Planning the first day and where to stay on our road trip

[cwnhokie]

We are driving to Orlando from the Washington DC area. We are going to stay overnight about half way. (any recommendations from those that make this drive regularly would be appreciated.) So we will be getting to Orlando late in the evening on Saturday. I was thinking we would just get settled in that day, maybe go to the grocery store, check out the pool. Now, what to do on Sunday. Do we hop right into the parks? Start with a character breakfast right of the top? if so which one? Or do we take it easy after being in the car for 16 hours and relax at the hotel water park. I was thinking maybe we could hit a smaller park like Animal Kingdom, but kind of want Magic Kingdom to be first for the wow factor. I have two boys 4 and 2. What do you vetrans think? This is our first time. Thanks!

 

[nygrl]

when i was little we drove to disney every year from ny and i remember we always stayed at south of the border. im not sure exactly where it is . i think somewhere between north and south carolina. i just remember it always being so much fun. im sure you could find more info on it on line if it is even still there. good luck. by the way i am 38 now so it was quitew a while ago.

 

[crazymomof4]

Re: hotels on the way down. There are a good deal of very "skanky" hotels along the I-95 corridor. We learned this by stopping at some hotels that looked nice from the outside but once we got into the room we were not-so-pleasantly surprised. We have always found Hampton Inns to be a risk-free stop. The rooms are clean and up-to-date. They always offer free continental breakfast.
Second choice would be a Fairfield or Comfort Inn.

Look at roomsaver.com for printable coupons you can use at hotels. For our last trip I guessed at the general area where we would be stopping overnight. Then I printed coupons for several hotels in that area just to have with us. If you have a cell phone, take the phone numbers of the hotels along and you can check availability when you are close to the area.

As far as the "what to do on Sun." question. I would go into a park (MK?) Just get to bed early on Sat night and you'll be refreshed from your drive down enough to do the park. Just a bit of advice: If you haven't yet, plan on using a stroller for the 4yo too. The parks are too big for a child of that age to walk all day. If you get only one stroller you'll end up using it for the 4 yo and carrying the 2 yo! That's no fun! PS- WDW has double strollers to rent.

I don't mean to "bust" on someone else's suggestion but I have a warning regarding South of the Border. I've never stayed there personally but my nieghbor and her family did about 10 yrs ago. She said they thought it would be "fun". Well, she got up in the middle of the night and "the floor was covered with roaches." (her words).

 

[DVCLiz]

Never stay at South of the Border - enjoy the bilboards, drive by and look from your car, but never....eewwwwwwww gross!

 

[dtsaos]

I have to second DVCliz, whatever you do, don't stay at south of the border!

 

[kerry34]

I have never stayed there, and from the sounds of it, I am glad I never did!! Our last trip down we stayed in Fayettville, and there were plenty of hotels in that area. I cant remember which one we stayed at, one of the national chain hotels, like marriot or ramada, but it was clean and there were some restaurants nearby.

 

[carol1231]

Can't give you any advice on where to stay.

But, on your first day, definetly go to a park like MK. This is your first day of vacation, you'll have lots of energy for a park.