Planning long car trip to Disney World, help?

Question

How many days should I plan to just straight drive? I live in Boston and this is a 1300 mile trip, in a week can I drive down stay a few nights and make it back up? Has anyone ever tried this before?

Answer 1

I'm a littler further but on less congested roads. We've done it in a week a couple of times. All that driving is a bit tiring.

We have 2 drivers and we will take off in the evening and drive all night and most of the next day to get there. it lets the kids sleep a lot of the way, saves time and a hotel night. Then we check in and rest and go out for a late dinner and exploration of tourist shops.

on the way back. we are more tired so we drive half a day find a city with some point of interest, visit it and drive till we are tired and check into a hotel and drive home the next day. (The overnight is hard on the return trip but we have done it sometimes.)

Answer 2

I've taken this driving trip 3 times with 3 kids. I live in CT. The best advice would be to play it by year. On the last trip, It took about 2 1/2 days to get there, and 4 to get back. My husband and I switched off alot, but it's still a tough trip. After a weeklong stay in the park, the ride home was hard and long. If at all possible, fly. It's worth every penny, and makes for a more enjoyable vacation.

Answer 3

You are looking at approx. 18 hrs of drive time each way. So if you broke it up into 2 days that would be 4 days of drive time. Say 9 hrs of driving each day which does not count for gas stops, or traffic. 4 days to travel and 3 days at Disney World. It would be a tiring trip but can be done. If you drove straight thru you would have more time at Disney World, but it is a long time to be sitting behind the wheel unless someone else is sharing the driving, then that does make a big difference. Drive safely and have a good time whichever you decide.

Answer 4

Well, I've done from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Orlando in 2 days but they were very long days. I would allow for two days of driving just so you can take a break the first night of the drive. If you are thinking of "a week" as the full 7 days, it will work, but if you were thinking 5 days, you'll be exhausted by the time you get back to Boston.

Answer 5

I agree with Calla's answer. Plan for 2 full days of driving, both ways. So 4 driving days total. Check out Google Earth, if you haven't before and take a look at the route. Also double check mapblast.com or mapquest.com.
To get your family in the mood for Disney - purchase a portable DVD player (they sell for about $75 or less now at Costco and other locations) and bring along Disney movies for everyone to enjoy on the way down!

If you would like help planning for your next trip or if you would just like to read up on some fun tips and ideas that are updated monthly, visit my Disney Vacation Services Website, at:

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

Have a great time!

Answer 6

I don't know if I'd be able to handle the drive. I live in New Hampshire and try to go to Walt Disney World every summer. Last summer my boyfriend and I flew out from Boston with JetBlue and it took two hours and 45 minutes to get to Orlando. It was awesome! This summer my brother is supposed to come and he thinks we're going to save money if we drive. But I honestly don't think so. We'll waste all that time, have to keep stopping for food, bathroom breaks, gas, etc., and then we'd have to get a room for the night. Not to mention, I would be SO stressed out. Going to Walt Disney World is supposed to be a fun, happy, magical experience. I don't want to be getting lost, having to keep reading a map... and two whole days just to get to Walt Disney World... I just can't imagine it. But that's me... and I get stressed kind of easily. I guess we're seriously thinking about driving down, though. But we're staying for eleven days. You need to spend at least a week at Walt Disney World. There's four incredible theme parks, two amazing water parks, Downtown Disney, and tons of recreation. And each park takes at least a day to complete.

Anyway, if you go for it, let me know how it went! Have a fun, safe trip!

Answer 7

It really depends on who, if anyone you are traveling with. If you are sharing the driving, and are up for it, I say drive straight through. Its tiring, but all in all not bad if you travel well. I've driven from NY 4 times. it's long, but I really don't mind it. I even did it last year with my two kids, who amazingly stayed on their sleep schedule. If traveling with kids, you may want to break it up... its easier on them. Anyway, I've made it from upstate NY in 21 hours straight, with minimal stops. I've left on a friday afternoon, made it to Florida by dinner on Saturday, got a good nights sleep (staying off property) then headed into the parks Sunday, stayed on property till Thursday mid-day, headed back home, and stopped overnight , driving as long as possible. You will be more tired on the way home. If you can cut a overnight stay to 6 hours or so, you can still make it a day and a half. But again, its up to you, your flexibility and stamina. And it also really depends on who you are traveling with. Kids make a huge difference!
Try to borrow/ buy a portable DVD player if you don't have one. it makes the trip go by easier, even with no kids. Bring a good supply of munchies to minimize your stops. Bring pillows for comfort if you will be sleeping in the car while switching drivers. We've tried to take at least one longer stop on each trip, to and from FL. around 45 minutes or so. Not to even stop and eat but to really stop and walk and stretch. Although tacky, South of the Border is a good stop. you can browse in the shops, get some ice cream and play around in the arcade. Just a good break. I've also made a pit stop at virginia beach, just to get my feet wet. depends on the weather. Downtown Savannah GA is a nice walk too. Even a rest area to play frisbee is a good break!
Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will be right for you and your traveling companions, if any. Just be prepared!! Have a great time
!!!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I recently drove from Yonkers NY to Daytona Beach in 16.5 hours. Add 3 more for boston and 1 more for orlando and you are at 21.

You will need a vacation after you get home!

Answer 10

It took me 27 hours from Long Island. We took I-95 the whole way to I-4, then took that straight to WDW. We stopped to eat twice and had a two hour nap in Virginia. Try to leave right after dinner, you miss rush hour in most major cities that way.