Boston to WDW Need Places to stop along the way

[themacfive]

We're (DS14,DS12,DD8) attempting our 1st drive to WDW in April. Can anyone suggest good stops/sights/attractions/hotels along the way?

Thanks!

Kris

 

[njcarita]

if you are driving i-95 i would recommend picking up the i-95 exit info guide-

it lists every exit-
hotels, restaurants , gas stations etc.

it was a great help on our last trip

 

[dkddis]

This disboard link has good 95 suggestions by state. http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/index.htm#hm-transportation-nav

In one week we leave for our second drive. I recomend getting close to the NC/SC border on the first day that way when you arrive on your second day you will not be as tired and can still enjoy the evening at the World. I also prefer to choose exits where there are several hotels clustered together. It feels safer and there are usually lots of inexpensive restaraunts next to these hotels.

 

[dkddis]

I almost forgot. You should stop at South of The Border in South Carolina. It is a right of passage for those who drive. It is kitschy, but worth stopping at at least once. You cant miss it as you will see endless billboards for it for 200 miles.

 

[areno79]

That's funny, dkddis, I was going to say DON'T stop at South of the Border We did last time, and while it is a rite of passage, don't expect anything decent to eat, the food was horrible!

We stopped in Florence, SC for the night last time, there were a few different hotels, a Hampton Inn, Super 8, and a couple of other places...it was nice and populated, so we felt safe there

Also, here's a link to the I-95 exit guide...very informative
http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm

Have a great time!

 

[dkddis]

Its funny you mentioned Florence, SC. That is where I have our room booked for our first night on the way down next week. I can't wait to get out of this cold

 

[cranbiz]

We have driven frequently in the last several months and usually stop at SOB for breakfast. In fact, we are doing this again on Thursday (with another couple this time). Although the meals are not 5 star meals, breakfasts are inexpensive and not bad. We have eaten at the restaurant and the diner and it's tough to beat a full breakfast for $5.

We leave MA around 5pm and reach SOB between 7 - 8am. After eating it's 6-7 hours to Orlando.

 

[areno79]

Watch out for the Super 8 in Florence, SC...last time we stayed there there was mold growing in the bathtub tile and the sheets had cigarette burns on them
Luckily we only paid $35 a night, so it's a real "you get what you pay for" lesson

 

[dkddis]

We got the Days Inn with a discount through my company for 45.00
Days Inns are usually OK.

 

[Kristi1357]

We always stop at the Potomac Mills outlets on the way home - they have a Disney catalog outlet store there! Also, we have stopped at the outlets in the Carolinas (North, maybe?). They are the ones that run right along 95. Hmm, do you think I like shopping?!

I also vote for skipping S.O.B. - yuck! Hubby wants to stop every time and I usually out-vote him. It's really too bad someone doesn't take over the place and fix it up. It would be a great place to stop overnight with kiddos if it was clean and had some small, clean, SAFE-looking rides.

 

[jlkmn]

we usually stop in Rocky Mount NC the first night. there are marriotts and many restaurants ( ruby tuesday, outback) it is in a nice area.
DONT stop in Savannah Georgia. we made it there one time and it was aweful. didnt feel safe at all. there were a ton of restaurants and hotels all together and we stayed at a compfort inn.Never again.

also pick up the I95 hotel books they always offer coupons.
have fun.

a nice thing we did once was get off the highway and drove around DC and saw the sights. we had never been there so it was neat to see the Capital, etc.

jen

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Heres another thought.

Stop in Lorton Va and take the AutoTrain

You will be in FL in the morning. By pass SOB and a long drive.

 

[wuv tigger]

DONT stop in Savannah Georgia. we made it there one time and it was aweful. didnt feel safe at all. there were a ton of restaurants and hotels all together and we stayed at a compfort inn.Never again.

jen

Sorry to hear that jen. We've stayed @ Marriotts almost every time & have NEVER felt unsafe.

We have our ressies for Savannagh set for our next trip.

Judy

 

[themacfive]

Thanks so much for everyone's input and ideas! It'll help our driving experience go so much smoother!!!

Kris

 

[dkddis]

We stayed at a Days Inn in Savannah two years ago and felt very safe. Lots of families and we were right next to a Cracker Barrel. I like to find exits with lots of hotels. We stayed off the beaten path once up near Fredricksburg Virginia and the hotel looked like a hide out for criminals , but it was Easter weekend and we could not get a hotel room. That was not a good weekend to wing it!

 

[areno79]

I didn't think Savannah was that bad either...we stopped for gas, it seemed pretty populated, which is one of the first signs I look for