For those folks driving!

[Dad_of_2]

Anyone have any experience with the Days Inn in Florence Sc off exit 164 0n 52 I think it's West Lucas

 

[Jaylie]

We've stayed at the Holiday Inn and Suites and the Hampton Inn at that exit and have always been pleased with the accomodations. Days Inn is probably fine, too.

I have a question about the drive back from WDW. Driving down we do a two-day drive (Mass to Florence, SC to WDW). But this July we want to do a three day drive back and would like suggestions of safe areas to stay. Probably three 8 hour days (or longer for the first day).

Thanks.

 

[beachpal]

If you stop in Maryland on the way home, the White Marsh area would be a good place to stop. There is a Hampton Inn and a Fairfield Inn that are both only a few years old. There is a large mall and a very nice outdoor mall with many choices of places to eat and movie theaters. I'm headed over there today to do some shopping so if I see any other hotels/motels I'll post those names for you.

 

[Dad_of_2]

Just a little heads up. When I put my 2006 Dodge Caravan in it calculates at 17 MPG , but if I put in a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country which is basically the same car ( just different options same engine and tranny ) it calculates at 25 MPG. That adds almost 41 gallons or 163 dollars to the trip. I think the problem is it uses city mpg for Caravan and highway mpg for T & C . Those amounts are about what I get as a normal average.

 

[katybugsmom]

Anyone have any experience with the Days Inn in Florence Sc off exit 164 0n 52 I think it's West Lucas

I only live 20 minutes from there-you should be fine. You might also want to check out the hotels at Exit 160(next exit south). There's a mall, 4 brand new hotels, and lots of new places to eat-Outback, Ruby Tuesday's, Lonestar, Chili's, Red Lobster, Western Sizzlin, etc. Highly visible and safe. Have a great trip!

 

[Dad_of_2]

Katybugsmom Thanks for the answer and the input it's most appreciated

 

[katybugsmom]

Good morning everyone and Happy Memorial Day! Hope everyone is firing up those grills today!
I have a question: We are driving down from SC and are trying to make it to the Daytona Beach area before stopping for the night. Has anyone stayed recently at one of the hotels along I-95 in Daytona Beach? We really don't want to go towards the beach if we can help it. We have to be checked in at ASM's and get to the Contempary Resort to have breakfast with Mickey on Father's Day at 10:40AM Any suggestions would be extremely helpful!
Thanks and have a great day!!!!

 

[katybugsmom]

Katybugsmom Thanks for the answer and the input it's most appreciated

You are most welcome Dad of 2! Glad I could help!
Have a great day!

 

[MinMouse]

Good morning everyone and Happy Memorial Day! Hope everyone is firing up those grills today!
I have a question: We are driving down from SC and are trying to make it to the Daytona Beach area before stopping for the night. Has anyone stayed recently at one of the hotels along I-95 in Daytona Beach? We really don't want to go towards the beach if we can help it. We have to be checked in at ASM's and get to the Contempary Resort to have breakfast with Mickey on Father's Day at 10:40AM Any suggestions would be extremely helpful!
Thanks and have a great day!!!!

Katybug,

We like to go about 40 miles south of Daytona to Lake Mary (Exit 98 off I-4). It's only about 45 minutes to WDW from there and we have found the lodging to be more reasonably priced than Daytona area and very nice. We've stayed at a LaQuinta at this exit several times. Free breakfast in the a.m. and we're always to WDW before 9!

 

[katybugsmom]

Katybug,

We like to go about 40 miles south of Daytona to Lake Mary (Exit 98 off I-4). It's only about 45 minutes to WDW from there and we have found the lodging to be more reasonably priced than Daytona area and very nice. We've stayed at a LaQuinta at this exit several times. Free breakfast in the a.m. and we're always to WDW before 9!

Thanks MinMouse! I really appreciate the input!!!!!::yes Have a great day!

 

[crazyhusband]

I live in Phenix City AL and it only takes about 5 1/2 hours leaving at 5:30 am and arriving at wdw around 1 pm or so. take ga 520 to albany ga, bypass around to exit 3 (hwy 82 east to tifton) 82 will take you to I-75, take that south across fla state line to fla turnpike, take that to wetern beltway to exit 8, at bottom of ramp go left back way into disney. you will need at least 10 in quarters for tolls. that will get u down and back. also i only have to stop once for gas in ocala. over all not a bad trip.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

I live in Phenix City AL and it only takes about 5 1/2 hours leaving at 5:30 am and arriving at wdw around 1 pm or so. take ga 520 to albany ga, bypass around to exit 3 (hwy 82 east to tifton) 82 will take you to I-75, take that south across fla state line to fla turnpike, take that to wetern beltway to exit 8, at bottom of ramp go left back way into disney. you will need at least 10 in quarters for tolls. that will get u down and back. also i only have to stop once for gas in ocala. over all not a bad trip.

Hey crazyhusband, that's very close to the route we plan to take on our trip here in a few weeks...question for you...most of the mapping services I've tried say that Phenix to Orlando is 6.5 hours..looks like you must be making about 70mph all the way?

Are there any speed traps, slowdowns, small towns, whatever, on that route? Is it four-lane all the way to I-75? Any advice on this leg of the route would be greatly appreciated. We're heading out of Birmingham along US280 into Georgia, and planning to pick up I-75 at Tifton, and it sounds like you've run precisely that route through Georgia...greatly appreciate your experience...

OT

 

[lehisport]

Feed wild exotic animals (camels, giraffes, zebras, ostrich's, deer, elk, emus) from your hands... from your CAR... check this out... youtube.com/watch?v=xebkT4_-TFc

 

[lehisport]

Feed wild exotic animals (camels, giraffes, zebras, ostrich's, deer, elk, emus) from your hands... from your CAR... check this out... youtube.com/watch?v=xebkT4_-TFc

oops, sorry, I posted this twice

 

[CastleLight]

We're going to drive from WDW to the DVC at hilton head. Has anyone does this drive??

 

[arkansas mom]

Has anyone ever used a rooftop cargo bag? I'm considering buying one, but haven't yet found one that I love. Any advice?

 

[pbharris4]

I was researching them last year because we thought of buying one. Personally, I'd get a hard top one. I have read a lot of bad reviews on the bag type ones. We were going to purchase one from Sears, but pushed it off another year (we're flying again this year).

 

[disneymom06]

I picked one up at Kmart, half price at $25. I like it because I can fit two rather large suitcases on top of the car without worrying about them getting wet. A few odds and ends get shoved into any remaining space but I really like it. It is a pain to secure to the roof rack with all of the clips and if we stop overnight I won't leave all of the stuff on the roof but I felt that the Sears one wouldn't be flexible in the arrangement of items, especially two large suitcases.

 

[Jaylie]

We're from Mass too and decided to take this route. Could you tell me where you stopped on the way down and then where you stopped on the way home. Thanks.

 

[Jaylie]

Sorry, forgot to mention the route (90-84-81-77-26-95). I was reading a post from another MA person for a few pages back! Any info on where to stay would be appreciated (just one overnight is what we are looking for each way). Again...thanks!