"For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only!" (Part V)

[justreading]

28 Days and counting till our final trip as Pa. residents!!!!
This will be Trip 71!!!!
We had a eight night reservation in a one bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
Our DVC waitlist came through! We will be in a one bedroom villa at the Grand Floridian for eight Nights.
Figured may as well go all in on our last trip that is going to be more than 20 miles round trip from home. Lol
We will still be making a trip or two a year up north ( no winter trips) for family and DW eye specialist in Philadelphia.
It’s coming down to go time! House is almost done, painting. Packing has started. There is nothing hanging on our walls anymore. Still have a lot of work to do but each day we get closer for the For Sale sign. My resignation letter has been written and will be handed in very shortly. I don’t know what to think, I have been very blessed and lucky to always have a job. This will be the first time since I was 16 that I don’t have a job. After a few months of working at home, painting, selling, moving, buying, painting, moving and being at home with DW as my boss, I will be ready to find a job and go back to work.lol
Stay tuned, I dont know what to expect but it should be interesting. Lol
( I’m getting to old for this. Lol)

Enjoy your last () snowstorm on Monday! Best of luck. And thanks for all the advice you've given.

 

[patclairesmom]

28 Days and counting till our final trip as Pa. residents!!!!
This will be Trip 71!!!!
We had a eight night reservation in a one bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
Our DVC waitlist came through! We will be in a one bedroom villa at the Grand Floridian for eight Nights.
Figured may as well go all in on our last trip that is going to be more than 20 miles round trip from home. Lol
We will still be making a trip or two a year up north ( no winter trips) for family and DW eye specialist in Philadelphia.
It’s coming down to go time! House is almost done, painting. Packing has started. There is nothing hanging on our walls anymore. Still have a lot of work to do but each day we get closer for the For Sale sign. My resignation letter has been written and will be handed in very shortly. I don’t know what to think, I have been very blessed and lucky to always have a job. This will be the first time since I was 16 that I don’t have a job. After a few months of working at home, painting, selling, moving, buying, painting, moving and being at home with DW as my boss, I will be ready to find a job and go back to work.lol
Stay tuned, I dont know what to expect but it should be interesting. Lol
( I’m getting to old for this. Lol)

Good luck ! Your road reports have always been valuable and I'm sure we'll all miss them!!

 

[pwdebbie]

28 Days and counting till our final trip as Pa. residents!!!!
This will be Trip 71!!!!
We had a eight night reservation in a one bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
Our DVC waitlist came through! We will be in a one bedroom villa at the Grand Floridian for eight Nights.
Figured may as well go all in on our last trip that is going to be more than 20 miles round trip from home. Lol
We will still be making a trip or two a year up north ( no winter trips) for family and DW eye specialist in Philadelphia.
It’s coming down to go time! House is almost done, painting. Packing has started. There is nothing hanging on our walls anymore. Still have a lot of work to do but each day we get closer for the For Sale sign. My resignation letter has been written and will be handed in very shortly. I don’t know what to think, I have been very blessed and lucky to always have a job. This will be the first time since I was 16 that I don’t have a job. After a few months of working at home, painting, selling, moving, buying, painting, moving and being at home with DW as my boss, I will be ready to find a job and go back to work.lol
Stay tuned, I dont know what to expect but it should be interesting. Lol
( I’m getting to old for this. Lol)

I just read a post on another thread (To those who have not returned yet - what will get you back? | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com, post #99) by someone who moved close to WDW last spring just as the parks closed and has yet to actually visit the parks because of the AP and FL resident annual pass situations. Their old AP, which they never had a chance to use) is no longer good, and they couldn't upgrade it to a resident pass because they aren't being offered at this time. They can't justify the price of a one-day park ticket plus parking, so they are waiting for FL resident passes to become available again. Something to consider.

Enjoy this trip!

 

[dvczerfs]

Enjoy your last () snowstorm on Monday! Best of luck. And thanks for all the advice you've given.

Thank you.

 

[dvczerfs]

Good luck ! Your road reports have always been valuable and I'm sure we'll all miss them!!

Thank you!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

I just read a post on another thread (To those who have not returned yet - what will get you back? | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com, post #99) by someone who moved close to WDW last spring just as the parks closed and has yet to actually visit the parks because of the AP and FL resident annual pass situations. Their old AP, which they never had a chance to use) is no longer good, and they couldn't upgrade it to a resident pass because they aren't being offered at this time. They can't justify the price of a one-day park ticket plus parking, so they are waiting for FL resident passes to become available again. Something to consider.

Enjoy this trip!

Thank you!! Yes they are not offering any new annual passes at this time. You are allowed to renew your current pass which we just did last month. If you have an AP, you can’t let it lapse, you have to renew before it does or you won’t get it back. ( from what I was told from cm who renewed our passes. )
We are huge Disney fans but moving to central Florida, Disney is about 35 percent of that decision. I’m not a water person, I throw up. Lol. We want sun !!!!! Sun, warmth and green!!! One thing I learned going to Florida during hurricane season, look where they stage the power trucks. That’s where I’m going. They don’t stage power trucks in harms way.
my guess the first year we move down, we won’t be spending a lot of time in the parks. Way to much to do between moving and finding a job.
I’m guessing even then, the only park we really would visit often would be Epcot to eat.
We really enjoy eating at the different resorts.
So hopefully, crossing our fingers by early to mid 2022 we’ll be back to some kind of normal. The last couple years we only spent about three hours a day in a park.
There is just so much we want to do. I want to visit the Keys again. Visit Homestead again. I have cousins in Pompano Beach I never met. I want to visit Vizcaya again, haven’t been there since I was ten. Kennedy Space center, last time we were there was the late 80s. We have friends in Bradenton and Punta Gorda I have to visit. Believe it or not I have never been to Botanical gardens.
We have friends near Jacksonville and also in The Villages. ( very nice people )
Geez, now that I’m thinking of it, maybe we will pass on APs for a few years. Lol

 

[ddluvsdisney]

28 Days and counting till our final trip as Pa. residents!!!!
This will be Trip 71!!!!
We had a eight night reservation in a one bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
Our DVC waitlist came through! We will be in a one bedroom villa at the Grand Floridian for eight Nights.
Figured may as well go all in on our last trip that is going to be more than 20 miles round trip from home. Lol
We will still be making a trip or two a year up north ( no winter trips) for family and DW eye specialist in Philadelphia.
It’s coming down to go time! House is almost done, painting. Packing has started. There is nothing hanging on our walls anymore. Still have a lot of work to do but each day we get closer for the For Sale sign. My resignation letter has been written and will be handed in very shortly. I don’t know what to think, I have been very blessed and lucky to always have a job. This will be the first time since I was 16 that I don’t have a job. After a few months of working at home, painting, selling, moving, buying, painting, moving and being at home with DW as my boss, I will be ready to find a job and go back to work.lol
Stay tuned, I dont know what to expect but it should be interesting. Lol
( I’m getting to old for this. Lol)

I’ll just miss you. We leave in 15 days! Have great trip!! Can’t wait to hear about your new house! Some exciting!!
We are also
Supposed to get a snow storm Monday night too. I used to like a snow storm here and there but now that we don’t have snow days anymore bc of covid it’s no fun!!

 

[pwdebbie]

We want sun !!!!! Sun, warmth and green!!!

We checked in at POFQ once and they had us in a room surrounded by trees, very dark, like a forest (Building 7). I said nope, I live in the forest (Michaux), I come to Florida for sunshine and palm trees. They moved us to another room.

 

[VandVsmama]

Hello fellow road trippers!

For one leg of our cross country journey from AZ to WDW, we'll be driving from New Orleans to FL. I'm debating whether to overnight in Gainsville, Lake City, Ocala, or St Augustine. The following day, the plan is for us to visit the Kennedy Space Center (assuming bus tours are open by then). We are NOT interested in hitting up Daytona Beach.

It'll be a long driving day, but that's ok. After the Kennedy Space Center, we check into our hotel at WDW and will be turning the rental car in (we're doing a 1-way road trip and flying back home).

For those of you who have driven the Florida panhandle route down to Orlando, what have been your favorite places to stay overnight or favorite places to stop & explore?

 

[pwdebbie]

Hello fellow road trippers!

For one leg of our cross country journey from AZ to WDW, we'll be driving from New Orleans to FL. I'm debating whether to overnight in Gainsville, Lake City, Ocala, or St Augustine. The following day, the plan is for us to visit the Kennedy Space Center (assuming bus tours are open by then). We are NOT interested in hitting up Daytona Beach.

It'll be a long driving day, but that's ok. After the Kennedy Space Center, we check into our hotel at WDW and will be turning the rental car in (we're doing a 1-way road trip and flying back home).

For those of you who have driven the Florida panhandle route down to Orlando, what have been your favorite places to stay overnight or favorite places to stop & explore?

I follow a gal on here named mickeystoontown who drives from West Monroe, LA, to WDW with a stop in the panhandle. Her current trip report is "Mask Up Buttercup . . . " https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...5-day-trip-like-no-other-updated-2-2.3821793/. This is covering her Thanksgiving 2020 trip but she has many other TRs posted as well, which might give you some insight as to places to stay.

 

[OKW Lover]

For one leg of our cross country journey from AZ to WDW, we'll be driving from New Orleans to FL. I'm debating whether to overnight in Gainsville, Lake City, Ocala, or St Augustine. The following day, the plan is for us to visit the Kennedy Space Center (assuming bus tours are open by then). We are NOT interested in hitting up Daytona Beach.

NOLA to WDW is about 10 hours by the usual I-10>I-75>FL Turnpike route. That route wouldn't take you near St Augustine.

 

[LadyBeBop]

NOLA to WDW is about 10 hours by the usual I-10>I-75>FL Turnpike route. That route wouldn't take you near St Augustine.

She's not going to WDW. She's going to the Kennedy Space Center. So I'm assuming she's thinking about taking I-10 all the way to I-95 in Jacksonville.

However, I just MapQuest your route, and it appears taking I-75 (in Lake City) to the Turnpike to FL 528 would still be quicker. You'd go through Ocala and Gainesville and bypass St. Augustine.

NOLA to Ocala is about nine hours straight through. All of the chain hotels are there.

When is your trip? I don't know if it will be an issue this fall with COVID-19. But avoid Gainesville and Lake City during University of Florida Gators football games weekend. We made the mistake of staying in Lake City one football Saturday. Ended up in a roach motel off the expressway.

 

[VandVsmama]

She's not going to WDW. She's going to the Kennedy Space Center. So I'm assuming she's thinking about taking I-10 all the way to I-95 in Jacksonville.

However, I just MapQuest your route, and it appears taking I-75 (in Lake City) to the Turnpike to FL 528 would still be quicker. You'd go through Ocala and Gainesville and bypass St. Augustine.

NOLA to Ocala is about nine hours straight through. All of the chain hotels are there.

When is your trip? I don't know if it will be an issue this fall with COVID-19. But avoid Gainesville and Lake City during University of Florida Gators football games weekend. We made the mistake of staying in Lake City one football Saturday. Ended up in a roach motel off the expressway.

We're going to both. Kennedy Space Center AND WDW. Our trip starts end of May and ends in early June.

 

[OKW Lover]

We're going to both. Kennedy Space Center AND WDW. Our trip starts end of May and ends in early June.

Are you planning on hitting KSC first and then going on to WDW? Or would you instead make KSC a day trip from WDW?

 

[VandVsmama]

Are you planning on hitting KSC first and then going on to WDW? Or would you instead make KSC a day trip from WDW?

KSC, then WDW. Turning car in after KSC and checking into our WDW hotel.

 

[OKW Lover]

OK, that helps. In that case I'd suggest the I-10 to I-85 route and an overnight stay at St. Augustine. Its a long drive and remember that you lose an hour when you come to FL.

 

[EpcotNerd]

So much great info on this thread! Covid-wise, any recommendations for pit stops off 95 in NC, SC, GA? And I posted this before a month or so ago, but on a different thread.. any hotel recommendations in SC and GA that felt as safe as the Disney bubble?

Quick follow-up to my own post... we wound up staying at the Microtel in Walterboro, GA and it was perfectly Covid-safe. They did check-in through a tiny window in a vestibule so there was pretty much zero contact with staff.. the lobby was completely closed so no fear of mask-less customers gallivanting around and they had certain entrances/exits closed to make sure the flow of people was safe. The only downside was no free breakfast but we were fine with that, we ate cereal in our room and took off to get to WDW in the morning!

 

[dvczerfs]

Goooood evening everyone. The count continues!!! 17 days to go!!! We will be leaving Thursday, February 25 at 3am. I have a reservation at The Hampton Inn in Georgia, exit 3 for Thursday into Friday. We will be up and on the road by 3am on Friday the 26th. Want to beat rush hour through the city’s.
We will be in a one bedroom villa at The Grand Floridian for eight nights this trip.
Last harahh trip!!!
After we get home, I will be off work for another week, COVID rules at work. Which is fine with me, gives me time to finish some lose ends in the house and make a few calls to see who wants it.
Got some painting to do and more packing. With it snowing here three feet and snow every other day, it’s hard to get much done but it’s getting done.
Should be in a rental unit mid to late April and start our house hunting.
We are in no rush to buy, want to get something we really like, not just a settle for a house. We will be actively checking out houses, neighborhoods , shopping etc.
We are really looking forward to this vacation. We had a ruff year. A few medical issues, that worked out, stinking COVID and lost my father in law back in April, DW had a bit of a job change, being stuck in the house and just a crappy 12 months. We haven’t been back to WDW is almost a year and it’s time.
We are all packed and ready to go.
Ill keep you posted on our drive.
stay safe everyone!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

So we decided to drive. We’re leaving tonight around 6. Should be at our condo tomorrow around 2.
I’m so excited and nervous about this trip! I’ve cancelled so many that I just want to go....I think. Please tell me everything will be fine.
I need to get tested before I come home. I’m going to schedule one hopefully today. I hope it doesn’t take up my whole day. I did have a mild case of covid at the end of October so I hope I don’t still test positive. I heard that could happen.

 

[pwdebbie]

So we decided to drive. We’re leaving tonight around 6. Should be at our condo tomorrow around 2.
I’m so excited and nervous about this trip! I’ve cancelled so many that I just want to go....I think. Please tell me everything will be fine.
I need to get tested before I come home. I’m going to schedule one hopefully today. I hope it doesn’t take up my whole day. I did have a mild case of covid at the end of October so I hope I don’t still test positive. I heard that could happen.

You'll have fun, everything will be fine. I have a friend who has been back at least four times since reopening.