Good place to stop?

[jimmysmom74]

We drove last May with our almost 3 y/o son from Chicago. Only insane people would have left for drive through Nashville while it was under water and then detour through AL because TN roads were closed, but we were on a mission or an adventure as my son called it. And we did make to WDW without making our car a sub which was a plus.

Anyways, the point of my ramble was to say, we thought about stoping in Lake City which is right off the highway, it was a nice, clean area, we had a potty break, but we made the decision to go on to orlando. These highways get really dark at night and if you driving for a long time it's really not good. I wish we would have stopped in Lake City. The last hour into orlando all we heard from the back seat was "all done adventure" Take the break and carry on in the morning.

 

[SusieBea]

We're from the Evansville, IN area. It takes us 12 1/2 to 13 hours usually. We like to get beyond Atlanta on the first day. We went last week and stayed in Tifton at a newer Hilton Garden Inn. The next day we had less than 4 hours. It worked well, and the hotel was very nice. We've also stayed in McDonough, GA (also south of Atlanta) also at a HGarden Inn. That worked well, too, but was a longer drive the second day.

 

[delmar411]

For real, per map quest we are about 17 hours from Disney also, what route did you take?

per mapquest we are 15hrs from Disney but with gas and potty stops we ate up over 2hrs and managed to make up some time with me speeding a good portion of the trip.

We take I-65, then I-24 then I-75. The first part of the trip is the hardest. Once you get off I-65 then it feels like you are making some progress.

 

[Wadecool]

per mapquest we are 15hrs from Disney but with gas and potty stops we ate up over 2hrs and managed to make up some time with me speeding a good portion of the trip.

We take I-65, then I-24 then I-75. The first part of the trip is the hardest. Once you get off I-65 then it feels like you are making some progress.

We live right off exit 91 on I-65 in KY and take the same route. If I start getting sleepy on I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga, those curves and big hills at Monteagle wake me right up, hehe.

 

[hardrock01]

there is a town called adel georgia , small town but has plenty of hotels and it is short of valdosta if you want a shorther drive than going all the way to valdosta or lakeland. have a safe trio

 

[willowsnn3]

Valdosta is a convention city. Never heard it called dangerous before. They also have the Wild Adventure theme park there too.

 

[AlexandAndysMom]

We are driving for the first time in April. We are thinking about stoping in Macon because we will be working all day Friday and start driving at like 6pm. Gets us to Nashville about 9pm and after that, I have no idea on times!

 

[JennyDrake]

Hi! I am more than happy to help! I schlepp down to The Mouse 3x year year via I-75 in a Big Yeller Penske truck, so I know ALL of the stops. I think your co-worker is nuts that thinks Valdosta is "dangerous!" Valdosta, Adel and Tifton are really all about the same and are close together. You will pay less for gas in GA, if that matters any.
Lake City is fine as well, but I have seen hotels there sold out during college football season and also spring break.

 

[JennyDrake]

We are driving for the first time in April. We are thinking about stoping in Macon because we will be working all day Friday and start driving at like 6pm. Gets us to Nashville about 9pm and after that, I have no idea on times!

Macon is close to 6 hours (without stopping) from Nashville, assuming no delays in Atlanta.

 

[budmonster]

Okay Disers, me DH, DS 12, DS 9, and DD 2 are driving down to Disney in December from St. Louis. Should we stop in Valdosta 14 hours from STL or go to Lake City Fl which is 15 hours. Any suggestions?

I vote for Lake City which is a nice town.

Can I also put my 2 cents in ... if you're looking to go just a little bit further down the road you could go on to Gainesville. Gainesville is just under an hour south from Lake City and a very nice city to stay. Then in the morning when you get up you will be exactly 2 hours from Disney.

Whatever you decide have a magical trip and be safe on the roads (75 is crazy to drive on)

 

[budmonster]

duplicate post

 

[disneyluvrtink]

I have to second wdwmomof3's post. I have stayed at the Comfort Suites in Lake City, and it is very nice. It's new so it is very clean. I think it is the newest hotel in Lake City.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our last trip, our MO was that we got into a state where we felt like we wouldn't make it through, grabbed flyers at the Welcome Center, and then started looking for Hampton Inns along the highway.

 

[saralexander97]

there is a town called adel georgia , small town but has plenty of hotels and it is short of valdosta if you want a shorther drive than going all the way to valdosta or lakeland. have a safe trio

Thanks for the tip =)

Valdosta is a convention city. Never heard it called dangerous before. They also have the Wild Adventure theme park there too.

Awesome, dosen't sound dangerous at all.

Hi! I am more than happy to help! I schlepp down to The Mouse 3x year year via I-75 in a Big Yeller Penske truck, so I know ALL of the stops. I think your co-worker is nuts that thinks Valdosta is "dangerous!" Valdosta, Adel and Tifton are really all about the same and are close together. You will pay less for gas in GA, if that matters any.
Lake City is fine as well, but I have seen hotels there sold out during college football season and also spring break.

My Co-worker is a little of a drama queen, I would like to tell her the info I got from my fellow DISers but she got fired.

I vote for Lake City which is a nice town.

Can I also put my 2 cents in ... if you're looking to go just a little bit further down the road you could go on to Gainesville. Gainesville is just under an hour south from Lake City and a very nice city to stay. Then in the morning when you get up you will be exactly 2 hours from Disney.

Whatever you decide have a magical trip and be safe on the roads (75 is crazy to drive on)

We hope to have a magical trip, Im excited about driving the kids down.

I have to second wdwmomof3's post. I have stayed at the Comfort Suites in Lake City, and it is very nice. It's new so it is very clean. I think it is the newest hotel in Lake City.

I took a look at Comfort Suites and it was nice =)

Our last trip, our MO was that we got into a state where we felt like we wouldn't make it through, grabbed flyers at the Welcome Center, and then started looking for Hampton Inns along the highway.

Flyers to disney?

 

[AvaandJoshmom]

In November we drove from Michigan and planned to stay in Valdosta. The night before we left my DH suggested we drive to Lake City instead so we were closer the next day. I am so glad we did that. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn and loved it. Friendly staff, clean, great breakfast in the morning. The kids woke up early, we had breakfast and got on the road. We enjoyed it so much we are doing it again in April

 

[hgitifton]

We're from the Evansville, IN area. It takes us 12 1/2 to 13 hours usually. We like to get beyond Atlanta on the first day. We went last week and stayed in Tifton at a newer Hilton Garden Inn. The next day we had less than 4 hours. It worked well, and the hotel was very nice. We've also stayed in McDonough, GA (also south of Atlanta) also at a HGarden Inn. That worked well, too, but was a longer drive the second day.

Susie Bea:
Thank you so much for choosing to stay with us while in the Tifton area. I am glad you enjoyed your stay. I have shared your comments with our entire team. Our team works very hard to ensure all of our guests are happy and they are always delighted to see their efforts pay off. Thanks again for staying with us on your way to visit Mickey!

I have also seen several posts about Tifton and the surrounding areas. Tifton as well as Valdosta are both great stopping locations. Both have a variety of restaurants and great lodging options to choose from. As with any town neither is crime-free, however the crime rates are very low in both locations. Also, the hotels in both cities are located away from where most of the crime occurs and the areas are generally safe.

Tifton is approximately 4 hours north on I-75 from Disney. Our city was voted one of the top 100 Small Towns in America and we are also home to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, a living history museum with live interrupters re-creating life in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Georgia Museum of Agriculture or ‘Agrirama’ is very kid friendly and allows them to see what life was like 100 years ago. The Agrirama also feature a very early model working steam train which provides ride around the site.

If you are traveling to Disney and would like more information about Tifton or Valdosta please do not hesitate to give us a call. Our team is always happy to help however we can. 229-382-8484

The only thing we require when you stay with us is that you let Mickey know everyone said hello from the HGI Tifton!

 

[saralexander97]

In November we drove from Michigan and planned to stay in Valdosta. The night before we left my DH suggested we drive to Lake City instead so we were closer the next day. I am so glad we did that. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn and loved it. Friendly staff, clean, great breakfast in the morning. The kids woke up early, we had breakfast and got on the road. We enjoyed it so much we are doing it again in April

Lake City is looking more the way I am leaning, the thought of us only having a two hour drive till Disney just sounds so awesome

Susie Bea:
Thank you so much for choosing to stay with us while in the Tifton area. I am glad you enjoyed your stay. I have shared your comments with our entire team. Our team works very hard to ensure all of our guests are happy and they are always delighted to see their efforts pay off. Thanks again for staying with us on your way to visit Mickey!

I have also seen several posts about Tifton and the surrounding areas. Tifton as well as Valdosta are both great stopping locations. Both have a variety of restaurants and great lodging options to choose from. As with any town neither is crime-free, however the crime rates are very low in both locations. Also, the hotels in both cities are located away from where most of the crime occurs and the areas are generally safe.

Tifton is approximately 4 hours north on I-75 from Disney. Our city was voted one of the top 100 Small Towns in America and we are also home to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, a living history museum with live interrupters re-creating life in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Georgia Museum of Agriculture or ‘Agrirama’ is very kid friendly and allows them to see what life was like 100 years ago. The Agrirama also feature a very early model working steam train which provides ride around the site.

If you are traveling to Disney and would like more information about Tifton or Valdosta please do not hesitate to give us a call. Our team is always happy to help however we can. 229-382-8484

The only thing we require when you stay with us is that you let Mickey know everyone said hello from the HGI Tifton!

Thanks for the tip =) Ill keep you in mind when Im making final decisions.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[camac517]

We're from the Evansville, IN area. It takes us 12 1/2 to 13 hours usually. We like to get beyond Atlanta on the first day. We went last week and stayed in Tifton at a newer Hilton Garden Inn. The next day we had less than 4 hours. It worked well, and the hotel was very nice. We've also stayed in McDonough, GA (also south of Atlanta) also at a HGarden Inn. That worked well, too, but was a longer drive the second day.

We're from Evansville!!!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would highly recommend staying in Valdosta and it's where my family and I stay the night before arriving at WDW. The past couple of years we have stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites off exit 16 and it's a great location, plus they offer a hot and cold items for their continental breakfast. However this coming August it looks like we are trying the Courtyard By Marriott off exit 18 because we will have enough points for a free night.