Driving from Cleveland to WDW! Any fun spots to stop along the way?

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

I thought I would hit all the wonderful Disers on the transportation board up for ideas! DH and I are driving to WDW this May for our honeymoon and are planning on spending two nights at different places on our way back from WDW. We could do the drive in a about 24 hours but it's so much funner to stop and explore! So are there any fun places or cities to stop at that someone would recommend? TIA!

 

[disneymom99]

I knew when I saw "dawg pound" in your name that you had to be a fellow Clevelander! We usually drive down and stop either in SC or GA to spend the night. We've never done anything fun along the way though. We're always too anxious to get to WDW. This year we're flying for the first time. We found a great deal and couldn't pass it up. Sorry I can't help with any fun places along the way--- Just wanted to say hi!
Go Browns!! Go Tribe!! Um... Go Cavs?

 

[buffett010]

What about stopping in Atlanta? Lots of neat stuff to do in and around the city. In Atlanta, you can go to the Coke factory and see what pop from other countries they have there vs. Ice Station Cool in Epcot. You can visit an interesting science center, take a backstage tour of CNN, see where Gone With the Wind was written, visit some Martin Luther King spots, and do all the night life. Also, the Olympic Park is there you can visit. I don't know if there's one in Cleveland, but Maggiano's is a great place to eat.

Around Atlanta is Helena - a German village in the mountains - that's not too far from Atlanta. Also, Stone Mountain is really interesting. That's carvings of Southern generals/presidents in the stone mountain, with recreational facilities there, as well as a recreated town with beautiful mansions, a general store, etc. Then, at night, there is a laser light show that incorporates the carving and uses the mountain as a backdrop.

On the way down (if you take I-75), you will pass through Chattanooga, TN, which has an incline railway if you just wanted to take a short break there.

If you want more info on anything, let me know. When are you going in May? We'll be there the 29th through June 4th. Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

 

[goofytime2000]

I assume you're taking I-77. Being from the Mansfield, OH, area this is the way that I've always taken to WDW. Although it has been several years since I have driven down (Apr 98), one thing I've enjoyed was stopping at the mall in Charleston WV. It's a nice place to stop and get something to eat, and get out and strech your legs. Obviously it has been several years since I've been there, I would imangine it's still there. We never do anything more interesting than that on the way there or back. Normally we're either too excited about going to WDW, or too tired out from the stay at WDW. Enjoy your trip.

 

[CleveRocks]

Seeing as you live in the Snow Belt, are you sure you won't have to fight your way through snow in May? I lived in Cleveland Heights for 3 years, moved out 6 years ago, and I still have nightmares about the snow. Still beats the heck out of the West Side, though, doesn't it?!

-- Eric

 

[meandtheguys2]

There is Tamarack on the WV turnpike. Fun, quality WV products and artisans.

We usualy drive to just below Walterboro where there is a Best Western w/ an indoor pool.

In St. Aug. we always go to the Castillo de San Marcos!

Always stop at Flagler Beach before heading across to WDW.

Have a great trip!

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Wow there are other Clevelanders on this board! I was beginning to wonder where everyone was! Thank you all so much for the ideas and I am SO sorry it took me so long to check back on this! (Things are hectic around here!)

Disneymom99: Hello to you as well! And DEFINITELY Go Browns, the Tribe and the Cavs! Although I'll admit I don't get very psyched about basketball, I am one of those crazy nuts out there at the football games in winter with the painted face. I agree with you that on our way down we are too excited about getting to WDW, but we love fun overnight stays! Also on our way back up from WDW we stop at places for longer! I just figured it would sound easier to re-phrase it that way!

buffett010: Lots of great ideas so thank you so much! It's funny you suggested Stone Mountain because we were actually thinking about staying at one of their "haunted" bed and breakfasts on one of the trips! (I just joined the Ohio Ghost Hunters Society so am eager to check the "validity" of haunted hotel claims.) The light show sounds phenomenal as does the town! DH has been to Stone Mountain but is eager to go again, I've never been there so we've decided that that is our stop on the way down! Thank you for the info on it! Also, I've never been to Atlanta (Savannah but not Atlanta) and that does sound fun! I can't get too excited about restaurants (too many food allergies lol) but I will look the one you recommended up if we ever go there! Thank you for the congratulations as well!!! We actually got married a few months back but b/c of our work and class schedules could not take a honeymoon until now! Were going to be in WDW from the 18th to the 26th so we'll miss you guys by a few days! Have a blast though and thanks for all the help!

goofytime2000: Never tried the Charleston Mall but that sounds interesting! I actually *sheepish grin* hate shopping! ((I know most people think it's blasphemous!)) Maybe it's malls in general but I try to avoid them! If it's interesting though, as it sounds, I'm always up for trying something new! On our way back up we might make a pit stop there! And no clue on our route yet down there yet! Thanks so much for the info!

CleveRocks: LOL That it does Eric! That it does! Were from Parma actually but get our share of snow as well, especially since a lot of our friends and family are from Cleveland Heights! But no nightmares here! We love the snow!! Can't get enough of it in fact! I'm sorta bummed that skiiing season is over actually even though I'm horrible at it! But trust me well dig our way out to get to WDW if we have to! We just got hit by another storm about a week ago actually! It was fantastic! Too bad it only lasted one night though.

meandtheguys2: Hey thank you for the ideas! I've never tried any of those out so we will definitely be looking up some of those! They sound like good ones for our return trip back up! And well have a blast so thank you!