Orlando is 436 miles from Atlanta; 1,312 miles from Boston; 1,120 miles from Chicago; 1,009 miles from Cleveland; 1,170 miles from Dallas; 1,114 miles from Detroit; 1,088 miles from New York City; and 1,282 miles from Toronto.

From Atlanta, take I-75 south to the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west.

From points northeast, take I-95 south to Daytona Beach and I-4 west.

From Chicago, take I-65 south to Nashville, then I-24 south to I-75, then south on the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west.

From Cleveland, take I-77 south to Columbia, S.C., and then I-26 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.

From Dallas, take I-20 east to I-49, south to I-10, east to I-75, then south on the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west.

From Detroit, take I-75 south to the Florida Turnpike, then exit on I-4 west.

From Toronto, take Canadian Route 401 south to Queen Elizabeth Way, then south to I-90 (New York State Thruway), east to I-87 (New York State Thruway), south to I-95 over the George Washington Bridge, then south on I-95 to I-4 west.

AAA (tel. 800/222-1134; www.aaa.com) and other auto club members should call their local offices for maps and optimum driving directions.

Amtrak trains (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) pull into stations at 1400 Sligh Blvd. in downtown Orlando (23 miles from Walt Disney World), and 111 Dakin Ave. in Kissimmee (15 miles from WDW). There are also stops in Winter Park, 10 miles north of downtown Orlando, at 150 W. Morse Blvd.; and in Sanford, 23 miles northeast of downtown Orlando, 800 Persimmon Ave., which is also the end terminal for the Auto Train .

Fares -- As with airline fares, you can occasionally get discounts if you book far in advance. There may be some restrictions on travel dates for discounted fares, mostly around very busy holiday times. Amtrak also offers money-saving packages -- including accommodations (some at WDW resorts), car rentals, tours, and train fare (tel. 800/321-8684).

Amtrak's Auto Train -- This option offers the convenience of bringing your car to Florida without having to drive it all the way. It begins in Lorton, Virginia -- about a 4-hour drive from New York, 2 hours from Philadelphia -- and ends at Sanford, 23 miles northeast of Orlando. (There are no stops in between.) Reserve early for the lowest prices. Fares average $530 ($1,100 with a berth) for two passengers and an auto. Call tel. 800/872-7245 for details.