Hotels Along I-75 South of Atlanta?

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hello All!

My family of six will be traveling to WDW from Kentucky in October. We imagine a stop south Atlanta for the night. Does anyone know of a decent, clean hotel that will not break the bank?

Thanks very much!

 

[LadyBeBop]

Hi neighbor. I'm right next to you, in Erlanger. In fact, if you go two blocks south or west from my house, you'll be in Independence.

Before we tell you where to stay, we have a few questions.

1) How much are you willing to spend?
2) What time are you leaving?
3) How much time do you want to be on the road both days?

It's about 14 hours from Northern KY to WDW, and Atlanta is just about halfway. I'd get to at least Macon (which is about 90 minutes south of Atlanta) if you want an easy second day. That's assuming you leave fairly early in the morning both days.

If you're not travelling on a weekend, you should probably get a suite room that sleeps six for about $100/night. Last time we went to Disney, we spent the night at Locust Grove at a Comfort Suites hotel. That was about $100/night (there were five of us). Now, again you'll probably want to travel farther than Locust Grove. That's just south of Atlanta; we started late that day, but we were taking three days down anyway.

 

[tkldisney]

Last year we stayed at Courtyard in Valdosta, GA. This gave us about 3.5 hour drive the next day to WDW. Nice, clean and close to exit off 75.
This year we are staying at Marriott City Center in Macon, GA. Same close to exit, clean and actually a fairly new hotel. Price is not over the edge. We're going down in Dec. and live about 45 min. north of Cincinnati, which is why we chose to stay in Macon which is about 5.5 hrs to WDW. Its just two adults so no children to consider.
We like the Marriott brand hotels because we know what to expect.

Tifton, GA is between Macon & Valdosta. There is a Fairfield Inn & Courtyard there. The Fairfield Inn offers free breakfast which might be of interest for
a party of six and they are not badly priced...

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hi neighbor. I'm right next to you, in Erlanger. In fact, if you go two blocks south or west from my house, you'll be in Independence.

Before we tell you where to stay, we have a few questions.

1) How much are you willing to spend?
2) What time are you leaving?
3) How much time do you want to be on the road both days?

It's about 14 hours from Northern KY to WDW, and Atlanta is just about halfway. I'd get to at least Macon (which is about 90 minutes south of Atlanta) if you want an easy second day. That's assuming you leave fairly early in the morning both days.

If you're not travelling on a weekend, you should probably get a suite room that sleeps six for about $100/night. Last time we went to Disney, we spent the night at Locust Grove at a Comfort Suites hotel. That was about $100/night (there were five of us). Now, again you'll probably want to travel farther than Locust Grove. That's just south of Atlanta; we started late that day, but we were taking three days down anyway.

What a small world we truly live in! Nice to meet you, neighbor!

To answer your questions:

1. No more than $150/night. That's the upper end of what I'm willing to spend. I'm not looking for the Beverly Hills Hotel , just a clean, safe place.

2. I think we'll be leaving around 7 am. I would like to get to GA by 4 pm, then start early in the morning. I have a 14 month old dauther, so I expect we'll be taking lots of breaks.

3. I think it will depend on how long my daughter stays happy.

Does that make sense?

Last year we stayed at Courtyard in Valdosta, GA. This gave us about 3.5 hour drive the next day to WDW. Nice, clean and close to exit off 75.
This year we are staying at Marriott City Center in Macon, GA. Same close to exit, clean and actually a fairly new hotel. Price is not over the edge. We're going down in Dec. and live about 45 min. north of Cincinnati, which is why we chose to stay in Macon which is about 5.5 hrs to WDW. Its just two adults so no children to consider.
We like the Marriott brand hotels because we know what to expect.

Tifton, GA is between Macon & Valdosta. There is a Fairfield Inn & Courtyard there. The Fairfield Inn offers free breakfast which might be of interest for
a party of six and they are not badly priced...

Awesome suggestions, thank you very much! You are close to being my neighbor, too!

 

[kydisneyfans]

We stayed in Macon, GA 2 weeks ago for our trip, a little more than halfway from Georgetown. There was a coupon in one of the green travel books for the Wingate for $59. It included free breakfast and was a nice little hotel. The remaining drive was just over 5 hours.

Just a heads up that I75 was one lane just south of the 75/40 split south of Knoxville and was backed up. Make sure the restless child has stretched before hitting this area. We used US 11 for a detour, which wasn't bad.

Another factor is Atlanta. If you hit Atlanta between about 3-7, you are better off staying north and driving thorugh early the next morning.

We drove straight through coming back, it was exactly 13 hours. We figure 12 1/2 hours plus stops. With a 14 month old, it will take you longer than 14 hours total to drive from northern KY to Disney.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last year we stayed at Courtyard in Valdosta, GA. This gave us about 3.5 hour drive the next day to WDW. Nice, clean and close to exit off 75.

That's exactly where I am staying later today.

I would also recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites in Valdosta located off exit 16.

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

We stayed in Macon, GA 2 weeks ago for our trip, a little more than halfway from Georgetown. There was a coupon in one of the green travel books for the Wingate for $59. It included free breakfast and was a nice little hotel. The remaining drive was just over 5 hours.

Just a heads up that I75 was one lane just south of the 75/40 split south of Knoxville and was backed up. Make sure the restless child has stretched before hitting this area. We used US 11 for a detour, which wasn't bad.

Another factor is Atlanta. If you hit Atlanta between about 3-7, you are better off staying north and driving thorugh early the next morning.

We drove straight through coming back, it was exactly 13 hours. We figure 12 1/2 hours plus stops. With a 14 month old, it will take you longer than 14 hours total to drive from northern KY to Disney.

Thanks very much, you've given me a bit more to think about in terms of our timeline. We ultimately need to be there by the AM on the 16th, and we can leave as early as 4 or 5 am on the 15th. This is definitely a new experience with my daughter, I hope it goes well!

That's exactly where I am staying later today.

I would also recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites in Valdosta located off exit 16.

First of all, I hope you have a wonderful time!! Thank you very much for the suggestions, I'm getting some great feedback from everyone!

 

[LadyBeBop]

What a small world we truly live in! Nice to meet you, neighbor!

To answer your questions:

1. No more than $150/night. That's the upper end of what I'm willing to spend. I'm not looking for the Beverly Hills Hotel , just a clean, safe place.

$150 is high for what you need. Even if you have to go with two connecting rooms, I think you should get something decent for about $135.

2. I think we'll be leaving around 7 am. I would like to get to GA by 4 pm, then start early in the morning. I have a 14 month old dauther, so I expect we'll be taking lots of breaks.

Been there, done it. The trip where we stayed overnight in Locust Grove...we took our (then) 15-month old DGD. We also left about 7:00, and got into Locust Grove about 4:00. We did not make good time though. We actually left about 12 hours early to miss an oncoming snowstorm in Tennessee (we were supposed to spend the night with my in-laws in Knoxville, then take off the following day to Valdosta). We stopped for lunch in Chattanooga about 12:30. During lunch, it started snowing (it wasn't supposed to start snowing until late afternoon). So it was slow going for about 40 miles. Snow turned to rain, north of Atlanta. In-laws were supposed to be following us, but they got lost in Atlanta. We finally decided to call it a day at Locust Grove. Remember, we were only supposed to make it to Knoxville, so we didn't care.

All this time, my DGD was an angel.

With minimal stops, you should make Atlanta by 2 PM. With your daughter, try to aim for 3 PM. Much later than that, and you may hit rush hour.

I'd try to make it to Macon. Tifton might be doable. Valdosta might be a little far for you.

3. I think it will depend on how long my daughter stays happy.

It depends on your daughter. Hoping it's farther than Dry Ridge.

Does that make sense?

Sure does.

 

[tkldisney]

I'd try to make it to Macon. Tifton might be doable. Valdosta might be a little far for you.



This is why we are stopping in Macon, this time. Felt like a long drive, but we got really slowed down in Atlanta because of the ice storm and roads were terrible.

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

I think Macon is a reasonable stopping point. One question, my map skills are not the greatest, but looking at a Google map of Georgia, is Macon on I-475? That's the loop around Macon?

This route is going to be different for us. Usually, we are going to Jacksonville first (family lives there) and then we drive down to Orlando the next day.

Thank you so very much for your information! I know that this is going to be a great trip!

 

[LadyBeBop]

I think Macon is a reasonable stopping point. One question, my map skills are not the greatest, but looking at a Google map of Georgia, is Macon on I-475? That's the loop around Macon?

Macon isn't exactly on I-475. You'll bypass Macon. Macon is a little bit out of your way. But we all consider the motels along I-475 to be part of Macon.

Number of good places along I-475. I think most of them are on Exit 3, but I do remember staying at a Best Western on Exit 1. That was over 25 years ago.

Yes, I am old.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Country Inn and Suites has a new property in Cordele around mm100. It would be about 2 hours south of Atlanta and a 4.5 hour drive the next day.
It would be under $100 and has a good breakfast. It sits right at the highway and is easy on/easy off.

 

[lacy1101]

Last year we stayed at Courtyard in Valdosta, GA. This gave us about 3.5 hour drive the next day to WDW. Nice, clean and close to exit off 75.
This year we are staying at Marriott City Center in Macon, GA. Same close to exit, clean and actually a fairly new hotel. Price is not over the edge. We're going down in Dec. and live about 45 min. north of Cincinnati, which is why we chose to stay in Macon which is about 5.5 hrs to WDW. Its just two adults so no children to consider.
We like the Marriott brand hotels because we know what to expect.

Tifton, GA is between Macon & Valdosta. There is a Fairfield Inn & Courtyard there. The Fairfield Inn offers free breakfast which might be of interest for
a party of six and they are not badly priced...

I second the Marriott brand - we love them! Always clean and seems to be a little bit above the rest in that class of hotel. We usually stay at a Fairfield Inn in McDonough, GA, which is about halfway for us. That leaves about a 6 hour drive in the next day.

In a few weeks, however, we are traveling with our DD16 and three of her 16yo friends. I couldn't find accomodations at a Fairfield without getting two rooms. A cousin of mine recommended the Comfort Suites (sleeps 6) in Valdosta, GA, and we got a rate of a little over $100 - with taxes and fees it came out to $131. We will only have to drive 3.5 hours the next morning to get to Disney. You can check it out on TripAdvisor. I can't wait!

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Previous poster here:

The hotel we stayed at in Macon was actually on I75, we did not take the bypass. The bypass is a shorter route though.

The Country Inn at Cordele was on our list of hotels also-we had pinned it on Hotwire as it was coming up at $59 for the night.

We were worried about choices since it was a Friday night, but had no problem finding what we wanted.

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Thank you all very much for the awesome suggestions. I know that I can trust the DISers to be so helpful!

 

[tkldisney]

I know the Marriott city center in Macon is less than 4 miles off I-75. I use map quest and you can get directions right on marriotts website tot any of their hotels. I am a stickler on directions so I do aaa triptik, which anyone can use, map quest and marriotts website. I just compare and only print out one, which is usually map quest.

 

[Abhay]

Live in Beverly Hills Hotel.