14 hr round trip for 1 day in Epcot - crazy?

[stargazertechie]

I just booked a last minute room at the rodeway inn maingate on Irlo Bronson. I stayed there last year for the marathon. It's nothing to write home about, but it is clean, safe and less than $30 a night with tax. There is also free coffee, juice and doughnuts in the morning, and it shares a driveway with a wafflehouse.

 

[KimK2006]

on 30A you can go down to Grayton and eat at The red Bar!

Red Bar would be a haul, but the food is SO GOOD!

 

[GovieMom]

You might not be able to get to Epcot by the 9:00 a.m. opening because of traffic snarls due to the marathon. We were staying at POFQ during marathon weekend a couple years ago, and it took our bus close to an hour to get from our resort to Epcot! A lot of roads were blocked due to runners going past, which tied up traffic quite a bit. Just so you know, you might end up sitting in traffic around the Epcot area for a while before you actually get to the parking lot.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I dont think I could do it...

There was a time where we did it in 1 day. We left the house at 5am to meet my inlaws at 8am at Epcot. Then we left them at 7pm and got home around 10pm.

At 8pm we were on I-75 and I was falling asleep at the wheel! It was horrible

I am trying to get my husband to drive up this Fri night and leave on Sun night and he isnt going for it LOL

 

[DaisyMaisie]

There are circumstances where I could see doing it. But, I wouldn't leave fort walton beach and a perfectly good hotel with my husband to do it. I say enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches, the delicious sea food, etc!

Keep in mind if either I-10or I-75 are backed up its a huge headache.

 

[cheryterese]

Well, we decided NOT to make the drive to Epcot. We're just going to enjoy the Fort Walton/Panama City Beach area and relax. I fly out tomorrow morning!

 

[KimK2006]

Well, we decided NOT to make the drive to Epcot. We're just going to enjoy the Fort Walton/Panama City Beach area and relax. I fly out tomorrow morning!

I think that is a good choice. There is a lot to do and see in the Gulf area. You could have more time relaxation. That was a lot of driving for such a short time in Epcot. Enjoy your trip. Eat a lot. The fresh seafood is great in the area! (Don't miss the outlets in Destin....)

 

[LilGMom]

You should check out McGuire's Irish Pub! Wonderful food and even better atmosphere.

 

[Art 1]

No way.

 

[cheryterese]

You should check out McGuire's Irish Pub! Wonderful food and even better atmosphere.

I was just checking out their website when I read this!

 

[LilGMom]

I was just checking out their website when I read this!

Wonderful place. The original, and only other, one is in Pensacola. Their burgers are really great and their "small" salad is anything but small.

 

[GiGi30]

Go for it! We drove from MI to SC once for dinner

SC as in South Carolina? For dinner? I am from Greenville! Do tell what place had you drive that far! Must be some awesome food ... SC has great restaurants!

 

[Swalphin]

Shoot we've done that from ATL, several times. Atlanta to Orlando is about 6-7 hours, depending on traffic and road construction. Just last month we drove down 2X's, we stayed one night one week, 2 weeks later we stayed 4 nights. You are so excited to be in WDW, the adrenaline kicks in to overdrive.
Go for it!

 

[CLR4321]

I'd say to go for it if you feel up to the drive. We used to drive 5 hrs each way just to go to Disneyland when I was a kid (this was before DCA opened), although we usually stayed over the night before or the night after visiting. I know people who lived further north than I did in CA who did the same thing (8 hrs for one friend if there was no traffic at all). Have fun!

 

[dolphindan1]

SC as in South Carolina? For dinner? I am from Greenville! Do tell what place had you drive that far! Must be some awesome food ... SC has great restaurants!

I am near Charleston and was thinking the same thing...really just to eat...