Driving down to Disney World for Spring Break

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And this is why I haven't pulled the trigger on a Disney trip yet. We are not Disney super fans, kids know a few movies...and it just seems like such an ordeal that requires so much insider expertise rather than a pleasant few days. Good luck OP...I'm interested to hear what you figure out! We will also drive if we ever go.

People make Disney a lot harder than it needs to be. You can absolutely make it a pleasant few days - I know because I have done it without all of the super advanced planning and drama.

What I did in advance was - see which parks would have the Extra Magic hours and book a character breakfast. That's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is why I haven't pulled the trigger on a Disney trip yet. We are not Disney super fans, kids know a few movies...and it just seems like such an ordeal that requires so much insider expertise rather than a pleasant few days. Good luck OP...I'm interested to hear what you figure out! We will also drive if we ever go.

People make Disney a lot harder than it needs to be. You can absolutely make it a pleasant few days - I know because I have done it without all of the super advanced planning and drama.

What I did in advance was - see which parks would have the Extra Magic hours and book a character breakfast. That's it.

I agree. If you have your heart set on a certain Disney experience (specific restaurants, etc.) or have grand expectations, then you need to plan ahead. If you go in with no set expectations and are willing to just "roll with it" you will enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Chill, finger waggers. Just because someone hasn't planned the details of their drive doesn't mean they haven't planned any other part of the vacation.

[Anonymous]

We've done this trip twice and stayed over in Savannah and, I think, Florence. Wherever you stop, be sure to get up and get moving the next morning. Last year we stayed in Savannah and did some touring around the city until lunch time and then left for Orlando. Big mistake. This was the Friday before Easter, and the traffic around Orlando was horrendous, like sitting on 95 south in NOVA any Friday or Saturday in the summer. We sat in traffic for hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is why I haven't pulled the trigger on a Disney trip yet. We are not Disney super fans, kids know a few movies...and it just seems like such an ordeal that requires so much insider expertise rather than a pleasant few days. Good luck OP...I'm interested to hear what you figure out! We will also drive if we ever go.

People make Disney a lot harder than it needs to be. You can absolutely make it a pleasant few days - I know because I have done it without all of the super advanced planning and drama.

What I did in advance was - see which parks would have the Extra Magic hours and book a character breakfast. That's it.

I agree. If you have your heart set on a certain Disney experience (specific restaurants, etc.) or have grand expectations, then you need to plan ahead. If you go in with no set expectations and are willing to just "roll with it" you will enjoy.

Also agree--and I'm a big Disney fan. I've been planning our family's upcoming trip for two years, because I find that kind of stuff enjoyable and fun, not because I'm worried the trip isn't worth doing otherwise. Even I am completely overwhelmed by a lot of the "Disney people" who insist you HAVE to do it this way, and you absolutely must do XYZ or your trip will be completely ruined. You probably can't just roll up the day of with absolutely no plan and no ideas, but I would say a fun trip is definitely doable without a whole lot of prep, especially if you're easy-going and flexible about what you do get to see/do.

That said, I have no recommendations for stopping points. Just checking Kayak for flights with some flexible dates around spring break, it looks like there are a few options for around $200 and just under (and many for much more), but with 3 kids, I could see how even a low cost flight would blow the budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've done this trip twice and stayed over in Savannah and, I think, Florence. Wherever you stop, be sure to get up and get moving the next morning. Last year we stayed in Savannah and did some touring around the city until lunch time and then left for Orlando. Big mistake. This was the Friday before Easter, and the traffic around Orlando was horrendous, like sitting on 95 south in NOVA any Friday or Saturday in the summer. We sat in traffic for hours.

oh god, that sounds awful at the end of such a long drive.

[Anonymous]

Disney World seems like such a long drive for such a short trip with a super-crowded park. Have you considered something closer, like Great Wolf Lodge and Busch Gardens? It'd be closer, cheaper, and probably a bit less crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Not to scare you but Disney sells out for Easter/Spring Break. As in, they won't let anyone else in even if you are staying on property. The roads etc. around Disney can be parking lots as is I95 Easter Week. Just wanted you to be prepped if you have small children so that there is not a shock/tears onsite

I say all this as someone who loves Disney but never Spring Break time

I've gone twice during spring break. Didn't find it bad at all. We drive whenever we go to Florida. Typically we drive straight through but if we get too tired we stop around Florence, SC.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, just the thought of driving makes me crazy...just the i95 S stretch from DC to Fredericksburg is enough to make me pull my hair out. I can't imagine getting to FL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, just the thought of driving makes me crazy...just the i95 S stretch from DC to Fredericksburg is enough to make me pull my hair out. I can't imagine getting to FL.

I've driven to Disney several times and really that stretch from DC to Fredericksburg is the worst part--once your past Fredericksburg it's pretty smooth sailing until you get in the Orlando area--and you'd run into that same traffic if you flew in and rented a car anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is why I haven't pulled the trigger on a Disney trip yet. We are not Disney super fans, kids know a few movies...and it just seems like such an ordeal that requires so much insider expertise rather than a pleasant few days. Good luck OP...I'm interested to hear what you figure out! We will also drive if we ever go.

People make Disney a lot harder than it needs to be. You can absolutely make it a pleasant few days - I know because I have done it without all of the super advanced planning and drama.

What I did in advance was - see which parks would have the Extra Magic hours and book a character breakfast. That's it.

I agree. If you have your heart set on a certain Disney experience (specific restaurants, etc.) or have grand expectations, then you need to plan ahead. If you go in with no set expectations and are willing to just "roll with it" you will enjoy.

Also agree--and I'm a big Disney fan. I've been planning our family's upcoming trip for two years, because I find that kind of stuff enjoyable and fun, not because I'm worried the trip isn't worth doing otherwise. Even I am completely overwhelmed by a lot of the "Disney people" who insist you HAVE to do it this way, and you absolutely must do XYZ or your trip will be completely ruined. You probably can't just roll up the day of with absolutely no plan and no ideas, but I would say a fun trip is definitely doable without a whole lot of prep, especially if you're easy-going and flexible about what you do get to see/do.

That said, I have no recommendations for stopping points. Just checking Kayak for flights with some flexible dates around spring break, it looks like there are a few options for around $200 and just under (and many for much more), but with 3 kids, I could see how even a low cost flight would blow the budget.

[Anonymous]

Going over spring break will not be fum. Super long lines and parking will be a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what your Spring Break is. Our kids' Spring Break is not tied to Easter, so we went during SB last year and it was great. When people reference Easter at SB, keep in mind it depends on your actual SB.

[Anonymous]

We have been to Disney over Spring Break and going this year as well.

It is completely manageable if you have the right expectations. Do what activities you can and build in time to relax. It will be crowded and you won't be able to do everything.

Staying on property and Fast Passes definitely will help if you can. This will cut down on transportation time and at least guarantee you 3 rides per day.

Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been to Disney over Spring Break and going this year as well.

It is completely manageable if you have the right expectations. Do what activities you can and build in time to relax. It will be crowded and you won't be able to do everything.

Staying on property and Fast Passes definitely will help if you can. This will cut down on transportation time and at least guarantee you 3 rides per day.

Have fun!

I agree experienced Disney-goers can have a great time during Spring Break. Disney novices with no plans and no FastPasses a few weeks ahead of a trip during one of the 4 busiest weeks of the entire year will probably not have a great time.