Anyone driven to the World from Houston?

[disneyberry]

just curious (my uncle lives in Houston so we might fly openjaw, go visit him and then drive to WDW) about the drive times when you have an overnight stop.

1. how long is the drive from Houston to Pensacola Beach or to Destin? what time is a good time to leave Houston if aiming for either of these beach stops?
2. how long is the drive the next day from Pensacola or Destin to WDW?
3. are there any other Gulf beaches (besides Pensacola and Destin) that make for a good overnight stop on the way?
4. oh, and do these beach towns get cold in the wintertime? i'm clueless about that kind of stuff.

TIA for your help!

 

[bumcat]

It takes us around 10 hrs to get to Pensacola and then about 5 or 6 to get to WDW. I like to leave by 5 in the morning so I can arrive before it gets dark.
I also like Panama City, stayed at a nice Holiday Inn there right on the water a few yrs ago.
When we were there it was freezing in November around thanksgiving time but I think that year was more cold than usual.
It didn't stop the kids from getting seashells in the morning.
We stopped at Panama City on the way back after WDW and what was so cool was that they were having a luah (sp?) with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. They posed with the kids for free and danced around.

 

[cowtownmom]

Bumcat, What route to you take from Pensacola to WDW? We are driving from Ft. Worth to WDW and are stopping overnight in Pensacola. On the route map on Mapquest, it shows the drive from Pensacola to WDW to be about 7.5 hours. I've routed the drive going I-10 to I-75 and down (not all the way across I-10 to Jacksonville).

 

[FFerret]

bumping this up for our trip in OCT

trying desperately to find info on getting Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Beach through Priceline...

 

[drogerstn]

It takes us around 10 hrs to get to Pensacola and then about 5 or 6 to get to WDW.

2. how long is the drive the next day from Pensacola or Destin to WDW?

You would have to average about 90 miles-per-hour to make it from Pensacola to WDW in 5 hours. 6 to 7 hours might be a more resonable time for planning. Destin is 45 minutes to an hour shorter if you are traveling along Hwy. 98 then up to I-10. (The beaches are out of the way of your shortest route.)

We go through Tallahassee on I-10; south on I-75; south (actual direction is southeast) on the Florida Turnpike; south on Hwy 27; east on Hwy 192.

The temperature on beaches along the Florida panhandle can vary greatly during the winter. Avg. highs are in the mid to lower 60's F, but can be below freezing or around 80. Normally, its t-shirt or sweatshirt weather during the day.

 

[dturner]

Originally posted by FFerret
bumping this up for our trip in OCT

trying desperately to find info on getting Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Beach through Priceline...

I've been trying to get the same hotel via Priceline for about two weeks now, I'm up to $55.00/night, all have previously been turned down. In reading the biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com I've never seen where anyone has gotten this or any hotel on Pensacola Beach. I'm beginning to think you WON'T be able to get it either, was going to try another bid this morning, if turned down guess I'll keep my original reservations at rack rate, yuk!!

Let me know if you are successful!

 

[dturner]

Originally posted by prncess674
we paid $95 for a weekend night in May, but I would assume rates are cheaper during the week since the crowds are usually larger on the weekend. They are also probably cheaper in the fall.

Comfort Inn
40 Ft. Pickens Rd.
Pensacola Beach, FL, US
(850) 934-5400

You could call and check out rates for your time frame. Check all available including AAA, Entertainment Card, etc.

This Comfort Inn is the one right across the street from the public beach, right? It's not oceanfront, right? Was it nice? What was your view of? Thanks for any info as I'm trying to decide whether to stay here and save about $30.00 or splurge and get an oceanfront hotel.

 

[prncess674]

it's across the street. I wouldn't waste the extra money for the ocean view. you may also want to check out the new springhill suites. it is on the same side of the street as the ocean.

 

[FFerret]

Originally posted by prncess674
it's across the street. I wouldn't waste the extra money for the ocean view. you may also want to check out the new springhill suites. it is on the same side of the street as the ocean.

The search is over--I just won a room at Springhill Suites Pensacola Beach for $45 at Priceline--this was my first bid so chances are lesser bids might just win. Was really aiming for the sweet Holiday Inn Express y'all have been discussing, but you get what you can

Normally rates for the Springhill here on their website rooms run about $120-170 so I'm still happy--and glad the hunt's over. Got it for Sept 28th if this helps y'all.

It's on the same side of the street (Ocean side) as the Holiday Inn Express--I don't think there are balconies.

Would GRATEFULLY appreciate ANY reviews of this place, or if y'all have just seen it in passing I"ll make a point of including a report here when we get back.


I've been recently hoping for a **** (4 1/2 star) Resort Sandestin at Destin to win at Priceline, but my bids of around $65 have been rejected too many times now. (Tried all this week). Have seen a bid of $65 win though.

 

[dturner]

Originally posted by FFerret
The search is over--I just won a room at Springhill Suites Pensacola Beach for $45 at Priceline--this was my first bid so chances are lesser bids might just win. Was really aiming for the sweet Holiday Inn Express y'all have been discussing, but you get what you can

Normally rates for the Springhill here on their website rooms run about $120-170 so I'm still happy--and glad the hunt's over. Got it for Sept 28th if this helps y'all.

It's on the same side of the street (Ocean side) as the Holiday Inn Express--I don't think there are balconies.

Would GRATEFULLY appreciate ANY reviews of this place, or if y'all have just seen it in passing I"ll make a point of including a report here when we get back.


I've been recently hoping for a **** (4 1/2 star) Resort Sandestin at Destin to win at Priceline, but my bids of around $65 have been rejected too many times now. (Tried all this week). Have seen a bid of $65 win though.

WOW, what a great price!!! I'm jealous, just tried myself for Sept. 27 and/or Oct. 4 (both Saturdays) and got declined on bids up to $50.00. Guess I decided to travel on bad days, the Springhill Suites shows sold out for both of my days but the Holiday Inn isn't sold out. Guess I'll keep trying or I'll just keep my rack rate reservations at the Holiday Inn. Maybe DH would let us stay in Orlando for an extra night then I could try for Sunday Oct. 5 on the return trip, LOL!!

You should be ecstatic as the Springhill Suites is quite new and looks absolutely gorgeous.

 

[FFerret]

Originally posted by dturner
WOW, what a great price!!! I'm jealous, just tried myself for Sept. 27 and/or Oct. 4 (both Saturdays) and got declined on bids up to $50.00. Guess I decided to travel on bad days, the Springhill Suites shows sold out for both of my days but the Holiday Inn isn't sold out. Guess I'll keep trying or I'll just keep my rack rate reservations at the Holiday Inn. Maybe DH would let us stay in Orlando for an extra night then I could try for Sunday Oct. 5 on the return trip, LOL!!

You should be ecstatic as the Springhill Suites is quite new and looks absolutely gorgeous.

Too funny; and thanks. Just glad the hunt's over.

Sending you some pixie dust on your next bids
Don't give up; there's still time. I was rejected earlier this week for $55...it's weird how bids go.

And you're right about Saturday--if you can stay one more night in Orlando (or Texas for that matter) Sundays have quite a few rooms left. We also got a Priceline $35 Best Western WDW bid for our last night there--but I overbid because others have got that for $31 and the Wyndham on I for $32.

The suites DO have a balcony (I was wrong), plus FREE BREAKFAST

(happy ferret dance)

Looks like we're missing you by a day

OH! If anyone's looking for a place on the way back, we got the Hilton and Towers in Lafayette for $40 on a Saturday night through Priceline (think rack rate is $120). Gotta love www.biddingfortravel.com

 

[dturner]

Originally posted by FFerret
Too funny; and thanks. Just glad the hunt's over.

Sending you some pixie dust on your next bids
Don't give up; there's still time. I was rejected earlier this week for $55...it's weird how bids go.

And you're right about Saturday--if you can stay one more night in Orlando (or Texas for that matter) Sundays have quite a few rooms left. We also got a Priceline $35 Best Western WDW bid for our last night there--but I overbid because others have got that for $31 and the Wyndham on I for $32.

The suites DO have a balcony (I was wrong), plus FREE BREAKFAST

(happy ferret dance)

Looks like we're missing you by a day

OH! If anyone's looking for a place on the way back, we got the Hilton and Towers in Lafayette for $40 on a Saturday night through Priceline (think rack rate is $120). Gotta love www.biddingfortravel.com

Thanks for the pixie dust, I need it. There is a triathalon at Pensacola Beach on Sept. 27 and I think that is why they are all sold out that night but I still have my rack rate at Holiday Inn and I just might change that to the Comfort Inn across the street from the beach, I can get that online for $72.00 (before taxes) which is not bad and my DH and DS can just walk across the street to the beach, LOL!!!

Wish I could change my dates but I have reservations that start Sun. Sept. 28 at the Courtyard in DD at that great $20.03 rate so I want to take full advantage of all the days. I too love Priceline as I got a room at the Orlando Hyatt for our last night Fri. Oct. 3 for $25.00, gotta love that price!!!

Hope you have a nice trip.

 

[FFerret]

Oh hey, we're going to be at the Courtyard on Monday too -- got the 20.03 for that night (wish I could get it in Oct too)

Sure hope our husbands appreciate how much we're SAVING

And you did well on the Hyatt price; think I just saw a bid at bidddingfortravel for $37!

did you use www.hotelkingdom.com for the pensacola rates?
they've got quite a few listed

 

[dturner]

Originally posted by FFerret
Oh hey, we're going to be at the Courtyard on Monday too -- got the 20.03 for that night (wish I could get it in Oct too)

Sure hope our husbands appreciate how much we're SAVING

And you did well on the Hyatt price; think I just saw a bid at bidddingfortravel for $37!

did you use www.hotelkingdom.com for the pensacola rates?
they've got quite a few listed

I looked once at Hotelkingdom.com, they have the Comfort Inn for like $68.-- something, which is a little cheaper then the internet rate but the Comfort Inn is having a special, if you stay twice between Sept. - Dec. you get one night free anywhere, anytime so I thought that if I do decide to stay at the Comfort Inn (if I can't get anything on Priceline) I'll just book straight thru them to get that free night, always looking for free things!!

That's cool that your staying at the same hotel, we are not doing the Disney parks (just MNNSHP on Fri. Oct. 3), doing Universal and Sea World this time (being the Disney fanatic that I am I just can't believe that I'm going to be in Orlando, stay on Disney property but NOT do the Disney parks, hope I make it through the week, LOL!!)