Single mom driving from NY?

[MickeyMonstersMom]

This would be our third trip to WDW. I've always preferred flying, but airfare for the April Break is making me consider driving. I'm not so sure I can pull it off, though. The break for us is 4/16 (I could leave at dinnertime on 4/15) to 4/24 (must be home by midday). I teach and cannot take additional days or change the dates available. Questions:

1. How far can I reasonably expect to get in a day of driving? Could I make it in 2 days?

2. Will the days spent driving cut too much into the rest of our time, leaving us with too little time to actually enjoy the vacation? Will I be too tired to drive back???

3. Would the financial savings be enough to offset the hassle? Honestly, I'm not happy about driving - my 2 children are not good travelers - but it may come down to driving or not going at all.

Input is greatly appreciated!

 

[d4est]

We have driven the last two years from central NY...near Oneona/Cooperstown, but have had more than one driver. It usually takes us between 18-22 hours. We drive straight through, stopping for gas or potty and to switch drivers. The longest I have ever driven is 5 or 6 hrs, while my husband can AND thinks he HAS to make it further.

My guess is you could probably do it in two days...thats 48 hours. Gives to time to rest. What are the ages of your children? If you leave at supper, they will only (if young) be awake for a few hours and you would then get a few hours of peaceful driving. Then find a motel/hotel and take a "real" break. Then start fresh in the am. Stop for lunch, stretch your legs and hit the road again. I would stop enough to make sure you aren't going to be falling asleep at the wheel...

As far as it being worth it ($$$), it is hard to say. You would, most likely, be giving up 4 days for the drive down and back. I HATE the drive...really, but the prices of airline tix are killing me too! BTW, I am a teacher as well, but we are going during Feb break, which is President's week. We may end up driving, but I REALLY don't want to.

Probably didn't help much...

Is there anyone you could invite to travel with you? Friend, sibling, fellow teacher? That would help the drive and you could split gas $?? Just a thought...

 

[hobogary]

We always drive from central NY, but with 2 drivers. I figure 24 hours of on road time (includes food ,gas and restroom stops and some traffic tie ups) we usually do 2 10 hour days, plus 4 hrs. If you leave at noon, you could do maybe 8 hrs the first day, 10 or 12 the 2nd, and 4 to 6 hrs the 3rd. more if you felt you could handle it. as for being too tired from Disney, i've never had that problem. We usually drive back in 2 days (10 hrs and 14 hrs , dont need a reservation at home and can pull in anytime). If it was my trip. I'd leave at noon and get to Doswell Va. Best Western Kings quarters has great deals that time of year, Next day to Brunswick or Kingsland Ga. and 3rd day Into WDW late morning.

 

[d4est]

Hey, hey, hey!! CNY homecoming...

Hobogary-I work just down the "hill" from you...in New Berlin at Unadilla Valley. It really is a small world...

 

[hobogary]

"It's a small world after all, It's a (now it will be in my head all night).

 

[disneyagain]

We drove down last Christmas. 2 drivers (sister and I and 5 kids aged 8-15)...What were we thinking ...Actually it was great.
We left at 3am 12/26 and drove through to Savannah GA, arrived around 6pm, stayed at a CountryInn&Suites, were on the rode by 6:30 am stopped for lunch at McDonalds outside of downtown disney, checked in at the dolphin, hopped on the boat and were walking down the main street at MGM around noon. Coming back we left at 4am (new years day) and drove straight through, arrived home around 10pm. Planned on stopping in Fredericksburg, but we made such great time, we kept on going.

I much prefer to fly, but it really wasn't bad...We're flying this year, because we got great rates and there's only the 4 of us (DH, me DS, DD)...But if the rates weren't great, I'd consider driving again.

 

[DebbieB]

I'd be afraid without a second driver. What if you are not feeling well? Are you experienced in driving long distances? The most I've ever done is 4 hours, that was enough for me. You said your kids are not good travelers, how hard will it be on them?

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

What a CNY reunion going on here! I'm an S-E alumna, myself.

The more I think about it, the more I may put off the drive until summer. That way I can take as much time as I need - and plan for interesting stops along the way to break up the drive and make it feel less onerous. The kids are 10 and 6 - and right in the middle of a "bickery" stage that I'd love to see them outgrow by then (wishful thinking??). We were at WDW this past summer and really didn't mind the crowds, so that's probably our best bet.


OK, and I'll keep looking for cheap airfare for April!

 

[CarolA]

I think your summer plan is good. There are tons of places to stop and see on the way down and you will have the time.

 

[d4est]

If you can go in the summer and take your time, I say go for it! I wish I could go then...I like it hot! And my son (7) would love to try the water parks. But unless my DH gets a different job, it is very unlikely.

Good luck with your plans...and fingers crossed for some decent airfare for all!!

 

[leebee]

Hey, central New York! Not really a "native", but spent 2 years in Ithaca and 5 in Syracuse. Guess what? DH is applying for a job at SUNY-Oneonta. I think he has a pretty good chance as THEY called HIM and asked him to apply..so maybe we'll be neighbors soon. As to OP, I adore driving and my DD is the world champion traveller; used to go from MI to Maine; drive 8 hrs., stop and sleep over (usually in Syracuse), then do another 7-8 hours the next day. It's pretty tiring, and this was with a child who was happy to make one bathroom/gas station stop. REGARDLESS of when you are going, get a DVD player for the car (Santa?) and borrow movies from the library, so you have new stuff your kids haven't seen. I would also consider moving the trip to summer, for right when you get out of school. April is spring in some places, but I'd really hesitate about driving while there is still the possibility of snow...not that there'd ever be much in upstate NY, or thru the hills in VA/NC...!!!!! The possibility of snow is the most nerve-wracking part or the drive for me, especially if you HAVE to be back. We usually travel to WDW in early Dec. or Jan, once Oct, March, and May, so we are pretty spoiled when it comes to low crowds. However, we went last year for the last 2 weeks of June (wed-sun in orlando, sun-fri in Cocoa Beach do DD could go to space camp at NASA, VERY cool, sun-wed back in orlando). While the heat was pretty intense, the crowds were not overwhelming, in fact not even close to bad, so don't let numbers scare you. I'd leave the very second you get out of school in June. (PS, my sister swears by Delsym, says it knocks out her two bickerers, even when they DON'T have colds- JOKING, JOKING!!!)
Hey, and maybe by early summer airfare will be more tolerable...last year our SWA ressies cam down $60 each between the time I bought the tickets and the time we actually left, so I got a $180 refund on airfare (MHT-MCO)from SWA!

 

[hobogary]

I agree with the snow driving. After driving in snow up here for half a year, all my life, we hit a minor storm in NC/Va one year, and those people drive crazy. Everyone passing and doing 75, I said we better get off because someone is gonna get sideways and 100 people will pile into him, and sure enough, just up the road it happened twice. I'll take the snow up here with the local nuts anytime.(By the way, we usually take US 17 over to I-95 to avoid all the hills).