Suggestion for Site Before Arriving?

[Disbuf]

If I don't want to drive into Disney our first night, does anyone have a suggestion for where to stop either on the Turnpike or I-75? We would not be able to get in until late our first night and I hate to pay Disney rates just to sleep. I want something that is close to the highway with easy in/out since we are pulling a 35' fifth wheel. It seems the KOA at Wildwood gets bad reviews.

 

[clkelley]

I usually stop a bit further North. Eagle Roost at Exit 5 in Georgia gets great reviews. I stayed there on my way home in December.

 

[Disbuf]

We were considering either Eagles Roost or the KOA at that exit. I was just thinking about going a little further if we make good time although that all depends on how quick we get through Atlanta. We are staying at the KOA at Horse Cave, Kentucky the night before. We probably will be back on the road by 7am so if things go well, we could be to Fort Wilderness by 11pm but I just hate spending that much money arriving that late plus I worry about putting it in a site in the dark. I havent had to back this new 5th wheel yet. We have always had pull through sites the few times I traveled with it last fall.

 

[team bradfield]

We stay at KOA Wildwood every trip down, this will be #4. I don't have any reviews other than we pull in, hook up, set up, cook on the grill, kids turn on the tv, they have cable. Let then hit the pool for a while.

It's our 3rd day driving so my lovely bride and I do some laundry, while she makes a margarita, I drink beer and listen to the cubs on XM.

the night before FW, who cares.....

 

[tderonne]

We've used Lake Louisa State Park for a late night, cheaper stop on the way to the Fort. It's only a few years old, so it's big rig friendly (some pull-throughs) and clean. It's just 8.5 miles North of 192 on US-27, about 20 miles from Fort Wilderness.

 

[Tnbob]

We've stayed at Grand Lakes off 75 about 3 miles off exit 368. Its a little pricey but big,clean and all pull thrus. Its the same exit as Ocala north but I've never been to Ocala north so I can't comment on it. Exit 368 is about an hour and a half from The Fort.

 

[Disbuf]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate the insights.

 

[clkelley]

We've used Lake Louisa State Park for a late night, cheaper stop on the way to the Fort. It's only a few years old, so it's big rig friendly (some pull-throughs) and clean. It's just 8.5 miles North of 192 on US-27, about 20 miles from Fort Wilderness.

Unfortunately, with the new 429S toll road, US-27 is way out of the way to Disney.

 

[U.P. North]

I usually stop a bit further North. Eagle Roost at Exit 5 in Georgia gets great reviews. I stayed there on my way home in December.

How far of a drive is this to Disney? I found their website here: https://www.eaglesroostresort.com/ We are in the same boat. Driving from South Bend, Indiana leaving on a thursday morning and checking into the Fort on Saturday. We will break up the drive in 3 segments and are trying to figure out how far we want to go on Saturday will determine how far we drive thursday and friday.

Thanks
Dan

 

[clkelley]

It's on exit 5 in Georgia. Very nice RV park. The Florida turnpike is about 140 miles from the Georgia line, then 42 miles on the turnpike, then 14 miles on 429S, then about 6 or 7 miles on Disney property to the Fort. So just over 200 miles from the Fort.

 

[stacktester]

Have you considered Turkey Lake? It's near the turnpike/I-4 intersection. Very close to Universal/IOA Parks. Phone is 407-299-5581. It's $15 a night and they will give you the gate combo if you come in after 5 p.m.

 

[big kahuna1]

I think Donnie owns stock in Turkey Lake.

 

[U.P. North]

It's on exit 5 in Georgia. Very nice RV park. The Florida turnpike is about 140 miles from the Georgia line, then 42 miles on the turnpike, then 14 miles on 429S, then about 6 or 7 miles on Disney property to the Fort. So just over 200 miles from the Fort.

Thanks for the quick response!!

 

[DisneyDadinOhio]

There's also Travelers Campground in Alachua, FL http://www.travelerscampground.com/. Right off of 75 at exit 399. Had some good reviews (except the most recent), and the overnight area is kinda weird, but it looks like it's not too bad. I think it depends on how far you want to drive (and just how much "are we there yet?" you can take the next morning..!)
From Travelers: about 135 miles
From Eagles Roost: about 210 miles

 

[tderonne]

Unfortunately, with the new 429S toll road, US-27 is way out of the way to Disney.

Just take the "old" way down 27 from the Turnpike, it's about 5 miles shorter. Yes, it does take a little longer, but it's not bad late on a Saturday night when we're arriving from Michigan.

(If I'm going straight to Fort Wilderness I like to skip 429S all together. It's easier to go all the way to I-4, same distance within a mile.)

 

[clkelley]

Just take the "old" way down 27 from the Turnpike, it's about 5 miles shorter. Yes, it does take a little longer, but it's not bad late on a Saturday night when we're arriving from Michigan.

(If I'm going straight to Fort Wilderness I like to skip 429S all together. It's easier to go all the way to I-4, same distance within a mile.)

Not me, hate going to I-4, hate, going down 27.

LOVE 429S and Western Way!!!!!

 

[Disbuf]

I have to agree...the 429 to Western Way is awesome. I am still amazed how little traffic there is on it still. It's as if people don't realize that it will take them right to Disney.

 

[Disbuf]

How far of a drive is this to Disney? I found their website here: https://www.eaglesroostresort.com/ Driving from South Bend, Indiana leaving on a thursday morning and checking into the Fort on Saturday. We will break up the drive in 3 segments and are trying to figure out how far we want to go on Saturday will determine how far we drive thursday and friday.

Thanks
Dan

We are heading down from Auburn, Indiana so we are going about the same distance as you. We are leaving around 5pm on a Thursday and are stopping at the KOA at Horse Cave, Kentucky. We plan on knocking out most of the drive on Friday. Eagles Roost looks really nice and that would leave us about 3 hours to Disney which means we should be able to arrive by noon. That should be late enough to get a site and yet early enough to maybe get a site that will be easy to get into with our big rig.

 

[beagles7278]

Not me, hate going to I-4, hate, going down 27.

LOVE 429S and Western Way!!!!!

Sorry to hijack the topic. You don't go all the way to 192?

 

[clkelley]

Sorry to hijack the topic. You don't go all the way to 192?

Absolutely NOT. You get off at Exit 8, which is Hartzog Rd, then you are on Western Way, which takes you to West Buena Vista Dr, next to Coronado Springs. Take a left hand turn, then go to World Dr, then proceed to the Fort on World Drive!!

Never have to see the traffic light area of 192!!!!