For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (III)

[Kinziepoohsmom]

Just returned from our October stay at AKL and Poly. I got a great deal on airfare but I must say that I am so glad that we are going to be driving in April. I really missed driving and I never thought that I would say that!!!!

 

[alenushka]

Hello experienced drivers and travelers,
we just opened a new Marriott Visa and got 2 free nights stay, which we want to use during our drive to Fl in November.

I made reservations driving from Fl, Miami, to NY .......in NC, Wilson, and VA, Emporia (will depend how far we get driving from Miami based on traffic).

I also made reservation in Fairfield Inn in Savannah-airport , GA, driving to Fl, but reviews on Tripadviser are very poor. Any recommendations on hotels on I-95 in GA driving south (from Marriott chain, please)??
Thank you very much!

 

[BC1836]

Hello experienced drivers and travelers,
we just opened a new Marriott Visa and got 2 free nights stay, which we want to use during our drive to Fl in November.

I made reservations driving from Fl, Miami, to NY .......in NC, Wilson, and VA, Emporia (will depend how far we get driving from Miami based on traffic).

I also made reservation in Fairfield Inn in Savannah-airport , GA, driving to Fl, but reviews on Tripadviser are very poor. Any recommendations on hotels on I-95 in GA driving south (from Marriott chain, please)??
Thank you very much!

Most of the hotel/motel chains in any state are satisfactory for a one-night stay (although we experienced something similar to the Bates Motel on our first drive in 2002!). We usually stay at a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express.

All the best.

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

The I-65 route at Louisville has a major delay due to the bridge closure. You may have to reroute via I-74 through Cincinnati instead.

Are you talking about the bridge on I-64 between Kentucky and Indiana? Here's the latest update that's posted in our state's site:
Update Provided on Sherman Minton Bridge Repairs

If you hit the area off peak hours you should be okay, but if you are going through during typical rush hours I've heard there are significant delays.

Honestly, the recommendation to reroute via i-74 isn't that bad of an idea.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Honestly, the recommendation to reroute via i-74 isn't that bad of an idea.

And you will hit less traffic going the I-74 route. You should take the Cincinnati bypass (I-275 south) from I-74, and you can pick up I-75 from I-275. You'll bypass Cincinnati completely. You also bypass Lexington (I-75 comes within about 5 miles from the center of Lexington). You will go through Knoxville, but it's not nearly as bad as Nashville.

PM me if you have questions about the I-74 route.

 

[sharadoc]

With the possible elimination of the 40% "bounce back" (booking while one stays at a WDW resport) offers in 2012, the number of times we drive to WDW will be reduced.

We'll never catch up to dvczerfs' all-time drive record (see the first post on page one, which was updated yesterday).

All the best.

There's a great AP offer for January-March now. I assume you have one?? It will just have to be more spur-of-the-moment (although I guess you usually stay in the most luxurious accommodations which may not be available under an AP rate LOL)

 

[BC1836]

There's a great AP offer for January-March now. I assume you have one?? It will just have to be more spur-of-the-moment (although I guess you usually stay in the most luxurious accommodations which may not be available under an AP rate LOL)

Alas, the AP offer runs up to March 8, a time that does not work for us. However, we have a AAA discount for later in the month.

WDW Reservations anticipates a bounce park promotion for 2012 but the earliest that it would be offered would be in March (I phoned a few hours ago).

All the best.

 

[annabelle125]

We will be making our very first drive from South NJ to Disney next week

The passenger list is: me (back up driver), DH (main driver), DS (age 10--offical are we there yet checker #1), DD (official are we there yet checker #2)

We plan to leave home (Bellmawr,NJ--which is about 15 minutes from Philly) at about 4:30-5 am. We will drive until we hit Savannah, GA and stay there for the night--we already made reservations at the Fairfield Inn, I95.
Since we are new to this, my plan is to stop every 3-4 hours for a 30 minute stretch/food/gas/restroom break. We are a pretty laidback/flexible group, so we will play it by ear and see.

We want to leave GA early on Sunday, as we have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace at 3:35 so we want to arrive at POFQ by 12 or so (even if we can't get in our room). I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!


So, is my plan O.K.? Too much? Not enough?

Also, where do NJ people stop to sleep on the way home? I picked GA for overnight on the way down based on suggestions here. But, I can't seem to find any for the return trip

 

[BC1836]

We will be making our very first drive from South NJ to Disney next week

The passenger list is: me (back up driver), DH (main driver), DS (age 10--offical are we there yet checker #1), DD (official are we there yet checker #2)

We plan to leave home (Bellmawr,NJ--which is about 15 minutes from Philly) at about 4:30-5 am. We will drive until we hit Savannah, GA and stay there for the night--we already made reservations at the Fairfield Inn, I95.
Since we are new to this, my plan is to stop every 3-4 hours for a 30 minute stretch/food/gas/restroom break. We are a pretty laidback/flexible group, so we will play it by ear and see.

We want to leave GA early on Sunday, as we have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace at 3:35 so we want to arrive at POFQ by 12 or so (even if we can't get in our room). I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!


So, is my plan O.K.? Too much? Not enough?

Also, where do NJ people stop to sleep on the way home? I picked GA for overnight on the way down based on suggestions here. But, I can't seem to find any for the return trip

Howdy!

As folks from the Jersey Shore who have done the I-95 drive 24 times since 2002, perhaps we can provide some suggestions.

Weather permitting, leave at 4:30 a.m. rather than 5:00 a.m. This extra half hour will allow you to offset that inevitable unexpected traffic problem.

Although you anticipate breaks every three to four hours, go with what your bodies and gas tank suggest. If you stop for food (especially more than once), your drive will take considerably longer. Bring sandwiches, snacks and beverages with you instead.

A drive from Savannah back to I-95 and subsequently to WDW will be a five hour drive. So if you want to arrive at POFQ by noon, you'll have to check out by 7 a.m.

Again, weather, construction and traffic problems may lengthen your drive. Always give yourself more driving hours than you originally planned.

However, when you finally arrive at the Crystal Palace all will be forgotten!

Your return drive will start much later than your departure from home. If you leave WDW by 9 a.m. you will probably get to northern NC or southern VA. Our goal is either Emporia or Petersburg, VA.

Try to put as many miles under your tires on the first day's drive from WDW, because that second day will be really l-o-n-g.

All the best.

 

[sharadoc]

Alas, the AP offer runs up to March 8, a time that does not work for us. However, we have a AAA discount for later in the month.

WDW Reservations anticipates a bounce park promotion for 2012 but the earliest that it would be offered would be in March (I phoned a few hours ago).

All the best.

So, hoping for an August discount in January a possibility? I hope there's no blackout and we can book November as well.

Where is the next stay? I love to hear where the BC family is next!!

 

[BC1836]

So, hoping for an August discount in January a possibility? I hope there's no blackout and we can book November as well.

Where is the next stay? I love to hear where the BC family is next!!

Howdy!

WDW Reservations informed us of special rates in August and September; however, it's too hot 'n' humid at Lake Buena Vista that time of year. But that's why WDW offers the discount.

Our next stay: The GF next month.

All the best.

 

[sharadoc]

Howdy!

WDW Reservations informed us of special rates in August and September; however, it's too hot 'n' humid at Lake Buena Vista that time of year. But that's why WDW offers the discount.

Our next stay: The GF next month.

All the best.

Nice!

 

[dvczerfs]

Nice!

ANOTHER TRIP COUNTER!!!! maybe we should just look into moving to the orlando area and save alot of money. congrats on the new counter!!! stupid question but are you driving or flying down????

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

We will be making our very first drive from South NJ to Disney next week

The passenger list is: me (back up driver), DH (main driver), DS (age 10--offical are we there yet checker #1), DD (official are we there yet checker #2)

We plan to leave home (Bellmawr,NJ--which is about 15 minutes from Philly) at about 4:30-5 am. We will drive until we hit Savannah, GA and stay there for the night--we already made reservations at the Fairfield Inn, I95.
Since we are new to this, my plan is to stop every 3-4 hours for a 30 minute stretch/food/gas/restroom break. We are a pretty laidback/flexible group, so we will play it by ear and see.

We want to leave GA early on Sunday, as we have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace at 3:35 so we want to arrive at POFQ by 12 or so (even if we can't get in our room). I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!


So, is my plan O.K.? Too much? Not enough?

Also, where do NJ people stop to sleep on the way home? I picked GA for overnight on the way down based on suggestions here. But, I can't seem to find any for the return trip

Hi there

Were leaving next week too, on Sunday morning (my ticker is off by 1 but i dont mind it lying to me ) We are in Delaware County, PA right over the bridge! Our plan is nearly identical to yours, were leaving at 4:30 AM Sunday morning and driving to Savannah where we'll be staying the night, up and out early the next AM around 5 or 6 or so, and then straight to check in and get ready for Hoop dee doo!! I cant wait either!!!!!

As far as the stay on the way back...we just drive straight through for that one. No one ever wants to go home and delaying that process is kinda like ripping off a band aid real slow. lol we just like to get it over with so it hurts less! Safe travels, have fun, and who knows, we might even cross paths!!!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

We will be making our very first drive from South NJ to Disney next week

The passenger list is: me (back up driver), DH (main driver), DS (age 10--offical are we there yet checker #1), DD (official are we there yet checker #2)

We plan to leave home (Bellmawr,NJ--which is about 15 minutes from Philly) at about 4:30-5 am. We will drive until we hit Savannah, GA and stay there for the night--we already made reservations at the Fairfield Inn, I95.
Since we are new to this, my plan is to stop every 3-4 hours for a 30 minute stretch/food/gas/restroom break. We are a pretty laidback/flexible group, so we will play it by ear and see.

We want to leave GA early on Sunday, as we have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace at 3:35 so we want to arrive at POFQ by 12 or so (even if we can't get in our room). I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!


So, is my plan O.K.? Too much? Not enough?

Also, where do NJ people stop to sleep on the way home? I picked GA for overnight on the way down based on suggestions here. But, I can't seem to find any for the return trip

Hi there

Were leaving next week too, on Sunday morning (my ticker is off by 1 but i dont mind it lying to me ) We are in Delaware County, PA right over the bridge! Our plan is nearly identical to yours, were leaving at 4:30 AM Sunday morning and driving to Savannah where we'll be staying the night, up and out early the next AM around 5 or 6 or so, and then straight to check in and get ready for Hoop dee doo!! I cant wait either!!!!!

As far as the stay on the way back...we just drive straight through for that one. No one ever wants to go home and delaying that process is kinda like ripping off a band aid real slow. lol we just like to get it over with so it hurts less! Safe travels, have fun, and who knows, we might even cross paths!!!

Have fun!! My kids favorite thing to do on the drive down is track the temp getting warmer and warmer and to look for the first palm tree- usually at the S. Carolina state line.
I'd recommend not being too strict about scheduled stops along the way. Just stop when everyone feels the need (especially the driver). My kids love taking a break at the rest stops (noticing the rise in temp), checking out the travel info for the state, son-throwing the football with dad, daughter exploring and collecting things (pinecones, flowers, etc) with me. Some of our best memories from the drives down are at rest areas where we have taken 20 minute breaks and had some fun family times!

 

[BC1836]

As far as the stay on the way back...we just drive straight through for that one. No one ever wants to go home and delaying that process is kinda like ripping off a band aid real slow. lol we just like to get it over with so it hurts less!

Finallly: someone who accurately sums up the return half of the 2,000+mile round-trip drive!

The biggest "band-aid rip" experience for us is entering the hotel/motel room on our way home. At that point, we clearly acknowledge that the magic is gone.

[However, waking up in the hotel/motel going to WDW is quite a different feeling!]

All the best.

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

The biggest "band-aid rip" experience for us is entering the hotel/motel room on our way home. At that point, we clearly acknowledge that the magic is gone.

[However, waking up in the hotel/motel going to WDW is quite a different feeling!]

All the best.

EXACTLY! lol and thank you, as I'm sure you can imagine we are insanely excited!! (that last weeks wait is theee worst!!)

 

[sharadoc]

ANOTHER TRIP COUNTER!!!! maybe we should just look into moving to the orlando area and save alot of money. congrats on the new counter!!! stupid question but are you driving or flying down????

Yeah, let's just say it went like this:

Me: Wow, Disney is running a pretty good deal. We could stay in a Family Suite for a little over $1,000 for the week. Tell me why we shouldn't go!
DH: Why would I do that??
Me: So that means you want to go?
DH: Of course I do, what do you think? When have I ever said I didnt want to go?
Me: Okay!

So, we go online, book the trip and decide to make it a Christmas surprise present for the kids. Plus we'll be there for DD's birthday, like we were 3 years ago on her first trip!

Yeah, stupid question LOL Of course we're driving. Straight through, Saturday to Saturday, can't wait! But can't talk about it either!

 

[dvczerfs]

Yeah, let's just say it went like this:

Me: Wow, Disney is running a pretty good deal. We could stay in a Family Suite for a little over $1,000 for the week. Tell me why we shouldn't go!
DH: Why would I do that??
Me: So that means you want to go?
DH: Of course I do, what do you think? When have I ever said I didnt want to go?
Me: Okay!

So, we go online, book the trip and decide to make it a Christmas surprise present for the kids. Plus we'll be there for DD's birthday, like we were 3 years ago on her first trip!

Yeah, stupid question LOL Of course we're driving. Straight through, Saturday to Saturday, can't wait! But can't talk about it either!

the only thing tammy says is, " let me know what two trips you have planned for the year so i can put it on the vaca. calander at work.

 

[dvczerfs]

EXACTLY! lol and thank you, as I'm sure you can imagine we are insanely excited!! (that last weeks wait is theee worst!!)

have a good trip claire!!!!!