Driving to Disney

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IN general, Thanksgiving is a really busy travel week so I would expect it to take more time not less unless you are traveling on Thanksging day.

Yes. Why do you think you can shave time off, especially during a holiday? I find Google maps to be pretty accurate.

We wouldn't be traveling "on" Thanksgiving, the weekend before/after. Normally when google maps quotes us like 4 hours, we make it in about 3.25/3.5, so yes, when it quotes me 12 hours I would guess we would make it in less time. Now with a few stops and traffic 12 might be right on the dot, which is fine too. Even a little more is fine, especially when it's saving us $2k!

So what was the point of your post exactly? Sounds like you've got it all figured out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whose done it? Feasible to do in one day or split it? Looks to be about 12 hours, but I'm guessing we could make it in that or less with some stops.

We have one kid who will be 5 when we go, and is great in the car. All family is out of state so she's been used to 5 hour car trips multiple times a year. I think knowing we were going to Disney she could then handle the drive no problem. Easy going kid. Seems like we could get down and back for well under the $1500 it would cost in airfare...

We fly to Orlando often and never pay more than $200pp. I usually pay $170-$190pp. So for my family of four to fly down for $680 is WELL worth it. And you only need three tickets!

+1

Just bought airfare to Orlando for our family of five for $707 yesterday. Nonstop! It was such a deal we bought a ticket for the baby so we didn't have to deal with the lap issue.

What month are you traveling?

[Anonymous]

End of August

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IN general, Thanksgiving is a really busy travel week so I would expect it to take more time not less unless you are traveling on Thanksging day.

Yes. Why do you think you can shave time off, especially during a holiday? I find Google maps to be pretty accurate.

We wouldn't be traveling "on" Thanksgiving, the weekend before/after. Normally when google maps quotes us like 4 hours, we make it in about 3.25/3.5, so yes, when it quotes me 12 hours I would guess we would make it in less time. Now with a few stops and traffic 12 might be right on the dot, which is fine too. Even a little more is fine, especially when it's saving us $2k!

So what was the point of your post exactly? Sounds like you've got it all figured out.

OP Here - I was asking those who did it how it went, it they drove it in one day or two, overnight or during the day, how long it took, etc. Pretty apparent if you read the posts...

Thanks PP's! Yeah if it were during another time of year I'd imagine flights would be cheaper, but alas, that's when we're going. I think we'll drive at least once and see how it goes. Since the autorail is just as much as airfare and takes longer than driving that will forever be out lol.

[Anonymous]

We drove to Tampa over this past xmas break with a 5yo and a 2yo. We did it in 2 days. Google estimate was 14hrs total drive time but it took us more like 20hrs (including daytime stops, not including overnight stops, and we did run into some traffic). The 5yo did great, and could probably have done a straight-through drive easily.

One thing we perfected on the way home and will remember for the future--pack PBJs or other easy lunch food for the kids, and plot a restaurant with a playground that you'll hit around (late) lunchtime. Feed the kids in the car BEFORE you get to the restaurant, then the kid can play for a solid 30min while the adults eat. Good way to burn off energy fast. Chick Fil A's almost always have playgrounds so we stuck to those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We drove to Tampa over this past xmas break with a 5yo and a 2yo. We did it in 2 days. Google estimate was 14hrs total drive time but it took us more like 20hrs (including daytime stops, not including overnight stops, and we did run into some traffic). The 5yo did great, and could probably have done a straight-through drive easily.

One thing we perfected on the way home and will remember for the future--pack PBJs or other easy lunch food for the kids, and plot a restaurant with a playground that you'll hit around (late) lunchtime. Feed the kids in the car BEFORE you get to the restaurant, then the kid can play for a solid 30min while the adults eat. Good way to burn off energy fast. Chick Fil A's almost always have playgrounds so we stuck to those.

OP Here - Great tip thanks!

[Anonymous]

We left when school got out at 4pm and drove until Florence. We stayed the night and finished driving the next day.

What surprised me was how often we had to stop for someone to pee (family of four). It added a TON of time to what we had estimated.

We drove back in one shot. It was easier because the kids fell asleep around 8ish. But, it was a super long drive and I won't do it again; I would stop somewhere along the way back for the night.