How far would you drive to WDW?

[jtopp]

many advantages and disadvantages to each. Consider:
1.- How much time (and money) do you loose from work or school, and is it worth the tradeoff?
2.-The drive to WDW is great. Everyone is excited. The drive home: the longest time you will ever spend in a vehicle with tired, bored, depressed people (and thats just me!).
3.- How well does your family cope on a long trip? Is the money saved worth the trouble?
4.- Discount airfares. alternate airports a short distance away can save you hundreds of dollars and some sanity.
5.-TSA -enough said.
both routes are great, as either way you still get to go to WDW. Enjoy and good luck.

 

[bennythepug]

We did it last summer, 3 kids (11, 8, and 2). It was not as bad as we expected. The kids were actually really good! (portable dvd player was a life saver) It was pulling a camper that was nerve-racking - and blowing a tire on a major highway

But, it was'nt so bad- we are doing it again this summer
only this time without the camper

 

[dameodie]

We did it last summer, 3 kids (11, 8, and 2). It was not as bad as we expected. The kids were actually really good! (portable dvd player was a life saver) It was pulling a camper that was nerve-racking - and blowing a tire on a major highway

But, it was'nt so bad- we are doing it again this summer
only this time without the camper

Yeah I don't think we'd ever do a camper either. If we ever purchase an RV that would be different. That's what we did growing up - pulled a trailer behind the van - and my mother refused to drive. Instead of making it in a day, it became a two and a half day trip each way!

 

[jenrein]

we have driven from NY to FL many times. I hate it, I love to fly. My husband refuses to fly- he never has flown.

 

[almburr]

I think we could do it, we would drive straight through on the way there and do 2 days on the way back.

My grandmother lives in St. Louis, and our neice lives in Nashville. Oh, my aunt lives in Tampa.

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

We spend about 32 hours getting there, or 1840 miles. We take baout 3 days to get down there and another on the way back up. We drive all the way from Colorado and we go once a year. I say we drive pretty far to get to Disney World!

 

[mommyseven]

I would recommend flying for that long of a trip. We drive 8 hours to go to WDW, and 8 hours is enough. Not only would it be hectic keeping the children in a vehicle for so long, it is very tiring and draining. You would not only lose your travel time from your vacation but it would take a good day to shake it off once you get there.

Save up and fly. I don't think that you'll regret it.

(disclaimer: DH and I are going in two weeks. I despise flying. If we flew it would be just little over an hour instead of the eight hours of driving. I'm choosing to drive to avoid flying. I'm good at giving the advice; if only I could take it. ; )

 

[cinder1]

We have 4 kids and we have only flown once to WDW (the first time we went when we only had 3 kids). We drive from Dallas. It's a long drive and I hate it. But the kids and DH don't mind it at all. The only time I really thought I'd lose it was when I was 5 mths pregnant with no. 4. We've even driven when no. 4 was only 5 mths old!! We'd rather save the airfare and spend it on other fun things in WDW. The kids watch movies the whole time, taking turns picking. We make frequent pit stops and try to stop for meals where the kids can run around a bit. We stop at motel and if the weather is good, the kids swim for a bit before bed. It works for us.

 

[angelmav]

We spend about 32 hours getting there, or 1840 miles. We take baout 3 days to get down there and another on the way back up. We drive all the way from Colorado and we go once a year. I say we drive pretty far to get to Disney World!

were in the same boat! Unfortunately for us, with 7 of us airfare is through the roof! plus wehave family in Houston so we drive there,visit, drop the dog then make the 2nd half, worked in the past, assume it will work as well this summer, plus we now have a conversion van so that makes for a more comfy trip

 

[almburr]

were in the same boat! Unfortunately for us, with 7 of us airfare is through the roof! plus wehave family in Houston so we drive there,visit, drop the dog then make the 2nd half, worked in the past, assume it will work as well this summer, plus we now have a conversion van so that makes for a more comfy trip

Were from NW Kansas, Its a drive to get anywhere. I think we might drive this next time we take the kids.

We are going with out the kids in a year, it will be our anni.

 

[4 DZNY NUTZ]

We drove from Jersey and it took us about 17-18 hours. We have driven the past 2 years but have decided to fly on our next trip. I just cant see myself sitting in the car again for that long. Although, saving all the money you would spend for airfare is a big decision.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Befferk]

I haven't read the other responses but we drove last year, pulling our camper. About 30 hours there and 40 straight on the way back (on the way back we were coming from Key West, we had extended our vacation there). It was me, DH, and DS (4). DH said never again. Next February we are flying for the 1st time even though I am terrified (1st time flying). DH said 3 hours in a plane vs. 30 hours in a car?...No contest. It was a very exhausting drive, and I agree I would rather spend the extra time in the parks.

Beth

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

We drove to the beach (about 13 hrs) with my nephews and it was torture! Now, we have a 2 year old that isn't too keen on sitting still! WDW is about a 2hr flight vs a 20+ car trip, so it's a no brainer for me! Plus, with the price of gas, it wouldn't be cheap! If we had to pay a ton for airfare, then we might consider driving....but only for a second!

 

[TENIA66]

our drive is 14.5 hours one way and we've done it for 7 years.........it's never even a question, we love it.......dvd player has helped of course we're a family of five.........

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

We are thinking of taking the kids back to WDW in a few years right now they are 12,8,6,5,2 and us me and DH

the four oldest have been we want to wail till 2yr old is 4or 5.

we have flown and it is a 3 & 1/2 hr flight, not bad. If we drive it would be 26hrs!!!

If we drove we would save around $1,000 but to drive a total of 4 day, 2 to get there and 2 to get back.

We have a Suburban and DVD players, but to drive that long?

What do you think? Should we just pay the fare and get there have fun, Or drive?

We drove what was supposed to be 22 hours, but we hit a 4 hour traffic jam (EEK!!) on our last trip. My kids were 4 & 8 at the time. They did fine... that being said, we are flying for the next trip because it was a lot on me and my dh. Kids were too excited to let us "catch up" and rest. (We drove straight through)

 

[nessz79]

The longest car ride my oldest (now 4, 3 at the time) went on was 18 hours. He did realllllllly well. We opted to have the then-1-year-old fly with Grandma and meet us there. We did drive with the 1 year old on the way back and it was not fun for us to put it simply.

I think it depends on the kids and their ages.

 

[rt2dz]

Not reading the replies, just giving my thoughts.

We take a 24 hour car trip and a 22 hour car trip every year. And other little trips too. We've done it with nursing children as young as 3 months. We've done it when I've been 6 months pregnant. We've taken two dogs with us. We have only 3 kids, but I've taken my neice and nephew with us too for 5 kids. Obviously, it isn't a problem for us. I prefer it to flying actually, provided we aren't crossing water.

I hate the security checks and necessary early arrival time (which actually adds a lot to the trip, timewise). I hate the extra cost that goes with flying a large family (and then the need for a rental car on arrival). I hate the airline restrictions that aren't an issue when driving. We still have littler ones that would also mean strollers & car seats--what a PITA! I hate being capative to an airport/airplane--I like my freedom.

I think if you go into it with an attitude of dread, it will be awful. Things (and kids!) have a way of meeting your expectations, especially if they are for the negative. If you simply think it is a means to an end, it probably also won't be the best. But, if you think of it as part of your vacation and make it a point to have a good time not just make good time, you might find it fun and enjoyable. There are lots of ways to make a trip easy, beyond the DVD player, once you decide to drive.

In the end though, to each there own. It's only a decision you can make.

 

[MommaPooh217]

As a 20- something odd year veteran of driving 14 hours from Baltimore to Orlando with a sadistic hubby (who loves the drive) and 4 kids plus older 2 said kids assorted BF's and GF's and best friends and my sister and assorted nieces... FLY FLY FLY FLY FLY !!!!




Blessed Be,
Tina

(who WILL get her way and Fly this year too !)