Road trip to disney

[Dizneykid]

Hi, we have been wanting to take our 4 year old to Disney since before he was born. It's literally not an option to wait any longer. He will be 5 when we go and perfect height for most rides. For a lot of reasons, we are going to drive down. We will originate in Massachusetts. Any seasoned road trippers here? Any pit stop recommendations? We were hoping to sleep overnight in Virgnia both ways somewhere. We are looking at Fredericksburg right now and are trying to figure out a nice restaurant to stop at in South Carolina. We are looking for safe, somewhat quiet and uncrowded. These are all random questions but thought I'd try. We want to go in September and are very worried about hurricane season. I have heard that crowds are at their lowest around then but I don't know. I'm so excited just to consider going

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

We always drive from central Alabama, so only about a 9 hour drive. We went the first time when my daughter was 5. We made sure we had a portable dvd player and crayons and coloring books. We always make sure to stop at nice looking rest areas to get out and stretch our legs.

We went in September 2015 and the weather was nice. I didn't find it to be too crowded and I think it only rained 1 day while we were there. After going at the beginning of May and experiencing how HOT it was, we are planning future trips to take place in September/October/November.

 

[Lets Respect]

It's about 100 miles longer but you should look at the inland route too. Then you skip going through New York City, Philly, Delaware, Baltimore, DC and south of DC. It's also more scenic

The inland route is 78 to 81 then through Charlotte back out to 95. Try to make it to at least Roanoke VA you'll be in good shape for the next day

 

[Dizneykid]

Thanks for the advice We've only ever gone in May and early June which was very hot but not unbearably for us northerners. I'd be delighted if September was a touch cooler. The crowds were decent in May (minus MK) so I'm really hoping it's much much less crowded once school is in session.

 

[Nemo14]

Where in MA are you coming from? We're in RI and have done the drive many times, and I totally agree to avoid I-95. We take 95 to Rt 9 in CT to I-84 to 81. We make stops now because our kids live along the way, but basically it's about 12 hours with stops to Roanoke for us that way, then about another 12 from there to Orlando (taking I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95, then 417 (toll road) to Orlando. It is a little longer, but the drive is much prettier, and no NY,DC, Richmond, etc traffic.

 

[Dizneykid]

Where in MA are you coming from? We're in RI and have done the drive many times, and I totally agree to avoid I-95. We take 95 to Rt 9 in CT to I-84 to 81. We make stops now because our kids live along the way, but basically it's about 12 hours with stops to Roanoke for us that way, then about another 12 from there to Orlando (taking I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95, then 417 (toll road) to Orlando. It is a little longer, but the drive is much prettier, and no NY,DC, Richmond, etc traffic.

We're coming from the Springfield area so we should be able to make decent time to Virginia. It sounds pretty perfect for a stop. I'm going to tell my husband about this secret route. Sounds way better. I can't remember if we had to pay for NY bridges or anything when we traveled South a few years ago.

 

[Nemo14]

We're coming from the Springfield area so we should be able to make decent time to Virginia. It sounds pretty perfect for a stop. I'm going to tell my husband about this secret route. Sounds way better. I can't remember if we had to pay for NY bridges or anything when we traveled South a few years ago.

The only toll you'll have (other than the famous FL tolls) if you go that way is the Newburgh Bridge in NY, and that's only about $1.50 on the way home. If you're in the Springfield area you should be able to take I-91 down to I-84.

 

[DisneyMann]

We always drive from central Alabama, so only about a 9 hour drive. We went the first time when my daughter was 5. We made sure we had a portable dvd player and crayons and coloring books. We always make sure to stop at nice looking rest areas to get out and stretch our legs.

We went in September 2015 and the weather was nice. I didn't find it to be too crowded and I think it only rained 1 day while we were there. After going at the beginning of May and experiencing how HOT it was, we are planning future trips to take place in September/October/November.

Not really comparable to what the OP was looking for. Nine hours is a far cry from 26 hours........

 

[DarthVader]

Not really comparable to what the OP was looking for. Nine hours is a far cry from 26 hours........

Indeed and 26 hours with a little one, also means that you may not necessarily power through a drive to get there.

I know a friend who decided to drive to WDW, and it was similar in how long it took. He vowed never again, but then he has three kids, so maybe that played into it

I like how he did it, and I recommend maybe consider that as an option. They left for WDW at their kids bedtime, so they basically had the opportunity to drive about 12 hours straight. They then planned to stay for a few hours at a hotel, where the kids went swimming and the husband slept for a few hours. They made it to WDW in record time. Personally, that's not something I could do, driving at night for 12 hours, but depending on your personality it may be do-able

 

[Nemo14]

Indeed and 26 hours with a little one, also means that you may not necessarily power through a drive to get there.

I know a friend who decided to drive to WDW, and it was similar in how long it took. He vowed never again, but then he has three kids, so maybe that played into it

I like how he did it, and I recommend maybe consider that as an option. They left for WDW at their kids bedtime, so they basically had the opportunity to drive about 12 hours straight. They then planned to stay for a few hours at a hotel, where the kids went swimming and the husband slept for a few hours. They made it to WDW in record time. Personally, that's not something I could do, driving at night for 12 hours, but depending on your personality it may be do-able

We usrd to do that too, but I was never crazy about it. My DH is a night driver, so he always did that shift. I'd try to get some sleep but I always worried about him nodding off at the wheel. It's a lot easier to do if you have a third driver so one drives, one stays awake with the driver, and one sleeps.

 

[DarthVader]

but I always worried about him nodding off at the wheel.

No question, that would be on my mind as well. My wife isn't much of a driver, so it would have fallen on my shoulders

 

[Diesel Dan]

My wife and I have driven to WDW 15+ times over the last 30 years. We live near Syracuse so it is about 1250 miles, 20 hrs of driving. We have done the trip just the 2 of us and with our kids over the years. Avoiding Baltimore & DC is something we always do. We do the Rt 81S to Winchester VA then Rt 66E to Rt 17S to Fredericksburg where we pick Rt 95S. If you left in the wee hours of the morning you would have about 14 hrs to the Santee SC area which is a nice area to stop for the night. There is a lot of Hotels and places to eat there. From there it is 6 hours to WDW. I think it will be about an hour longer going this way but it may be the same with the time lost around the Baltimore-DC Beltway. As Darth Vader said we also do the drive straight through option of leaving after work, usually arrive at WDW early afternoon. Whatever way you go have fun!

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

Not really comparable to what the OP was looking for. Nine hours is a far cry from 26 hours........

I know. That's literally why I started my port with "We always drive from central Alabama, so only about a 9 hour drive.". Regardless of the length of the trip, he asked for advice for road tripping with a 5 year old, which I gave. Sorry I didn't see where he requested advice only from people who had driven 26 hours...

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

Thanks for the advice We've only ever gone in May and early June which was very hot but not unbearably for us northerners. I'd be delighted if September was a touch cooler. The crowds were decent in May (minus MK) so I'm really hoping it's much much less crowded once school is in session.

September was much less crowded than May. September was still hot, but not back sweat as soon as you walk out of the door hot.

 

[eliza61nyc]

We always want a car at Disney so our general rule is for any stays of 5 nights or longer we drive. We drive down from Philly. IMO it's a very easy drive especially once you get past the dc metro area. We leave no later than 4 am to do so, since both my late husband and I are use to driving it wasn't hard but we absolutely take short gas/bathroom breaks and long meal breaks.

We like to get at least Brunswich Ga before stopping for the night, this way in the morning we only have about 3 hours left to drive on 95.

 

[yensid67]

Just throwing a monkey wrench in the equation....
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED TAKING AMTRAK? IT WOULD BE AN ADVENTURE FOR YOUR 5 YR OLD ON A TRAIN. WE WERE GOING TO TAKE AMTRAK FROM MARTINSBURG WVA TO DC TO KISSIMMEE FOR 2 WAS ONLY $457.20 ROUNTRIP IN COACH SEATS. Then rent a car for the week and then hope back on the train to come home. There are a few rental car companies that will pick you up if you ask! It was the same amount of time compared to driving and you could sit back and enjoy the scenery and let the driving to someone else! There is also the Auto Train out of Lorton VA that could be an option!

EDIT: I checked Amtrak Springfield MA - Kissimmee FL - 2 Adults, 1 child - Coach Seats - Round Trip = $780.00 and it would take the same amount of time as driving! Just an FYI

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Hi, we have been wanting to take our 4 year old to Disney since before he was born. It's literally not an option to wait any longer. He will be 5 when we go and perfect height for most rides. For a lot of reasons, we are going to drive down. We will originate in Massachusetts. Any seasoned road trippers here? Any pit stop recommendations? We were hoping to sleep overnight in Virgnia both ways somewhere. We are looking at Fredericksburg right now and are trying to figure out a nice restaurant to stop at in South Carolina. We are looking for safe, somewhat quiet and uncrowded. These are all random questions but thought I'd try. We want to go in September and are very worried about hurricane season. I have heard that crowds are at their lowest around then but I don't know. I'm so excited just to consider going

In Fredericksburg, VA have lunch at Allmans BBQ..it's about 10 minutes off Rt. 95, 1299 Jeff. Davis Hwy. (Rt. 1)...it's like a step back in time, but the BBQ is EXCELLENT (home made slaw and BBQ sauce). They open everyday at 11 am...WORTH THE DETOUR OFF 95!!!

 

[Dizneykid]

Thank you all. I appreciate all of the advice and experiences. Anything helps. We made the trek to Lousiana when my son was around 20 months old. It was difficult mostly because we didn't take enough restful stops but my son did great. We were also just going to a wedding. I'll suffer anything for Disney

 

[Elfinko]

We're actually in Mooresville, NC staying overnight in the Holiday Inn Express as I write this. Right off route 77. Very nice rooms and quiet. We're heading back home to P.A.

We stayed at Days Inn in Savannah right off of 95 on the way down. It was trash, lol. Live and learn.

We took 78, 81, 77, 26, 95, I4 on the way down. Pretty calm drive all in all. Only harrowing part of the drive was I4 west through Orlando. I felt like I was on a Super Mario Kart course.