Need to vent...

[happymommy]

So your mom will be along as well? You don't say how she is getting there, just that she doesn't fly (why not, oxygen?).

If you want to go, just go then. I've driven from DC to St. Louis by myself with my 2 kids before, 1,000 miles. Just break it up into two days. Yes it's a lot of driving.

Is there a way your mom can fly? Or take a train and meet you? Otherwise, I see no reason why to not go.

 

[minnierocks]

One more person to tell you that you CAN do this!
From NY, it is 2000 miles round trip...so you are only driving 1000 miles at a time. I have driven 13 hours to GA more than once and we have driven my parents to Orlando plenty of times. Break the trip up by stopping overnight if possible. You can leave in the evening and drive 4-5 hours and then drive the remainder the next day. And on the way back, drive for 10 hours, stop and rest and then drive home the following day. It will make the trip much more enjoyable for everyone. Driving the entire distance in one day would be too much for my parents.
It sounds like you are most disappointed that your husband backed out of the trip...and the thought of going without him is overwhelming. I get that...and I would feel the same way. I think that maybe once you can work through that issue then you will be able to get excited about the trip. We have taken my mom on a trip without spouses...just the daughters and granddaughters...and it was fabulous! Try to get excited about the one on one time with your mom and the memories that you will be making for your child. I do not regret one trip that we have taken with extended family. My kids are 17 & 19 and they have so many fond memories of vacationing with grandparents. It creates a really tight bond because it is total focus on having fun together.

 

[pooh4brains]

You can do it!

Depending on where you are in NY, breaking the trip into three days might not be a bad idea. It's what we did when I was a kid. Day 1 - drive just over the NC border. Day 2 - drive to Jacksonville. Day 3 - Jacksonville to Orlando. It takes the pressure off, allows for lots of rest and gets you to Disney with enough time to be able to enjoy your resort and/or the parks on your first day.

The auto train is another option. It's just south of DC and I think it departs in the late afternoon. It's about as expensive as flying if you get your own compartment, but it also takes 16 hours off of your trip.

Good luck deciding. It will all work out!

 

[Laila Bryce]

You can do this, I did from Mobile, AL to Buffalo on my own. Depending where in NY I would suggest stopping in Fredericksburg,VA and then some where in GA. Have music, enjoy the scenery and bonding time. But you can do this!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I am not a "driver" either, so the thought of driving myself from ny to wdw would have me shaking in my boots. Have you looked into the train? I have done Amtrak from penn station to Sanford, and it wasn't that bad. It is more expensive than flying, but maybe not more expensive than 3 nights in a hotel, food, gas, etc. Get coach seats, it's not too bad!

You can then get a taxi from sanford to wdw, and take wdw transportation while on vacation.

If you do drive remember that the worst part is the NE corridor. Once you get past DC it is much easier. Good luck!

 

[AndreaDM]

Back in the 90's before I had a cell phone, I drove with 2 kids from Ohio to Florida by myself. I stopped over in the Carolinas both ways, but it was easier than I thought. At least you will have another adult with you even if she's not helping you with the drive. I learned a long time ago to not let other's fear of commitment hold me back from what I really want to do.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[blessedby3]

I am not a great long distance driver (I get sleepy easily when we are on the road and just cant stay awake). I know that there is no way I could do a 1000 mile trip on my own. I would check the auto train for sure if grandma doesnt want to fly...or even the regular train

 

[lucyem]

Go for it! Make it a big adventure

Like so many people have already said take your time, enjoy the trip and your mom and son.

We drive 2xs a year from New England. A year ago I drove home from Orlando myself with two small boys. We have some great memories from that drive.

 

[debelfish]

Have you checked the AutoTrain in Lorton, Va? You could drive from home to Northern Virginin, load everyone on the autotrain and relax for the nght.
My mom has ridden it several times and really enjoys it.
Elizabeth

 

[ilovemk76]

Ugh...I need to vent and have no where else to go with this. My mother needs to go to Florida to deal with some property. My sister, my son, and I were supposed to go with her. My sister's idea was to also go to Disney...then she backed out. My husband stepped in and said he would go. My mom will not fly so we must drive. The trip is a month away and I just made my final payment. Now my husband says he may not be able to be away from work for that long and does not think he can go. We have been having major issues so I can not say I am surprised....but I am flabbergasted that he is okay with my driving myself and my son 2000 miles by myself. What am I going to do now? We live in New York. My mom is 72. I don't know if I can handle the drive all by myself. My mom may not be around or healthy enough for a trip later at 72...and she is excited to see Disney with her grandson. My sister still can not go. My brother does not wish to go. What am I going to do?????

You are going to drive to FL and enjoy Disney.

 

[duffy]

Do it!! Last summer, I drove 9 hours to and from Cape Cod to western Pa. At the last minute, my husband could not come. My daughter was 15, and it just killed me that she couldn't help with the driving.

But, we put great tunes on, talked, and BONDED. We still joke about being stuck in traffic, head-banging to "Bohemian Rhapsody", and then noticing the people in the next car watching us.

Plan on taking your time, and look up interesting places to take short side trips to, along the way. Stop at South of the Border. Play car bingo. Have your son keep a log of miles, money spent on gas, etc.

You can do this.

 

[pampam]

Only you knows your limitations.

Are you experienced on major highways? Are you comfortable driving through cities? Would you rather drive in daytime or are you ok with driving at night? What about driving through unfamiliar places? Can your mom help you navaigate, or read a map while you are driving? Will you have a navigation system with you?

Take a deep breath, and answer these questions and perhaps other questions too, fairly. If you choose to drive it, you will have conquered your fears, and realize that you are really capable of doing more than you are comfortable with. If you choose not to drive it, thats ok too. We all have limitations and it is a wise person who knows what they are. Perhaps you can go by train and rent a car down there if you need it. Don't forget that getting there is only 1/2 the issue. You need to get home too, and if the drive really is too stressful, it may be wise to look at other choices you have.

Now, knowing yourself the way you do, I'm confident that you will make the right decisions, and perhaps some wonderful memories along the way.

 

[Hannathy]

As long as the car was good enough to go when your DH was going, then you just go. You are going with another adult so I really don't get the big deal.

I regularly drove 700 miles straight alone, with first 1 baby and then 2 when my parents were alive and would be taken to ICU and I had to get there. And this was pre cells.

If you don't want to drive then there is always the train or a bus.

As far as your DH, I would cut him some slack. Right now it is not the time to be leaving work if you have an inkling it isn't going to be looked at favorably! If he is getting a bad feeling about being gone now, or if a new project or problem has come up, don't give him a hard time. People are being left go for a lot less in this economy. It is not boat rocking season.

 

[POOHsie]

When you say you're driving 2000 miles, that must be round-trip. No place in NYS is that far one-way. So let's just think about one-way, from NYS to WDW. DD and I drove to Rochester alone from Miami. Every year for Christmas and summer break. Sometimes we drove the whole way, sometimes we took the AutoTrain for a good part of the trip. The AutoTrain was part of our vacation adventure.

Make sure you have a spare tire in good condition. Take the car to a local place and tell them you're going on a road trip. They can check brakes, change your oil, check your water and fluids, check your lights, check your tire pressure, even rotate your tires. It would be very wise to have AAA, just in case of a rare problem. And AAA will get you a discount at most any hotel you stop at along the way, plus some chain restaurants. AAA also has discounts for WDW resorts.

I bought a GPS, a Garmin Nuvi. It plugs into my car power. I have a cell phone. I have a large Atlas Book from a book store. I have a flashlight and fresh batteries. Your son can plug into something to entertain himself. Carry pillows and blankets for rest. Carry snacks and a small cooler for drinks.

From where you are in NYS, you need to have a general plan about how far you will go in one day. Use Google Maps, MapQuest or Bing Maps. They have a feature called "Get Directions." Type in your location, then a target location. For example, from Westchester NY to Magic Kingdom is 19 hours. It will show you the route on a map and you can print out the directions. If you don't want to drive 19 hours straight (who does?), then check out the distance to places in-between. Richmond, VA is 7 hours, distance remaining is 12 hours. Rocky Mount, NC is 9 hours, distance remaining is 10 hours. Fayetteville, NC is 10 hours, distance remaining is 9 hours. Using these 3 examples, zoom in on the map and look at the exits. Find exits that have a cluster of hotels with a cluster of chain restaurants, then use AAA or TripAdvisor to get rates and ratings. Look up hotel specials. You could be ready to make intelligent choices about where to stop by doing a little bit of homework.

The AutoTrain is a great help and very enjoyable. You could also take the Amtrak all the way and rent a car once in Florida. Whatever you choose, you have the company of many other ladies who have hit the highways successfully and confidently.

 

[Suellen]

When you say you're driving 2000 miles, that must be round-trip. No place in NYS is that far one-way.

That's what I was thinking.... we are in Maine and it is only 1300 miles.... haha did I say ONLY 1300?

I'd go and just plan to stop a lot. Can your mom not drive at all? My DH's grandma is 93 and she still drives....not saying she SHOULD just that 20 years ago I'm sure she could of handled small shifts of driving... especially one you get past DC. It is pretty much straight with little to no traffic until you get to Jacksonville.

 

[aggordon2]

Ugh...I need to vent and have no where else to go with this. My mother needs to go to Florida to deal with some property. My sister, my son, and I were supposed to go with her. My sister's idea was to also go to Disney...then she backed out. My husband stepped in and said he would go. My mom will not fly so we must drive. The trip is a month away and I just made my final payment. Now my husband says he may not be able to be away from work for that long and does not think he can go. We have been having major issues so I can not say I am surprised....but I am flabbergasted that he is okay with my driving myself and my son 2000 miles by myself. What am I going to do now? We live in New York. My mom is 72. I don't know if I can handle the drive all by myself. My mom may not be around or healthy enough for a trip later at 72...and she is excited to see Disney with her grandson. My sister still can not go. My brother does not wish to go. What am I going to do?????

I am the only driver in my family and we have been driving to WDW for the last 4 years. I live in NYC and we usually leave around 5am and stop for the night in Florence, SC. With gas, bathroom breaks, food stops it usually takes around 11 to 12 hours. The next day we make it to Orlando in about 8 or 9 hours. If these driving times are too much for you, then I would make it a two night trip and stop somewhere in Virginia, then stop somewhere in Georgia, before getting to WDW. It will take longer but it will be less stress on you.

 

[Tinkh]

I absolutely would and have driven many times by myself when my husband has had to stay home because of work changes. Heck last year, my niece was in a World Series in Myrtle Beach, so my son and I drove there for the week from Ohio and then the next week my niece, son and myself drove to Orlando from Myrtle Beach and then home to Ohio a week later. You can do anything you set your mind to. My son and I have always traveled together anywhere we want to go.

 

[Patabel]

I know Planogirl already mentioned it...but what about autotrain?

 

[Cherinva]

You've been given a lot of good options....you could drive to Virginia and get on the Auto Train....that would give you a good rest before getting to florida...or if you drive the whole way, just take your time, stop when you need a rest, and find a hotel when you've done enough driving for the day....go and have a wonderful time with your mom and son.

 

[kirstenb1]

You've been given a lot of good options....you could drive to Virginia and get on the Auto Train....that would give you a good rest before getting to florida...or if you drive the whole way, just take your time, stop when you need a rest, and find a hotel when you've done enough driving for the day....go and have a wonderful time with your mom and son.

A couple of thoughts. One of my acquaintances has taken the auto train. It's kind of expensive, and it takes a LONG time compared to driving yourself. It's been a couple of years since we discussed it, but it took several hours longer than it would take to drive.

Our car is 8 yrs old, so we rented an SUV to go to WDW this year. It gave us extra room, and we didn't have to worry about reliability. OP, I don't know how old your car is, but just wanted to toss that out as an option.