Is it worth it to drive down from Ohio?

wdw&sonny · Oct 8, 2015

My son is accepted for Spring 2016. He wants a car. Is it really necessary? Is it worth the 20 hour drive, 2 days, hotels, meals etc. I won't let him drive it alone. That means at least two flights, one flying home from taking him and one flying down to drive back with him in May (maybe twice as many tickets as my wife wants to go to). Is it worth it?

MissDisneyDora · Oct 8, 2015

wdw&sonny said:
My son is accepted for Spring 2016. He wants a car. Is it really necessary? Is it worth the 20 hour drive, 2 days, hotels, meals etc. I won't let him drive it alone. That means at least two flights, one flying home from taking him and one flying down to drive back with him in May (maybe twice as many tickets as my wife wants to go to). Is it worth it?

The car is a matter I can't really advise on.

However where in OH are you? If you're in the north and he can do without his wheels I say fly it. There are direct flights out of CLE and let me tell you (having driven down from NW PA and also flown directly to Orlando a month later) I know which one I would pick. Getting to Orlando in 2 hrs versus driving for 23 hrs makes a massive difference. And, depending on whether or not you are able to get good rates on your flights, it might actually be cheaper to send his stuff down to WDW than to lug it all down south in the car.

x
Dora

wdw&sonny · Oct 8, 2015

We are near Cleveland. I agree flying is much easier than driving and much cheaper, if we just sent him. But, is it worth the extra hassle of driving him down for HIM to have car for the 4 months he will be in the DCP? Is DCP transport really that bad? Are there some items he will need to bring that we would have to ship down if he were to fly instead of drive? Do most people ship things down? How? How much?

Gr8t Fan · Oct 8, 2015

wdw&sonny said:
We are near Cleveland. I agree flying is much easier than driving and much cheaper, if we just sent him. But, is it worth the extra hassle of driving him down for HIM to have car for the 4 months he will be in the DCP? Is DCP transport really that bad? Are there some items he will need to bring that we would have to ship down if he were to fly instead of drive? Do most people ship things down? How? How much?

Our DD is doing the Fall Advantage program now and has been down there since May. She wanted to drive down and we told her that DH would drive with her and then fly back because we didn't want her driving alone (and we weren't sure her car would make it, but DH is pretty mechanically inclined, so we thought he was her best option). She told us she wanted to go down with friends, and she bought a one-way ticket to fly her friend who would help her drive back. Well, her friend bailed on her so she was out the $ for his ticket and we still wouldn't let her drive down alone. We purchased a one-way ticket for her and she flew.

Would it be easier for her to have her car to get to work and to get around? Absolutely. She said sometimes the DCP buses take 1-1.5 hours from the time she leaves till the time she gets to work because of connections. She was used to using public transit at home where most trips take an hour so I told her it's just like being at home. She did have to purchase new bedding, pillows, hangers, etc. when she got down there because her two allowed bags on Southwest were packed to the brim with all of the clothes, shoes, etc. that she took with her. Two of her roommates have cars as well as several co-workers, so she bums a ride when she can. I remind her to keep cash on her at all times so she can chip in for gas because nobody likes a freeloader. We were down to visit her in August and were planning on driving her car down and flying home because she was going to extend her program in January. She found out from her university that she couldn't extend, so she told us to keep the car at home and she'd take the bus for the last several months.

HopperFan · Oct 8, 2015

DD had her car. But we are only 8 hours away. I think much depends on their personality. For her having her independence is critical. Even with her car there she tried to use their transportation but soon enough she was driving. She worked at DTD first program, so driving vs bus was a no brainer.

That said MOST of her friends did not have cars and did just fine. Her car was always full of folks traveling home from work, sometimes going. A lot really depends on where they end up working. You really won't need one for fun, shopping etc because you end up with a group of friends and then at least a couple will have cars. Her and her bf had cars so they drove everyone all around. They were all going out together, to Universal, exploring around Orlando... It's work that patience and building in time is needed for getting to work on time. But even when she moved to Epcot, where she parked was on the opposite side of the park she worked in so she had to build in time.

If you think they can handle the work commute on bus then I really don't think a car is necessary.

kathy884 · Oct 11, 2015

I think getting the car down there is absolutely worth it.

My nephew did the program without a car, and boy you really have to spend a lot of time getting places with the shuttle. Disney would sometimes give him and late shift followed by an early morning shift (college students get lots of the shifts no one else wants -- slave labor for Disney lol) and with the shuttles, etc. when that happened he'd only get maybe 5 hours of sleep to be able to get home, sleep a little, get ready, and get back with waiting for shuttles and all the time the shuttles take. You do what you have to do, and it's still, of course, a great experience. But gosh, if you son/daughter has a car it would be so nice for them to have it down there. I know my son who is in college right now is thinking about maybe applying and doing the program if he would be accepted, and as much of a pain it would be more me to do the drive and use vacation days for that (I have lots of SW points and always fly down direct for free in 2 1/2 hours), I know I would do it in a heart beat for him to have that convenience. The freedom and flexibility of a car in Orlando makes all the difference. I don't even like to be in Orlando for a week on vacation without one lol. // Like you, I wouldn't want my son to do the drive alone, and would do the drive with him on both ends.

Deb & Bill · Oct 11, 2015

My son had to have a car for his assignment. He started work at 4 or 4:30 AM and there is no CM transportation at that time.

leeg229 · Oct 13, 2015

Bring the car!! I cannot stress enough how advantageous it is to have your own independent transportation. Whether it's going on a late night snack run to Wawa, not needing to wait for the CP bus at 3am when you get out of work at the Magic Kingdom, or just taking a day trip to the beach there are so many more options and opportunities available to you when you have your car. The number two complaint CPs in my location have about the program (behind their housing situation) is Transtar and their horrible operations.

katxtaylor · Oct 17, 2015

wdw&sonny said:
My son is accepted for Spring 2016. He wants a car. Is it really necessary? Is it worth the 20 hour drive, 2 days, hotels, meals etc. I won't let him drive it alone. That means at least two flights, one flying home from taking him and one flying down to drive back with him in May (maybe twice as many tickets as my wife wants to go to). Is it worth it?

I got accepted into the DCP Spring Advantage for 2016 and I'm driving down there. I'm from Western New York so for me it's going to be a bout a 22 hour drive but I really wanted my own transportation down there. I don't like being late to things so I don't want to be dependent on the buses. Plus if I want to go outside of Disney I want to be able to take myself if I need to go shopping or things like that. My mom and best friend are driving with me down there and then flying home and since they booked tickets so early they got them at a really good price.

TedMosby · Oct 18, 2015

I brought my car and it was insanely useful. I did my program in 2013 (and 2014) so things might be different now, but back then the buses broke down pretty regularly and Disney doesn't care why you're late for work, even if it's because of their own transportation system. It's also honestly a really great way to make friends. Your son will work with dozens of people in his complex that didn't bring cars. Offering them rides home is a super easy way to get to know your coworkers better. Plus, groceries.

smzito22 · Oct 29, 2015

Yes yes yes yes yes! I fully believe that if it is an option that can work for your family then definitely bring it! Having my car has been lifesaver sometimes. The last thing anyone wants to do after an 10 hour shift at work is sit and wait for the buses, you just want to be home.

Disney_Obsessed11 · Dec 3, 2015

katxtaylor said:
I got accepted into the DCP Spring Advantage for 2016 and I'm driving down there. I'm from Western New York so for me it's going to be a bout a 22 hour drive but I really wanted my own transportation down there. I don't like being late to things so I don't want to be dependent on the buses. Plus if I want to go outside of Disney I want to be able to take myself if I need to go shopping or things like that. My mom and best friend are driving with me down there and then flying home and since they booked tickets so early they got them at a really good price.

Hi! I'm from Buffalo and thinking of doing the DCP in Fall 2016! Im assuming you have already made the trek down to FL. If I get accepted into the program, would you recommend driving down being that we are from the same area. How was your drive down? Is the price of tolls an outrageous amount?

katxtaylor · Dec 3, 2015

I actually don't leave until January but I am also from Buffalo! As for tolls I know Florida has their own tolls but I know I can use my EZPass for most of the drive down until Georgia I believe it is. I heard the tolls in Florida aren't that bad though!

Disney_Obsessed11 · Dec 3, 2015

Good to know!! Maybe I should look into investing in an EZPass if I get accepted. I think I would prefer to drive down just because I won't have to fit my life into a suitcase or pay to ship it all down. Thats exciting that you leave in January though!! Small world that were both from Buffalo, I bet you can't wait for a snowless winter lol!!

Accident · Dec 7, 2015

wdw&sonny said:
Is it worth the 20 hour drive, 2 days, hotels, meals etc. I won't let him drive it alone.

I can't say if he'll need it (I'll leave that to others). But get him a ticket on the amtrak autotrain. He can sleep most of the way down while amtrak does the driving.

Musings · Dec 8, 2015

He doesn't need a car, you can be on time without having a car and get around the local area without a car. There are buses to Tampa and usually other people have cars. You may have to take two buses early to arrive on time but it is completely possible to be on time! I did spring advantage 2013 and I was never once late.

I had only my feet and the bus! It also saves money gas wise and insurance wise. It is nice to have a car for the CP but not necessary.

The one thing I will add - if he wants to do a PI at some point, he will have to have a car for that.

kimnjim · Dec 27, 2015

Maybe there will be someone else going from the north and they can car pool?? Im sure having a car will be more convenient for him, but if he can get a passenger to ride with him then he won't be making trip alone. Just a thought...

wilkeliza · Dec 27, 2015

Did the program back in 2012-2013. I would stress a car if at all possible. I came down with out one and was at the mercy of my friends if I wanted to go to Wal-Mart after work (wal-mart buses were not always great with work schedules) and outside of the parks the buses went no where fun. I was very lucky to befriend people who took me to Halloween Horrror nights when I went but if you have no car your only easy entertainment is Disney or the party buses. I would not recommend the party buses.

dsanner106 · Jan 12, 2016

My 3 children all did the program and all had cars with them. They can be invaluable if you want to pick up extra shifts or just like the freedom to eat away from disney property. Frankly being able to grocery shop and eat in other parts of town can save quite a bit. Tolls are very low and I just have the account billed to me and auto pay it, never more than 15 or so a month. Having a car means making instant friends because the roommates , co-workers etc. who don't have cars are always bumming rides.

Is it worth it to drive down from Ohio?

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