Driving in from Texas - Need "surprise" hotel

[AAnthony1976]

Howdy, everyone! I'm Allen and my family and I (along with a family friend and her daughter) are taking our first trip to WDW the latter part of April and we're sooooo excited!

What we're needing some help on is this: we're driving in from Texas and we will be departing here on a Saturday afternoon and driving through the night (we have 3 drivers to rotate!) and will arrive in Florida Sunday. Now, this trip is a COMPLETE surprise for our 5 yr old! She thinks we're going to "the beach" (which we are on our way home) but we know if we drive up to WDW Sunday afternoon she is going to go bonkers and want to go right then! So, the first night will be outside the park and then we will get up early and drive on in Monday morning.

We're needing a hotel that is away from the property that is "inconspicuous" for our first night stay. I was thinking of staying down Davenport way(southwest of the property) but I don't know how heavily Disney advertising/propaganda is in that area since I've/we've never been down that way. We will be coming down I-10 and were going to take Hwy 27 down to Davenport area.

We're open to anything you guys have in way of information or suggestions. We can stay anywhere: we just need it to be not blatantly obvious that we're going to Disney! And preferably not TOO long of a drive (within 30 minutes if at all possible.)

Thanks in advance for any help you guys could give us!

 

[Thing 1]

Orlando is saturated with WDW. There are signs every where and many people traveling are heading there. Chances are very good that someone at the hotel is going to ask your child if she is going to WDW! The second thought (and we have done this so I do know ) is that it is just easier to be on site for that first day. Magic Bands activated, DDP activated, room check in done and you can take Disney transportation to the park and take advantage of EMH if you want. It can truly be a magical experience coming in the night before. Depending on when you arrive, you might even want to hit a park for an hour or two. Adding one more day to a multi-day pass is very little cost. Worth it for a couple hours that first night. If not, still dip your toes in the magic anyway. Take a ride on the mono-rail, do a character meal, check out DTD and buy her a new princess outfit to wear the next day. If you child has no idea what WDW is, she will be trilled with these first night activities and still excited to do a park the next morning.
One note is to be careful not to mislead her about going to the beach. I have seen kids shock their parents by being very disappointed over not going where they think they are going to start with. Yes, parents that were sure their child would be much more excited over going to WDW rather than grandmas. That child cried for two days and never really enjoyed that trip much at all. Surprises can be fun, but for some kids, in fact a lot of kids, it just does not always happen the way parents envision it,

 

[dprincessmom]

ok - question for you - why hwy 27? Unless there is a reason to go that route, I-10 to I-75 is our preferred method. You don't have to worry about all the little towns, stop lights etc. If you go down 75, you could stop in Ocala - there are tons of hotels and restaurants at the last exit and be about an hour away. Down 27 there are some little hotels in Crystal River, but honestly I would do 75.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Satay onsite first night. You lose a lot of time moving. First night go to a character dinner or dtd shopping and get an early start!

 

[Fiveisaparty]

Satay onsite first night. You lose a lot of time moving. First night go to a character dinner or dtd shopping and get an early start!

I agree with this! If you want to save money, stay at Pop the first night. The Cast members will move your luggage for you and you won't lose as much time as staying off site.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Where in Texas are you leaving from? We leave from NW LA and drive to Live Oak, FL. It takes about 12 hours. Then we have about 2.5 hours until we get to WDW the next morning. Live Oak is about the last exit before you hit I-75 from I-10.

 

[kruegeme]

If you want to go all the way into Orlando but not stay on property the first night, there are several hotels on International Drive that are easy o get in and out of. We've stayed at the Marriott several times just offsite when we made better time than expected and made it all the way into town. You can also stay in Ocala or Live Oak as previously recommended but those give you a little bit of a drive the next day.

We live in College Station and it takes us about 16 hours door to door. Some of our trips down have been surprises but only until we load the kids up for the trip. Enjoy and good luck.