Is Disney worth it?

[Zydebearsmom]

I am thinking about taking a weekened trip to Disney in September. I am coming from Atlanta and I would drive down late Friday night and come home Monday (labor day weekened). I am unable to leave out any earlier than that. I am a teacher so I am only able to travel during certain times throughout the year and my husband is a landscaper so summers and spring break is out of the question for us. I am unable to take anytime off of work in the month of September and I do not want to go in the winter (which is really the best time for us because of our jobs) because it is cold. Do you think it is worth it to drive those hours just for a couple of days?

 

[mrsklamc]

I personally don't think it is worth it...This winter was unusually cold but actually it's usually not bad at all. January is our favorite time to go.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That drive isn't that big of a deal "without traffic".

Whether or not it is worth it depends on your affection for the mouse and being on Disney property. Depending on which side of Atlanta you are on could greatly affect your ability to get out.

My BIL lives in Marietta and when they travel to visit my MIL and FIL in Tampa--leaving on a Friday afternoon/evening is a bear. They often end up doing a stopover on the way down. The trip out of town for them stinks big time as they have to drive though downtown on I-75 and everyone else seems to have the same weekend plans. If they leave around 2-3, they get into town at Midnight and later since they had a baby last year.

I would totally do it myself--but I do love Disney that much. I'd make Saturday a relaxing pool day. I would make Sunday my park day and I might either take a leisurely morning on Monday...or leave bright and early to beat everyone back home in Atlanta.

Again--whether or not it is worth it, entirely depends on what floats your boat.

My family and I would do it in a heartbeat under your circumstances.

BIL has done this to visit his parents and hit Busch Gardens. I've done it to attend a 5yo's birthday party (northern virgina drive to marietta).

ETA: and I do agree with the PP, winter can be pretty awesome. There are some cold snaps---but it typically would be warmer than at home in Atlanta.

 

[Sweety_tweety]

A friend and I went to DW for a girls 1st weekend in October. We did the Halloween party Friday night. Then we had a 2 day park hopper--the price dropped considerably when I went from a 3 day ticket to a 2 day ticket.

We planned which park we were going to do in the morning vs evening. We agreed to leave the park by a certain time, go back to the hotel and left for the second park later afternoon. It was a little crazy--but you know you only have 2 days.

The lines were almost non-existent. We walked right on to Splash Mountain and many others. I was amazed at what we saw and did in a 1/2 day compared to full days during the Summer. I say any day at Disney is better than at home. Go for it!

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

My family and I would do it in a heartbeat under your circumstances.

Yes it is worth it, DD an I always want to sneak down for a three day weekend but alas our drive is too great, you appear to be half the distance we are...We would be doing it often if we lived in Atlanta. Good luck on your decision, careful though that Disney bug can bite hard

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would really consider winter. You can do so much more and save so much money than in a holiday week-end. Weather is really not bad most of the time. If that is not an option, a long week-end is not bad from Atlanta.

 

[StitchBuddy]

If I were you I would wait and go the week of Thanksgiving if youare out of school. We go the Friday before and return the following Wed. The crowds aren't to bad and it is cooler. I am a teacher too!

 

[stich1fan]

Yes,yes,yes!

 

[Pigeon]

Dh is a teacher and there's no "saving money" with when we can do Disney. The Feb and April breaks are when we want to go, and that's when the airfare is jacked up and Disney suspends promotions. I don't want to go during the summer. I can stay home in the Northeast and swelter. We have school the Wed. before Thanksgiving and the Monday after, so that's only a total of 4 days.

I think for the OP, it depends on how you feel about driving that distance. I hate driving, so for me it would not be worth it. If you don't mind it, it might be OK.

 

[Evi]

If you want to go I say its worth it. We went in early December and one night it was in the low 30's yes ouch but you know what we didn't wait for any rides in magic kingdom every ride was walk right on no weight. So if you don't mind a little chill go for it.

 

[SandrA9810]

The drive isn't so bad, and worth it to me. When I lived in Ft. Lauderdale, we constantly took day trips to Disney. Literally wake up in the morning, get to the parks before noon and stay till close (usually 10-11pm) at MK. We'd head to DTD to grab a final bite to eat and hit the road back home around midnight. It was crazy and insane, but memorable too. After gas prices shot up, we started camping at the Fort for 2-3 days since it was usually 20$ a night. We had to put our Annual Passes to good use.

 

[worm761]

I live in Pensacola. It is eight hours for us to drive to Disney. We went down for a long weekend once. We had so much fun. We rode most rides. Waits were only about five to ten minutes. I would do it again if it weren't for the fact that I now have a one year old.

 

[TSM1993]

We have driven the whole way from PA to Walt Disney World for a weekend. Left friday night got to FL Sat morning parks that day Sunday another park day drove home early Monday get home late Monday night early Tuesday morning to be at work.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I think it would be worth it. I would do it without a second thought.

Then I would go back in the winter.

Unfortunately I can't drive down for a weekend from Michigan.

 

[LaDonna]

My very first thought was no way, BUT then I realized that unfortunately I'm a stickler for planning and not much of a fly by the seat of your pants kind of gal, plus I'm such a penny pincher, even w/ vacations I tend to constantly think about am I getting my money's worth(yeah I know I'm really trying to get out of this habit, it unfortunately put a damper on my last vacation because I wasn't expecting such big crowds so we didn't get to do everything I wanted) so anywho I'd say if this was gonna be the only way you could do Disney and you could be relaxed and be a "just stop and smell the roses" type of gal then I say go for it! We are in Acworth so I know about the drive, and it isn't too bad. You could if you have tickets even see a few things Monday before heading back to Atlanta. Granted we didn't have to be anywhere the next day, but last time we went we left on a Saturday and ended up staying in MK until dinner time then heading back home, it was totally unplanned but we just couldn't tear ourselves away. We got home a lil' after Midnight

 

[MinnieForMe]

Yes! Anytime you can afford Disney is a good time to go! But, I'm someone who (if and when I find a cheap flight) is willing to take my youngest for the day! Of course, I'm greatly influenced by a close friend who is a pilot and flies down to Aquatica and SeaWorld for the day all the time!

 

[eliza61]

1) Are you getting a discounted price. IMO disney is never worth rack rates at any of their hotels plus the over priced, mediocre food.

2) what type of tour people are you? If you feel that doing a certain number of rides is a must, than it might not be worth it to drive down. I'm a lazy vacationer, when I go to the world I could spend a day chilling at my resort and feel it was "worth" it. If you need to "do" every thing. you may be disappointed.

 

[Marionnette]

I know someone who flew to Orlando from PA for just one day! Her son was marching with his high school band in the parade. So she and a friend flew to MCO on the first flight out and went directly to the MK. They spent the day there, surprised him by calling out his name from the sidewalk as the parade passed, did a few more attractions and then joined him and his friends for dinner. They caught a cab and took the last flight back to PA. They didn't even pack a day bag!

I wish that I could be that spontaneous! Go and have fun. A short weekend in Disney trumps a long weekend sitting at home.

 

[leagirl12]

I say GO FOR IT!!! We are going down in April for a week and intend to buy Annual Passes with the understanding that we will probably only be able to do several long weekends throughout the year. I want to plan another full week before our year is up but not sure if we will be able to. I am in Birmingham so I have somewhat of a similiar drive as you and I can't wait to scoot down for just a weekend. For me it is totally worth it!!!

Of course I am used to driving...I have been going back and forth every summer to Iowa since I was a young kid and that is a 14 hr drive one way. My kids are also used to the 14 hr drive to grandpa's so a 9 hr drive to WDW is nothing to them!!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

It sure is worth it, we do most of our trips that way. We aren't very far south of Atlanta and do it a couple times a year. I-75 is not bad if you drive over night. DH will take a nap proior to us leaving and I sleep in the van on the ride down, so we are ready to hit the parsk in the morning.

We usually head out around midnight and arrive early enough to check in, get a bite of breakfast and head to EMH at DHS on Saturday morning, then we head home on Sunday or Monday after lunch.

For us, it is about 2.5 to 3 hours to Tifton where we get on I75, then another 3.5 hours to Disney.

Suzanne