For those folks driving!

[tinkerbell615]

We took I75 home last year and had no problems what so ever. We drive from SW Michigan. I was pretty amazed at how easy driving was for us, we drove straight through the first night (left at 3:30pm) ny husband and I did trade off for driving. We stopped in Valdosta Georgia, then drove on to Disney the next day. Amazingly we didn't run into any traffic, construction problems at all last year on any interstate, I hope our luck lasts this year.

We are thinking of stopping in Valdosta also. Can you tell me about how long the trip was to WDW from Valdosta? We were thinking maybe 4 hours?? Also, did you find a nice place to stay in Valdosta? It looks like there is a Hampton Inn there that we were looking a possibly staying.

 

[tinkerbell615]

i see.. do you know where that construction is exactly?

There is a some going through Tennesse and some toward the southern part of GA.

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

ok, it is it going to still be going on soon? We were trying to figure out if we should drive I-70 to Dayton and get on I-75.. rather than taking I-65 South to Nashville, then getting on I-75... we aren't sure though.

 

[pamouselover]

Could you give me a estimate on the the cost of tolls?

 

[Boo'sMom]

OK, this is "sort of" in the vein of driving...maybe some of you all can help.

We're looking for a DVD "system" for our van...mainly for th upcoming drive. I'm thinking, for now, one of the dual screen systems with headrest mounts. But what I'd like to do (since we have 3 kids) is split the screens between the 2nd and 3rd row (so one mounted on the back of the front passenger seat, and one mounted on the back of the 2nd row passenger headrest).

So, here are my questions:

Anyone have any experience with these systems? Any recommendations?

And has anyone tried "mounting" them in the manner I'm looking for? I'm worried about cable length, specifically.

Thanks!

I haven't seen this answered definitively, so I'll throw my 2cents in. We have a portable DVD w/ dual screen. We drive a Town & Country. We put the first monitor on the drivers seatback, and the second screen directly behind it, on the 2nd row drivers side seat back. This allows the cords to run along the side of the van, instead of running across the interior. The cords reach just fine, and we have a power supply in the 3rd row, so the whole system is pretty seamless.
Good luck!

 

[diznee25]

Could you give me a estimate on the the cost of tolls?

We drove from Maryland (301 South to I-95 to I-4) to Orlando. Took 301 South to avoid D.C. area. Only encountered one toll, and it was $3. I can't remember if that toll was on 301 South, or I-95, sorry!

diznee25

 

[CPT Tripss]

Could you give me a estimate on the the cost of tolls?

95 in DE about $2

Tunnel in Baltimore about $3

add an extra $5 northbound in MD

 

[pilferk]

I haven't seen this answered definitively, so I'll throw my 2cents in. We have a portable DVD w/ dual screen. We drive a Town & Country. We put the first monitor on the drivers seatback, and the second screen directly behind it, on the 2nd row drivers side seat back. This allows the cords to run along the side of the van, instead of running across the interior. The cords reach just fine, and we have a power supply in the 3rd row, so the whole system is pretty seamless.
Good luck!

Thanks!

What you're descrbing is pretty much exactly what we'd like to do (we have a power supply back in the 3rd row of our van, too).

Do you know what brand you have? I've looked (and we did buy a single screen which we've made "work" with one of those bag/support systems....but could be passed along if we find a better dual screen) but can't seem to find one where the cords are long enough

 

[buzz2400]

I am driving down from CT. I would like to know realistically how many hours are you from orlando when you are on the north/south carolina border.

 

[pilferk]

I am driving down from CT. I would like to know realistically how many hours are you from orlando when you are on the north/south carolina border.

Hello fellow nutmegger!

I can't remember exactly how long it was....I know from Richmond was about 10 to 11 hours...I'm thinking you're between 7 and 8 hours at the NC/SC border...maybe a bit more or a bit less than that. GA seems like it takes FOREVER, but SC seems a little quicker (I'm assuming you're taking 95).

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

I am driving down from CT. I would like to know realistically how many hours are you from orlando when you are on the north/south carolina border.

I know from Charlotte, NC it's about 7 to 7 1/2 hours.. to Orlando.. so it's gonna be somewhat less than that from the border.

 

[5dwarves]

We live in No. Alabama and are driving to Savannah to eat at Lady & Sons, then heading into Orlando the next day. Any good suggestions on a hotel fora family of 7 and the kind of drive we are looking at the next day?

 

[hiddenmikey]

I have been to Lady and sons last year and be prepared for a long wait to get your reservations. (however, the food is awsome)

as for where to stay depends on how much you want to spend. The lower cost I-95 motels are 10-12 miles from downtown. but in downtown their are plenty of higher cost hotels. (i always stay at the Westin) i thought the hyatt was dirty.

the drive from Savannah to Orlando is an easy 4 1/2 hour drive.

we usually drive to Orlando on a Sunday. so the traffic is not too bad.

there are numerous construction and road widening projects on I- 95 but the only one with any possible inconvenience is in the Jacksonville area.

You will love the downtown Savannah area (if lady and sons is too long of a wait for you there are plenty of awsome restaurants along the waterfront.

Good luck..........M

 

[5dwarves]

Were you there for lunch or dinner? I am looking forward to seeing the beauty of Savannah in person. Thanks for recommending the downtown stroll.

 

[hiddenmikey]

I went there for Dinner (i have heard that the lunch crowd may not be as bad as the Dinner crowd, but still expect a long wait)

There is a lot to offer along the water front: Lots of small stores, restaurants, drinking establishments and etc.... you won`t be dissapointed.

 

[katieloubear]

When are you going? What part of texas are you from? Wichita Falls, tx here. We drove down to a little town outside of Orlando about and hour and it took us 23 hours last year

 

[Millermouseketeers]

We are driving from Dallas, Tx. in August! Does anyone have any info on the new West toll you take to avoid all of the I-4 traffic? We were wondering what exit it is and where to start looking for it. We think we zoomed past it in March!

 

[carissanboys]

We stayed over in Santee, SC on the drive down and left around 7 in the morning. We didn't arrive at Shades of Green until 3 in the afternoon. We ran into lots of traffic issues in FL, the first being on 95 (this was a Saturday). We also had traffic as we got closer to Orlando.

So, ideally, it would probably be a shorter drive from the NC/SC border to Orlando, but it took us 8 hours.

 

[Princessbaby]

Question for anyone driving from on I-75 South, once you hit the turnpike from I-75 S, what route do you take to get to WDW!? I'm looking for some non-confusing directions!!
Thanks!!

 

[tinkerbell615]

Question for anyone driving from on I-75 South, once you hit the turnpike from I-75 S, what route do you take to get to WDW!? I'm looking for some non-confusing directions!!
Thanks!!

We just traveled I75 South about 1-1/2 weeks ago. Someone had posted on here about the exit for 429 South off of the FL turnpike. We tried it and it was awesome. You avoid so much traffic. There were not many cars using this and I believe it cut off a ton of time.

Take the exit for 429 South off of the FL turnpike to the Disney World exit (Western Way). This exit actually takes you right into Disney World. You will see the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign practically as soon as you get off of the exit! It felt like we were sneaking in the back way. We loved it and used it to get back to the FL turnpike when we left to get home also. It is a toll road also. I believe it cost us $1.00 to use this toll road.

I hope this helps!