Anyone here from Ontario that has driven to WDW?

[DisneyMama811]

Just wondering if anyone can share experiences of driving from Ontario (we are in a small town in south eastern ON) to Disney World, Google says 21 hours (not counting stops) We are hoping to go in February 2022 of course soooo many factors will play a part in determining whether we can go or not.

I had a fairly bad anxiety before Covid, during the course of the pandemic I've developed a full out panic disorder and I'm not sure how well I would cope on a plane a) because I already hate flying b) being confined in a small space that close to strangers seems unfathomable.
I'm debating if we should just suck it up and plan to drive or if that's a time waster.

 

[TammyLynn33]

I think “time waster “would depend on how much time you have to vacation.
I wouldn’t want to drive straight through both ways but that’s me. At min two days each way. And knowing I would be absolutely exhausted . One is always exhausted coming home , Disney is not usually a relaxing vacation .
Throw in the risk of weather all the way to GA really, and a car issue. To me it’s simply not worth it .. ( mind you I’m the only driver over 25 in my house so I couldn’t take a rental)
I think if you look at the journey as part of the vacation it may be ok..
I too am worried as I never had anxiety before and now a grocery store that appears crowded. But hopefully by then , numbers will be under control and it will be back to more normal and we all will feel safer on a plane.

 

[Rileygirl]

We have driven. We live in the KW area of Ontario. We have two drivers, and I think that’s important if you plan to power through the drive. We would load up the kids at three in the morning in their pjs and drive until breakfast. It’s a long drive, and I hate crossing at Detroit. But you can do it. We would stop somewhere at the florida Georgia border, so the lions share of the drive would be done.
We have not driven for years though flying out of Buffalo or Detroit is so economical, and what a time saver.
I think you should also consider the factor that you will have to stop several times to eat, pee, gas up and sleep. Your overall exposure to so many more people and places would be greater if you drive, in my opinion.

Also, just my opinion, if you find an excuse not to fly because you are a nervous flyer, (like I am) then it’s just going to be that much harder to get on a plane to go anywhere, and that is really shrinking your world. I won’t let that fear win. Is covid a reasonable reason to decide to drive rather than fly? I guess it depends on how soon you plan to go, if you and your gang has their shots, if the general population of the US and Canada have their shots, and the like. But don’t hide behind covid to rationalize a fear of flying.

On the other hand, some of the most memorable vacations we had as a family was driving to Disney. Alas, the best and worst memory was being stuck on the I95 between Atlanta and Macon, for eight hours at a complete standstill (doors open, kids running around on freeway) with no food. We finally got off the highway and the only place to eat was a very disreputable Waffle House, where my kids declared it was the best hamburger they ever ate in their life.

 

[disney k family]

We live in the Niagara Region. We have been driving to Disney for the last 5 years(not 2020). I personally think that it is important to have 2 drivers. It is nice to be able to take turns driving and rest. On the way down we usually stay in Walterboro, South Carolina. It takes us about 14-15 hours and that is only stopping for gas, a quick coffee/breakfast, a quick lunch and a quick dinner. We leave home around 6:00am and arrive around 9:00pm. We have stayed at a newer Hampton Inn in Walterboro and it is right off the highway and a great value(usually around $120.00 USD with CAA discount).

The next morning we sleep until 7:00 or 8:00am and then we have a 6 hour drive to Disney. Just the other day my teenage kids were saying how much they miss the drive. They watch movies, go on their phones, read and sleep. They love stopping at chick-fil-A and other places we don't have near us.

On the way home we usually drive straight through. Google says it is just over a 19 hour drive. Once you include eating, bathroom breaks, traffic and stopping for gas it takes about 21 hours. Driving is not for everyone but it works for our family. The drive has become part of our Disney memories and I can hardly wait until we can safely go back.

 

[Trinity88]

We've driven down from KW (southwester ontario). We went through Erie PA and down, stayed in Charlotte overnight. We left at 5am and drove to around 6pm the first day, leaving us about 8 hrs the next day. It was a great drive, although it was Aug, not Feb. The Virginia mountains wouldn't be as easy in the winter.

Anyway, we made the drive part of the trip. I had binders for the kids with activities (license plate games, word games, etc) and had little gifts/treats planned for every 4 hrs or so. A toy and a snack for my little one, magazines and a snack for the older ones, a new dvd (we have an in car dvd player) of a movie they hadn't seen, mad libs books, etc. We stopped every 4 hrs or so to stretch legs/ use the bathroom and switch drivers. My kids still talk about the drive (it was 4 years ago), it was fun for them.

 

[Average Joes]

We drove only once in March break 2019 from SW Ontario. Only because the flight costs were high and we needed a vehicle. We left the house around 2:30am on a Friday. Stopped in Macon Georgia. I was the only driver. We hit Atlanta maybe around 2:30-3pm and it was fine. The one thing I regret is sleeping in a bit on the Saturday and having a long lunch in Florida. Ended up taking 8 hours to Orlando instead of maybe 6. Drove straight through to get back home. I won't do that again.

We usually try and go around a times where a flight out of Detroit is about $900USD with luggage for 4 and parking. Not really enough savings for us unless we stayed off site again.

If my wife was extremely anxious about flying I would just drive. It was not that big of a deal and I'm glad we did it at least once.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We have done both, flying many times but I have to say we loved our last drive in 2018. (Then we flew in 2019, whether we drive or fly depends on plane tickets and time we have). We are in SW Ontario and google maps says about 18 hrs without stops. We have driven straight through just stopping for breaks and actual sit down meal and took us about 22 hrs. We now prefer doing an overnight stop. Our favourite way to drive is the “mountain route” crossing in Buffalo or Niagara, it is such a beautiful drive we loved it so much. However, we did this drive in the summer, in February the weather may play a factor when it comes to driving in the mountains. We much prefer it though to driving straight i75. Last time we drove we left around 5am, crossed border around 7 and drove to almost North Carolina, we stopped for a nice sit down dinner about 4 pm. We arrived at our hotel about 8 pm, left next morning around 6:30am and were in Disney around 1:00 stopping breakfast on the S.Carolina/Georgia border.
We loved this last drive we did because we split it up into 2 days, had the extra time and It was very scenic. I think in the winter time we would prefer to fly. If you have more vacation days and you can make a fun extra trip out of the drive, I say do it. I wouldn’t drive straight through again myself, we did it many times but it takes a toll and a certain fun out it.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Have never driven to Disney world but have driven from SW Ontario to Ft Lauderdale twice. This was pre-pandemic so we made some fun stops in Nashville and Atlanta to sightsee. The journey was part of the vacation. Even then, it was long and tiring to drive. But if you’re mentally prepared for a long journey, it’s not so bad.
We usually fly to Disney world since there’s no need for a car in the bubble, but I’m considering driving for our next trip because I don’t really want to rely on Disney transportation to the parks and Magical Express is going away.

Just keep in mind that if you drive, you will have to make stops for gas, food, bathroom breaks, and at least 2 hotel/motel stays along the way.

 

[EllenMurphy]

I have driven down to Florida and my only issue is the excitement to get to Florida keeps me going to get there but on the way back it feels like torture since the excitement no longer is there. Not sure if that makes sense.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I have driven down to Florida and my only issue is the excitement to get to Florida keeps me going to get there but on the way back it feels like torture since the excitement no longer is there. Not sure if that makes sense.

Absolutely! Feel the same way, I really should have added hate driving back. That’s why if we decide to drive again and it will be during the summer, we will plan to stop somewhere on the way back like a couple of days on the beach in SC or something...

 

[genia11]

We have never driven to Disney. However, we have been talking about doing it at least once so we can visit all of the wonderful places between Canada and Florida that we never get a chance to visit when we fly.

 

[DisneyMama811]

Absolutely! Feel the same way, I really should have added hate driving back. That’s why if we decide to drive again and it will be during the summer, we will plan to stop somewhere on the way back like a couple of days on the beach in SC or something...

yes it absolutely does

 

[DisneyMama811]

If we did it, DH and I would definitely split the driving and Detroit is our closest crossover (we live near CFB Trenton) We have done one major road trip before, in 2018 we drove from here to PEI (spending a few days in each province) it took us 5 hours to get to Quebec and the kids were getting very antsy by that time BUT it was very late at night and they were only 4 and 1.5yrs then. I think this time they would be ok.

part of the reason for wanting to drive is because we are not going til after ME is discontinued and relying on Disney transportation seems like a headache

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

If we did it, DH and I would definitely split the driving and Detroit is our closest crossover (we live near CFB Trenton) We have done one major road trip before, in 2018 we drove from here to PEI (spending a few days in each province) it took us 5 hours to get to Quebec and the kids were getting very antsy by that time BUT it was very late at night and they were only 4 and 1.5yrs then. I think this time they would be ok.

part of the reason for wanting to drive is because we are not going til after ME is discontinued and relying on Disney transportation seems like a headache

Detroit is closer than Buffalo from Trenton Ontario? Either way though, for us crossing in Buffalo and driving through NY, Pennsylvania, Virginias, Carolinas and Georgia adds about 2 hrs but w love that drive so much more than crossing in Detroit and taking i75 all the way down. Having said that it really depends on the time of the year, i75 is probably better during the winter.

 

[SCCNJ]

Me! We drive to Florida from London area and I absolutely love it. I have no fear of flying and will fly elsewhere, but for Florida we will always drive as it is part of the vacation. I love watching everything get greener and warmer through the day and stopping in different cities etc along the way to explore. I miss it so much this March we are planning a huge trip next year and the drive is definitely part of it.

 

[DisneyMama811]

Detroit is closer than Buffalo from Trenton Ontario? Either way though, for us crossing in Buffalo and driving through NY, Pennsylvania, Virginias, Carolinas and Georgia adds about 2 hrs but w love that drive so much more than crossing in Detroit and taking i75 all the way down. Having said that it really depends on the time of the year, i75 is probably better during the winter.

sorry no you are right, it is Buffalo, I was thinking of a time we went to the states but we were going to Cleveland in which case Detroit was closer but when we went to NC before we crossed at Buffalo. I am terrible at geography

 

[DisneyMama811]

If we did it, DH and I would definitely split the driving and Buffalo our closest crossover (we live near CFB Trenton) *edited because I originally put Detroit lol* We have done one major road trip before, in 2018 we drove from here to PEI (spending a few days in each province) it took us 5 hours to get to Quebec and the kids were getting very antsy by that time BUT it was very late at night and they were only 4 and 1.5yrs then. I think this time they would be ok.

part of the reason for wanting to drive is because we are not going til after ME is discontinued and relying on Disney transportation seems like a headache

 

[bankr63]

We do a drive down most every year (except 2021) to Orlando 50% of the time, to the Carolinas the other 50%. Coming from Trenton, I would take the route more common to Ottawans (Eastern Ontario) than the common Toronto route.

Head east towards Kingston, and cross at Ivy Lea. Stay on 81 South all the way to I77 then head South 77 and 26 until you meet up with I-95 between Columbia and Charleston SC. Avoid the temptation to head towards Washington as Google will suggest. Google says it is about an hour quicker but you hit a lot more populated areas and will inevitably lose that hour and more in traffic, not to mention the frayed nerves.

The route suggested is often called the "trucker's route" not because there are too many trucks, just because truckers are smart enough to avoid heavily populated areas when they can. The scenery is great, and Charlotte NC is the only largeish population centre you will drive through. The driving along this route is generally pretty relaxing right up until you hit the pandemonium and shenanigans of I-95.

We usually leave mid afternoon on a Friday (just as school bell rings) then drive to Hagerstown MD. There are some nice hotels at "Halfway" (literally half-way across the state) and a nice Starbucks to fuel up for day 2. We generally drive straight through from there arriving late at night in Orlando. When the kids were younger we would stop an extra night around Savannah.

It does cut into on the ground time in Orlando by a few hours, as we would usually arrive mid-afternoon if flying on Saturday morning (so 9-10 hours lost). Not much of a hit on the return trip at all as we wake on Saturday and hit the road. We would probably be heading out to the airport to return home around the same time. Trip home we generally stop at Hazelton PA for an overnight (nice Hampton Inn, make sure you get a valley view room), arriving back home by mid-afternoon Sunday. We don't mind the lost time as the savings on airfare allows us to keep more $$$ in the travel fund and go south more often. The roughly $2000 savings at March break pretty much pays for another whole trip.

 

[DisneyMama811]

We do a drive down most every year (except 2021) to Orlando 50% of the time, to the Carolinas the other 50%. Coming from Trenton, I would take the route more common to Ottawans (Eastern Ontario) than the common Toronto route.

Head east towards Kingston, and cross at Ivy Lea. Stay on 81 South all the way to I77 then head South 77 and 26 until you meet up with I-95 between Columbia and Charleston SC. Avoid the temptation to head towards Washington as Google will suggest. Google says it is about an hour quicker but you hit a lot more populated areas and will inevitably lose that hour and more in traffic, not to mention the frayed nerves.

The route suggested is often called the "trucker's route" not because there are too many trucks, just because truckers are smart enough to avoid heavily populated areas when they can. The scenery is great, and Charlotte NC is the only largeish population centre you will drive through. The driving along this route is generally pretty relaxing right up until you hit the pandemonium and shenanigans of I-95.

We usually leave mid afternoon on a Friday (just as school bell rings) then drive to Hagerstown MD. There are some nice hotels at "Halfway" (literally half-way across the state) and a nice Starbucks to fuel up for day 2. We generally drive straight through from there arriving late at night in Orlando. When the kids were younger we would stop an extra night around Savannah.

It does cut into on the ground time in Orlando by a few hours, as we would usually arrive mid-afternoon if flying on Saturday morning (so 9-10 hours lost). Not much of a hit on the return trip at all as we wake on Saturday and hit the road. We would probably be heading out to the airport to return home around the same time. Trip home we generally stop at Hazelton PA for an overnight (nice Hampton Inn, make sure you get a valley view room), arriving back home by mid-afternoon Sunday. We don't mind the lost time as the savings on airfare allows us to keep more $$$ in the travel fund and go south more often. The roughly $2000 savings at March break pretty much pays for another whole trip.

this sounds super straight forward and relaxing. thank you for such detailed information