Driving from Philly... need hotel suggestions for the trip

[happymom2]

Hi again!
I've driving to Disney in May with my hubby and 2 kids (I know, I must be crazy)... we plan on doing the majority of the driving on the first day when everyone is really fresh, relaxed and excited... (this way, day 2 won't be so painful).

Anyway, I am looking for a good stopping point somewhere between Philadelphia and Orlando (preferably MORE then 1/2 way)...

Any suggestion for towns, hotels, etc.

Thanks again!

 

[Bowman]

I'm from the Allentown area and we drove several years ago. The last 2 times we flew but we did drive back in '97. Our kids were 2 and 4 at the time. We left around 2 or 3 in the morning and by around 3 - 4 o'clock that night we were in Brunswick Georgia. We got a room right off the exit. The kids slept until we were in Virginia and woke up in time for breakfast. By supper time we were in Georgia and were able to have a nice dinner and the kids swam for a while before going to bed. The next morning we got up, had breakfast and by lunchtime we were in Disney. I made bags for each of the kids ahead of time full of all kinds of stuff for them to do along the way. They didn't even know I had them until after breakfast when we were on the road. It kept them busy down and back. Make sure you take breaks to let them run around a little and stretch their legs and they will be fine. As far as a place in Georgia we're driving down again in August and I got a room at a Motel 6 for on the way down and back. It's only for the 1 night so I don't need anything fancy. Hope this helps! Have fun!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

There are 3 or 4 exits in Savannah, GA that are good and also a couple in Brunswick GA that many travelers use.

It all depends on when you leave Philly. Most drivers try to avoid the rush hour traffic in the Washington DC area.

Enjoy the drive.

 

[tarabl]

We are from the Philly area, just outside in Montgomery County, and have driven to Disney three times now. Going down the first time we left at 6:00 and drove to Santee, S.C. and stayed at a Country Inn and Suites. The other two times we drove into Georgia leaving around the same time in the morning, 6:00, and giving up at nite around 6:00-7:00. We make breakfast stops and lunch stops and about three bathroom stops along the way. We always try to stay in the Country Inns but if not look for one of the newer hotels that being built there. The next day we leave around 8-9:00 a.m. and arrive in Disney around 1-2:00 p.m. depending on traffic. We've never hit traffic in D.C., the one trip was on a Tuesday and we missed it by eating breakfast at the rest stop area in Maryland and the other two times were weekends. We've found less traffic and made much better times travelling on weekends.

Coming home the first two times stopped in Battleboro, NC, staying at a different hotels and have not been happy. Last time, which was last August, pushed the extra time and miles and stopped in the first main exits in Virigina and found a really nice hotel.

 

[disneysteve]

We've made the drive from Cherry Hill numerous times, most recently in November. My advice - don't reserve your hotel in advance. In our experience, the odds are against you being near where you planned. You may get farther, sometimes much farther. Or you may hit unexpected traffic or bad weather and not cover quite as much ground as planned.

There are several worthwhile, reasonably priced hotels/motels at nearly every exit of 95. As noted, Savannah or Brunswick, GA are good. A bit farther North, St. Charles, SC area is good.

Be prepared for unexpected stuff. Last trip, we tried to stop in Savannah area. Every single hotel was booked. Finally, one desk clerk told us there was a big college football game and every hotel within 50 miles was packed. So we got back on the road and ended up in Southern Georgia about 30 miles from the FL border, but we planned to stop at 9PM and didn't find a room until after 11. Made the next day nice, though, as we were only a few hours from Disney.

Don't forget to stop at the Welcome center in SC or GA and pick up the Roomsaver magazine. It lists many of the hotels at each exit with ads for the specials.

Steve