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

[BC1836]

I always say, it's not for everyone. I like the ferry because I get a good hour nap after the crush of last minute preparations (and the inevitable customer emergency...) That way can drive the first few legs after the ferry while my dh catches up on his sleep.

There's probably something wrong with us but we really enjoy the ride and consider the whole thing vacation!

We understand and appreciate your use of the ferry. Indeed, the journey is important; in fact, it's part of our "vacation." It reminds us of one of the choices in the Spaceship Earth attraction: the journey or the destination.

All the best!

 

[Glenn&Sharon]

We made it down & back. 2,525 miles in the motor home. 81-77-26-95 both ways. We were lucky that the 95 closures in SC were north of 26.
Cheapest gas we saw was $1.80 at a Flying J in Rock Hill SC.

 

[BC1836]

We made it down & back. 2,525 miles in the motor home. 81-77-26-95 both ways. We were lucky that the 95 closures in SC were north of 26.
Cheapest gas we saw was $1.80 at a Flying J in Rock Hill SC.

Yikes! We thought there were no more closures in either direction on I-95 in SC!

All the best!

 

[Li Li]

Hi all! Great thread! In about 18 days will be our first ever drive down to Disney World from Central PA. We were already pretty set on 81-77-26-95, but glad to hear good reviews from the veteran drivers. We are leaving after work and hoping to make it to Charlotte and possibly stop there for the night. However, depending on how we feel, we might just push through. That being said, has anyone ever caught just some cat naps by pulling over at a rest stop for a few hours? Any recommendations such as safe location, etc? Thanks!

 

[BC1836]

Hi all! Great thread! In about 18 days will be our first ever drive down to Disney World from Central PA. We were already pretty set on 81-77-26-95, but glad to hear good reviews from the veteran drivers. We are leaving after work and hoping to make it to Charlotte and possibly stop there for the night. However, depending on how we feel, we might just push through. That being said, has anyone ever caught just some cat naps by pulling over at a rest stop for a few hours? Any recommendations such as safe location, etc? Thanks!

We have done many an overnight drive from the Jersey Shore to WDW, and on more than one occasion, this driver has needed a nap. But we only napped at the just-over-the-border welcome centers on I-95 (or the VA one at around mm 132) because they usually are patrolled by the police. Alas, we are unfamiliar with your interior route but suggest that common sense and safety first guide you on your journey.

All the best!

 

[disneysteve]

I just realized we leave 2 weeks from today! I've done absolutely nothing to start getting ready for the trip.

 

[CookieGVB]

Just drove through SC a few hours ago. There are a few lane closures (only one lane open a few times) that slowed us down for a few miles, but otherwise 95 is open. I will say that the SC Welcome Center didn't make us feel very welcome - we were better off taking bathroom breaks at various McDonalds on our way down from NJ. Still on the road now, but should be there in a little over an hour. Didn't stop over. 2 drivers switching off for 4 hour stretches in a packed to the gills rented Subirban. Not bad for a first time ride.

 

[Li Li]

Hi @BC1836! When you say "just-over-the-border welcome centers on I-95 (or the VA one at around mm 132) because they usually are patrolled by the police.", are you talking about the Carolinas or Just any rest stop on 95 just past a state border?
Thanks.

 

[nono]

OK. Truth time, no judgment. Has anyone on their final full day at WDW done an afternoon nap, then evening at the parks and then gotten on the road?

 

[BC1836]

Hi @BC1836! When you say "just-over-the-border welcome centers on I-95 (or the VA one at around mm 132) because they usually are patrolled by the police.", are you talking about the Carolinas or Just any rest stop on 95 just past a state border?
Thanks.

Indeed, we're talking about all the welcome centers just over the state borders (starting in VA [see above note] and continuing to FL). However, the GA welcome center has been under construction for quite some time. When we stopped there in August all that was there was a row of elevated Portajohns.

All the best!

 

[disneysteve]

OK. Truth time, no judgment. Has anyone on their final full day at WDW done an afternoon nap, then evening at the parks and then gotten on the road?

No. We always make our last day at Disney an early night so we can get packed up and get a good night's sleep before hitting the road in the morning.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Hi all! Great thread! In about 18 days will be our first ever drive down to Disney World from Central PA. We were already pretty set on 81-77-26-95, but glad to hear good reviews from the veteran drivers. We are leaving after work and hoping to make it to Charlotte and possibly stop there for the night. However, depending on how we feel, we might just push through. That being said, has anyone ever caught just some cat naps by pulling over at a rest stop for a few hours? Any recommendations such as safe location, etc? Thanks!

Yeah, we're from northeast Ohio and do the 376, 79, 19, 77, 26, 95,4 and usually make the Florida border....Florida Welcome Center on 95... armed security nightly, restrooms very clean, well lit and a lot of others stopping for a few hours too...

We figure we need about 3 hours to recharge and paying for a motel for that period is a waste....it's better than half way to the Florida border but our tips have been relaxing and that stop leaves about 4 hours to go....

Do this, we have been getting a value resort at WDW for arrival day, gives us a cheap room on property, we pack one light overnight bag for the 2 of us...relax from the drive, use the pool and the next morning, we're up, off to the grocery store ( Publix on Vineland ) get our weeks supplies and check in to our deluxe for the week...we do on line check in...rooms been ready early and we're settled, refreshed and rarin to go..

 

[BC1836]

Taking care of an ill family member instead of departing for WDW this morning at 5:30 a.m. We'll check out the situation in about a hour and assess what we do next.

All the best!

 

[nono]

Taking care of an ill family member instead of departing for WDW this morning at 5:30 a.m. We'll check out the situation in about a hour and assess what we do next.

All the best!

BC --hope everything is OK! {{{{ }}}}

 

[BC1836]

BC --hope everything is OK! {{{{ }}}}

Thanks, nono. With father-in-law feeling better, we were able to depart on WDW drive #39.

We started our drive at 11 a.m. instead of 5:30 a.m. You can guess the rest: entering the northern VA area on a Friday afternoon! Stop and go, speed up, slow down. And then we reached the Richmond area at around 4:30! Instead of driving through VA in three hours it took four (it felt like six!). We usually make it to Yulee, FL on the evening of day #1; instead, we made it to Florence, SC. So, instead of a three hour drive we've got an eight-hour drive tomorrow. Nevertheless, we've driven about 625 miles and that's a lot better than we thought when we had our family health concern yesterday evening and this morning.

All the best!

 

[dvczerfs]

I was wondering, I didn't hear from you. Hope your fil is feeling better.
I figured you would post something over here.
Have a nice, rest of your trip today.

 

[BC1836]

I was wondering, I didn't hear from you. Hope your fil is feeling better.
I figured you would post something over here.
Have a nice, rest of your trip today.

Good morning from Florence, SC! Thanks for your concern, and yes, he is feeling back to normal.

Hopefully, we'll be departing the Holiday Inn Express no late than 9 a..m. and then off to Lake Buena Vista.

All the best!

 

[dvczerfs]

OK. Truth time, no judgment. Has anyone on their final full day at WDW done an afternoon nap, then evening at the parks and then gotten on the road?

We do an afternoon nap everyday but the last day. Lol
Rope drop, back to room to pack and load and get locker picked up and than off to a park for an early diner. Back to room by 6pm. Up at 2am and hit the road.
I get out of Florida before everyone wakes up. Zip through Orlando and Jacksonville. After the last diner, no sense hanging around. Lol

 

[jpalasky]

Hi, heading out on Christmas morning to start our drive. I just booked a room at the Country Inn and suites in Kingsland Ga. Has anyone ever stayed there? I normally book a Fairfield or Hampton. Inn. I choose Country Inn and Suites because it has a indoor pool. Thought it would be a great way for our 9 year old son to burn off some energy. Also does anyone know what's open besides Denny's on Christmas Day to eat. We r heading down from right outside of Philly.

 

[BC1836]

After 1,063 miles, we finally arrived in Lake Buena Vista (we stay at the Holiday Inn on Hotel Plaza Blvd. before driving to our WDW resort tomorrow morning). We turned on to I-4 from I-95 at 3:13 p.m. and did not turn off on Exit #68 until 4:37. An accident caused a rubber necking slowdown followed by period stops, speed up and slowdowns and assorted traffic jams on I-4: a horror story at just about any hour of the day (lane closures start at 10 p.m.).

Nevertheless, the weather is superb and we dined at the Hanger in Disney Springs for the fist time. Excellent appetizers, especially the deviled eggs!

Tomorrow: The Innkeeper's Club at the Boardwalk Inn!

All the best!