Would you drive ....If meant not going at all?

[Mickey527]

Since 1987 I have driven to WDW from CT at least once a year. During the big pin craze there were times when I drove 4 times, most of the time by myself.
I have taken my children and nephews quite a few times. They were good because they either slept, played their gameboys or watched movies on the portable VCR.
I always leave CT after 6 pm and drive non-stop except for bathroom and food breaks. I make sure to stop at least every two hours to stretch legs and run around for a few minutes.
I was a night nurse for many years and have gone without sleep so I am used to the long hours, but the past few years I have shared the driving with someone else a few times.
When I drive alone I make sure to stop when I am tired and take a catnap if I feel it is needed, usually around the Georgia area.
If driving is my only option I take it in a heartbeat, but I do watch the airlines and when a good price is on I grab it. I am taking my entire family (12 of us) in 2 weeks and we got $54 each way on Delta Song. Peggie

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Peggie, just wanted to say I'm glad to see you're feeling better!! Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[MINIDOC]

we are a grand gathering arriving in june,tried to getgrand gathering cruisebut booked specialty cruise instead,has anybody recently gone?what time was it?does it go by ewp.how about food or drinks your own or purchased.thank you

 

[digskat]

Absolutely we are driving down in Oct! Can't wait!

 

[goofyernmost]

Absolutely, I have done the trip from Vermont at least 10 times. Because of medical considerations I have to break it down to three days travel, each way for a 5 day stay. If you do it right the trip down and back can be part of the adventure instead of just tedious travel.

The signs for South of the Border can be worth the drive all by themselves. Have a great time.

 

[foxfire]

Of course I would & I wouldn't think twice about it!

Five days at Disney would mean 5 days worth of fun anticipation on the drive down and five days worth of fun memories to relive on the drive back. Good vibes to you on making your decision. Let us know what it is!

 

[Leota]

I have driven from Western NY for less than a 5 day stay - so that puts me in the Yes catagory.

I really don't like the drive, but did it as it was the only way we could get there for the trip. It had to be a budget trip, it couldn't be for long & my friend really needed a Calgon Moment at that time, so no time to save up.

I would still keep my eyes open for an airline deal - but driving isn't at all unreasonable.

 

[Disney03-05]

Absolutely! In fact, we're leaving Thursday night from RI, and driving. We drove 2 years ago, with our 2 kids, and it really wasn't bad at all. I look at road trips as a great family adventure! This time we smartened up, and got the DVD player!!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Yes! Be certain to check out "South of the Border" at the NC/SC border! That place is very cheesy, but it is a great place to strectch your legs. It is a way to break up the trip because of all the billboards for it (assuming they still have them) Years ago, I used to see their bumper stickers all the time. I hadn't seen one for years, and I began to wonder...but I've seen several recently, and it really made me happy to know that place still exists!

 

[langin]

We have a 28 hr drive in front of us, we are in New Brunswick, Canada (we border on Maine), I think I am all planned out so just counting down now!!!!

 

[hipporina]

We have NEVER flown to WDW, even in all the trips I took as a child. Now, as a family of 6, it is WAY too expensive to fly. With the money we save by driving, we can stay more extra days than we lose in drive time. There are actually several advantages to driving including:

• money!
• we don't have to worry about how much stuff we can take with us
• we don't have to worry about a rental
• we get to see and do stuff along the way
• no stress over the flight (it always makes me a bit nervous)

While I would absolutely consider flying if I could get cheap enough airfare, I don't mind driving one bit.

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

TOTALLY!!! We always drive. After our first trip when we flew down ( 9/11) I refuse to fly and we have driven ever since. Driving for me to get even 2 park days is worth it!

 

[maxaroni]

put us in the YES category as well. We have flown the last 2 times but driving this time. My ds said that it didn't matter how we got there, as long as we get to WDW. DH and I are actually looking forward to the drive in the sense that that is part of the whole adventure.

 

[kikipug]

we drive straight thru ...

SO would you drive 4 days (2 on each end)

If you are driving straight through, it can't possibly take 2 days each way. Every time we have driven from NH, it has been 22-24 hours at most... NY certainly isn't a full day farther??

 

[lovethattink]

I have a dh who will not fly. We now live in Fl, but we use to live in Pa. In 1999 we drove to Fl 4 times. We stayed at each of the All Star resorts. Now we have to drive up north for our summer vacation to see family. We still drive it. We use to do the trip in 1 day, but now we have a baby and plan to spend 2 nights up and 2 nights back down. We have our favorite hotel/motels along I-95. We now know which rest stops to avoid, etc.

 

[ellenmiele]

I was thinking the same thing as Kikipug from NH said. Unless you are way, way up in NY and plan to make alot of stops, it can't possibly take that long. We (me, DH, 3DD's, and DS) have driven 3 times from NJ ( around NJ turnpike exit 8) and the first 2 times that we did it we left around 6 pm and were in our hotel before noon the next day. The kids slept since we drove over nite and there was much less traffic. This last time that we drove down it was Easter weekend and it took us about 21 hours because there was more traffic.

You didn't mention you kids' ages (our kids are all over 6) so I don't know whether driving straight through at nite is feasible for you or not but I can honestly say we would not do it any other way!

 

[mommykds]

If you are driving straight through, it can't possibly take 2 days each way. Every time we have driven from NH, it has been 22-24 hours at most... NY certainly isn't a full day farther??

When we drove in 2003 it took 17 hours going (we left at 1am & got to WDW at 6pm the next day. Took 20 hours to get home...go figure!

 

[mommykds]

You didn't mention you kids' ages (our kids are all over 6) so I don't know whether driving straight through at nite is feasible for you or not but I can honestly say we would not do it any other way!

They are 9,6, & 4..We're going to do it! Now I have to get a good deal on a hotel! Off to the resort boards!

 

[kikipug]

When we drove in 2003 it took 17 hours going (we left at 1am & got to WDW at 6pm the next day. Took 20 hours to get home...go figure!

Which would mean 1 day each way, not two... or am I missing something?

 

[snowglobe girl]

We have never flown - but our drive is shorter - 12 hours (but that is no picnic). I would definitely go for that amount of time. Especially since the car and gas are free. You can come up with games to play with the kids in the car and stop at a couple of neat places on your way to make it more interesting for them - or start driving at night so they sleep part of the way. I'm so Disney crazy that I would almost drive there for a weekend - if DH would let me!