Our Overnight Drive to Disney: Why We’re Skipping the Flight and Hitting the Road

A Travel n Taste Journal Series

There are a lot of ways to get to Disney World—but for this trip, we’re going old school: an overnight drive. While flying is faster, we wanted flexibility, fewer moving parts, and let’s be honest—a quieter car full of sleeping kids.

Why We Chose the Overnight Drive

The math made sense. Skipping a night in a hotel saves money, and driving while the kids sleep means fewer stops and less chaos. We’ll hit the road in the evening, aiming to arrive in Orlando by midday the next day.

No check-ins. No TSA. Just the open road, tablets with headphones, and a quiet ride into the magic.

Our Overnight Game Plan

• One adult takes the night shift—driver’s choice of XM Radio is the rule
• Tablets + headphones for the kids = blessed silence
• We’re using Apple Maps for simple, no-fuss directions
• Snacks, chargers, toothbrushes, and a change of clothes are all packed in one accessible “car bag”

We’re not expecting perfection—we’re just aiming for smooth, simple, and quiet enough to keep the wheels rolling.

Being Flexible: We Might Stop

If things get rough or the driver’s too tired, we’re not afraid to pivot. There’s no award for driving straight through. The goal is to arrive safely and (hopefully) with enough energy to enjoy day one.

Want to Add Some Fun? Here’s How:

While we’re keeping things practical, here are a few ideas to keep your own drive fun if you’ve got the energy:

• Start a “first palm tree” spotting game
• Let each rider pick a gas station snack at every stop
• Create a Disney playlist or queue up some soundtracks
• Use a mileage countdown—“100 miles to go!”

The Real Magic? The Arrival

There’s nothing like rolling into Orlando, spotting that “Welcome to Walt Disney World” sign, and knowing the vacation has officially begun.

It’s not fancy. It’s not flawless. But it works for us—and we’ll trade airport stress for an overnight road trip any day of the week.

Next stop: the magic.