Driving August 2005: Suggested Routes & Motels to WDW from GTA

[Ham Ham]

HI Folks

The Family , myself, Wife, Girls 11 & 6. Are looking into driving or flying.

My role is to research the driving.

We have a DVD player in the minivan. We have 3 days to get down and 2 to drive back.

Staying at WDW 1st week, off site 2nd week.

Drove to WDW in January 1988 VIA 401 & I-75.

Have driven to Myrtle beach Via QEW, I-90, I-79 US 19, I-77.

Please post suggested routes, places to stay overnight, costs and anything worth seeing on the way down.

Thanks

Ham Ham
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[Mortlives]

Welcome to the Dis!

We normally drive in a relaxed way. We start the evening of the trip, cross the border and stay in Buffalo or Erie (I-190, I-90). Then, the next way we drive to South Carolina (I-79, I-77, I-26, I-95). We skip route 19, because the speed trap will slow us down more than going via Charleston, WV. This time we're stopping in Walterboro, just on the I-95. Then the next day, we head down I-95 to I-4. If we aren't in a rush, we cross over to the A1A, and drive down the coast to the I-4, because it's a much prettier, more leisurely drive.

On the way back, we normally stay the first night in St. Augustine or Jacksonville, then stop in Charleston, WV (there's a very nice Sleep Inn there). Aside from that, we don't have any regular hotels we stop in, because we haven't found any that draw us back.

If you have any questions about our route, or driving, just let me know.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[OntFamily]

Beckley, West Va is almost half way between GTA and Florida. There is a lot of hotels/motels in this area (may be a good stop for the way back).


On the way down (if you're planning on three days), a good night one stop woudl be around Morgantown, W Va. and night 2 around Savannah, GA.

 

[langin]

We are driving also in mid august from New Brunswick, with our 3 boys, age 12 and twins age 9. I researched it to death and for us driving will be soooo much cheaper! Getting very anxious, 5 wks away!

 

[dandee00]

Welcome to the Dis!
On the way back, we normally stay the first night in St. Augustine or Jacksonville, then stop in Charleston, WV (there's a very nice Sleep Inn there). Aside from that, we don't have any regular hotels we stop in, because we haven't found any that draw us back.
Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

Hi Morticia,
Question about St. Augustine. Looks like it might be an interesting spot to stay for a night...maybe two. Can you let me know (pm me, if you wish) if you have any suggestions on hotels, or spots to look at. DH and I are drawn to the history of the place, and the architecture.

I'm going to Disney, Yeah!

 

[Mortlives]

Hi Morticia,
Question about St. Augustine. Looks like it might be an interesting spot to stay for a night...maybe two. Can you let me know (pm me, if you wish) if you have any suggestions on hotels, or spots to look at. DH and I are drawn to the history of the place, and the architecture.

I'm going to Disney, Yeah!

St. Augustine! We love St. Augustine. Don't get me started.. oh, too late. The Monterey Inn is a great place to stay. The rooms are, well, motel rooms, but if you get a Bayview room the view is stunning, and it's in the historic district, across the street from the Castillo. It's also usually under $100US a night (between 60 and 100, depending upon the day of the week). As for spots to look at, there's the Castillo San Marco, Flagler College, the old LightHouse, St. George St., the Oldest House, Tolomato Cemetery, etc. If you sign up for one of the Trolley Tours, you can usually get discount admission to things like the Old Jail, and Ripley's Museum.

Things we especially enjoyed:

• The Ghosts of the Matanzas Cruise
• The Castillo San Marco
• The Old Jail
• The Fountain of Youth (these are in no particular order as this was hands down our favourite)
• The Taberno de Gallo
• The A1A Brew Pub (okay, it's not historic, but they even have real draft root beer)
• The Haunted Pub Tour

If you have any questions, or want more tips or explanations or links, feel free to PM me, or ask here, if you think others might also be interested in the answers.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[dandee00]

If you sign up for one of the Trolley Tours, you can usually get discount admission to things like the Old Jail, and Ripley's Museum.

Things we especially enjoyed:

• The Ghosts of the Matanzas Cruise
• The Castillo San Marco
• The Old Jail
• The Fountain of Youth (these are in no particular order as this was hands down our favourite)
• The Taberno de Gallo
• The A1A Brew Pub (okay, it's not historic, but they even have real draft root beer)
• The Haunted Pub Tour

If you have any questions, or want more tips or explanations or links, feel free to PM me, or ask here, if you think others might also be interested in the answers.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

St. Augustine here we come!!! Sounds great! What is a Trolley Tour? Where and how does one go about signing up for this tour?
Any tips, explanations and links would be greatly appreciated.
The brew pub is definately one spot we'd check out. DH loves root beer so he'll enjoy this. And I think a haunted pub tour would be fun. Of course, everything else you mentioned seems interesting. How many days would one need to do these "adventures" or Trolley tour?
Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Mortlives]

We seem to be hijacking Ham Ham's thread, so I think I should take this to pm. If anyone else wants the same info, start a new thread here, and I'll see it and respond.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[dandee00]

HI Folks
My role is to research the driving.
Staying at WDW 1st week, off site 2nd week.
Please post suggested routes, places to stay overnight, costs and anything worth seeing on the way down.
Ham Ham

Sorry about hijacking your thread with the St. Augustine discussion.
DH and I also decided to drive to WDW. We will be there for almost a month and discovered it was cheaper than flying and then renting a vehicle. We like the idea of being independant and not relying on anyone else for transportation. Since you will be off site for your 2nd week, you might find it useful to have your own vehicle.
The other nice thing about having your own wheels is you can pack whatever you need. All those extras you can't bring on an airplane with you. I've been purchasing things now as they come on sale, so I won't have to do it when I'm there and possibly having to pay more for them.

Another point to consider is you know how your own vehicle drives in different types of weather.

Also renting a car/van can be expensive. The deals and coupons usually only apply to a compact car or only to certain times of the year/month/week,etc, etc, etc. Insurance can also be quite pricey.

Another suggestion would be to check out AAA for suggested routes. They do up trip tiks which are easy to follow, and have tour books. There are hotel and restaurant discounts for members. We liked the idea of having a number to call if our vehicle breaks down or we lock the key in the trunk!!!
I hope this has been helpful.

 

[Ham Ham]

Feel free to hijack me anytime. I've learned so much about travelling to WDW.

Thanks for all the help. We're flying out of Pittsburgh.

Using magical Express from Orlando to WDW and then renting a car for only the 2nd week and dropping it off at the airport when we leave.

Thanks
Ham Ham

 

[dandee00]

Ham Ham
I hope you have a great adventure.
Let us know how things work out for you.