I've tried other threads without much help..

[happily single]

I decided at the very last minute to take a roadtrip to Orlando, from RI.
We are leaving Saturday the 17th and staying at the Nick Hotel for three nights.

I have soo many questions, since I haven't had too much time to research and obessively plan this trip. Hoping someone here can help me!

1. Can you bring coolers into Seaworld?
2. Does Nick Hotel allow you to bring coolers to their pool?
3. What are my coffee options at the Nick Hotel?
4. AAA has me driving (I haven't picked up my map yet) south-obviously-through Raleigh, NC. However a few people on other threads have said to take I-4 using the Tappan Zee??? What is this mysterious road?

I know I have more questions, but can't remember them

If you can offer any suggestions also please let me know.
Thanks soo much!

 

[Magic Mom]

I decided at the very last minute to take a roadtrip to Orlando, from RI.
We are leaving Saturday the 17th and staying at the Nick Hotel for three nights.

I have soo many questions, since I haven't had too much time to research and obessively plan this trip. Hoping someone here can help me!

1. Can you bring coolers into Seaworld?
2. Does Nick Hotel allow you to bring coolers to their pool?
3. What are my coffee options at the Nick Hotel?
4. AAA has me driving (I haven't picked up my map yet) south-obviously-through Raleigh, NC. However a few people on other threads have said to take I-4 using the Tappan Zee??? What is this mysterious road?

I know I have more questions, but can't remember them

If you can offer any suggestions also please let me know.
Thanks soo much!

From Seawarld's site

Dining, Food, and Beverage Policy
Restaurants and concession stands are located conveniently throughout the park. Large hard or soft coolers, glass containers, food, drinks and picnic lunches may not be taken into the park. Guests with special diets, baby formula or baby food may bring their items into the park.

from the Nick hotel website

Dining, Food, and Beverage Policy
Restaurants and concession stands are located conveniently throughout the park. Large hard or soft coolers, glass containers, food, drinks and picnic lunches may not be taken into the park. Guests with special diets, baby formula or baby food may bring their items into the park.

 

[dejr_8]

I decided at the very last minute to take a roadtrip to Orlando, from RI.
We are leaving Saturday the 17th and staying at the Nick Hotel for three nights.

4. AAA has me driving (I haven't picked up my map yet) south-obviously-through Raleigh, NC. However a few people on other threads have said to take I-4 using the Tappan Zee??? What is this mysterious road?

!

The Tappen Zee brigde is in NY.

You will take I-4 from I-95.

And you should not pass through Raleigh while driving from RI to FL. I-95 does not run through Raleigh

 

[Monte Cristo]

Will you be staying over somewhere along the way? That's a hike to do straight through.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

You're driving from Rhode Island to Orlando? God bless you!

 

[happily single]

I am stopping once along the way. AAA has be booked at a Best Western in Raliegh, NC. But I'll be calling them today to let them know it's waay out of the way!

Yes, I am driving from RI to Orlando. I need all the help I can get lol

Originally I was planning on going to NYC with the kids for April vacation, but I wasn't thrilled with the idea. My kids are 5, 11 and 12. So there didn't seem to be a ton of stuff to do.

Then I went into AAA and got a great rental rate ($162 for the week-midsize car) and a great Best Western rate in Raliegh.
THEN....I WENT TO TRAVEL ZOO AND GOT A RATE OF $89 A NIGHT FOR A TWO-BED SUITE A NICK HOTEL!!!

It just seems meant to be

 

[PixieTopaz]

Are your kids in school then?

Thats about a 21 hour drive-no way i could handle that. My kids used to go crazy for our 12 hour drive

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I can't really offer much help... I absolutely hate driving ANYWHERE and fly whenever possible. If I could get a helicopter to land in the backyard and take me to work I'd be all over that. LOL.

Just take lots of breaks. You need to get out of the car and stretch your legs.

 

[Makdyn]

Good Luck with the drive! I really wish I like driving as we are going in sept and the flights are crazy high. Have fun

 

[happily single]

The kids aren't in school, their last day of school before April vacation is the 16th.

I wish we could fly, but the prices were soo outrageous. Gone are the Ding's of $59 each way But I've always wanted to take a "roadtrip" although I envisioned something west, such as the Grand Canyon. But the kids spend long stretches of time, travelling from one Target to another in search of a bargain.

I figure with such a great rate if I decide I can't make the trip, not much is lost. I keep reminding the kids "We will drive South until you make me crazy"

 

[Liberty Belle]

My mom (single at the time) drove us to Orlando from Michigan once (and we flew once). I have fond memories of just the traveling portion of the trip. You'll all have a great time!

No help on your questions, sorry.

 

[Pikester]

Twice DH and I have driven to Disney World from NH. The kids who were 7 & 11 the first time and then 8 & 12 the second time did great! We made sure to schedule Pee brakes and gas stops and food stops every few hours. The first year(2008) we drove I-95 all the way. We left at 4AM(on a Saturday) from NH and made it to South Carolina (not far from the Georgia Border) by 10PM for the night. Then arrived at WDW the next day by 3PM. That included a stop at Daytona Beach.

The second time (2009) we wanted to take our time so we left the day after Thanksgiving around 3:30AM and made it to St. George, SC around 8:30PM for the night. Then we were on the road by 6AM Saturday and arrived at a Super 8 in Kissimme, FL around 3PM. We also stopped at Daytona on Saturday and hung around at the beach for a couple of hours. We arrived at WDW bright and early on Sunday morning at 7:30AM.

Oh and the second trip my DH took the Tappean Zee Bridge in NY because we figured there would be less traffic. Cool Bridge!

Baltimore, MD tunnel is so cool!

Driving by South of the Border is pretty interesting. Reading the signs even better. (We stopped here on our way home for pictures with Pedro)

If the kids like to read bring books(Mad Libs are a good one) and our saving grace was a portable DVD player. We were able to find one that has the two screens to hang on the back of the seats but the really cool thing about it is one movie can be viewed by both kids or each kid can watch their own movie. Just need to flick a switch.

I can not take credit for any of the driving because I don't. DH is AWESOME!

You are going to have a great drive!


*We are driving to Herhey Park, PA this June.
*We plan on driving to Universal next year.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

No, you can't take coolers into Seaworld or Universal. You can take them into Disney.

Can't help you with Nick as we've never done anything but drive past there.

Stay on 95 all the way until you get to Daytona then pick up I 4 west bound.

Going to Raliegh is ridiculous! Unless you have family there to visit, it's far too west from your I 95 route.

Have fun!

 

[kidzmom3]

If you take the Tappen Zee bridge, you do not have to drive thru NYC. Otherwise, you will drive over the George Washington Bridge, right into the Bronx. Its the most direct route, but also likely to have the most traffic and if you are unfamiliar with the route, its easy to get lost and or get on the wrong level of the bridge. When driving to NJ, we usually skirt around the city by going the Tappen Zee route.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yep, the Tappanzee Bridge is the way through the city. Timing will be important.