Talk me into driving to WDW in July

[SandraC]

We have flown to WDW in April a couple of times and find this the perfect time of year. However, we are really considering driving to WDW for a couple of leisurely weeks at the start of July 2006. [about June 30 to July 15]. DH has always wanted to drive. And his brother just moved to Greenboro, NC which is about 13 hours from home. So we would likely get up at 3am and drive to BIL's, arriving about dinner time. Stay two nights with BIL and then drive the 9-10 hours to WDW.

I'm just worried about the crowds and weather. Please talk me into going in July.

Thanks! Sandra

 

[Houzer]

I am so sorry but I can't talk you into driving....I don't do well going farther then 5 hours....let us know how you make out if you choose to drive!??
Houzer

 

[Debbie]

We like the drive, and when the kids were little, we always did it s-l-o-w-l-y down, to enjoy some of the side trips (Cabbage Patch hospital in Georgia, Moonbow Falls, Museum of Applachia, first KFC, etc.). We'd go in August since I am a teacher. I think that with that stop for family, it'd be great! You know that it will be hot. You know that it will be busy, but the longer hours (especially in July over August) make it doable. You will not need clothes other than shorts/t-shirts, undergarments and bathing suits, so packing is easy. We need the family who drove down in August last year...with the van without air conditioning to give us some pointers!

 

[CharlesTD]

Well we were there in May and the temps were mid 90's and 90+ % humidity so you will never catch me going to Florida after the month of Jan it was far to hot and stuffy.

 

[dsneygirl]

I actually don't mind the drive. Especially if you make lots of stops and take your time. We also shop along the way But July will be very hot.

 

[Lezah]

We always drive and actually prefer it. It costs less, we enjoy the time together in the van, we talk, listen to XM radio, watch DVD's, read books, play Disney Scene it, Trivia, get books on CD from the library or Cracker Barrel along the way. It is tons of fun!! We look it as part of the vacation. We actually dislike flying and the whole airport experience, from the 3 hr wait prior to boarding, the migraine I get with flying, the pain in DS and my ears with flying that we can't clear (not from lack of trying), etc! We last did it in August last year and are going to do it again in July this year (before the AP's expire!! Hope this helps.

 

[Janice B]

We have driven the past two years and are planning on going again in August. We would rather drive then fly, we flew our first trip. We enjoyed it, however driving for us offers a lot more. Our DS13 would rather drive. He enjoys the scenery and the family time. He (only Child) brings a dvd player to watch movies, his mp3 player, books and his game boy and of course his pillow for the many naps. Before we go my DH will download music that we all like onto a few cd's so that we are not listening to one persons style of music all the time. Florida in July will be hot. However, if you like the heat, you will love that time of year. The weather doesn't bother me and we have gone in both July and August. The crowds will be there. Since we stay on site, what works for us to avoid some of the crowds is we always go to the park that have early hour. We stay till around 2 and then after lunch we leave and go back to our hotel for a swim, rest and supper. Around 7.00 we go back to the park until it closes.

 

[bullpup12564]

If you calculate the wear and tear on your car at 35-38 cents/mile. It might be cheaper to fly. That used to be the rate so it might even be higher now.

 

[disneyvacationmom]

Sandra, we always used to drive and did 2 12 hour days. It wasn't so bad but I will tell you that the weather is very hot in Julybut the parks are open late so we did early morning , rested in the afternoon and went back in after dinner. We always survived. Have fun.

 

[Scratch42]

Think of All that Shopping that you can bring back!

It's a great way to see the USA! Plus it will give you the opportunity to visit with BIL.

Just remember, early to the parks, afternoon rest and back to the parks at night when it has cooled off!

Don't you guys have a camper that you could take with you? That would safe you guys a heck of a lot of money and then you can stay at a Deluxe for a few nights to spoil yourselves too!

I'll take hot over cold any day!

janet

 

[mc'smommy]

Hi there I am driving down next thrusday after about 5 years of flying down because flights have been so cheap..
We are only driving down this time becasue friends are joining us at a condo in St. Pete's for a week. Then we are on a cruise for a week and then Disney for a few days...

I will let you know howI feel about it after I return... And see if I can talk you into it...LOL

take care

 

[CharlesTD]

If you calculate the wear and tear on your car at 35-38 cents/mile. It might be cheaper to fly. That used to be the rate so it might even be higher now.

If you have a lease vehicle that is being turned back in at teh end there really is no issue with this part of it and even with wear and tear if your vehicle is properly maintained it is still far cheaper to drive than fly. Especially with a family of 5 like we have.

 

[isla bonita]

Try it once and you never have to do it again. My friend keeps telling me this about camping with her. I am afraid we would not be friends after that.

 

[usetheforceluke]

Can't see us driving down for quite some time, not with the price of airfare these days. I'd probably reconsider if it was an extended trip, but...

Last trip was a real killer for some reason (I do all of the driving), and we were less than impressed with the rooms that we had on both trips. While it's nice to have all of the stuff that we took with us, we sort of don't miss it.

Just make sure that you take bottled water from here with you. The cost of their water is outrageous if you buy it locally.

Jim.

 

[wingnut3443]

for us, it is the best way to go, we are from Windsor, right accross from Detroit. Last July we left on a friday morning at 3:00am, kids and wife slept while I drove in the dark, we were well into Ohio before anyone woke. Stopped for breakfast and kept going. We stayed just north of Atlanta, and it make the second day very short in getting to Orlando. Advantages were we were able to bring our own (we have a Windstar van) cases of water, pop, and munchies. and we were able to bring whatever we thought we might need also. and Bring back alot as well. It worked well for us and we are planning on doing it again this July as well.

 

[Tinkerjane]

Do It! You'll enjoy it.
We always flew and will never fly down again. We loved the drive, stopped for 2 nights on the way down (because the first day we didn't leave until 6pm) and 1 night on the way back. My boys were 3 and 11 at the time and we had a blast. Packed some food for the drive down, my older boy brought his game boy, stopped at some flea markets and arrived in WDW about 2 in the afternoon.
Although its not for everyone, you will know after you do it the first time whether or not you will do it again. It saves on air and car rental and I loved having the luxury of our own vehicle and filling our van to the brim with "stuff."
You can bring your own pillows or whatever you want to have some comforts of home.
Just enjoy the ride.

 

[ciniagara]

Hi sorry this post is a little late
We just got back on Jan 4. Didn't go to Disney. We had a death in the Family and had to drive down suddenly. Beautiful drive down the I 77- I79. Left at 4:00 A.M. on the 27th and arrived in Tampa at 12;30 a.m.ON THE 28TH. the weather was great but I did check ahead of time. I can notstress how important it is that you check the weather before you leave. We had great weather but that is not a sure thing on this route.http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/cities?ix=77&reg=ec&dir=ns Please check this link before leaving home. It gives a good idea of what you will be driving through no mater what time of year it is. We drove down in July last year and this site was still invaluable for weather forcasts. I drove a 2002 Pontiac Montana and it cost me 206.00 U.S. for gas. We drove straight down 201/2 hrs. and took 2 days at 20hrs each to get home. I know that this might noe answer your questions about July. Do know that it is a very pretty drive and a very easy drive from Ontario. A lot of places to stop, a lot of scenery and nowhwere near as mush traffic as drivinf on the Q.E.W. from Niagara to Toronto

 

[basas]

Driven down three times (in July) from Winnipeg (a long drive) and it is great fun! Of course, we've taken different routes and toured attractions in Minneapolis, Chicago, Memphis, St.Louis, Washington DC, New Orleans, Savannah, etc.etc. If you like road trips, you'll love it!