Opinion - Plane, Train, or Automobile

[thlarock]

Hi all,

We are scheduled for our trip May 11th - May 20th. Wife and daughter were going to fly and I was going to take train (sleeper car). I can’t fly because of inner ear problems. Now with Covid kicking back up I am debating if we should just drive from NJ and just stop for the night half way there. My wife and I are boosted. My daughter has two shots. Opinions on this as I am struggling. We already cancelled last year so we really want to go but I just dread the thought of spending all this money and then getting sick down there.

Would love to hear peoples thoughts and what they would do.

Thx - Tom

 

[GBRforWDW]

I'd say do what works best for you. Nice thing about having your own car is no need to schedule rides, you can determine when you head to the parks/head to hotel if you don't want to wait for the bus, etc, and as you said, you're not wondering if the people you're traveling with have covid.

 

[SteveH]

To early to worry about the new variant and by May who knows what the next variant will look like. Remember the quote from The Shawshank Redemption, "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying"? My vote is go whatever way makes the most sense for you and your family, but just go.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd think that driving would have the least chance of exposure. You'll be in the car with your family the whole time and only need to interact with the outside world when you stop for meals and in the over-night hotel.

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree diving would be the least exposure. BUT, if you're going to Disney, you'll be exposed to how many THOUSANDS of people... in the parks, at restaurants, and at resorts. Yes, a good portion will be outside, but still a lot of people.

Not saying I would be concerned, but if that doesn't bother you, the train shouldn't either. Just my opinion of course.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We live outside of Philly and take the train (auto train from Lorton, Virginia) or drive from NJ. Our last trip was in August and we took the auto train. My vote is always to take the train over driving if you can get a sleeper car. Amtrak's trains cycle air through a filtration system almost as frequently as they do on an airplane, fresh air is replaced every 5 minutes. If you are in a sleeper car you'll have no interaction with anyone other than your sleeper car attendant and even that can be extremely minimal if you want. He/she can deliver your dinner to your room. Look up how to set up your sleeper car bed on youtube and the attendant won't even have to step foot in your room

 

[kandb]

I would drive before I would spend hundreds on the train. Our family has done the autotrain in the past a few times and honestly, it's expensive and long, noisey and the sleeping is not great (we always had sleepers also). The train can also be delayed, which it is frequently. It's a shame about your ear because, flying is the easiest and I suffer from vertigo, so I know how that goes. When you have flown, have you ever tried meclazine before the flight? I have a good friend that takes it as well due to ear issues and it works for both of us. I am not the biggest fan of flying BUT it is so much quicky and easier in the long run. IF, you drive, our family has done that numerous times as well from NJ, I would leave at around 3am, if you are driving during the week. You will get past DC, with minimal traffic (we always found traffic traveling north was heavier in the AM in the DC area). We found this time the best because we always slept around 5 hours and got 9 hours under our belt by noon. I also recommend traveling more then halfway the first day. The first day you have more excitement in you about going and the second day of driving you just want to get there. We have driven as far down as GEorgia and once even Jacksonville. It's a long day of driving but you get up the following day and are there by early afternoon. Not sure how old your daughter is, so not sure if she needs entertainment in the car. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[DVC92]

Always drive from the DC area. A good place to stop is Hampton Inn in Santee, SC I've been staying there for many years.

 

[MrKnight]

IMHO there is no need to alter your trip.. If you are truly concerned about any type of "exposure" or getting sick, just keep in mind that the amount of "exposure" you will be exposed to at WDW will far supersede any exposure from a plane or train ride.. Also at this point IMHO we need to learn how to live with the pandemic, strains will continue to pop up and evolve, no need to make alterations let alone cancel trips because of this.. But of course, this is all based on personal viewpoints and at the end of the day it will be your personal decision and what you believe is best for you and your family..

 

[kanerf]

I have flown to WDW from the DC area 4 times since last year. Will be doing so again this month. I have had the Moderna vaccination and booster. Everyone on the plane and in the airport is masked. You will encounter more unmasked folks at WDW, but mostly outside, so not much of an issue.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

You’ve done literally everything you can to protect yourself. Go enjoy. I went a few months ago when masks weren’t required at all at Disney. Indoor or outdoor. Yeah it’s weird for about a day but you just get use to it. Train. Thousands of people around Disney. It’s all gonna be the same in the end. Do whatever the easiest is for you.

Definitely don’t cancel

 

[thlarock]

I would drive before I would spend hundreds on the train. Our family has done the autotrain in the past a few times and honestly, it's expensive and long, noisey and the sleeping is not great (we always had sleepers also). The train can also be delayed, which it is frequently. It's a shame about your ear because, flying is the easiest and I suffer from vertigo, so I know how that goes. When you have flown, have you ever tried meclazine before the flight? I have a good friend that takes it as well due to ear issues and it works for both of us. I am not the biggest fan of flying BUT it is so much quicky and easier in the long run. IF, you drive, our family has done that numerous times as well from NJ, I would leave at around 3am, if you are driving during the week. You will get past DC, with minimal traffic (we always found traffic traveling north was heavier in the AM in the DC area). We found this time the best because we always slept around 5 hours and got 9 hours under our belt by noon. I also recommend traveling more then halfway the first day. The first day you have more excitement in you about going and the second day of driving you just want to get there. We have driven as far down as GEorgia and once even Jacksonville. It's a long day of driving but you get up the following day and are there by early afternoon. Not sure how old your daughter is, so not sure if she needs entertainment in the car. Hope you have a great trip!

Any good hotel recommendations for the stops each way?

 

[Ross Kratter]

Any good hotel recommendations for the stops each way?

There are a bunch of good options in Rocky Mount, NC, which is just about halfway. I stayed at the Tru by Hilton there last month and liked it, but there are also several other hotels right in the same complex, about a mile off of 95.

 

[kandb]

Any good hotel recommendations for the stops each way?

A marriott or Hilton is always a sure bet. Also pick one that is right off Rte. 95.