Allstar Music suite. There is six of us. 4 adults, 1 child, and 1 senior. I was just wondering if this has been done before. We are planning to drive all the way from San Diego to Florida. We are trying to find a car that can take us there. Any suggestions or tips? The reason why we aren't flying is because my mom hates flying.

 

[grimley1968]

As far as vehicles go, I guess I'd go with a minivan if you must make that drive. That way, all 6 of you will probably get your own seat for that journey. Failing a minivan, maybe an SUV of some sort. Sitting high in a minivan or SUV allows me to drive for longer distances, because it's less tiring to me for some reason.

I know it's against the spirit of your post: but how adamant is your mom about not flying? I cannot imagine driving 2500 miles, one way, just to stay at WDW for 5 days, then drive the same 2500 miles back. Why not just go to Disneyland? Honestly, as far as attractions go, there's not much in WDW that's not at DL, and DL has some stuff that WDW doesn't have. The weather is almost certain to be better in SoCal in December than just about anywhere else in America, including Florida.

I've often dreamed of driving out west rather than flying, but it would have to be a post-retirement trip probably, with time to stop for a day or two along the way at different spots.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do you understand what a very long drive that will be? Why don't you all fly and let Mom take the bus or train if she won't drive?

 

[skiingfast]

I'd really consider some Xanax and flying. That's a long haul and with the granparent I'm guessing sleeping in the car and driving strait through isn't possible.

As far as cars I would try a crossover with three rows of seats and rooms for bags. Mileage may be important and range as well. You will have to stop a lot but stopping less for gas might save a lot of time on your trip. If you don't have one I'd get a DVD player with a car charger included too.

 

[doggydoc]

I have made the drive to and from southern MS to San diego several times (when I was much younger and dumber!) The best time I ever made (driving straight through eating and restroom breaks only when I had to stop for gas) was 26 hours! You would have at least 10 more hours on top of that to get to Orlando. I can't imagine a family with a child and a senior making it there in much less than 50 hours and even that would be tough. That means with a five day stay you would be spending almost as much time on the road as at the park. I would REALLY try to push for flying if I were you.

 

[At World's End]

I have to agree with everything stated above. It would be a HORRIBLE drive. My family flew from San Diego to Orlando for $260 RT on Delta last January. I'm sure it would be more cost effective for everyone else to fly, and have mom take the train if she is set against flying. The cost of renting a van/crossover alone would probably be as much as air tickets, not even taking into consideration gas, food and lodging.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Seriously. Send mom on a train ahead of time if she insists on holding the rest of the family hostage. You're looking at 7-9 hours as opposed to 4 days in a car cramped with luggage. You can spend a few more days at WDW.

 

[NJRRK]

Seriously. Send mom on a train ahead of time if she insists on holding the rest of the family hostage

The train from SD is not really an option.

From San Diego to Orlando you would have to go to LA, then Chicago, then Wash DC, or NY, then FL. OR San Diego to LA to New Orleans to Wash DC to FL.

The Sunset Limited hasn't gone into Orlando since 2006.

 

[itzmehkristine]

Thanks everyone for your reply's. I talked to my mom and told her about your replys how it would be horrible to dirve all the way there. So we came to an agreement that she is going to take the train early, and the rest of us are going to fly.

 

[NJRRK]

Good luck with the train, it's very indirect from CA to FL.

Wait until you get onto the Amtrak website.