Anyone ever drive from the Washington, DC area to Orlando? Need help, please!

[TMM]

Well, I was outvoted by the 3 1/2 Brits in my house for our August 2006. It's no fun being the only American who would rather stay in Europe, where we live, for summer holidays. I wanted France, they want DC and Orlando. Okay, the kids only wanted Orlando.

Airfare from London to Orlando is amazingly high for August. I looked at other cities I though the family might enjoy and decided DC would be it. I booked our air last night to DC from London. United for £327, in August! Incredible fare. We will drive to Orlando so they can see more of the US.

Right now, I am thinking we would spend 5-6 nights in DC, 1-2 nights somewhere in between DC and Disney on the drive down and a week at Disney. Any suggestions for that place in between? Someplace that two 14 year olds and a 3 year old would enjoy? Thanks for any help!

 

[punkin]

I drive down to Orlando from DC area all the time. It takes about 14 hours with frequent stops (I have antsy children). I do it in one day with no overnight stops. If I leave my house at 5 am, I can be in Orlando by 7 pm and have dinner there. DC would be great for kids for a week. All the museums (OK most) are free and fun as well as educational. I would suggest staying somewhere in VA near a metro stop. Driving into DC can be a nightmare. As to where to stop on the way to Orlando, I would reccomend Savannah.

 

[TMM]

I drive down to Orlando from DC area all the time. It takes about 14 hours with frequent stops (I have antsy children). I do it in one day with no overnight stops. If I leave my house at 5 am, I can be in Orlando by 7 pm and have dinner there. DC would be great for kids for a week. All the museums (OK most) are free and fun as well as educational. I would suggest staying somewhere in VA near a metro stop. Driving into DC can be a nightmare. As to where to stop on the way to Orlando, I would reccomend Savannah.

Punkin (my son's nickname), you are my hero!

I have been to DC many times, but never as a mother, stepmother and wife. Can you recommend a place to stay in VA? Also, how long is the drive from DC to Savannah? Thanks!

 

[ckay87]

I guess you'll take I95...you might want to make one of your stops at the beach. How about a biggie like Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head?

 

[Christine]

I guess you'll take I95...you might want to make one of your stops at the beach. How about a biggie like Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head?

Both Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head are at least an hours drive "off" of 95. Myrtle Beach isn't so bad, but Hilton Head was a tough drive after exiting off I-95.

That's the problem--there are no good "resort-ish" type places right off I-95, except for Savannah which is more historical than a fun place for kids.

I believe Savannah is probably an 8-9 hour drive from DC.

Also, TMM, where are you flying into for DC. I would suggest staying at the Crystal City, VA Marriott which is right over top of the Metro station. It is also adjacent to Reagan National Airport.

 

[TMM]

You guys are awesome. We are flying into IAD (Dulles). I didn't expect anyone to help me so quickly. Thank you! Thank you!

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably push it and try to get to Orlando from DC in a day's drive, but if not, Savannah's the place to stop. You'd only need an overnight. Figure you'd leave DC in the AM, take 7-8 hours to get to Savannah, with rest & lunch stops. Get a hotel in Savannah, have dinner, let the kids have a swim, the next AM you're off to WDW!!!

When we were kids we'd drive to Florida from Connecticut. We'd do 2 overnights...the first in Virginia, which was about 8 hours of "leisurely" driving with rest & lunch stops. The second night was in Georgia. My parents never planned any huge sightseeing for our overnights...just dinner & swimming, which was a big enough treat for us.

 

[Belle1962]

Don't be lured in by the South of the Border marketing. Unless you're into "tourist tacky". Last time we stopped (granted more than 7 years ago) it was a dump. Just a tourist trap with no real value to add to a vacation.

I agree with above posters and would just drive straight through. Everyone probasbly wants to get to WDW as soon as possible anyway

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would also plan to stop somewhere where you can go to the beach. We've driven down to Orlando (we're just a little north from DC) several times. I'd pick somewhere close to I95 unless you wanted to spend more days there. We've stayed near Savannah, Georgia and then went to the beach for the evening. We've also stayed in Jacksonville, FL and done the same. Both of those are long drives and our goal has always been to get most of the way to Orlando before stopping, so maybe you'd want to stay somewhere closer to the 1/2 way mark. The problem with that is then you have more of a drive off I95 in order to get to the beach. Charleston doesn't look like too long of a drive.

 

[punkin]

As far as a hotel near DC, I would do priceline. Look on biddingfortravel.com for recent bids. Anything 3* or better in crystal city should be fine.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Well, I was outvoted by the 3 1/2 Brits in my house for our August 2006.

I live in the DC area, but can recommend any place on the way down. I've driven, but we've always driven straight through.

I'm just curious as to how you have 1/2 of a Brit!

Kimya

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I
I'm just curious as to how you have 1/2 of a Brit!

Kimya

I was wondering the same thing!

 

[LurkerLisa]

Well, the time in DC will be good, but I'd skip the beaches in NC or SC and head right down to the FL beaches. I know that someone here can give advice on "east" coast beaches (I've only been to the "west" coast)

Lisa

 

[punkin]

There are some great east coast beaches, but mostly a significant way off I95. By the time you get to Savannah and Jacksonville, you are almost in Orlando, and I, for one, can never stop for a beach when Disney awaits. Take a day off and go to cocoa or melbourne beach (or Daytona, if you don't mind a longer drive) in the middle of your Disney week. You will need a rest.

 

[TMM]

I live in the DC area, but can recommend any place on the way down. I've driven, but we've always driven straight through.

I'm just curious as to how you have 1/2 of a Brit!

Kimya

My darling son is half American and half British. I am the American and my husband is British.


We are in the pic with vettechich99 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=879960&page=2&pp=15

 

[Barb D]

We've driven from Baltimore to Orlando many times too...and honestly, there's not much exciting to see! If I were you I'd find a cheap flight from BWI to MCO (Southwest frequently has them) and then spend more time either in DC or in Florida.

If you still want to drive, St. Augustine FL is an interesting place to stop.

 

[Christine]

We've driven from Baltimore to Orlando many times too...and honestly, there's not much exciting to see! If I were you I'd find a cheap flight from BWI to MCO (Southwest frequently has them) and then spend more time either in DC or in Florida.

Now that's a darned good idea!! Just wanted to add, since you are flying into Dulles (IAD), you can also get cheap airfare on Independence Air from Dulles to Orlando. My RT tickets last year were $116 each and that's even during the higher fuel prices.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Don't be lured in by the South of the Border marketing. Unless you're into "tourist tacky". Last time we stopped (granted more than 7 years ago) it was a dump. Just a tourist trap with no real value to add to a vacation.

I agree with above posters and would just drive straight through. Everyone probasbly wants to get to WDW as soon as possible anyway

It is still a dump. I agree--don't stop there! Of course the millions of signs you see along a way make pique the kids curiousity. (My mom always hated stopping and we always insisted...I stopped as an adult and thought--my goodness, no wonder she never wanted to stop .)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you do the drive down--I would suggest finding anywhere in between that would be a destiation for you within a few hours drive of I-95.

YOu could even drive to Atlanta for 2 nights--hit Stone Mountain even....you had about 3-4 hours total round trip (versus the I-95 drive alone).

I have thought of doing this before for a trip to Washington.

Lots that you could do in Atlanta--Stone Mountain, Coca Cola Factory...just to name 2 attractions.