We are a family of 6 from NC that usually drives to WDW several times a year. The drive takes us 9-11 hours, depending on what time of day/traffic/number of stops. When DH drove once, we left at midnight and the kids slept most of the way(but they were much younger). We made it in 8.5 hours because there was little or no traffic(if you can imagine), and we stopped only once for DH to potty and get coffee. We were able to have breakfast at Donald's in AK upon arrival with no PS, since we originally thought we would drive until DH got tired, spend the night somewhere, then resume driving the next day. My favorite drive was over a 4th of July holiday when my husband did not go with us. We left at 6:45 AM, and arrived late afternoon(4-ish). We did hit a thunderstorm on the GA/FL border, and stopped 3 times to eat/gas up/stretch, but I prefer day driving to night driving. When my SIL followed us down, it took FOREVER to get there(we left at 5 AM, and arrived at 5 PM...hated that drive) because she had to stop so often. I agree with another poster that the drive down is always better than the drive back(but I'm always sad to leave my other "home"). We are toying with the idea of spending a Sat. night at Daytona or HH in June to break up the drive home with extra teen girls who are joining us for DD's birthday. The last time we took 3 extra girls with us(2 years ago), we drove straight down(leaving at 6 AM), and it wasn't bad at all. The drive home only seemed longer because we did not leave WDW until lunch time, and had to stop for both lunch and dinner. When my friends left this past Thanksgiving, they picked their children up from school at 11:30 AM with a lunch packed. She said eating lunch in the car saved time for them, so the longest stop was for fast-food dinner. My advice would be to schedule the bulk of the driving for when the driver is at his/her best, to prevent that tired feeling your first day in FL, and switching off driving duty helps, too. We play lots of games on the way down, and I pack special treats for the car(that I usually don't buy for the kids). We take a cooler full of water and drinks to keep our stops to a minimal(potty/gas/meal). Each child brings a back-pack with CD's, gameboy, art supplies, etc., and we talk about what we each want to do while at WDW. To be honest, by the time we factor in the drive to the airport, the early arrival(1.5 hours before departure), the flight, renting a car at MCO to WDW, we are only shaving 2-3 hours off by flying, and we are not able to take as much with us. If you decide to drive, PM me for the best gas stops. We'll be there the week before you, May 28-June 5, at BWV in a 2-bedroom and a studio. We will have 2 sets of friends there as well, in 2 studios at OKW(my treat, so I am now "pointless" until Dec.), and we are all planning to drive, but probably not together. Keeping 2 vehicles together was hard with SIL, so I am not anxious to try a 4-vehicle caravan!
