Hotel recommendations b/w Orlando and Valdosta, GA?

[mulderxcoltrane]

Hi folks,

Will be leaving WDW and driving to Atlanta. Problem is, we'll be leaving LATE. Valdosta, GA is a place we've stayed before but I don't know that we'll get there with 3 kids after a late night in the park.

Anyone have any experience with any hotels/towns in between Orlando and Valdosta?

 

[HopperFan]

Gainesville or Lake City would be my pick.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Gainesville or Lake City would be my pick.

Any lodging recommendations in either place?

 

[HopperFan]

Any lodging recommendations in either place?

Gainesville I have only stayed at the Hampton Inn but same exit has Country Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Springhill Suites and Homewood Suites.

Lake City I have not stopped but my folks do all the time for their drives from Ft. Lauderdale to/from Atlanta. They have every major brand there - my picks would be Hampton, Fairfield, Country Inn.

 

[spiceycat]

would not stop - unless the kids can't sleep in the back of the car - you are talking between 3 and 4 hours to get to WDW

 

[Woodview]

Spiceycat

I think it is from WDW to Atlanta & thinking of stopping on the way home.

But if the Kid's did sleep in the car how long would it take to keep going to reach Atlanta ?

 

[HopperFan]

Will be leaving WDW and driving to Atlanta. Problem is, we'll be leaving LATE. Valdosta, GA is a place we've stayed before but I don't know that we'll get there with 3 kids after a late night in the park.


Depending on where they are going in Atlanta, about 8 hour drive. After a vacation and all day at a park - gonna be tough on the adults to go even halfway. I've driven it back leaving at late as 4 pm after going to a park - but no later.

Note to OP, depending how late you are talking about you might want to look at Ocala and have your next day be a little bit longer.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Correct, we plan on leaving WDW late (possibly after 10:00pm).
Atlanta is about 9 hours from WDW, so driving the whole way (after a full day in the parks) would not be safe (I won't make it).
So, we're looking to just get a couple of hours closer to Atlanta before getting a hotel room. Then, our remaining time to Atlanta will be a bit shorter.

 

[spiceycat]

sorry - should definitely read more closely....

how far do you want to drive - Ocala is about 70 - 90 minutes - Gainesville is about 2 hours, lake city is about 3 hours.

really think the hotels are better and at times cheaper in Ocala and Gainesville than Lake city.

while might just stay in the Kissimmee area - you might get a better deal on a room there - and leave the next morning.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Thought about staying in/around Kissimmee, but I think they'll be too hyped up after leaving the parks, and wouldn't get to bed for an hour or so anyway, so the drive might help calm them down.

 

[JaxDad]

I've stayed in Gainesville. There are lots of hotels at the Archer Road exit (#384). You could map it on Expedia or some other site and check recent reviews of hotels in that area. You will see most brands. I stayed at the Residence Inn in that area last summer, and it was very nice. They had free breakfast, as will many of the other hotels. The exit area also has lots of restaurants for breakfast and other stores (e.g. Target), if you need other essentials.

 

[reelmom]

We have stayed at the Hampton Inn at Lake City. It was a nice, clean hotel with a free breakfast.

 

[ready2vacation]

We have stayed at the Hampton Inn at Lake City. It was a nice, clean hotel with a free breakfast.

Agree with this recommendation! We stayed there as well.