Only been once so far, with 2 kids ages 4 & 5. Our park reservations started Wednesday, and we left Monday afternoon after work. Stayed in Tallahassee Monday night. Slept in, ate a nice breakfast, and then got to Orlando that afternoon. Took our time with plenty of stops for the kids. Went to Disney springs that evening, and spent the night at the Embassy Suites near Disney. Got up early Wednesday morning and checked into our Hotel on property, left bags in the car, and hopped on the bus to Magic Kingdom. Made it in before rope drop.

Our last day was Saturday and we were at Hollywood Studios. We rode the "big rides" and by noon decided to hit the road. Drove it straight through and got home around 9 PM.

I would drive it again, definitely taking 2 days to get down there. Coming home is a different story. Once the car is pointed home, I have a hard time stopping.

I think we maxed out our dollars by staying off site the night before and then checking out on our last day in the parks. We had 4 days in the parks and only spent 3 nights in the Disney Hotel.

That being said, I think next time I go I would try flying.

This post was edited on 10/24/16 at 2:12 pm

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Posted by PSU2LSU

Oxford MS

Member since Apr 2011

3144 posts

Posted on 11/29/16 at 6:59 am to LSUFanHouston

quote:
new Busy Bee open in Live Oak

Just did this trip and for the most part followed your directions. The Busy Bee is on point. Clean bathrooms and they have a burger king and Dunkin Donuts on site. Easy on and off from the interstate and lots of gas pumps to refuel.

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Posted by tigerbandpiccolo

Member since Oct 2005

49284 posts

Posted on 11/29/16 at 8:16 am to LSUFanHouston

All you people driving there with your toddlers are saints or superheroes, I can't decide which one. We've done Disney twice and flown direct from NOLA to Orlando each time, then rented a car. We had a great deal staying at a Hilton vacation club resort so that justified the $800 in flights and $400 car rental.

Maybe I'll try this driving thing once the kids are a little older and more capable of reasoning. Reasoning with a toddler, as you know, is akin to negotiating with a terrorist.

This post was edited on 11/29/16 at 8:17 am

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Posted by TypoKnig

Member since Aug 2011

8928 posts

Posted on 11/29/16 at 9:59 pm to tigerbandpiccolo

Thanks to all for the advice. We drove and it took about 10.5 hours door to door. Left NOLA at 3:30 am with the kids still asleep and they slept all the way to the AL/FL line. We stopped around Pensacola for breakfast and then again around Lake City for gas. Kids occupied their time with tablet, books and toys. Really not a bad drive for about $60 in gas. Timing it this way allowed us to miss out on any traffic in the Mobile tunnel (sailed thru around 5:30) and avoid lunch or rush hour traffic in any major cities along the route.

I also put this in the OP.

Thanks again

This post was edited on 11/29/16 at 10:01 pm

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