To Drive or Not to Drive

[alisha123]

This is the true answer. "Best" is a relative term and will vary based on the individual.

If you're looking from a pure cost standpoint, driving would be cheaper, even if you do an overnight stay.

Some people enjoy (or at least don't mind) the drive. Others don't.
Others enjoy the speed of flying. Others don't.

I do find it interesting that when these threads come up, just about everyone advocating driving talks about how it's "not bad" and "we're so excited getting there, a lack of sleep doesn't bother us", but very few mention the drive back (and the "recovery").

And on that whoever wants to go back to the same ole same ole? Weather you flying or driving it still sucks either way to return to the norm after you've been in the magic for a while. I prefer to drive cause we drive up the coast and spend a couple nights on the beach in Ormond Beach before we drive home. Of course I don't live to far away, maybe 7 hrs once I get to ormond beach. But I would still prefer to rent a car and drive either way

 

[pepe of ohio]

Personally I'd leave the car at home and take regular Amtrak....never understood the need of the Auto Train.... You can rent a car cheaper in Florida that pay to haul yours down on the train...

We're from northeast Ohio, for us, Amtrak round trip the 2 of us in coach is 450.00....

That's about the same as for driving and a motel each way.... Difference is time ... Driving is 16-18 hours plus motels.... Train is 36 hours ( 8 hour layover in DC) but train moves while we sleep, no stress!!

Only way we'll go to WDW, drive or train !!

 

[MEK]

Thanks for the ideas , i just checked the auto train idea and thats out, it will cost me around $650 one way for that. I think i will leave the day before and take my time going down and maybe stay the night somewhere. I will just drive until i get tired and stop if i have to. But i think driving down is the way to go.

granpoopah - make sure you call directly for a fare quote. the online quotes are higher and my understanding is, unlike an air fare, you can cancel an auto train reservation.

Still, I wouldn't bother with the auto train. If your going to take that long - just drive.

I have driven to HHI twice now. I commute from Middletown to Wilmington every day. It is a horrendous drive and based on that I thought I would never have the patience or fortitude for a drive to Florida. All I can say is that both of my drives to HHI have been significantly less stressful than what I deal with day to day driving through the ridiculous traffic patterns in this state. If you can commute in Delaware and stay sane then you are well suited for a drive south on I95.

 

[AngieBangie]

We live in Columbus ohio and have driven once and are driving again this year. The first time we drove we took 77 to 95. This time were just taking 75 straight down, it's supposedly quicker. We are driving with DD10 leaving at 3am.

We will be saving at least $650 driving rather than flying.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[jakeybake]

I could never drive down. It would drive me crazy knowing that I would already be in WDW 3 hours into our drive if we flew.

We are in Boston so the drive would be 20+ hours which is just way too long for us. We live 5 minutes from the airport so there is little to no stress getting to the airport and starting our vacation. Our flight actually feels like the start of vacation for us.

J

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Personally I'd leave the car at home and take regular Amtrak....never understood the need of the Auto Train.... You can rent a car cheaper in Florida that pay to haul yours down on the train...

We're from northeast Ohio, for us, Amtrak round trip the 2 of us in coach is 450.00....

That's about the same as for driving and a motel each way.... Difference is time ... Driving is 16-18 hours plus motels.... Train is 36 hours ( 8 hour layover in DC) but train moves while we sleep, no stress!!

Only way we'll go to WDW, drive or train !!

I priced it too & it was more than flying but takes like 20 hrs plus our drive to VA. Maybe if you live in the VA area, have a fear of flying, or a need to pack your car up to the ceiling, it would work you.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

This is the true answer. "Best" is a relative term and will vary based on the individual.

If you're looking from a pure cost standpoint, driving would be cheaper, even if you do an overnight stay.

Some people enjoy (or at least don't mind) the drive. Others don't.
Others enjoy the speed of flying. Others don't.

I do find it interesting that when these threads come up, just about everyone advocating driving talks about how it's "not bad" and "we're so excited getting there, a lack of sleep doesn't bother us", but very few mention the drive back (and the "recovery").

A lot of that also has to do with the type of trip you're taking. Is it mainly about the destination, or is the drive part of the trip? Part of the "drag" regarding the drive home from a destination is covering the same ground you've already covered, and then there's that whole going back to work thing

When possible, I like to take our driving trips in a loop rather than a there & back kind of trip. That gives us different things to do & see the entire way rather than backtracking over the same path. That said, the last two "there & back" kind of trips we took we actually had a lot more energy for the drive home than for the drive there, so we drove MUCH further on day one than we did leaving home

 

[kydisneyfans]

We drove 5 times from Ohio, exactly 1,000 miles each way. We have driven 11 times from KY, 840 each way. The trips range from 13-16 hours.

We just came back and spent a total of $153 in fuel. Yes there is some wear and tear, etc. There were 2 of us and flights from Lexington would have been nearly $800 with fees, or $500 plus a very expensive rental car from Sanford. By the time we drive to the airport, get there early for security, the flight itself, departure, and transport to Disney, it's not that much longer than the drive anyway. I also like to take what I want on vacation, not what I am allowed. We also prepacked things like water at $3/case, where it's $15/case at Disney, saving even more money.

Several keys to remember:
-Try not to hit big cities at rush hour. We stay as far away from Atlanta as possible between 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM.
-Know where you are at all times. If traffic is backed up, virtually every interstate has a 2-4 lane road that parallels where you can detour.
-Use apps like gasbuddy to save on fuel. That saved us quite a bit last week, as gas ranged from 3.14 in Knoxville to 4.99 on 192 just outside of Disney.
-Prebuy snacks at Walmart/target/etc before departure. We paid $2.29 for a box of theatre size candy, $3.69 for trail mix, and $2.29 for a Gatorade at various gas stations along the way. All of those are a buck at Walmart.

We enjoy the drives. it's great family bonding time.

 

[baleeve]

I live in Massachusetts and there are 3 of us (1 adult 2 kiddos). A one way drive is easily 2 days. (24 hour driving time) I have a crossover SUV so gas is 21 mph on highway. Yikes!

I can find roundtrip flights from Boston to Orlando for $200 per person and a nonstop flight for only 3 1/2 hours. (Usually) so I think $600 round trip is money well spent to avoid a 25 hour drive EACH way!

If you are staying on property you have magical express which we used in 2010 and it is SO easy! You don't even have to handle your bags. They will be there when you get to your room!

All this said, I am the only driver (single parent). If I had someone to swap with I may consider driving. MAYBE! It's a long LONG drive. I've done it a dozen times. It starts off fun but at some point you are thinking LET ME OUT OF THIS CAR!!

Using the buses at WDW is so easy! Even if you want to rent a car you can get great deals with some research. Travel these days is so affordable if you know how to hunt for deals.

I would say FLY and I this is coming from a bargain hunter. I will squeeze every penny out of a dime however I have learned to value my time and energy too. I am a cancer survivor and I have to honor my body and not let it get run down so that is a huge factor for me. I can't imagine arriving for vacation tired or stressed out from a long drive. And then the dreaded drive home after all that walking. YAWN!

So I think my clear vote is for flying. If you follow the rules you can breeze through security ( I work for DHS so I respect those in the job ). You just have your carry on ready, liquids packed properly, your ID and documentation out and ready, have a positive attitude with those trying to keep us safe and have your patience ready...you will be a good flyer!

Happy and safe travels whatever your decision.

 

[baleeve]

OOOPS never mind....saw your response in the previous postings....


You could look at the autotrain out of Virginia.

Amtrak will transport your car while you sit back and let them do the driving.

 

[C&G'sMama]

I am a big fan of driving. We have driven 1200 miles one way from Western New York to WDW several times. You say you have the time to do it. Why not? We like to drive. There are 2 adults but only one of us drives, not me, my DP admits she has to drive. And I’m find as passenger. We don’t drive straight through. We’ve done it staying one night and other times 2. It depends on how much time we have, the weather etc. We’ve had trips where we’ve built in 2 nights to get back and ended up staying an extra day at Disney or spending our last day until the park closes. We like the flexibility it gives us. We get there when we get there, we leave when we leave. We like having our own vehicle. The kids are now 9 and 12 and they each had their first WDW trip at 18 mos.
We haven’t been in 2 years now as we’ve had other things going on but we just returned from an 1600 mile round trip from Southwest Michigan (where we live now) to the Jersey shore. My kids are used to the car as are we.

Have fun now matter what you decided and if you haven’t already, check out the 2,000 miles+ round trip thread on this board. There’s lots of good information for drivers there.

 

[granpoobah]

My problem im running into is, that we are leaving around late saturday evening around 9pm. We are booked at the resort for sunday ,but cant check in till 4pm. I dont want to get there to early and have to wait around to check in at the resort. Would they let us check in early? I have to check that.I plan to get there close to check in time and unpack and basicly rest up at the resort the rest of the night ,and start fresh in the morning. Does that sound about right?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My problem im running into is, that we are leaving around late saturday evening around 9pm. We are booked at the resort for sunday ,but cant check in till 4pm. I dont want to get there to early and have to wait around to check in at the resort. Would they let us check in early? I have to check that.I plan to get there close to check in time and unpack and basicly rest up at the resort the rest of the night ,and start fresh in the morning. Does that sound about right?

Yes, you can check in early & they'll store your luggage. I've never driven so I don't know if they put it right in your room if driving like they do if you arrive by ME.

 

[turkeymama]

Yes, you can check in early & they'll store your luggage. I've never driven so I don't know if they put it right in your room if driving like they do if you arrive by ME.

They have done that for me on at least one occasion, but that was back in 2005.

 

[darkwing818]

We drove 5 times from Ohio, exactly 1,000 miles each way. We have driven 11 times from KY, 840 each way. The trips range from 13-16 hours.

We just came back and spent a total of $153 in fuel. Yes there is some wear and tear, etc. There were 2 of us and flights from Lexington would have been nearly $800 with fees, or $500 plus a very expensive rental car from Sanford. By the time we drive to the airport, get there early for security, the flight itself, departure, and transport to Disney, it's not that much longer than the drive anyway. I also like to take what I want on vacation, not what I am allowed. We also prepacked things like water at $3/case, where it's $15/case at Disney, saving even more money.

Several keys to remember:
-Try not to hit big cities at rush hour. We stay as far away from Atlanta as possible between 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM.
-Know where you are at all times. If traffic is backed up, virtually every interstate has a 2-4 lane road that parallels where you can detour.
-Use apps like gasbuddy to save on fuel. That saved us quite a bit last week, as gas ranged from 3.14 in Knoxville to 4.99 on 192 just outside of Disney.
-Prebuy snacks at Walmart/target/etc before departure. We paid $2.29 for a box of theatre size candy, $3.69 for trail mix, and $2.29 for a Gatorade at various gas stations along the way. All of those are a buck at Walmart.

We enjoy the drives. it's great family bonding time.

We drive from Tennessee (700 miles +) takes about 11 hours, clearly much less $$s than flying & renting a car.
As noted above Atlanta Traffic is always a hassle , HOV lanes are major God send.

 

[MEK]

My problem im running into is, that we are leaving around late saturday evening around 9pm. We are booked at the resort for sunday ,but cant check in till 4pm. I dont want to get there to early and have to wait around to check in at the resort. Would they let us check in early? I have to check that.I plan to get there close to check in time and unpack and basicly rest up at the resort the rest of the night ,and start fresh in the morning. Does that sound about right?

You can check in the moment you arrive. Your room may not be ready but they will text you when it is. They will store your luggage and you have full access to the resort. If you are really lucky you may get a ready room. I've had it go either way.

Good luck with your drive.

 

[mckelvey72]

I don't have much to add except awesome to see some local peeps on here....I live in Earleville MD which is only about 15 minutes from Middletown...and I grew up in Townsend and went to Middletown High!!!!

We flew last year (4 of us) and for our December trip we are taking the auto train for a new adventure!!! But autotrain is just as expensive as flying/renting a car. I am just excited to be able to pack my own truck and not have to worry about a rental.

So Hi to all the local peeps and good luck with your decision!!!

 

[C&G'sMama]

My problem im running into is, that we are leaving around late saturday evening around 9pm. We are booked at the resort for sunday ,but cant check in till 4pm. I dont want to get there to early and have to wait around to check in at the resort. Would they let us check in early? I have to check that.I plan to get there close to check in time and unpack and basicly rest up at the resort the rest of the night ,and start fresh in the morning. Does that sound about right?

You can check in as soon as you get there. Sometimes the room’s ready, sometimes it isn’t when you get there early. If it’s not they’ll take your cell phone number and call you when it’s ready
If it’s not ready but you don’t want to go to the parks. Go to the pool. There are changing rooms by the pools. Have a bag packed with swim suits, beach towels, sunscreen etc. Chill out while the kids get out their pent up energy. And if your room is ready, great!