Florida Welcome Center question

[kkwis2]

We drove to Florida from Minnesota many times when I was a kid. I guess I'm thinking of it now because we are quickly approaching the 6 month out mark for our June trip. I haven't driven into Florida since I was about 16 yrs. old.....I'm a bit older now.

I remember the Welcome Center being huge and serving fresh orange and grapefruit juice. Do they still do this? Is it as great as I remember? Or is it just one of those things that has become great in my mind but never really was all that great? I want to be able to manage my expectations!

 

[CDNCruiser]

We drove to Florida from Minnesota many times when I was a kid. I guess I'm thinking of it now because we are quickly approaching the 6 month out mark for our June trip. I haven't driven into Florida since I was about 16 yrs. old.....I'm a bit older now.

I remember the Welcome Center being huge and serving fresh orange and grapefruit juice. Do they still do this? Is it as great as I remember? Or is it just one of those things that has become great in my mind but never really was all that great? I want to be able to manage my expectations!

They still serve the juice, orange and grapefruit. We always stop . . . it's a tradition!

I think the juice is probably Tropicana, but it just tastes better there!

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

I used to utilize a supplier spot at the Welcome Center. I loved working there a few days a month, I think I must have drank a 1/2 gallon of that wonderful juice every day. Things may have changed in the past 5 years, but it was not a namebrand juice back then. It was a compilation of juices from florida growers. It is the best juice from the best growers available that week. And yes, it is a very large rest area.

 

[WeDisney4]

This stop is our tradition too! Also part of the tradition is washing the juice down with an ice cream bar out of the vending machine!!

DH never did this stop as a kid & wasn’t interested in it as an adult either so we never made it. Until…about 3 yrs. ago DDs & I were driving down alone to meet my mom early & DH would fly in later. We made the stop and the OJ was delicious!! It was a little after our free hotel breakfast yet not lunchtime so DDs wanted to check out the vending. OMG an ice cream machine!! We got some & what a silly little treat, but how they loved it!! So that’s our tradition story & now DH looks forward to it as much as we do!

P.S. I’m posting at 2am because I’m too excited to sleep ~ we leave tomorrow!!!!!!! And it's actually a surprise trip for the girls. They think we are accompanying Dad on a business conference in GA and we’re not going to let them in on the surprise until we stop at the Welcome Center.

 

[kkwis2]

Oh, yea! I'm so glad to hear that it's still there and it sounds like it's still how I remember it! I can't wait! 6 months feels like forever right now. I'm worse than the kids!

P.S. I’m posting at 2am because I’m too excited to sleep ~ we leave tomorrow!!!!!!! And it's actually a surprise trip for the girls. They think we are accompanying Dad on a business conference in GA and we’re not going to let them in on the surprise until we stop at the Welcome Center.

Have a great time!

 

[chartle]

I used to utilize a supplier spot at the Welcome Center. I loved working there a few days a month, I think I must have drank a 1/2 gallon of that wonderful juice every day. Things may have changed in the past 5 years, but it was not a namebrand juice back then. It was a compilation of juices from florida growers. It is the best juice from the best growers available that week. And yes, it is a very large rest area.

Last Feb they had Florida's Best.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

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[kkwis2]

With the weather we are having here in Minn-e-snow-tah, I understand your anticipation and I am right there with you! Looks like we are going to get dumped on again tonight...

You must be down south. I'm in the north (Duluth). We aren't supposed to get much. You really have gotten more than your fair share so far!

 

[kkwis2]

A tack-0n question for anyone still reading:

How many hours is it from the Welcome Center to the World?

 

[storyteller]

A tack-0n question for anyone still reading:

How many hours is it from the Welcome Center to the World?

About 3 1/2 hours give or take.
It could be worse, you could be on the highway in buffalo, Stranded..

 

[Lil' Lisa]

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[kkwis2]

Yep, we are about 40 miles west of Minneapolis. We have gotten about three inches so far and there is more on the way. One more reason to move to Florida...

Now that I know there is a Diser in "Dulut", I will have to wave the next time we pass through on our way to Grand Marais!

I'll watch for you! Do you camp in Grand Marais (not in the winter obviously)? We just got our MH this past summer, so we would love any insight you have about camping in the midwest!

Good luck with the snow. Sounds like a good weekend to stay inside.

 

[kkwis2]

About 3 1/2 hours give or take.

That's great! I was thinking it was much longer!

 

[Lil' Lisa]

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[storyteller]

That's great! I was thinking it was much longer!

I forgot to mention that from the I-95 welcome center is 3 1/2 hrs and The I-75 welcome center is just a little closer. about 15 mins...

 

[4mickey2]

i do believe Lil'Lisa-just high jacked this thread.. lmao

 

[itch1]

We have made it a tradition as well, we always as kids would grab tons of leaflets and brochures used to drive mom crazy because after the 3.5 hours tto WDW we wanted nothing to do with them. We also would get our picture taken under the Welcome sign sometimes there would up to 6 families .
Some of my best memories.
Side note we would take the Wildwood exit and stop at Winn Dixe to supply the Motorhomes and we would cut throught the orange groves (Still love that smell) and it would cut 15 minutes off !!!
ITCH

 

[ntsammy5]

I know most Welcome Centers along I-90, I-79, and I-77 - PA, WV, VA & NC, but the only time I've driven to Florida in the modern era was 1995.

We were stopped for a P break and while I was attending to business, the guy next to me spoke up (I was avoiding eye contact) and then I reaalized it was an old army buddy who I hadn't seen in about 25 years (at that time). We shook hands and never even washed first! It was stall #2.

 

[bord1niowa]

Not sure when you'll be there in June but we'll be there from Iowa June 4th to the 17th. We'll be in the 100-300 loops. Hopefully see you there.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

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