Would you make the drive twice?

[3smithboys]

I am kind of annoyed right now, but just at the situation...

I was really excited because for the first time in I can't tell you how many years my school was finally starting after Labor Day (next September 2012) which meant (I thought) that we were going to have 2 weeks between the kids and DH finishing camp and my having to go back to school for teacher meetings at the end of August.

We were planning this far in advance for a special trip for our 20th anniversary and my aunt's 75 birthday. We booked a cruise for the week of Aug 18th...no problem for 10 of us.... My immediate family of 5 was going to drive from Philly to Orlando early and spend 3 days at Universal - we've been so excited to go to Universal - especially to go to WWOHP! Today, DH gets the camp schedule for next year - guess what - the schedule has been pushed forward a week and it is starting later than it has ever started in the 12 years he has worked there!!! So there goes our extra week we had before the cruise!!!

Now, I know in the scheme of things, this is no great hardship, but I am so disappointed that we can't have the trip that we planned. DH said that we are all out of school in June early enough to go then before camp! Would you drive down in June and go to Universal then and then drive back again in August for the cruise??? Is that just nuts???

 

[JessicaR]

Nope, I wouldnt do that. It would be bad enough to drive that trip once nevermind twice. Maybe a great deal on air? If driving is fine by you guys do it! Universal is so worth it!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Could You possibly take the auto train?

That distance, we could not drive straight through. But auto train would make it easier. I probably would not do it twice.

 

[quentina]

I am kind of annoyed right now, but just at the situation...

I was really excited because for the first time in I can't tell you how many years my school was finally starting after Labor Day (next September 2012) which meant (I thought) that we were going to have 2 weeks between the kids and DH finishing camp and my having to go back to school for teacher meetings at the end of August.

We were planning this far in advance for a special trip for our 20th anniversary and my aunt's 75 birthday. We booked a cruise for the week of Aug 18th...no problem for 10 of us.... My immediate family of 5 was going to drive from Philly to Orlando early and spend 3 days at Universal - we've been so excited to go to Universal - especially to go to WWOHP! Today, DH gets the camp schedule for next year - guess what - the schedule has been pushed forward a week and it is starting later than it has ever started in the 12 years he has worked there!!! So there goes our extra week we had before the cruise!!!

Now, I know in the scheme of things, this is no great hardship, but I am so disappointed that we can't have the trip that we planned. DH said that we are all out of school in June early enough to go then before camp! Would you drive down in June and go to Universal then and then drive back again in August for the cruise??? Is that just nuts???

I would, as long as I went 81 versus the hellish 95 and.....as long as I have a video system for the kids. We drive to HHI every year with no issues...it is about 6 hours closer than WDW. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[golfgal]

Could you take the kids down on your own early and have DH fly one way to meet you when he gets done with camp?

 

[3smithboys]

I think we would have to find a REALLY great deal on air for the 5 of us to fly. We can drive round trip for about $500. We usually drive straight through the night on the way down and then drive back with a stop overnight.

We have looked into the autotrain before, but it was pretty expensive...we liked the idea of it because then we would have the car while we were in FL.

 

[3smithboys]

Could you take the kids down on your own early and have DH fly one way to meet you when he gets done with camp?

I don't think there would be anyway I could do the 17 hr drive on my own...

 

[golfgal]

I don't think there would be anyway I could do the 17 hr drive on my own...

If you split it up it isn't bad, I've done trips like that alone with the kids. For one that long I would do the drive in 2 days going down and one coming back since your DH will be with you. We would leave early in the morning -4 am or so, and have the kids just sleep the first few hours, stop for breakfast, find a good park to stop at around lunch, same for dinner, drive another hour or so after dinner and let the kids swim at the hotel pool. They crash easily and then do the same the next day.

 

[JessicaR]

I think we would have to find a REALLY great deal on air for the 5 of us to fly. We can drive round trip for about $500. We usually drive straight through the night on the way down and then drive back with a stop overnight.

We have looked into the autotrain before, but it was pretty expensive...we liked the idea of it because then we would have the car while we were in FL.

Yeah that airfare isnt happening! For some reason I always figured it would cost us more to drive. You have plenty of time between trips to forget the pain - do it!

 

[3smithboys]

I would, as long as I went 81 versus the hellish 95 and.....as long as I have a video system for the kids. We drive to HHI every year with no issues...it is about 6 hours closer than WDW. Good luck with whatever you decide.

We do have a dvd player and the kids are good at keeping busy.... the ride down isn't an issue - they sleep most of the way. The way back is less fun, but not horrible. Of course, flying is better!

We've never gone 81 though... hmmm...

 

[Pigeon]

I wouldn't make the drive once, let alone twice. Long car trips are not my thing.

 

[mousebymarriage]

I say go for it! I am trying to convince DH to make two trips next year (August and November).

 

[sunking]

Yep I say go for it!!! We've done it before from the Philly area...to us its totally worth it. Maybe take 81 just to do it differently. I always loved doing the drive down...yep it get tiring but i love all the anticipation.

 

[3smithboys]

Yeah that airfare isnt happening! For some reason I always figured it would cost us more to drive. You have plenty of time between trips to forget the pain - do it!

It is somewhat like childbirth, while you are doing it you swear you are never going to do it again.... but after you forget and as time goes on you hardly remember the pain at all and only remember the wonderful time you had during the trip!!!

DH wants to know more about 81 - if anyone has info about how to take that from Philly, we would love to know more about it. We have always take 95.... and we are headed down in a few weeks!!!

 

[mousebymarriage]

DH wants to know more about 81 - if anyone has info about how to take that from Philly, we would love to know more about it. We have always take 95.... and we are headed down in a few weeks!!!

Check out the Transportation thread "2,000 mile round trip drivers", there are a few very seasoned drivers on there, a couple are from PA and they have done the 81 vs 95 drive.

 

[3smithboys]

Check out the Transportation thread "2,000 mile round trip drivers", there are a few very seasoned drivers on there, a couple are from PA and they have done the 81 vs 95 drive.

thanks - I will!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Here's a thought, with gas as high as it is and the time involved maybe flying isn't as pricy as you think. universal can be done in 2 days, one day per park, and if you stay on site one night you get early entry and unlimited front of the line access on both the arrival and departure day insuring you can move through the parks quickly. If you were to fly you could spend the travel days in Universal and avoid all the expense of a second trip... I have a hard time imagining and entire vacation would be cheaper than the flights alone ESP if you start looking early with the low-cost airlines you have in Philly.

 

[kirstenb1]

I would. I just don't care about driving. Although we only drive from Richmond, I drive the bulk of the trip so dh can do work stuff on his laptop.

We stop around the Richmond Hill exit in Georgia on the way down, and at florence, sc on the way back.

Im in the car anyway. Our 14 yr old always asks for the "cool" music, so I get to semi keep up on current songs.

 

[3smithboys]

Here's a thought, with gas as high as it is and the time involved maybe flying isn't as pricy as you think. universal can be done in 2 days, one day per park, and if you stay on site one night you get early entry and unlimited front of the line access on both the arrival and departure day insuring you can move through the parks quickly. If you were to fly you could spend the travel days in Universal and avoid all the expense of a second trip... I have a hard time imagining and entire vacation would be cheaper than the flights alone ESP if you start looking early with the low-cost airlines you have in Philly.

We can look for cheap flights and will continue to do so...usually the cheapest we find for the 5 of us is still around $1200... add into that transfers to and from the port (which is about $60 pp each way - $600) It really starts to add up! (We would need transfers because we would now not have our minivan!)

 

[kellydizfan]

I would drive it - it really isn't that bad. Try Airtran out of Allentown. We are flying out of there in August. I got tickets for all 5 of us $897 I think it was for us. It was $79.00 one way before taxes and fees. Best price around. I know I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to get there and we are going down the night before and doing a park and fly with the hotel. There are only 2 flights out a day but I take the early out and late back. We can't wait. I have never been to Universal. My DD's have back in 2004. We will get there one year. They are big Harry Fans but couldn't see paying the price of tickets. We will remain in Disney for the 8 days 7 nights this trip.