Driving Question

[deedisneydream97]

I tried to wade through the transportation thread and got a headache. Any DVCers drive from the north? My plan is to drive 14 hours from Jersey in late summer (taking 81 and then hooking into 95 after all the busy cities) and stay overnight in Brunswick, GA. 3.5 hours from there to Disney. I did this once before and kind of remember Brunswick being a little sketchy, but that was 11 years ago. Was looking at the Fairfield. Has anyone had any experience there?

Also, I was thinking of purchasing a Florida SunPass on-line. I know you can use them in your rental car (would be great for our spring and fall trips when we fly down). Anyone know if there are Florida tolls from the GA/FL border? Trying to figure out if it is worth it or not. I think it is.....we have gotten stuck at slow toll booths a few times between MCO and Disney.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sleepydog25]

I tried to wade through the transportation thread and got a headache. Any DVCers drive from the north? My plan is to drive 14 hours from Jersey in late summer (taking 81 and then hooking into 95 after all the busy cities) and stay overnight in Brunswick, GA. 3.5 hours from there to Disney. I did this once before and kind of remember Brunswick being a little sketchy, but that was 11 years ago. Was looking at the Fairfield. Has anyone had any experience there?

Also, I was thinking of purchasing a Florida SunPass on-line. I know you can use them in your rental car (would be great for our spring and fall trips when we fly down). Anyone know if there are Florida tolls from the GA/FL border? Trying to figure out if it is worth it or not. I think it is.....we have gotten stuck at slow toll booths a few times between MCO and Disney.

Thanks in advance.

We live in VA, and our route takes us to I-95 in SC where we turn right and head to FL. We, too, have stayed in Brunswick; in fact, we've stay there every trip (a half dozen times in the past few years) including our latest trip last August. The part of Brunswick where we stay is not sketchy, at least not to us. Our exit includes Cracker Barrel, IHOP, a Starbucks, a few gas stations, hotels, and other such businesses. We've stayed each time at the La Quinta due to good rates, cleanliness, friendliness of the staff, and access to the businesses listed above (Starbucks is a block down the street). Gas prices are about as low there as anywhere along that stretch of I-95, too. We also found a nicer restaurant on our latest trip since we arrived earlier than normal. As for tolls, there are none between GA/FL border and Orlando as long as you stay on I-95 and I-4. We tend to head south of Jacksonville to Melbourne for a couple of days before going over to WDW, and from there to Orlando does involve tolls, about $6 one way. However, your route shouldn't require any.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Thank you sleepydog. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I called them today because I saw conflicting info on different websites about whether or not they had free breakfast (and they do). Their AAA rate is under $70, so I think I'm in. Don't need anything fancy, just clean with a place to lay down my head. AAA says 3 1/2 hours from there; works for me.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you sleepydog. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I called them today because I saw conflicting info on different websites about whether or not they had free breakfast (and they do). Their AAA rate is under $70, so I think I'm in. Don't need anything fancy, just clean with a place to lay down my head. AAA says 3 1/2 hours from there; works for me.

I think you'll find La Quinta to be a solid deal and plenty clean (at least every room we've had has been). We are mulling over staying right across the street at the Jameson Inn as the rate is $20 cheaper and reviews have been mostly positive. We'll let you know what we think. Yes, WDW is a mere 3.5 hours away from there, and we start our day by hitting Starbucks before making that short hop.

 

[deedisneydream97]

But does Jameson Inn have free breakfast? We don't have Starbucks around here so I'm okay with free coffee at LaQuinta because I don't know what I'm missing...am hoping for those make your own waffle thingies! Had been okay with paying $114 at Fairfield, but am more okay with less than $70....can have a couple of extra counter service lunches at Disney instead.

 

[Micca]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/driving-brooklyn-to-boardwalk.3380098/page-2#post-53108065

 

[sleepydog25]

But does Jameson Inn have free breakfast? We don't have Starbucks around here so I'm okay with free coffee at LaQuinta because I don't know what I'm missing...am hoping for those make your own waffle thingies! Had been okay with paying $114 at Fairfield, but am more okay with less than $70....can have a couple of extra counter service lunches at Disney instead.

They claim to have a free, hot breakfast at Jameson, but I don't know if they have make-your-own waffles as the La Quinta does. We don't have a Starbucks near us, either, which is one reason we make sure to hit that one before we leave. We don't eat much breakfast, so we don't usually take advantage of the free items they offer outside of a piece or two of fruit or a yogurt. Thus, the extra $20 savings we'll get at the Jameson over the La Quinta is driving our decision. We shall see. lol