In an RV from Atlanta, where to stop?

[mouseketeer_mom]

Our plans have changed (yet again) and I'm hoping someone can help us out. We'll be leaving Atlanta somtime around 4pm on a Thurs. My DH will be pretty high on adreneline and will want to get us as close to WDW as possible. I'm thinking sometime around 9:30 he'll want to stop to eat and sleep for the night. Considering the direction we'll be traveling, can someone tell me about where we'll be at 5.5 hours into the trip? Is there anyplace to camp around there? Walmarts or Flying Js? Any suggestions?

We really want only about an hour to Disney the following morning.

Thanks!

 

[CF'er]

This will put you in the area of Gainsville, Fl. DH who is a truck driver said there are truck stops/walmart's etc there. You will then be 1.5 hours'ish from the World.

Hope this helps.

 

[clkelley]

There is a huge campground right off the interstate in Ocala, about 85 miles from WDW.

 

[We4mickey]

Shoot, we'd never stop if we were that close to FW. We'd keep going you would be there by 11.

 

[heatair]

It'll be a while until we leave, but we were planning on leaving the day before at a reasonable hour (5 AM for me, 10 AM for the Bride) and driving to the KOA outside of Orlando. That way, we'll get up and be there pretty quickly for the first day.

Leisurely drive the first day, followed by 7 days of the Mouse.

Of course, my Bride may change my plans....

 

[jason_rving]

About four years ago we tried stopping late one night in Lake City in a Wal Mart where other RVs were boondocked. It looked safe. As soon as we got to sleep a loud JEEP came by and threw a half full beer right at our door...about 30 minutes later it happened again then it parked nearby. My S&W security system was right by me loaded but we decided it was better to leave then confront him. We notified a cop on the way out but he seemed to care less. We will never again do that in Lake City or Gainesville, it does not seem safe in those areas at night to us. Now we make a reservation at a state park on the way down and leave early the next morning.

 

[stacktester]

I started the thread about staying in the overflow lot and it looks like that's not a good idea unless you're going to check in early and sleep a few hours. I would rather be getting going at 0600 than going to bed.

I too would not like sleeping at Wal-Mart. I have been to Flying J and seen people sleeping but it's so loud there what's the difference.

I suggest like the other poster said to book a state park site. Some have less of a fee if it's a primative site. Being that you're just going to use the shower you're rv is good to without power. I only live a couple hours away but the reason I would like to arrive early is to beat that I-4 traffic. It's bad all day so no time is good to be in it after daylight.

Go to www.floridastateparks.org and you will see several places that you can safely stay overnight.

 

[handman64]

We did the same thing back before Christmas. Left the Atlanta area around 5:00pm and stopped in Lake Park and stayed at the Eagle's Roost RV Resort.
This worked out great. My wife and kids really appreciated it also.
Made the trip more enjoyable.

 

[Kanda]

My S&W security system was right by me loaded.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Ocala is only about 45 miles or so closer to WDW than Gainesville. There is a campground right on the interstate at exit 399 in Gainesville, but I don't know the name (I know, big help!). There would be several in the Ocala area since Silver Springs is just east of the interstate. You might check with AAA or Woodall's or even KOA directories to see if there is anything in the area you want to stay. I guess most folks are like us and We4mickey, if we get that close, we aren't going to stop 'till we see the whites of Mickey's eyes!

 

[bradisgoofy]

Traveler's Campground is at exit 399, Encore RV Park at exit 368, Ocala RV & Camp Resort at exit 350 ( we have stayed at this one, very nice ). I only listed the CG that were rated at 8 or better.