WWYD fly or drive

[ebtbmom]

I am planning on me and DS going to WDW in Oct, we'll be by ourselves because DH is in nursing school. I live in NC, about a 10 hour drive, has anyone done a drive like this alone with kids?

I only have 1 kid, and he'll be 12, so the kid issue isn't the problem. I wonder how safe I'll feel driving, will I be sleepy, get a headache, have a flat tire? Any number of things could go wrong.

But I HATE HATE HATE flying with a passion. I do it only when it's really necessary. And I hate having minimal room to pack all of our purchases. When we flew to DLR I actually checked an extra bag (30$ extra) to fit our purchases in and we barely got everthing packed, I had to cram some of it into my 1 personal item.

What's everyone's advice?

 

[MSSANDRA]

We are in NC, about 10 hours, and while DS and I have not done it alone, I would not hesitate to do it with a 12 year old. I would do daytime driving but other than that it really is an easy drive. We are about an hour from the airport so count in travel, arrive early time etc, we figure we are about as quick to drive. I like having a car just in case as wel and with the money you save you can shop more!!!!

 

[eduk8r26]

I drove from California to Boston and back with a 12-year old. Didn't bother me.

 

[MACfamily4]

I drive with my kids from Sanibel Island, Florida to Kansas City by myself each year - it's a piece of cake. Do you have AAA? I am always comforted knowing that if something happened to the car, I could call them and they would handle everything. You can do it!

 

[nicki.momof3]

I have drove with my 3 kids (all under 6 at the time) alone for that long. As long as I have AAA road service and a cell phone I am good. 10 hours in managable with a 12 year old.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've driven from PA twice, and will do it again this year. I'd RATHER fly, but the airline prices are really sick.

Last two times we drove we went over three nights (stopping in VA and GA). This time we will drive almost straight through and stop in Jacksonville so we can get to WDW early the next morning. My two kids will be 13 and 10.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

10 hrs is a day trip . Just leave early so you are mostly daytime driving. AAA, Cell phone, some snacks and water. Stick to the major roads and chain gas and food and you should feel safe . You'll probably wonder what you ever worried about afterwards.

 

[PEANUT1]

I would drive..absolutely without a doubt. If you get tired..take a break. You could even do an over night if you really had to..You'd still save money.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

I will not fly ANYWHERE that I can drive in less than 10 hours. By the time you get to the airport, check in, wait for the flight, fly, wait for bags, get a car/transport, go to the destination, etc... you've easily spent 6-8 hours depending on your circumstances - and that's if everything ran on time. Add in the hundreds of $'s you can save by driving over flying, and it is just not worth it. We are a 20 hour drive away and plan to start driving instead of flying next year (our kids will be 2, 5 and 6).

 

[growinupdisney]

I live in N.C. too! I would drive leave in the am you should be fine.Cell phone and AAA will help if you need any? Your 12yo old will keep you from not being sleepy it will be good quality time in the car talking etc. aslong Ds doesn't sleep the whole time I love the drive very easy.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I would do it, but I think I'd have to stop at a hotel after 6 hours. I couldn't drive that far in one day by myself.

 

[momof1princess]

i live in NE alabama, about 9-10 hours from wdw as well, and i wouldn't hesitate to drive to wdw with DD12. i usually drive at night, but this is with DH sleeping in the passenger seat and DD12 sleeping in back. if it were just me with DD12, i would start out very early in the morning (4-5 am), take along snacks and stick to gas and food along the interstate as a PP suggested, and everything should be fine. i LOVE driving to wdw, even at night, and would never consider flying for such a short trip. have fun! i wish we were going this year!

 

[blessedby3]

I could not do it because I just cant drive long distances without feeling like I need to sleep at the wheel!! If I could drive long distances I would feel safe enough to drive with an older child. I would pay for AAA for a year if you dont have it and you get free roadside assistance. I prefer to fly if it is a nonstop flight. Flying doesnt bother me in the least.

 

[Hannathy]

I couldn't even count the number of times I have driven alone with my kids. I live 12 hours from where my parents lived and as both became ill with terminal illnesses I had to go back and forth every few weeks. I started doing this before cell phones with 1 baby and then ending up with 2 children, involving a 5 year old and an infant. I have done it at all times of the day and night!

It never even crossed my mind not to do it seeing I was an adult

 

[momto2js]

My family as a 14 hours drive time before we fly. This is after my 18m old son and I took 22 hours to fly from our home in Alabama to Seattle. First we had an 8 hour delay in Dallas and then had to make a medical stop. We had the pleasure of sitting on the plane for 4 hours in Lubuck, TX while they found gas, made a new flight plan and plowed several yards of farmer Tad's field at the end of the runway just incase it wasn't long enough.

In addition, the cost for luggage with my crew makes driving a better option even if we only go 1/2 way and stay overnight.

I made the 10 hour drive to Washington DC this fall with my almost 5m and almost 3 year old alone and it was way easier than getting them on a plane myself. The only downside for me is having to get the kids out of the car for a mommy potty emergency. To combat fatigue, I stop every 4 hours or so and get out of the car at a park or resturant. Fresh air really helps.

 

[shellytc]

Absolutely!! I have a 12 year old DS and we drive between Va. Beach and Columbus Oh, 10 hours... through the mountains. and I drive from her to Disney.. in fact I will be doing it in April with DS, his friend and my niece. I just ask DS to help navigate. He is getting really good at reading the mapquest map and helping with the signs a long the way.

We also pick out a book on tape we both want to listen to and play that during the drive. We can take breaks from it and talk about it, but really makes the time go fast. We are starting to look for our book on tape for upcoming trip.

Have fun with it. Your son will enjoy the time with you. and any time I get 10 UNINTERRUPTED hours with my son, I cherish it!!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Absolutely you can do it! I just returned from an 11 hour roadtrip with my son who is only 4. We went to see my brother in TN. It was a very easy trip. Here are a couple of tips:

1. Don't leave too terribly early. Driving at 4 am is hard for most people!
2. If you are feeling a little groggy, have a bevarage and/or a little snack.
3. Get out and walk around a little bit after 2-3 hours.
4. Stop to eat lunch. Get out and stretch the legs
5. Take a cell phone
6. Take a GPS
7. Take your AAA card
8. Have fun and make it an adventure!

 

[jjpope1]

we live in nc, goldsboro and we are taking the train. never thought about train and it takes 13 hrs. is a little longer but no bathroom breaks, no tired of sitting in the car, no wear and tear on your car, no hotel fee if you decided to stop, and you can sleep on the way there. for me my husband and 4 yr old child its gonna be 196.00 round trip, and we will have to get somebody to get us from the station and take us to disney. but i have found florida tours and for 134.00 round trip and stopping at a grocery store for 30 mins if i need to pick up stuff. so in my opinion you cant beat that with a stick. we leave from raleigh at night at i think 9:30 and get to orlando at 10:15 next morning so i think its a win win situation. also if you order the info books from amtrak.com they will send you info on the trains etc. and you will get coupons on the books too. so i hope this helps you! oh yeah order the info books bout month before you go so that coupons dont expire too soon. have a wonderful trip!

 

[jjpope1]

and you can also take 3 bags per person to store on under train and 1 carry on per person but you can look on amtrak.com to see specifics.

 

[GrumpyCAdad]

Drive!! You should be fine.