Overnight Driving Feedback

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

First, Some info...

We live in SC about 6 1/2 hours from Orlando. I am familiar with the route have driven it several times during recent vacations and visits to family in Florida.

-I am a teacher and the day before would try to get 7-8hrs of sleep after finishing school about 3:00 in the afternoon. (I may take a sleep aid at lunch time so I actually get some sleep .

-My wife and 2 kids (toddler and infant) who sleep incredibly well in the car would sleep during the drive. (Im thinking we leave around 11:30-12.

-I have a 7:35 Reservation at Kona to force us to stop, relax and eat a good breakfast we will likely park and walk from the TTC so we don't have to move the car. We have 2 other MK rope drops scheduled for later in the week so if we get in a little late its not the end of the world.

- We will spend the morning at MK and focus on kid-centric things (we have other adults with us later in the week) and then shoot for an early check in at the Boardwalk to get situated before a dinner at Disney Springs. The reasoning is that we will pace ourselves throughout the week with the little ones and not feel like we have to squeeze everything into a day. The last day of our trip is Christmas!

Has anyone executed a similar plan and what were your experiences? Any pitfalls to watch out for?Lastly, is it even possible to get an early check in renting points at a DVC resort?

 

[sharonabe]

-I have a 7:35 Reservation at Kona to force us to stop, relax and eat a good breakfast we will likely park and walk from the TTC so we don't have to move the car. We have 2 other MK rope drops scheduled for later in the week so if we get in a little late its not the end of the world.

I would be hesitate to make this ADR. Nine times out of ten, you'll probably be fine, but all it takes is just one set back and you miss the ADR and are charged the $10 per person no show fee. You could wait until you're about 30 min out and see what is available. At lease you would know if you were really going to have time and the energy to do it.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

I would be hesitate to make this ADR. Nine times out of ten, you'll probably be fine, but all it takes is just one set back and you miss the ADR and are charged the $10 per person no show fee. You could wait until you're about 30 min out and see what is available. At lease you would know if you were really going to have time and the energy to do it.

Hmm I figured a 90 minute cushion on an overnight drive would be adequate, but point taken, We will shoot for an 11PM departure just in case and If a catastrophe happens I could change the reservation to a later day and then cancel.

 

[Capitalangel]

This does not sound like fun to me. There are too many things that could go wrong. Will you REALLY be able to sleep after school while it is light out and people are making last minute arrangements? What if the sleep aid makes you drowsy or doesn’t fully wear off after your nap and you are alone driving in the middle of the night while your family sleeps? What do you save by leaving so late/ driving through the night vs leaving right after school and stopping part way? Do you think you will be able to drive all night then function all day to the best of yourself? Will that make you grumpy and short tempered with the crowds because you are tired? Just things to consider. You know your travel style best, but it sounds like a lot of stress and risk to me

 

[kydisneyfans]

Definitely a no from here.
Looks like you are going in December, with the weather you never know what may happen-31 degrees and wet pavement=problems. There may be construction overnight, accidents, any number of things to delay your drive.

I personally would drive right after work, get a cheapie offsite hotel in Orlando for the night, then get up somewhat refreshed and ready to go early AM.

For DVC checkin-we are members. Summary of our last 4 stays:
OKW-arrived 1:15 PM, room ready
AKL-Kidani-arrived 3:00 PM, 6:15 PM room ready
OKW-arrived 2:15 PM-room not ready but was offered a different room in the same category that was ready-we took it
OKW-arrived 2:00 PM-room not ready- received the text that it was ready around 3:00.

Do not make plans on a DVC room being ready early.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

First, Some info...

We live in SC about 6 1/2 hours from Orlando. I am familiar with the route have driven it several times during recent vacations and visits to family in Florida.

-I am a teacher and the day before would try to get 7-8hrs of sleep after finishing school about 3:00 in the afternoon. (I may take a sleep aid at lunch time so I actually get some sleep .

-My wife and 2 kids (toddler and infant) who sleep incredibly well in the car would sleep during the drive. (Im thinking we leave around 11:30-12.

-I have a 7:35 Reservation at Kona to force us to stop, relax and eat a good breakfast we will likely park and walk from the TTC so we don't have to move the car. We have 2 other MK rope drops scheduled for later in the week so if we get in a little late its not the end of the world.

- We will spend the morning at MK and focus on kid-centric things (we have other adults with us later in the week) and then shoot for an early check in at the Boardwalk to get situated before a dinner at Disney Springs. The reasoning is that we will pace ourselves throughout the week with the little ones and not feel like we have to squeeze everything into a day. The last day of our trip is Christmas!

Has anyone executed a similar plan and what were your experiences? Any pitfalls to watch out for?Lastly, is it even possible to get an early check in renting points at a DVC resort?

We live in GA. It’s supposed to be a 5 to 5 1/2 hour drive for us. We are “seasoned” drivers. We drive from GA to NJ twice a year. Last trip to Disney it took us a little over 9 hours. We didn’t get there until a little after 6. Had an ADR originally at 6:15 or so...but changed it just in case.

 

[Spunky946]

There is no way in hell that I’d want to do that. I’d rather get in the car at 3 and drive then and get in late and start the day the next day. I don’t do well on not much sleep and the parks will be crowded and you will need a lot of patience. I’d think twice about that plan.

 

[FCDub]

I can't imagine only leaving myself 90 minutes of buffer time. One accident or construction slowdown and you've missed your reservation.

You're also going to feel like zombies after driving overnight.

 

[Wild4Walt]

We're doing something similar - coming from Chicago we are breaking up the trip in 2 days. 1st day we're planning on leaving around 3a and driving 9 hours on day 1. We figure 9 hours will probably turn into 11 or 12 for the unexpected, potty breaks and food now and again. Day 2 is another 9 hour drive - we won't get up at 3a again most likely but want to be on the road before 8a for sure.

If it were me, I'd try and push the ADR back an hour if you could.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We drive down, mostly overnight, but our drive is much longer then yours since we’re coming from the DC area. We try to time it so that we arrive the day before Disney check in, sleep in a cheap hotel for the night and arrive at Disney fresh in the morning. Though we have before drove through the afternoon and night, arriving in the morning at Disney. When we do that DH (who drives the majority of the way) is tired and miserable all day.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Thanks for the Feedback. Anyone have a go-to offsite cheapie hotel in the Orlando area? Nothing too spooky but just good enough while saving some cash.

 

[AntimonyER]

We are heading to orlando from SE GA, with a similar situation, and we are just renting a cheap hotel. Lots of GOOD hotels around the theme parks area for $100/night, if you are looking for much below that it can get a little dicey tho. Anything with a LOT of reviews and a relatively high rating will be fine.

 

[Andrewssix]

Thanks for the Feedback. Anyone have a go-to offsite cheapie hotel in the Orlando area? Nothing too spooky but just good enough while saving some cash.

Try Comfort Suites Main Gate East. It's clean, large rooms and has free breakfast. We stayed there years ago and I see it still gets great reviews. Depending on when you're going, often times it's under $90 a night.

 

[DCLPrincess]

I always suggest giving yourself extra time. On one of our drives we got a flat tire. You never know what can happen.

 

[jarestel]

As far as your breakfast ADR at KC goes, I'd say keep it. A nice breakfast after a long drive would be very refreshing. Since you've already built in some pad time for delays, that should be more than sufficient for most drives. And in all likelihood, you'll probably end up arriving early and having to wait. But in the event something delays you longer, it's only $10.00. The odds are with you and the penalty is small, so that's my thinking.

 

[mom2rtk]

As far as your breakfast ADR at KC goes, I'd say keep it. A nice breakfast after a long drive would be very refreshing. Since you've already built in some pad time for delays, that should be more than sufficient for most drives. And in all likelihood, you'll probably end up arriving early and having to wait. But in the event something delays you longer, it's only $10.00. The odds are with you and the penalty is small, so that's my thinking.

The penalty is $10 per person.

 

[sam_gordon]

I know a lot of people like to drive at night, but it's not for me. I've done it when I needed to, but I'm wiped out the next day and it takes an additional day or so to get back in the swing. A 7 hour drive? Leave at 5p and show up at midnight. Get to bed by 1, then up at 6/7 to hit the parks.

 

[monorailsilver]

I also would leave right after school. Who knows if you will be able to fall asleep to get a few hours before the drive and what if wife and kids do not fall asleep.

And I also would get an off site hotel this way you are there and at least and not have to worry about a travel delay.

 

[jarestel]

The penalty is $10 per person.

Sure, but still way less expensive than renting an additional night at a hotel just to cover the possibility of delays. The risk is minimal but not non-existent so everyone has their own level of comfort.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sure, but still way less expensive than renting an additional night at a hotel just to cover the possibility of delays. The risk is minimal but not non-existent so everyone has their own level of comfort.

That depends on how many in their party and how expensive the room is in comparison. I like the plan of leaving right after school and staying somewhere inexpensive offsite that first night.