Has anyone ever driven down to Disney??

[Donnainnj]

We have driven a couple of times. We never drive through, but do a long first day to around Darien, Ga. This is with two of us switching off driving, starting off at about 5:30am. It takes us about 13 to 14 hours to get there. Then we eat, usually at Cracker Barrel, and get sleep. We leave around 7:30 or 8:00am, and get to WDW in about 4 hours ready to go. If we drove through there is no way I would be functioning that first day we got there. I have to stay awake when DH is driving to keep him awake, my own little screwy personality trait.
Good luck, Donna

 

[laliwalden]

One more thing- for me, the drive down isn't bad. It's the drive home!!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We always drive (well, we've flown once), and we drive it straight through (from Ohio). We leave as soon as school is out for the day, and we arrive at WDW around 6:30-7:30 in the morning, depending on stops. We much prefer driving to flying. We live 2-3 hours from the airport, so it's really not too convenient to fly anyway.

It works really well for us. Our boys (9 & 7) usually sleep most of the way, and DH is used to being up at night due to his job. I drive a few hours once we get through Charlotte so DH can sleep awhile, usually SC/GA, and DH takes over before we get to Jacksonville.

We drive straight through on the way home, too. We've talked about stopping on the way home for the night, but by the time we'd be ready, we're usually less than 4 hours from home.

 

[disneychrista]

We always drive. But we are talking an 8 hour drive to Disneyland. Not a cross-country 3000 mile drive to WDW.

 

[Chelley00]

We are coming from Indiana in December. We are going to try to drive it straight through. We live 18 hours away. We'll see how it goes.

We've driven from Indiana twice, and are doing it again in October. We usually go straight through on the way down, but we always stop halfway on the way home. Everyone is so tired it's just hard to make it home without resting.

We usually leave very early in the morning, around 4am and are in Orlando by 9pm. This way the kids sleep the first 3-4 hours in the van, which cuts some of the time we have to keep them occupied

 

[luvdumbo]

I have driven down to Disney its a twenty-four hour drive from MN. But Ionly drive when stopping to see friends on the way, I'm an Army Brat I have friends in just about every state. Otherwise a twenty-four hr drive can be lengthy.

I used to be afraid of flying, but my dad got stationed in Hawaii so flying was our only option. After that long flight it does not bother me anymore, although I still clench the arm rest during turbulence.

 

[Dismom55]

We live in the Dayton Ohio area and driving is the only way we go to WDW, with stops driving thru would be about a 16 hour drive. However, we like to stop and sleep in Lake City Florida, we get plenty of rest a breakfast at the hotel we stay in and have about a 2 1/2 hour drive. We do the check in at about 11a, have an early lunch, get our refillable mug and then head to the parks and enjoy a well rested day at the parks.

We lived in New Jersey for our first trip and drove the whole way straight, checked in, set up camp (we camped that time) and hit the sack. Tired, very tired.

I much prefer the way we do things now, but driving the entire way is not out of the question as long as we get an early start and can take turns driving. We simply are getting to old for that now and budget for a hotel stay en route both going to and coming from Disney.

I also rather enjoy the drive. I will fly someday, but at present it is cheaper to drive even with hotel and rental car.

We pack a cooler with premade sandwiches and sodas etc for eating/snacking on the way. We also pack lots of things to keep the kids occupied. Not that we need to now as my kids are grown, they can gather thier own busy items. We tend to have a warm dinner when we have checked into the hotel for the night.

NOTE: Hubby has not been going lately, so I am the only adult doing the driving now, I simply must rest, therefore the hotel stop, if not for that fact we would drive it thru as I would be able to rest while he drives.

 

[lisajl]

We drive from Ohio...I don't like to fly that much and it's too expensive.
We always have so much fun on our road trips!
You will be fine...just make sure to make some pit stops along the way to stretch your legs.
Lisa

 

[lynn46356]

Another Hoosier (Indiana) here! We almost ALWAYS drive straight through to WDW. We have made 7 trips so far (this December makes 8 and February 9 ). Once we left at 2 a.m. and made it to Gainesville to spend the night and left early morning to drive the remaining 2 hours to get to WDW. Having done that once we said we'd not do that again because we were just so close. Its really easy (I think lol) by leaving at noonish we arrive at WDW in time to get to the parks for a full day. Our last trip was in December of last year and we arrived at POP and our room was ready at 8:30 a.m. We checked into it and thought we'd take naps. Ha, who can nap when they're at Disney. We quickly decided to make our way to MK. I usually make an early dinner reservation and we're ready to call it a day by 9 in the evening. I can't believe we're still doing this. DH and myself are NOW middle aged but once we get to Disney we feel YOUNG AGAIN.

 

[nepean]

We drive from Ottawa, Canada and it takes about 25 hours. We have done both straight through and stopping for one night in NC. I prefer the straight through. We leave at 6am and have breakfast in Orlando the next morning around 8:30. That is assuming the weather is ok up north. Last year we hit one of the major snow events around Washington. It took us 6 1/2 hours to drive what should have been 3 hours. We drive a Sante Fe and it has snow tires so we kept going but it was nerve wracking. I prefer to not stop and get there as soon as possible. We check in our hotel if possible (usually has been) and go to DTD for the afternoon, have an early dinner and go to bed about 9:30. We now have three drivers so that has helped. I am the over night driver and DD stays up and talks to me. She drives in early evening. DH is able to sleep alot at night and then takes the early am shift.

I can't justify the cost of CDN airfare ($650-700) from Ottawa or drive 3 hours to Syracuse (airfare $300) plus rent a car in Orlando. I don't like the bus system. Driving is part of the vacation.

 

[hambirg]

According to Mapquest it would take us 46hours and 48 minutes driving straight through. I think I'll pass. But Disneyland is 18hours straight through. We did that a lot as a kid, but I've always flown down with my kids. I might consider driving again. . there's a lot to see between here and there. But it would add at least 4 days, maybe more.

 

[babesboo99]

thank you, this helps alot

 

[akayek31]

Everytime we go we drive. We live right out of Atlanta so its about 8 hours. I stopped last year in Valdosta so my son could visit the college but its not a bad drive.

 

[Shleedogg]

We live in western NY, Buffalo/Rochester area. DH and I drove the summer after we graduated from college. My parents let us stay in their 2 bdrm condo with them, paid for food and park tickets; we just had to get ourselves there. We had paid for ourselves to fly down and do Disney that Sept so we were broke.

It was about 20 hrs. It took us 2 days. We stopped in MD to stay with DH's nephew (same age as us) overnight and toured DC for a few hours. Then stopped again somewhere in GA. We were just too tired. The ride back was all one day, overnight stop and a few hrs in the morning.

It wasn't bad. I like driving. We thought about doing it this trip in Sept w/ DD but it would just end up being a nightmare with a toddler. Plus, with the price of gas and having to buy food on the road, it would cost the same as we paid for flights this time. We got rt, nonstop flights for $300 total. Luckily DD is still a lap baby. Once she's older and we have another LO, we'll probably consider driving again.

 

[LISAVWL]

we're SERIOUSLY considering driving to Disney in November with the 3 younger kids. DH and I have annual passes and I found 2 day unused park tickets for the kids (long story!). We are DVC owners and found availability -- we just need to get there. Unfortunately, airfare is not in the budget right now. I think it'll be about 16 hours for us, plus stops. We'd like to drive straight down and then stop one night on the way back. DH and I are pretty close to booking the room and you guys have given me some great ideas -- thanks!

 

[babesboo99]

Everyone gave me alot of idea's.. We are coming from upstate NY and we willhave 3 adults and two 3 year old's .. We felt it would be better to drive and cheaper. i always drove with my family but this time it will be as a driver and not a passenger it should be fun though. at leat we'll have 3 drivers so maybe we can go straight through.

 

[shellyfive]

We'll be driving back this Dec. to go to universal!!
We did the drive 2 yrs ago, and although one had the stomach bug going, and another had it on the way home, ( I was in tears) that was one of the best family bonding times EVER. That's why we decided to drive again!!!
We hooked up the kids old nintendo game to the drop down video system in the van and they were all peeing themselves trying to win mario party !!!
I would even switch up the seating (more so I could be next to the vomiting child!!!!) but they loved switching it up!!!! They loved seeing different states, and we plan on stopping on the way down this year to compare different states xmas decos!!! I does take way more time than flying (we always flew down in the past) and I do value that time, but the circumstances 2yrs ago without the moola to fly all 7 , turned into a great trip!!!
whatevr you decide to do, you'll have memories to share for years to come!!!
(even the horrendously 24 hr sick kids laugh and laugh when we talk about that trip!!!)

 

[VanessainWonderland]

I have a 2 year old and a 7 yo stepson, and have driven from Houston (about 13 hours, roughly)

the only way to do it with the kids is stopping halfway. It is just so uncomfortable for the baby to sit in the carseat all those hours.

Also, a portable DVD player does wonders.

So yes, it is possible to drive, but I wouldn't recommend going straight through with the little one.

 

[the Fidge]

Personal note*** we drive during daylight hours as many areas like ours are heavily populated with deer the busy times for deer are early am and at dusk is nost of the movements. So please please use caution and where you see one there is usual several trailing behind. I cannot tell you how many experienced drivers in fatal accidents occur here on a regular basis. Virginia is high deer and parts of North Carolina. So please favtor this into the hours that you will passing through these areas, btw I am in PA. Happy travels!

 

[princessmom29]

We always drive, but it is only about 8 hours for us. Last year we left after school on Friday and stopped halfway. we drove straight through coming back. we are reversing that this year. we will be able to leave abotu 1:30 this year and will go straight to CBR. Our last day we will be leaving aobut 3:00pm headed back and stop halfway.