Taking a trip to a great destination should be stress-free (or at least stress-reduced) and the great people at Walt Disney World Resort work diligently to help make that happen. Many people choose to drive to WDW for various reasons. Here are a few points to consider if you are thinking about driving to the resort.

What to Know if You Drive

Driving has a great number of advantages to include saving money, freedom of travel, and independence while visiting WDW. If you live close enough to Florida, you may want to simply drive south for a wonderful vacation. Here are a few things to think about if you are a little further away and are trying to make the decision to drive.

Advantages of Driving

1.)One major advantage you will have will be the option to drive off resort. You can simply hop in your car, turn on your Garmin, and head off to Walmart to purchase a few needed items for your stay. That way you are not a captive audience and have the freedom to choose how much to pay for bottled water or a new swimsuit because you forgot to pack yours (or anything else you need). You will also be able to drive to the ocean for a day if it fits in your Florida vacation plans, or visit with friends or family members while you are in town.

2.) The second advantage will be leaving your resort and heading to the parks you intend to see for the day. You can arrive earlier than the WDW transportation buses (although you can’t enter the park any earlier) and snap a few photos prior to the crowds gathering. The daily cost of parking is minimal if you are not staying on the resort and it is complimentary is you are staying at a resort (resort identification required). Once you pay for the day, you are allowed to park at any of the Theme Parks. This will come in handy if you have a Park Hopper Pass and want to move from park to park throughout the day.

3.) The third advantage is based on your personal situation. If you are traveling with very young or even with older travelers, you may need to take “supplies” with you that you would not want to carry around all day. You can use your vehicle as a storage area for extra clothes, diapers, or even a cooler with food and drinks as needed throughout the day. Be careful, it does get very hot in Florida, so make sure if you have perishable items, you keep them in plenty of ice in a cooler. This option also gives you the freedom to leave the park early if needed and return later in the day especially if you are staying off resort.

4.) The fourth advantage in driving is being able to turn your family vacation into a road trip. You can create awesome memories because driving allows you to stop at points of interest along your route. If you have the time and funds to extend your vacation, you can stop on your way to WDW to see great places such as Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia, or take a day exploring Savannah’s Historic District.  If your coming from the Northwest you can plan to stop in Huntsville, Alabama to visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center or you can simply stop at the rest area while crossing the state line into Florida to sample some splendid fresh Florida fruit juice.

5.) Finally, an advantage to driving may be the overall savings on the cost of travel. If you are up for the challenge and don’t live too far away, you may want to consider the cost. You can always park your car at your resort for your time there and use convenient modes of transportation offered at the resort. These options include the bus system, Monorail, and boats (free of charge) throughout the resort.

Disadvantages of Driving

1.) The first disadvantage is simply that it takes longer to get to the Resort. Depending on where you live, you will need to schedule in a few extra days to get to the resort. Delays can occur if traffic is heavy or if the weather is severe along your route. You will also need time to travel home and this may create work conflicts if you are scheduled to return to work immediately upon your return home.

2.) The second disadvantage is the extra money needed if an over-night stay is required on your trip down to Florida. You will need to consider this in advance and make hotel arrangements as necessary. You will also need to consider the cost of food while traveling, fuel cost, and toll roads. Estimate your total travel cost and compare it to the best airfare rates before making your decision. Saving the time flying may be worth a little more money for airfare.

3.) The third disadvantage to driving is the fatigue that comes with traveling in a vehicle or RV for such a long distance. You may be worn out before you arrive at WDW and this could cause problems for anyone trying to conquer an amusement part in a few short days.

4.) A fourth, and major disadvantage  are the travel routes. Travel routes can be very confusing when driving to WDW. It seems like the closer you get to WDW every exit has a sign indicating WDW, so it may be difficult to navigate the area if you do not know your way around (especially late at night). Having a GPS system can help to alleviate this issue along with getting a trip-ticket from AAA if you are a member.

5.) Another minor disadvantage to driving will be how hot your car gets in the Florida sun. Your car will get very hot during the day and may not be very comfortable to climb into at the end of the day. If you are staying the whole day at the park, fatigue may cause you to become prone to accidents, so know your limitations and never drive when you are too tired. You could fall asleep behind the wheel and cause an accident.

These are just a few things to consider if you choose to drive to Walt Disney World. Look at all the pros and cons before making your decision. You may be surprised at what you decide to do.

What are your thoughts on driving to WDW? Do you have any vacation stories to share? We would love to hear your take on the subject–feel free to comment.