Driving from Toronto to WDW On the 19th

[torontoarea]

Im driving from TO to WDW on the 19th with my wife and 10 year old son. Driving down the 77/79 route. Any good stops/things to check out along the way, or thingds to avoid. Any Canadain tips while down in Florida. We will be spending only a couple days at WDW and about 5 days or so on the Indian shores(gulf) side.
I havent been in a long time.
We will drive back the i75 route. Again, any tips, tricks, or good to know things are appreciated.
Thanks

 

[torontoarea]

PLEEEEEEEEEASE REPLY......GIVE A GUY SOME HELP.

 

[Marcy Mouse]

Hi I hope you have a great trip!

We took the 77/79 in March. I love that route it is so beautiful. Are you driving straight through or stopping.

The only place we make sure we stop is at the JR Cigar Store. It is a bid discount place has lots of stuff. We always pop in and buy a few things. We got my son a Detroit Red Wings Ball Cap (a really nice one) for $2.99. We told him it cost $25.99 and he was none the wiser.

Anyway if you have any questions in particular feel free to PM me..

Marcy

 

[torontoarea]

going to try to go straight thru

 

[laura001]

We have driven straight through also. If you are doing that, you won't want to stop at all to do any sight seeing.

If we don't drive straight through, you could check out the gorge area in Virginia, it is just before a famous bridge (can't think of the name). We also pack a picnic lunch and usually eat it at the rest stop as you enter North Carolina. We would usually stop in Georgia somewhere for the night, that way the next day is only a few more hours.

Have a great time!

 

[Mortlives]

Take the US19 through Summersville, if you don't have a heavy foot. As long as you keep within the speed limit you're fine, and it really is faster, and the scenery is gorge-ous We stayed at the Quality Inn along there on our way back last month. The hotel gift shop had some hilarious t-shirts: Paddle faster, I hear banjo music.

By the way, do you have space for stowaways?

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Here are a few of my 77/79 observations:

- We like to stop and eat at "Eat 'n Park" mostly through Pennsylvania.
- Sheetz gas stations are great for snack stops. They have cheap hotdogs and cool computer screens to order from (DD loves this place)
- There is a really nice picture stop/lookout on US19. You'll have to watch for it because it is on the left side and you have to cross over the northbound traffic.
- The lookout just past Summersville WV on US 19 is also a really nice stop. It is the longest span bridge (or something) It is definately on US19 about 10 miles or so before Beckley WV.
- In Mooresville, NC there is a fairly interesting Nascar Museum (if you are into that) and this is a good place to stop for food as there are quite a few chain restaurants. If you like buffets, try Golden Corral.
- you will go through two tunnels through the mountains, which are kind of cool.
- bring some extra US change as there are a few tolls - about $2.60 or so in NY State, and a few until you reach the Carolina's - only .25 cents and $1.25 I think.
- the welcome centers are nice and clean along the way, so don't hestitate to stop at those. Most only have vending machines, so bring change if you think you'd want a snack.

That's about all I can think of. We've done this drive so many times in the past few years, but really there aren't that many interesting places to stop.

I prefer this way to I-75, except in bad weather.

Have a great trip!

 

[torontoarea]

It is nice to be able to ask for advice and get it. I appreciate all and any info you all have.

Thanks for the replies and tips.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I just found a link to the span bridge in WV. It's just near Fayetteville, WV.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sights/sightstory.php?tip_AttrId==11916

This is definately worth a stop.

For I-75 trip back here is a thread a while back that should help you with a few links.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1048855

If you scroll down to my reply (Yzma and Kronk) there are a few suggested stops. We recently went to the Georgia Aquarium - very nice Aquarium and worth a stop. Your DS might also like the World of Coke. Both are in the same area and close to downtown and I-75 cut off's.

Also when driving through Atlanta, take I-75 straight through the city and use the HOV lanes. You'll save a lot of time. Don't take I-285 bipass - lots of accidents and truck traffic. Listen to AM750 for rush hour traffic reports and accidents. In Atlanta the "inner loop" is the area inside on I-75 around the 285 bi-pass (285 is like a giant circle around the downtown) You may here them talking about the "inner loop"

The Dave Hunter Along I-75 book is also great if you can find a copy.

Tim Horton's is located about 20 miles north of Cincinatti on Exit 29 - look for the sign.

 

[Chester's Mum]

We used to always pack a picnic lunch for the first day and eat at the rest stops along the way. Then you don't have to get off the highway to look for a place to eat. The first time we went, we spent about 30 minutes looking for a Denny's that was advertised on the main road, we wasted a good hour trying to get breakfast. Also it can get kind of boring for the 10 year old (we drove this route with my daughter 3 years in a row), you might want to bring along a couple of baseball gloves and a tennis ball, or a frisbee to work off some of the tension while you stop for lunch. The rest stops are usually clean, not too busy and there are lots of them. Have a great time. Ten is a great age to see Disney. Tall enough for everything, not too scared to try dark-spooky rides, and lots of energy for all the walking.

 

[laura001]

I just found a link to the span bridge in WV. It's just near Fayetteville, WV.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sights/sightstory.php?tip_AttrId==11916

This is definately worth a stop.

For I-75 trip back here is a thread a while back that should help you with a few links.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1048855

If you scroll down to my reply (Yzma and Kronk) there are a few suggested stops. We recently went to the Georgia Aquarium - very nice Aquarium and worth a stop. Your DS might also like the World of Coke. Both are in the same area and close to downtown and I-75 cut off's.

Also when driving through Atlanta, take I-75 straight through the city and use the HOV lanes. You'll save a lot of time. Don't take I-285 bipass - lots of accidents and truck traffic. Listen to AM750 for rush hour traffic reports and accidents. In Atlanta the "inner loop" is the area inside on I-75 around the 285 bi-pass (285 is like a giant circle around the downtown) You may here them talking about the "inner loop"

The Dave Hunter Along I-75 book is also great if you can find a copy.

Tim Horton's is located about 20 miles north of Cincinatti on Exit 29 - look for the sign.

That was the bridge I meant..........

 

[5boyz]

Hi!! Does anyone know a clean cheap place to stay in Georgia for the night?We are driving with our kids in July and want to take our time driving spending the night in GA and then driving the next day to get to Florida late afternoon early evening and staying somewhere else cheap lol and finally going to stay 10 nights in WDW. Thanks!!