JenLUVSmickey
New Member
I fly even though I HATE IT!!!! :hurl: :brick:
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How do you travel to Disney World?
- Thread starter JenLUVSmickey
- Start date
From Watertown
Hello 2much2do,
We know Watertown, NY. Very often, we stop there to fill up the gas tank, either when we live or when we come back.
Usually we do Montreal-Watertown in about 3 hours, Montreal-Syracuse in about 4 hours and a few minutes. So if I calculate well, it leaves us 20 hours to do the rest.
We take I-81 up to I-66 in Virginia then switch on the US17 (if I'm not mistaken) there down to I-95 in Fredericksburg. Doing that makes us save a good hour even though US17 isn't an Interstate highway.
We arrive usually at the Welcome Center of North Carolina around 12 hours after we left Montreal so that would be about 8.5 to 9 hours after you leave Watertown.
If you plan to do it in one straight shot, then these are the toughest hours to drive. We alternate drivers at about each 4 hours, or sometimes we went by gas tank, so we would stop for gas and to relax at the same time, making the most value of our stops and "wasting" less time. It also implies that we go at the restroom at the same time hahahaha!
7 more hours after the Welcome Center in NC would conduct us down to Savannah, GA or more exactly at the Welcome Center of Georgia. When we arrive there, we know that what we have left is about 5 hours. 2 and a half to Jacksonville and 2 and a half up to WDW.
The key to do it fast is not to stop too often and to rest or sleep in the vehicle when you don't drive. The stops need to be useful you go to the restrooms, you get food or drink, you fill the gas tank all at once.
All of that also includes a stop somewhere in South Carolina for breakfast where we easily stop for an hour or more to relax and eat.
As for the coffee, I discovered that for myself I have to avoid it. Drinking one at breakfast is OK, but then at night it boosts me for a few hours but then does do the inverse effect, I start to get more and more tired. I read in a book that contrary to what people think, coffee is not the best thing to keep you awake... Amazing but true for me.
So all in all you can do it in about 20 hours, if it's doesn't rain too much, if you stop "intelligently" and if you drive not too fast not too slow. My cruising speed is about 75 mph. Don't forget that in the Southern states they allow higher speed limits.
From Watertown to about Richmond Va, you go through a lot of hills and mountains, after that the landscape is quite flat. Also gas is less expensive in the Southern states. So fill up when you come back.
One small note about the come back. Never ever do we do it in less than 24 hours like if there's no adrenaline's rush to make us come back to work hahaha! It's always very much longer. Sometimes we were obliged to rent an hotel room because we were too tired to do it straight, because oh yes.... the most important factor is not to drive beyond your limits.... after all you're on vacations.
Hope it clears a few of your questions.... Have a safe and "disney" trip!!!
Bongo
Hello 2much2do,
We know Watertown, NY. Very often, we stop there to fill up the gas tank, either when we live or when we come back.
Usually we do Montreal-Watertown in about 3 hours, Montreal-Syracuse in about 4 hours and a few minutes. So if I calculate well, it leaves us 20 hours to do the rest.
We take I-81 up to I-66 in Virginia then switch on the US17 (if I'm not mistaken) there down to I-95 in Fredericksburg. Doing that makes us save a good hour even though US17 isn't an Interstate highway.
We arrive usually at the Welcome Center of North Carolina around 12 hours after we left Montreal so that would be about 8.5 to 9 hours after you leave Watertown.
If you plan to do it in one straight shot, then these are the toughest hours to drive. We alternate drivers at about each 4 hours, or sometimes we went by gas tank, so we would stop for gas and to relax at the same time, making the most value of our stops and "wasting" less time. It also implies that we go at the restroom at the same time hahahaha!
7 more hours after the Welcome Center in NC would conduct us down to Savannah, GA or more exactly at the Welcome Center of Georgia. When we arrive there, we know that what we have left is about 5 hours. 2 and a half to Jacksonville and 2 and a half up to WDW.
The key to do it fast is not to stop too often and to rest or sleep in the vehicle when you don't drive. The stops need to be useful you go to the restrooms, you get food or drink, you fill the gas tank all at once.
All of that also includes a stop somewhere in South Carolina for breakfast where we easily stop for an hour or more to relax and eat.
As for the coffee, I discovered that for myself I have to avoid it. Drinking one at breakfast is OK, but then at night it boosts me for a few hours but then does do the inverse effect, I start to get more and more tired. I read in a book that contrary to what people think, coffee is not the best thing to keep you awake... Amazing but true for me.
So all in all you can do it in about 20 hours, if it's doesn't rain too much, if you stop "intelligently" and if you drive not too fast not too slow. My cruising speed is about 75 mph. Don't forget that in the Southern states they allow higher speed limits.
From Watertown to about Richmond Va, you go through a lot of hills and mountains, after that the landscape is quite flat. Also gas is less expensive in the Southern states. So fill up when you come back.
One small note about the come back. Never ever do we do it in less than 24 hours like if there's no adrenaline's rush to make us come back to work hahaha! It's always very much longer. Sometimes we were obliged to rent an hotel room because we were too tired to do it straight, because oh yes.... the most important factor is not to drive beyond your limits.... after all you're on vacations.
Hope it clears a few of your questions.... Have a safe and "disney" trip!!!
Bongo
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2much2do
New Member
Thank you so much, Bongo! I am going to print out your post and show it to my husband who does the trip planning/driving. We will be breaking up the trip into two days. We have two small kids, and my mom along, so we will need to make lots of stops. The way we have it planned right now is:
Leave Friday night at around 11PM. DH works nights so he is accustomed to being up at night. This will allow us to cover a lot of ground while the kids sleep with minimal stopping and hopefully avoid traffic. We are figuring DH and I should be able to make it to Savannah the first day. DH is used to driving about 12 hours a day, and with me helping, we are hoping to get to Savannah sometimes Sat. afternoon. There we will stop in a hotel where I can take the kids swimming and maybe around Savannah a bit while DH catches up on his sleep. Then we will leave there Sun. AM and make the last leg of the trip before dinner. We hope to be checked in and off to Epcot by Sunday 6PM. What do ya think?
Leave Friday night at around 11PM. DH works nights so he is accustomed to being up at night. This will allow us to cover a lot of ground while the kids sleep with minimal stopping and hopefully avoid traffic. We are figuring DH and I should be able to make it to Savannah the first day. DH is used to driving about 12 hours a day, and with me helping, we are hoping to get to Savannah sometimes Sat. afternoon. There we will stop in a hotel where I can take the kids swimming and maybe around Savannah a bit while DH catches up on his sleep. Then we will leave there Sun. AM and make the last leg of the trip before dinner. We hope to be checked in and off to Epcot by Sunday 6PM. What do ya think?
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To 2much2do
Hello again 2much
Your itinerary sounds right. If you expect to be in Savannah sometimes in the Saturday afternoon, I guess you count right. You should be there between 12 and 2 o'clock PM. As for the following day, the Sunday if you leave Savannah, say at 10 AM you would be in Orlando at about 3, 3:30, straight. Now you say you problably will make some stops because of the mom! (lol), the kids, so yes you will have ample time to arrive in Orlando for 6 o'clock.
Hopefully you car is air conditionned. One year when we arrive in South Carolina it was very hot. Driving with all the windows opened is kind of weird because of the noise it continuously make. We were with my mom and dad for that occasion and we had to stop like millions of times, it was our longest trip ever, 32 hours from Mtl. Incredible! Needless to say that the temper is also more inflammable when you're strended so long in a car. Now we never used anymore our car w/o AC, we rent a big one V6 engine and we stop less often for gas too.
If you have air conditionned, well you're all set.
When are you scheduled to go, now you're having me jealous, lol!
I wish these info are useful to you.
PS. Another game we do. But this is for pilot and co-pilot only! Let's say, when you arrive at the top of the hour or exactly after a stop when you go back, mark up the time and the mileage. then drive an hour and re-check how many miles the odometer indicates. So in 1 hr, you will have driven 65 miles, for instance. The next hr you drive the same lenght with say, 73 miles per hour.
So you get to compare with your husband who is the best driver.... lol! I have to admit that my wife beat me once... Shame on me. It is also interesting to compare that during a certain hour you have different conditions than the hour before.
So have fun! Bongo
Hello again 2much
Your itinerary sounds right. If you expect to be in Savannah sometimes in the Saturday afternoon, I guess you count right. You should be there between 12 and 2 o'clock PM. As for the following day, the Sunday if you leave Savannah, say at 10 AM you would be in Orlando at about 3, 3:30, straight. Now you say you problably will make some stops because of the mom! (lol), the kids, so yes you will have ample time to arrive in Orlando for 6 o'clock.
Hopefully you car is air conditionned. One year when we arrive in South Carolina it was very hot. Driving with all the windows opened is kind of weird because of the noise it continuously make. We were with my mom and dad for that occasion and we had to stop like millions of times, it was our longest trip ever, 32 hours from Mtl. Incredible! Needless to say that the temper is also more inflammable when you're strended so long in a car. Now we never used anymore our car w/o AC, we rent a big one V6 engine and we stop less often for gas too.
If you have air conditionned, well you're all set.
When are you scheduled to go, now you're having me jealous, lol!
I wish these info are useful to you.
PS. Another game we do. But this is for pilot and co-pilot only! Let's say, when you arrive at the top of the hour or exactly after a stop when you go back, mark up the time and the mileage. then drive an hour and re-check how many miles the odometer indicates. So in 1 hr, you will have driven 65 miles, for instance. The next hr you drive the same lenght with say, 73 miles per hour.
So you get to compare with your husband who is the best driver.... lol! I have to admit that my wife beat me once... Shame on me. It is also interesting to compare that during a certain hour you have different conditions than the hour before.
So have fun! Bongo
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adr315
Member
Living in Miami, ive never taken a plane to Disney (30 min flight).....we always make the 3-4 hour drive (depending on potty breaks, possible stops at Ft. Pierce, etc) on the Turnpike...i even get restless on these short car trips, so i couldnt imagine those who drive 24 hours to get to WDW!!!....oh well, im sure its worth it tho
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We do both depending on Price
We fly when it is cheap which is not often.
We have drive a few time and will drive more .
It takes about 21 hours strait threw From Massachusetts.
It cost about 150 dollars round trip for Gas .
And about 50 in tolls.
If we make it a two day drive we stay in Florance NC over night and than continue the next day..
The round trip total is 2400 miles give or take a few miles for the off track sites we look at..
Bad point of Driving for us is that it adds four days of travel and takes four days away from Disney time.
The flights from Boston (yes logan and yes we worry)
Are shorter Travel but the hassle of airports since sept 11 sometimes make driving more fun.
We fly when it is cheap which is not often.
We have drive a few time and will drive more .
It takes about 21 hours strait threw From Massachusetts.
It cost about 150 dollars round trip for Gas .
And about 50 in tolls.
If we make it a two day drive we stay in Florance NC over night and than continue the next day..
The round trip total is 2400 miles give or take a few miles for the off track sites we look at..
Bad point of Driving for us is that it adds four days of travel and takes four days away from Disney time.
The flights from Boston (yes logan and yes we worry)
Are shorter Travel but the hassle of airports since sept 11 sometimes make driving more fun.
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Lance
Active Member
Re: From Watertown
That's very true, our best combined time(my mother and I) is 22 hours 47 mins. And we stopped 6-8 times at either McD's, BK, KFC, or Roy Rogers. And NUMEROUS other times for pit stops, my mother and sister take forever in the bathroom/reststops. So I think Bongo makes an excellent point.
That's very true, our best combined time(my mother and I) is 22 hours 47 mins. And we stopped 6-8 times at either McD's, BK, KFC, or Roy Rogers. And NUMEROUS other times for pit stops, my mother and sister take forever in the bathroom/reststops. So I think Bongo makes an excellent point.
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WigglyWiggins
New Member
Living in the Uk we dont have much of a choice, but i love flying! it adds to the excitement. We always fly Virgin, garenteed tv`s in economy take away the boredom factor. We flew British Airways once and Hated it. Plus Virgin have better food! Any other english people with comments on airlines?
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disneytati
New Member
Hi, guys!
Well, living in Brazil, South America, I have no choice, I have to fly. But I like it very much, so it's ok spending 9 hours in a plane. The way back is a huge problem, though, as we are tired, and sad because we are just going to come back to wdw the following year (most brazilians cannot afford a trip to wdw, and the ones who have can afford it once in a year, or every two or three years. I save money the whole year just to be able to go there!) Note: 1 dollar= 2,45 reais!!! A plane ticket 800 dollars! Plus tax!
People say i am crazy to go to wdw every year. They call me disney nut! I don't care. It is true!!!:lol:
Well, living in Brazil, South America, I have no choice, I have to fly. But I like it very much, so it's ok spending 9 hours in a plane. The way back is a huge problem, though, as we are tired, and sad because we are just going to come back to wdw the following year (most brazilians cannot afford a trip to wdw, and the ones who have can afford it once in a year, or every two or three years. I save money the whole year just to be able to go there!) Note: 1 dollar= 2,45 reais!!! A plane ticket 800 dollars! Plus tax!
People say i am crazy to go to wdw every year. They call me disney nut! I don't care. It is true!!!:lol:
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stephenkay
New Member
Our trip is a long and expensive one.
We start by a four hour drive south from the north of Scotland and stop overnight in either MIL's or a hotel and a further 3 hour trip to Newcastle airport. Another three hour check in period followed by a 9 1/2 hour flight over the coast of Iceland and down to Florida, only to be followed by a hours drive to WDW.
Hours 20 or so.
Dollars 2200 for flight and gas.
Accomodation, thank goodness for DVC!!!
Stevie Kay
Inverness
Scotland
We start by a four hour drive south from the north of Scotland and stop overnight in either MIL's or a hotel and a further 3 hour trip to Newcastle airport. Another three hour check in period followed by a 9 1/2 hour flight over the coast of Iceland and down to Florida, only to be followed by a hours drive to WDW.
Hours 20 or so.
Dollars 2200 for flight and gas.
Accomodation, thank goodness for DVC!!!
Stevie Kay
Inverness
Scotland
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2much2do
New Member
Wow, stephankay! Sounds like you live in the sticks! Six hours to the nearest airport! I would die, LOL! Talk about seclusion!!!!
Anyway, Bongo, yes! we are definitely airconditioned! We will be taking my car. It's a Dodge Caravan, 6 cyl. with power everything and AC
Gotta get the oil changed and the air boosted before we go, though. Don't wanna have any problems!
Anyway, Bongo, yes! we are definitely airconditioned! We will be taking my car. It's a Dodge Caravan, 6 cyl. with power everything and AC
Gotta get the oil changed and the air boosted before we go, though. Don't wanna have any problems!
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figmentmom
Well-Known Member
Hey, 2much2do - my aunt lives in Watertown, New York; in fact, my mother's family is from Cape Vincent, which is only a half hour or so north of you, right on the river!!!! I spent just about every summer up there when I was little. Winters, however, are another story...
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2much2do
New Member
You bet! We have had EEEnough!!!!!!! We are originally not from this area at all. I was born and raised in NYC, and this is actually the first place I have lived other than Manhattan! DH is from Maine and moved to NYC at 19 which is where we met. His company transfered him here last Sept. We are so sick, sick, sick of it that we are moving to Orlando in October/November!!! I can't wait to live so close to the mouse! It will be a much better place for us city folk than this sleepy town. This winter was kinda mild compared to the norm, but it was awful. We had a few warmish days recently (45, if you can call that warm) and then it's back to 25 and snowing. So much dang snow up here. Snow and wind and sleet and ice and the sun NEVER, EVER shines here (Well, I'm exagerating. It shines once or twice in July.), and lake effect crap, and, and, well I could go on and on. You know what I mean. It sucks big time and I am counting the days till we are outta here!!!!! Also the people in this stupid town drive me nuts. :brick: They are so close-minded and in their thinking. They are way behind and refuse to open their minds to new ideas, technology, thinking. Most of the people anyway, we have a very few who are up on the times. That's enough complaining, I guess. Can you tell I'm fed up??
PS The summers are beautiful, but they only last two months. The rest of the time it's snowing.
PS The summers are beautiful, but they only last two months. The rest of the time it's snowing.
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WDWsmith2001
New Member
I have most always flown, until last December I finnaly gave driving a chance. It's only 6 hours +/- to WDW from Atlanta. I left at 4am and drove straight through, stopping for gas once. It was my first trip to WDW solo, and I plan to make it a annual pilgrimage. If you hav'nt tried going it alone at WDW I highly recommend it. I had a blast cruising the parks all day and hitting downtown dis' at night. I can't wait till next year!
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goofyfan13
Well-Known Member
I love to fly there, the sooner the better :lol: because i live in detroit. But if neccessary i would travel anyway neccessary.
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