Has anyone made the trip from Massachusetts??

jenny2 · Apr 5, 2001

DH and I are thinking of purchasing a pop-up this summer... and with Disney on the mind I was wondering about camping at FW

Friends who have driven from Mass to WDW say it takes about 24 hours if you go straight through. We'd probably stop half way. DH has taken long road trips and really enjoys them. I've never taken a trip longer than 8 hours, and so am not sure.

Those of you who've driven from Mass (or a state equally as far) would you do the drive again? Have any of you done the drive with children? DD is still a baby (9 months old) and so we probably wouldn't go camping at FW for a few more years.

Just curious! Thanks!!

April '91 - Poly
Sept '01 - PO French Quarter (long awaited honeymoon!)

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ALostBoy · Apr 5, 2001

Hi Jenny2,

Here is a post from the Transportation Board
that might help you with some of your questions.
Driving from MA
Good Luck.

ALostBoy

disneycampingdad · Apr 5, 2001

Hi Jenny2:

We pull our camper to WDW from the MA/RI area as often as we can and love it! We take two days, of about 12-13 hours of driving per day, and stay the night about ÃÂ½ way down in VA, or NC. We pack toys, games, books and schoolwork for the kids and a soft-sided cooler for lunches, drinks and snacks. We've been making the trip since our kids were both a month old.

Anyway you cut it, the first day driving South is a typical Northeast traffic hassle, but South of Washington, DC the ride gets very scenic and downright relaxing. On the first day, we stop only for fuel and to use the bathroom, as overpriced Roy Rogers burgers in a crowded Jersey Turnpike rest area don't fit our vacation agenda. On the second day, we stop for breakfast and lunch, arriving at WDW in the early evening for dinner.

You can drive straight through in 22-23 hours, but we enjoy the 2-day plan. One tip if you decide to drive; AAA has wonderful maps and tourbooks, but if you have them plan your drive, they'll probably take you down the most direct route. Pulling a trailer through the Cross-Bronx Expressway is a real experience.

Enjoy!

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[This message was edited by disneycampingdad on 04-06-01 at 05:41 PM.]

camper · Apr 6, 2001

We drove all the way from Maine last year, with four kids. We left home in the afternoon, after school, drove all night, got just past Wash.D.C.and slept in van for a couple of hours than drove to S.C.and spent one night at a state park there.Left there at 8:00 in the morning and got to WDW around 3:00 in the afternoon. I would agree about going through AAA. They will map out a route for you.
It is a long ride but that's the only way we would be able to go with our family. All of the southern states have nice welcome centers that are great for stretching your legs or having a picnic.
We had a great time and are planning another trip this summer.

disneycampingmom · Apr 6, 2001

Leaving in 2 weeks with DisneyCampingDad and our 2 children and can hardly wait!!! Go for it!!!

[This message was edited by disneycampingmom on 04-06-01 at 09:43 AM.]

[This message was edited by disneycampingmom on 04-06-01 at 09:44 AM.]

DVCDAVE · Apr 6, 2001

I live in CT and have driven it 5 times. Each time I have always said it was my last. Since I haven't done it since 1987, maybe I am living up to my promise. It is a 24 hour drive straight through, and I have done that too. However, there is a KOA campgroung in Fayettville, NC which is about the halfway mark on your journey. We have stopped there in the past, and found it to be quite clean and the people friendly. We usually pay them in advance as we are early risers and like to get on our way soon after we wake up. Make sure you save your receipt for payment, as sometimes they do have security which will check to make sure you have paid before they let you leave.

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welovemickey · Apr 9, 2001

Hi, we make the drive to Disney every year and like the person who posted above, each year I say will be my last. It is a long drive, but if you have things for the kids to do and settle yourself in for the ride, it's not bad.

We usually leave about 2:00pm and I drive for the first 8-10 hours then DH takes over for the overnight driving. In the morning I drive while DH sleeps and then he drives the last few hours. We usually have the pop-up set up and are ready for the parks by late afternoon.

We would never do WDW any other way with kids. We find the kids aren't tired by the end of the day (but we are), so while we relax they ride their bikes or go exploring.

By the way, we made the trip when our youngest was only 6 weeks old, so 9 months isn't that young, go for it!!!

Has anyone made the trip from Massachusetts??

jenny2

DIS Veteran

ALostBoy

Mouseketeer

disneycampingdad

Shoot Straight & Speak The Truth

camper

Mouseketeer

disneycampingmom

Earning My Ears

DVCDAVE

Senior Member

welovemickey

Disney Junkie

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