Thinking of driving to WDW in February--Are we crazy?

[MaryannF]

DH must have had too much time on his hands today. As I got out of the car after work he met me in the driveway to ask what I thought about driving to WDW in February. He pointed out that the car is still under warranty, we could try to get a room with a CAA rate around Feb. 11 (still value season) before the rates go up, we have some passes with days left on them and we could take a 2 week vacation to drive down. I told him I would have to do some research, so I am asking, "Has anyone driven down in February and what are your experiences, good or bad?" The only thing that worries me about the drive is the weather. Thanks in advance.

 

[mbb]

My parents drive it...from NB

And the great thing about the weather is you can always leave a day or so earlier to avoid the storm

Seriously - as long as you were prepared for winter driving, and could take the extra day or so, if you had to storm stay somewhere along the way - why not?

But you might find flights for cheap, cheap cheap

HTH!! and have fun planning!!

 

[madonna31]

DH must have had too much time on his hands today.

ROTFLMBO...I think your DH knows my DH.

To answer your question - you only live once - GO FOR IT!!!

 

[tribus121]

I have made the drive in February from NB many times and would say go for it my only tips would be drive as far as you can the first day ( no need to make res for the drive ) so that you make it south of the snow belt and allow a extra day on the return so you can wait out a storm

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I agree with tribus - drive as far as you can the first day.

I would recommend you go I-75 as well, because it is far better if the weather is bad. Get Dave Hunter's book along I-75 before you go.

I really don't mind the drive down and consider it a part of the journey!

Go for it!

 

[F4disneyfan]

I agree with Y&K the drive is all part of the trip we love the drive we offered to fly down and the kids would have no part of it they said it wouldn't be the same without getting to make our routine stops along the way so driving it is for us which is fine by me it is far cheaper than 5 airline tickets no matter where you fly from.

 

[drag n' fly]

What an adventure! We have often thought of driving to DL but have chickened out. Hope you have a safe trip!

 

[Canadave]

We've done the February drive 3 times.....like Y&K says, take I-75, buy Dave's book and take your time....not sure if you have kids or their ages, but I really recommend a portable DVD with lots of movies.

we've ran into weather problems a couple of times, but we just took our time and it was fine...last trip we did run into a major snow storm coming down the mountains on our way home...it was very stressful, but if we didn't have a sick daughter with us, we would have waited until morning for that portion of the drive....I will strongly recommend that snow tires are a VERY worthwhile investment (MUCH better than all season tires)

But do go...value season and short lines...can't get much better

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I've done it several times in February - it's a good time of year to go. Keep an eye on the weather forecasts and you should be fine. It is like passing through the seasons as you go - going from snow-covered ground in Ontario to the lush gardens of Florida. (Of course, the drive home tends to be kind of depressing!) I also highly recommend Dave Hunter's Along the I-75 - makes it so simple to find everything you need and plan your drive each day.

Teresa

 

[A Goofy Family]

Just curious, how many miles is it?

 

[GoofyArt]

Just curious, how many miles is it?

When we drive (we're just outside London ON), the distance we logged one way was about 2300 kilometers or around 1350 miles. In terms of actual driving time on the highway, I always figured about 20-21 hours. That has gone down in recent years when the speed limits in some states went up to 70 mph.

HTH.

Art

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

We drove down two years ago. It was my then-BF and me in one car and my parents, sister and cousin in the other, pulling a 30-foot trailer.

The weather was okay driving -- and okay down at the parks too! A little chilly, and unpredictable, but Canadians usually can and will swim and wear shorts in anything "double digits"!

 

[A Goofy Family]

When we drive (we're just outside London ON), the distance we logged one way was about 2300 kilometers or around 1350 miles. In terms of actual driving time on the highway, I always figured about 20-21 hours. That has gone down in recent years when the speed limits in some states went up to 70 mph.

HTH.

Art

Our drive from Central Texas is just under 1200 miles and takes 17 hours. So other than the snow/road conditions (which I know NOTHING about), you should do fine.

 

[MaryannF]

Perhaps I should clarify. We have driven to WDW a number of times with 2 children. We have driven in March, April, May, and August. We have driven in thunderstorms, pea soup fog, torrential rain (had to come home I-75 because parts of I-95 was under water), late into the night (when we drove too late and couldn't get a room easily), sent on long detours well off the highway due to accidents and road construction, with a child with irritable bowel syndrome ("I HAVE TO GO NOW!"), with a child who developed a sinus infection on the day we left WDW, BUT we have never driven for miles in freezing rain (as far as Atlanta Georgia I'm told) or during a snow storm that closes highways or through the mountains of Tennessee when all you can see is snow blowing against your windshield. This trip would include my DH and I alone. I do have snow tires on my car, have a CAA membership and we would pack an emergency preparedness kit for the car. I have used Dave Hunter's Along I-75 every trip since 1994 and wouldn't leave home without it. According to CAA the distance to WDW from my front door is 1398 miles taking approximately 25 hours (that includes crossing the border). We have found that 25 hours is about what it takes us to do the drive. As soon as I can get clearance at work to take 2 weeks vacation in February I will be calling CRO to book 11 days at Pop Century. The chill in the air today seals the deal. A little warmth in February is just what we need to get us to spring.

 

[A Goofy Family]

Perhaps I should clarify. We have driven to WDW a number of times with 2 children. We have driven in March, April, May, and August. We have driven in thunderstorms, pea soup fog, torrential rain (had to come home I-75 because parts of I-95 was under water), late into the night (when we drove too late and couldn't get a room easily), sent on long detours well off the highway due to accidents and road construction, with a child with irritable bowel syndrome ("I HAVE TO GO NOW!"), with a child who developed a sinus infection on the day we left WDW, BUT we have never driven for miles in freezing rain (as far as Atlanta Georgia I'm told) or during a snow storm that closes highways or through the mountains of Tennessee when all you can see is snow blowing against your windshield. This trip would include my DH and I alone. I do have snow tires on my car, have a CAA membership and we would pack an emergency preparedness kit for the car. I have used Dave Hunter's Along I-75 every trip since 1994 and wouldn't leave home without it. According to CAA the distance to WDW from my front door is 1398 miles taking approximately 25 hours (that includes crossing the border). We have found that 25 hours is about what it takes us to do the drive. As soon as I can get clearance at work to take 2 weeks vacation in February I will be calling CRO to book 11 days at Pop Century. The chill in the air today seals the deal. A little warmth in February is just what we need to get us to spring.

With all of that said, I think I would be hard at work searching for great deals on airline tickets!!!

 

[drag n' fly]

Perhaps I should clarify. We have driven to WDW a number of times with 2 children. We have driven in March, April, May, and August. We have driven in thunderstorms, pea soup fog, torrential rain (had to come home I-75 because parts of I-95 was under water), late into the night (when we drove too late and couldn't get a room easily), sent on long detours well off the highway due to accidents and road construction, with a child with irritable bowel syndrome ("I HAVE TO GO NOW!"), with a child who developed a sinus infection on the day we left WDW, BUT we have never driven for miles in freezing rain (as far as Atlanta Georgia I'm told) or during a snow storm that closes highways or through the mountains of Tennessee when all you can see is snow blowing against your windshield. This trip would include my DH and I alone. I do have snow tires on my car, have a CAA membership and we would pack an emergency preparedness kit for the car. I have used Dave Hunter's Along I-75 every trip since 1994 and wouldn't leave home without it. According to CAA the distance to WDW from my front door is 1398 miles taking approximately 25 hours (that includes crossing the border). We have found that 25 hours is about what it takes us to do the drive. As soon as I can get clearance at work to take 2 weeks vacation in February I will be calling CRO to book 11 days at Pop Century. The chill in the air today seals the deal. A little warmth in February is just what we need to get us to spring.

No Problemo!.....A True CANADIAN!

 

[Chester's Mum]

We don't mind the drive down, we're all looking forward to our trip to the world. It's the drive back that we find oppressive. Have fun anyway you decide to go.

 

[Canadave]

well MaryannF...sounds like it's a go

One thing about speed limits that I found out (by experience) is that you should just drive with the speed of the traffic...our first trip down, I was scared of the US troopers and drove exactly the speed limit the whole way down and back...27 hours to our house from WDW...the next two trips, I just drove with the rest of the traffic(the average speed, not like some of the maniacs)...23-24 hours!! BTW, the speed traps noted in Dave Hunter's book are VERY accurate

 

[MaryannF]

I went to Dave Hunter's Along I-75 website today and found that the 14th edition will be available by mail in mid-September. I found a link to get a 15% off coupon and sent an e-mail for it.

 

[Canadave]

I went to Dave Hunter's Along I-75 website today and found that the 14th edition will be available by mail in mid-September. I found a link to get a 15% off coupon and sent an e-mail for it.