Seriously Considering Driving from NJ in October

[Lilysmom]

My family and I will be taking our second Disney trip this year in October. We will be staying at AKL from 10/7-10/16. Airfare for the five of us is around $1400 (not counting parking at the airport. Last time we parked short term because I flew down ahead of DH with the three kids so I wanted to be as close to the terminal as possible to man three kids, suitcases and strollers. So parking last time was $300.) I am seriously considering trying the drive this time to save some cash. It is myself, DH and DD's (7,6 and 3.)

Am I nuts to be considering this? I would rather spend the money AT Disney then getting TO Disney, especially since it is our second trip this year. I am just not sure if I am signing up for a nightmare with three little kids. (I will also be about 6 months pregnant at the time.)

We have a new Toyota Sienna minivan so there is space in the car.... but I am nervous because all we have ever done is fly. I'm normally a get me there and home as quick as possible person but I think if we drive straight through I could probably save about $1000 and that is no small chunk of change.

Anyone care to chime in on whether or not you would attempt it? And if you do the drive with small kids how bad is it?

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

There's a sticky thread at the top of this board "For those folks driving" and another thread floating around "For 2,000 plus mile drivers...". You might want to check out those.

I wouldn't drive.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I have been thinking about driving myself. My husband said I was CRAZY!!! I guess you know we aren’t driving. Maybe once we retire & have extra time we may drive. One time many years ago we did drive & all I can remember is that it’s a LONG ride…

What ever you decide I hope you have a safe & fun trip.

 

[Lilysmom]

There's a sticky thread at the top of this board "For those folks driving" and another thread floating around "For 2,000 plus mile drivers...". You might want to check out those.

I wouldn't drive.

I skipped the sticky thread because I wasn't SURE that I wanted to drive. I was looking for opinions from people who had done it. I tried searching three times but the search function timed out on me. Also it's less then 1100 miles from NJ to Florida but thanks for attempting to point me in some sort of direction.

 

[Lilysmom]

I have been thinking about driving myself. My husband said I was CRAZY!!! I guess you know we aren’t driving. Maybe once we retire & have extra time we may drive. One time many years ago we did drive & all I can remember is that it’s a LONG ride…

What ever you decide I hope you have a safe & fun trip.

Thank you! I was thinking about it again today and I forgot to add in transportation from the airport to the hotel (we always use car service) so that would be another $200 on top of the original cost.

I'm really thinking as long as my OB doesn't care we may try it. One time surely can't kill us, right?

 

[Lilysmom]

There's a sticky thread at the top of this board "For those folks driving" and another thread floating around "For 2,000 plus mile drivers...". You might want to check out those.

I wouldn't drive.

Found the 2000 mile thread. I see what you mean now... it's 2000 miles round trip. Thanks!

 

[916chipndale]

my family drives every year. we are in central nj (edison). we leave around 3 am the morning before our trip.we usually drive through dc at 6-630 am.so we always skip the dc traffic.at around 9-10:30 well stop for breakfast. usually at a cracker barrel in emporia va (southern va by the nc border) we ythen usualyl drive to south of the border (south carolina) and stretch. by about 6 we reach jacksonville and stay at a holiday inn near the airport and call it a night.we usually start driving the next morning at around 7:30-8:30 whenever were done getting ready and eating breakfast. its usually a 3 1/2-4 hr drive to disney from there.we usually arrive at 1

 

[jasko5990]

With the exception of taking Amtrak's Auto Train in 2008, we have driven from the Philadelphia, PA area every trip since 2002. My current strategy is to wake up around 6am the day we are leaving, then go back to bed around 4-5pm and sleep until about 11pm. We leave around midnight and drive straight through on I-95. My wife & kids stay awake that day until we leave, then they sleep in the Avalanche and don't wake up until we are in North Carolina where we stop for gas and a Cracker Barrel breakfast around 7am. We then hit the road again, only stopping for one more gas stop and when bathroom breaks are needed. The trip lasts 16 hours, + or - 1/2 hour. By leaving when we do we miss all of the morning traffic in the northern section of I-95 (especially around the Washington DC area), and when we stop for breakfast we avoid a lot of the traffic during the morning rush. I have tried other departure times, routes, and also stopping for sleep along the way, and have found this current strategy to be the best for us. The long drive and hours aren't a problem for me since I work rotating shifts and spend up to 13 hours a day in a vehicle and am used to being awake all night in a car. The few times I needed a power nap my wife drove for a short time (usually less than 45 minutes) so I could rest. My truck averages about 18 miles per gallon on the trip, and it only costs about $350 for gas for the entire trip, including driving in and around WDW. We get to do it again in 2011.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I've considered driving too. I remember driving to WDW from south jersey as a kid and loving the drive. I've suggested it to my husband, but he has NO interest in driving down. The $$$ savings is HUGE! It costs a lot for the 6 of us to fly. Let us know what you decide OP!

 

[Vickis3js]

We do the drive every Dec. My kids are not as young as yours but the first year they were 6,7, and 8. What we normally do is DH and I will pack the car the night before we leave and we head to bed at 8pm. We put a movie on for the kids so they stay awake a bit longer. Then we get them up and haul them to the car at 2am and off we go. We don't drive all the way through though. Its too much for the kids I think. So we stop in Georgia. The last 2 years its been Savannah and this year we are going a bit further south in Brunswick, Ga. Last year we were off the road at 4pm for the night. Some thing its a waste but we are still tired and the kids are restless so we swim and chill out and then get up a little early grab a bite to eat and in 4 hours we are in WDW and we are rested and raring to go.

We love the drive. The first year we went I got the kids all Disney messanger bags made. I put books, activity pads, magic pen books, Ispy bags, or other activities for them to do. They get them the day we leave so its all new and exciting. I buy them new DS games and new movies for the ride as well. They've always done really well in the car. Last year they had a blast doing the printable car games I found online.

As far as savings we save a TON!! I belong to a few differnt rewards shopping sites and for this trip I've already got gas paid for. I've earned $200 in gas cards already and we still have 5 months to go! I got a great rate on our hotel, with taxes its around $80! So the only thing I have to pay for is food which I would pay for if I was flying anyway.

HTH

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also it's less then 1100 miles from NJ to Florida

Ah, but it's more than 2,000 round trip

 

[Disney Commando]

I have done the drive a couple of times, it would take me 2 1/2 days we would get to Va and do Busch Gardens 1st day, St Augustine Fl the 2nd, and then off to WDW.

The last few years we have done the Autotrain, you get on at Lorton Va & it brings you to Stanford Fl about a half hour away from WDW, the best part about it is you have your car, plus it arrives around 9am, you can be in WDW by 10-11 rested & ready to go

 

[JenC025]

I just checked the autotrain for our group 2 adults 2 children plus reg. size vehicle it would be $431. one way It's cheaper to fly from PHL SW airport and from VA to FL its 17hrs. Am I missing something? We were considering driving to FL this year from central Jersey

 

[Lilysmom]

Ah, but it's more than 2,000 round trip

Yes I know.... I said that to you the post after that one.

 

[bookwormde]

I have both driven and flown, with the increase in ticket prices we will be back to driving next trip. We leave 9-11pm and I drive through the night and by the time the kids are up it is less than 8 hours to WDW. We arrive early to mid afternoon so we usually get in our room right away. I do not find that we loose that much time since by the time we get up and to the airport fly down and ME to the resort it takes 7-8 hours and I get an offsite car rental that makes well over 8. So 8 hours which for us is the night driving time (would not be doing anything at WDW then anyway), which leaves me a little tired the first day but it is manageable.

I think length of stay makes a difference, if you are staying less than a week then 2 drives in a shorter amount of times might be more difficult.

bookwormde

 

[KathyK]

We drive most of the time. (Unless we're going for teacher's convention weekend, and then we fly because we've only got 4 days.)

Welive in Sussex County. We typically drive to ~Fayetteville, NC the first day and then we drive to the Orlando area, but stay off-site the second day. This way, we can enjoy our entire 1st day in the parks. We usually leave after lunch on our last day, and drive to NC, and then home the second day.

We have driven straight through a couple times, but we prefer to spread it out over 2 days.

 

[ibcnu]

We are taking the autotrain this summer. To get a good rate you need to book early. I booked a few months ago (we are only going one way with the car) for our upcoming August trip and today the price is $150 more, one way. Also, play with your dates, one day could be $100 more than the next day.

D is going back to college in Orlando and is taking her car down. We thought about driving the whole way but I don't want to put wear and tear on the vehicle, plus it's a rather small car. I think driving the 5 hours to Washington DC is enough for us. DH is staying home because he has to work, so it's only me, DD19 and DD13.

Some good suggestions though, never thought of driving to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and staying there 2 nights on our way to Florida. I also like the suggestion of leaving at 3am and driving to Jacksonville, FL for the night.

 

[WDWBW09]

My family and I will be taking our second Disney trip this year in October. We will be staying at AKL from 10/7-10/16. Airfare for the five of us is around $1400 (not counting parking at the airport. Last time we parked short term because I flew down ahead of DH with the three kids so I wanted to be as close to the terminal as possible to man three kids, suitcases and strollers. So parking last time was $300.) I am seriously considering trying the drive this time to save some cash. It is myself, DH and DD's (7,6 and 3.)

Am I nuts to be considering this? I would rather spend the money AT Disney then getting TO Disney, especially since it is our second trip this year. I am just not sure if I am signing up for a nightmare with three little kids. (I will also be about 6 months pregnant at the time.)

We have a new Toyota Sienna minivan so there is space in the car.... but I am nervous because all we have ever done is fly. I'm normally a get me there and home as quick as possible person but I think if we drive straight through I could probably save about $1000 and that is no small chunk of change.

Anyone care to chime in on whether or not you would attempt it? And if you do the drive with small kids how bad is it?

Thanks!

Good-morning.

Your right $1700+ is a lot of money these days... At we had three girls and two boys and now we have three girls and one boy at home. I'll admit they are and were no less than nine years old the first time we drove to WDW.

With the size of our family were in the $2800.00+ savings for this type of trip. First and foremost safety is really more valuable vs. any amount of money.

The time of day/night you travel is key. The type of drivers you are is key. The amount of rest you have is key. The way you manage any disputes between children that arrise is key. A realistic driving plan is key.

Be honest with yourself are the children well behaved in the car? Do they sleep on 1+ hour trips? Ours do. That makes it easy for us to travel at night bed time to wake up. Can one of you drive safely at night?

The way we work it is one of us manages the kids and the other drives. Focus has to stay on the travel with the driver. If it takes both of you to manage a situation then stop the vehicle.

If you need rest, stop at a rest stop. Don't take risks and push it. I've stopped for rest both times and you'd be surprised how much this helps. I've done this in GA and FL at night and there are always Highway Patrol at both.

Do you have AAA? You may need to change a tire, tough to do in the heat safely with three children.

Now that I've lectured on safety and hopefully not offended.

Time in a vehicle with your family can be a memorable experience. Laughs at future Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. You can save big money!

Everything is worth one try if you don't like it don't do it again!

Goodluck with your decision and trip!

 

[Lilysmom]

Good-morning.

Your right $1700+ is a lot of money these days... At we had three girls and two boys and now we have three girls and one boy at home. I'll admit they are and were no less than nine years old the first time we drove to WDW.

With the size of our family were in the $2800.00+ savings for this type of trip. First and foremost safety is really more valuable vs. any amount of money.

The time of day/night you travel is key. The type of drivers you are is key. The amount of rest you have is key. The way you manage any disputes between children that arrise is key. A realistic driving plan is key.

Be honest with yourself are the children well behaved in the car? Do they sleep on 1+ hour trips? Ours do. That makes it easy for us to travel at night bed time to wake up. Can one of you drive safely at night?

The way we work it is one of us manages the kids and the other drives. Focus has to stay on the travel with the driver. If it takes both of you to manage a situation then stop the vehicle.

If you need rest, stop at a rest stop. Don't take risks and push it. I've stopped for rest both times and you'd be surprised how much this helps. I've done this in GA and FL at night and there are always Highway Patrol at both.

Do you have AAA? You may need to change a tire, tough to do in the heat safely with three children.

Now that I've lectured on safety and hopefully not offended.

Time in a vehicle with your family can be a memorable experience. Laughs at future Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. You can save big money!

Everything is worth one try if you don't like it don't do it again!

Goodluck with your decision and trip!

Not offended AT ALL! We mapped it out this morning and we are going to try it. If it is absolutely horrible we will just never do it again but I think we will be ok.

DH is going to take off the 6th also so that he can sleep during the day and will be rested and ready to drive after feeding the kids dinner. We have done an 8 hour trip before in the car with the girls (from here to VT for skiing) and they were great. No problems at all. The kids have also flown to Europe several times on 8+ hour flights and never a problem. I think because we started traveling with them so young (around 6 months for the older two and at 6 WEEKS with the youngest) they are just laid back about it and used to it.

Luckily, for the most part DDs all get along well. Each has a separate portable DVD player and their own DS. I am planning on packing each of them a bag of car games, snacks etc. as well as a cooler. And we will be stopping for bathroom breaks and for me to stretch my legs (I will be 6 months pregnant at the time.)

Some of DH favorite memories of his childhood are from family road trips so he is really excited to do it. We do have AAA. DH travels 4+ hours a day for his commute (he drives) so driving doesn't tend to bother him and I don't mind driving either so we can always switch off. I may book a room in GA and see how we feel when we approach and then we can cancel if we feel well enough to push on.

Thanks so much for your advice!

 

[patclairesmom]

We are going to be driving this April to WDW from Central Jersey. Last year we drove to Sanibel Island(an extra 4 hours). The trip really wasn't that bad and saving that extra money is certainly a plus. Just make sure you avoid DC traffic.