I’m in North Alabama and the estimated map time is about 10.5 hours – 11 hours. We’ve driven down twice in the past couple years and have made the trip in about 9.5 hours. I don’t speed… well, within reason.
We don’t stop other than to use the restroom or grab a bite from a fast food place which is typical of any family.
A couple years ago DW (26) and I (27, now) drove to Ocala and stayed the night, then woke up early and drove to our on-site resort. We wound up getting to the parks around noon, IIRC. That was in December, when crowd levels were about 5-6, I believe.
We also just went in November 09. We left mid morning (about 8:30am) and got to DW at about 7pm Florida time (which means we lost an hour). We went first to downtown Disney to do some shopping, then back to our hotel room and went to the parks the next day.
My wife’s sister’s family made the drive overnight and went straight to the parks after doing some drive sharing and kids sleeping in the car and they seemed to do well during the first half of the day, but as the day progressed they were increasingly wore out and kind of messed them up the 2nd day when they slept in too late due to being so tired.
In that bit of experience, I think it’s better if you delay your trip to the park until a day when you’ve been able to rest and still wake up early. We’re a ‘get our money’s worth’ (see: cheapskates) family, and given the cost of park tickets, I’d prefer to have a full day rather than a half day no matter if the park is going to be crowded or not. But, that could just be us. You may have reasons for wanting to go to the park asap (screaming kids, etc).
I suggest simply getting an extra night at DW, making the drive up during the day and visiting the hotel/DTD once you arrive, and go to the park(s) the day after your arrival. You’ll be completely rested and ready to go.
I don’t know your situation and how you tolerate lack of sleep. You and your husband may be able to do just fine on 4 hours sleep each, but I still think the best idea is to take an extra vacation day and make your first night at Disney a non-park day, while getting some of the shopping/visiting at the hotel out of the way.
The ultimate lesson for any Disney visitor is this: get there early. No matter the crowd levels (which are estimated and aren’t dead accurate, as you’ll see from others who have complained about this in many posts), I think it’s simply best to get there bright and early. I love to sleep in… Love it… I say “it’s vacation, why should I wake up early”. Then I show up an hour after the park opens and kick myself while my wife just grins with the “I told you” look.
/$.02
.... I think I would REALLY love that.......
