driving from ontario to WDW

[catwoman71]

thank you to everyone! Your advice and comments are great and appreciated. Since it seems the Savannah stop is "doable" we are going to plan for that, but with the thought that we'll stop sooner if it justs gets too long.

However, I have another question - we did this drive two years ago, the kids were smaller and so we didn't drive longer than 6pm and didn't start very early, so it took us two and half days to get there. One thing we did see ALOT of was deer - either standing at the side of the road or killed. This seemed to be mainly in PA. Is there anything I should know about driving at night and the deer crossing the road - any tips? This scares the heck outta me, not only for the damage, but also hurting an animal.

 

[Csaks]

thank you to everyone! Your advice and comments are great and appreciated. Since it seems the Savannah stop is "doable" we are going to plan for that, but with the thought that we'll stop sooner if it justs gets too long.

However, I have another question - we did this drive two years ago, the kids were smaller and so we didn't drive longer than 6pm and didn't start very early, so it took us two and half days to get there. One thing we did see ALOT of was deer - either standing at the side of the road or killed. This seemed to be mainly in PA. Is there anything I should know about driving at night and the deer crossing the road - any tips? This scares the heck outta me, not only for the damage, but also hurting an animal.

We noticed that as well in PA and the Virginia's. If you leave here from 3am or later you will be going through during the day. It seems to be a rare thing to hit one in the daylight hours. At night you need to keep your guard up and most of the time you can see the glow of their eyes from the headlights before you notice their body. For me they seem to wait till the last second and THEN start across the road , noticing them is half the battle.


My Dad used my old truck for a fishing trip and hit a 250lb deer around sun-up, smack in the middle of the GMC on the front grill. Eight thousand later I got my truck back. The little buggers can cause a bunch of damage if you hit them right ! I felt so bad for him, it was the first time he ever asked to use my truck and he smacked it up .

 

[dancin Disney style]

However, I have another question - we did this drive two years ago, the kids were smaller and so we didn't drive longer than 6pm and didn't start very early, so it took us two and half days to get there. One thing we did see ALOT of was deer - either standing at the side of the road or killed. This seemed to be mainly in PA. Is there anything I should know about driving at night and the deer crossing the road - any tips? This scares the heck outta me, not only for the damage, but also hurting an animal.

Last time we didn't see even one, dead or alive. I think they come closer to the road in the winter months when food is harder to find.

You can get a whistle that you can attach to the front of your car to scare them away. Canadian Tire has them and so does Bass Pro. I don't know how much they are but it's only a llittle plastic whistle so I doubt they would cost more than a few dollars.

 

[catwoman71]

One more question for all you helpful wonderful people - if we want to stop somewhere near the SC and GA border, instead of going all the way to Savannah, what would be a good area (town?) to stop if we are taking the I-95 route? (remember, I'm geographically challenged )

 

[Csaks]

One more question for all you helpful wonderful people - if we want to stop somewhere near the SC and GA border, instead of going all the way to Savannah, what would be a good area (town?) to stop if we are taking the I-95 route? (remember, I'm geographically challenged )

I vote Hardeeville SC on the I 95. There are four or five hotels there and a couple of gas stations. Pick-up a SC hotel coupon book at any rest stop on the I 95 in the state and save a few bucks on your hotel stay. Red paper box thingy just outside the restrooms. We always pick it up at the first rest area in case we don't make it to Hardeeville, it lists hotels by exit numbers on the interstate.

Man I ramble , hope it makes sense.

 

[OntFamily]

One more question for all you helpful wonderful people - if we want to stop somewhere near the SC and GA border, instead of going all the way to Savannah, what would be a good area (town?) to stop if we are taking the I-95 route? (remember, I'm geographically challenged )

Santee, SC is about 30 minutes from the SC/Ga border. They have a number of nice hotels (Hampton Inn, Country Inn, etc).

 

[DundasDad]

Hey there wonderful helpful folks ...

We live in the Hamilton area and are planning on taking 3 days to drive down. Any suggestions for how to break up the drive? If it's approximately 21 hours in total - should we do 7 / 7 / 7? Or go for 10 / 8 / 3?

What has worked for any of you folks? Any suggestions for places to stay?

We are leaving March 5th (thursday)

 

[dancin Disney style]

Hey there wonderful helpful folks ...

We live in the Hamilton area and are planning on taking 3 days to drive down. Any suggestions for how to break up the drive? If it's approximately 21 hours in total - should we do 7 / 7 / 7? Or go for 10 / 8 / 3?

What has worked for any of you folks? Any suggestions for places to stay?

We are leaving March 5th (thursday)

It's 21 hours of driving you need to add in stops. For most people it's ends up being 24 hours on the road total. Personaly, I would make the first day as long as possible. Unless you plan to make a lot of stops and shop or something you really don't need to spread it over 3 days.