Driving down to Disney World for Spring Break

[Anonymous]

Please help me plan our road trip to and from Orlando. Where will be a good mid point to stop for one night each for the journey there and back? We are planning to spend 3 to 4 nights at Orlando, with 3 kids. Thanks!! Is it better to fly instead?

[Anonymous]

For spring break 2017? Are you just planning now?

We have sometimes stopped at Florence, SC while driving to Disney. It's not quite half way--but there are tons of major chain hotels and restaurants there, so it is convenient.
Of course flying is much easier, but it's also more expensive. So depending on your budget, it might be better or not.
If you stay at a Disney owned hotel, they have free buses (called the "Magical Express") that will pick you up at the airport to bring you to the hotel, and will also bring you back to the airport for your return flight--so no need to rent a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For spring break 2017? Are you just planning now?

We have sometimes stopped at Florence, SC while driving to Disney. It's not quite half way--but there are tons of major chain hotels and restaurants there, so it is convenient.
Of course flying is much easier, but it's also more expensive. So depending on your budget, it might be better or not.
If you stay at a Disney owned hotel, they have free buses (called the "Magical Express") that will pick you up at the airport to bring you to the hotel, and will also bring you back to the airport for your return flight--so no need to rent a car.

Yes, OP here. DH has just come back from a 5 week business trip, so we finally have time to sit down to plan for the coming Spring Break. Hope it is not too late. Thanks for the suggestion on Florence. Will look it up.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford to fly, I would.

We did the drive once with SIL and her family. It was... fine. Long road trips with kids are not my favorite things to do. We made it to just before the GA line before stopping. It wasn't a "we'll drive X miles and stop" scenario; it was just a "I can't stay in this car, get me out NOW" deal.

Maybe it would have been better if we made more stops along the way, but the kids were just so excited that they were overly annoying. Even getting them to actually eat food when we stopped for lunch was a production.

Are you just planning something now? If so, I'd love to be spontaneous like that! Just the thought of making that kind of trip in the car in just a few weeks is making me antsy for you.

Coming back was much easier because the kids were so tired they slept most of the way.

[Anonymous]

Savannah GA was a good pit stop for us. It's more than half way to Orlando but there is a children's museum and a train museum near the highway that my kids really enjoyed. Both were a nice break from the car.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered the auto train from Lorton to Florida? It's an overnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered the auto train from Lorton to Florida? It's an overnight.

I'm not OP, but I've never really understood the appeal of the auto train for a regular family on a short vacation.

I can understand it would be useful for senior citizens who "winter" in Florida and want their car down there but don't want the long drive. But when I've priced out the auto train, it seems tickets are about the same price as plane tickets--but the train will take longer. Yes, it is overnight, but will everyone really sleep well on a train? For a trip like OP's, with only 3-4 nights, it seems much easier to just fly and then rely on Disney transportation, or rent a car.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

We've done it twice on spring break. Didn't drive down, but the park itself really wasn't that bad.

Do a first thing in the AM shift - go back to the hotel for a few hours and then go in the afternoon and evening - it's amazing how much it clears out after 7:00

[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

There is FAR more to "Disney sells out" that what this PP said.

First off Disney sells out of special occasion tickets, not everyday park tickets. Then if they are hitting certain capacity numbers they go into a phased closing to additional guests (if your'e already in the park you're fine). First they stop letting in single day tickets, then those staying offsite, etc. If you are in the park before 10am you're completely fine. Yes, it'll still be packed but you won't be denied entry until potentially later in the day.

ASAP you need to plan your park schedule, book restaurants (if any are left), and fast passes.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't drive. Especially not for 3-4 nights, but really I just wouldn't drive period. But I imagine flights are high this last minute if you can get them at all.

Do you have FastPasses yet? Popular rides are all gone sometimes 60 days out and definitely 30 days out when the offsite guests can book them.

You may want to rethink this OP or at least have very low expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Savannah GA was a good pit stop for us. It's more than half way to Orlando but there is a children's museum and a train museum near the highway that my kids really enjoyed. Both were a nice break from the car.

We also stayed in Savannah, GA en route to Disney. (Country Inn & Suites By Carlson has 2 bedroom suites). Coming back, we stayed in Sumter, SC.

If you haven't booked your accomodations in Disney yet, I highly recommend staying on a Disney property. Book through a Disney agent. Get the Fast Passes.

[Anonymous]

The drive down was not bad. We stopped in Florence. The drive back was hell. We ended up having to stop (we weren't planning to). If you are not planning on coming back Saturday or Sunday you might be ok. That said, I wouldn't drive for 3-4 nights.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered Dollywood in TN? It's not Disney--but it is a lot closer and pretty cool rides. You can also do the Gatlinburg thing.