Things to see or do while Driving to WDW

baker462 · Mar 5, 2006

Hey all,

We are driving to WDW this Friday from Kingston Ontario.

This will be our 5th drive down, and to be frank... the drive is starting to get a little old... Usually we drive straight threw, but there have been times that we stopped over night.

Usually are big stop is SOUTH OF THE BOARDER.. there is only so many times you can go to this place!

Any other suggestions on places to stop or places to see along the way? It would be fien to stop for the night etc.. to see (or do) something worth while!

We normally drive down Hwy 81 to Hwy 95 down I-4. If there is something really interesting I am willing to change the route (ie. down 75 or anything else you can suggest!)

Driving with my wife, and 5 yr old daughter..

ANY suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Baker

OntFamily · Mar 5, 2006

It depends on how much longer you are willing to drive. The route you are presently taking is the quickest. Going the I-79/77 route would add 2 hours to the time, and I-75 would add 4 hours (using Mapquest).

baker462 · Mar 5, 2006

OntFamily said:
It depends on how much longer you are willing to drive. The route you are presently taking is the quickest. Going the I-79/77 route would add 2 hours to the time, and I-75 would add 4 hours (using Mapquest).

I don't really mind spending more time driveing, if there is something along the way to make it worth while!

Doing the I-95 you start seeing signs for SOUTH OF THE BOARDER about 250 -300 miles away from it! and these signs are EVERYWHERE!! it is like sitting there watching a clock! 300miles to go.... 280 miles to go 255 miles to go. etc etc etc...

So I was thinking maybe a different route might make it seem like a new trip!

Debbie · Mar 6, 2006

Can you get a copy of Dave Hunter's Along I-75? In his book, he has lots of things to do on the way. We've done: first KFC/museum, craft/antique stores in Berea, Lost Sea, Museum of Appalachia, Cabbage Patch hospital (off the beaten track and through the mountains), Moonbow Falls..... and that just scatches the surface of "things to do on the way down" listed in Dave's book. Of the four sisters, my family is the only one who has done these with the kids (not counting Lost Sea). We've always considered the drive down as part of the vacation, so if it takes an extra day or two, that's okay. Whatever you decide....have fun! :wizard:

tinkerbeth · Mar 6, 2006

Debbie said:
Can you get a copy of Dave Hunter's Along I-75? In his book, he has lots of things to do on the way. We've done: first KFC/museum, craft/antique stores in Berea, Lost Sea, Museum of Appalachia, Cabbage Patch hospital (off the beaten track and through the mountains), Moonbow Falls..... and that just scatches the surface of "things to do on the way down" listed in Dave's book. Of the four sisters, my family is the only one who has done these with the kids (not counting Lost Sea). We've always considered the drive down as part of the vacation, so if it takes an extra day or two, that's okay. Whatever you decide....have fun!

Another vote for this book. It was featured in the paper on the weekend. Last time I checked, it was sold out and awaiting another printing, but the next edition is supposed to be out soon or is now. This book makes the drive one MILLION times more bearable, especially with children. Every playground at every restaurant inside and outside is listed at each exit. We found this great for our 3 year old who needs some exercise since we drive straight through the night.

Good luck!

Beth

baker462 · Mar 6, 2006

tinkerbeth said:
Another vote for this book. It was featured in the paper on the weekend. Last time I checked, it was sold out and awaiting another printing, but the next edition is supposed to be out soon or is now. This book makes the drive one MILLION times more bearable, especially with children. Every playground at every restaurant inside and outside is listed at each exit. We found this great for our 3 year old who needs some exercise since we drive straight through the night.

Good luck!

Beth

Sounds like a good book... but I wont have time to find it before we go! (we leave this Fri (maybe Thurs night)

If anyone has this book... feel like posting a few ideas from it for me? or if ya live near Kingston, wanna lend it to me for the night?

Baker

digskat · Mar 6, 2006

check out his website;

http://www.i75online.com/challenge.html

it gives a decent summary. If you can find it, buy it, it's worth the money. He lists sites, hotels, shopping, and cheap gas, as well as best lanes to be in. We have driven down twice in the last 16 months, and it was a big help. Along I75 will be in the glove compartment in another 8 months.

Daisy-J&D · Mar 7, 2006

Baker462 -
I'm in the same situation but reversed. I normally drive the I77/79 route and it's getting boring. Can you share your I95 route? I may try that this time around. I remember those South of the Border signs from when I was a kid and my Grandparents took me to South Carolina, I would love to take that route.

You may want to try the I-77 route. I find it more interesting than the I-75. It's through the mountains so it isn't a straight road drive, there are lots of curves and The sights are so beautiful. As for I-75, I found it pretty boring and only drove it 1x. We did stop in Atlanta and visited the Coca-Cola museum which was interesting but not worth the boring trip.

pkitty · Mar 7, 2006

We bring a mini football to throw around at break times.

Yzma and Kronk · Mar 7, 2006

We have driven both ways many times in the last couple of years.

I-77/79 doesn't really have anything exciting to stop and see except for scenic stops. This route is really beautiful. The only thing would be Nascar if you are into that located in Mooresville, NC

http://www.ncarhof.com/

The places we have stopped on I-75 are:

Newport Aquarium - just over the bridge from Cincinatti. Great little aquarium, my kids love it. It a nice 3 hour lunch stop to take in the aquarium and eat.

http://www.newportaquarium.com/

The Kentucky Fried Chicken museum is interesting, but only for a lunch stop.
This is in Corbin, Kentucky.

In Athens, Tennesse we have stopped at the Mayfield Dairy and did a tour. It was interesting and the kids got to see how they make ice cream. Good little ice cream shop for afterwards. About 5 miles off I-75. This would be about a 2 1/2 hour stopover.

http://www.mayfielddairy.com/visitors_locations.html

In Atlanta, if you are driving go right through the city on the HOV lanes. Don't take the I-285 bi-pass (much more traffic + truck traffic)

Here there are a few things you can see just past the downtown area. All of these are in the same general area for driving.

Zoo Atlanta http://www.zooatlanta.org/home.htm
We have been here over 6 times. It's a very nice small Zoo in a old (safe) historical area of Atlanta. You'd need about 3 hours to complete this. Your 5 yrold would really enjoy this.

New Georgia Aquarium. http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
We haven't been but are going next week.

Also The World of Coke http://www.woccatlanta.com/ is very interesting.
Not sure if you 5 yrold would enjoy this as it is mostly a museum, but will enjoy the free samples!

We have also been to the Chattenooga Aquarium, which is not too far off I-75, but my kids really preferred the Newport one.

Hope this helps.

Happy Driving!

baker462 · Mar 7, 2006

Thanks for all the tips! I am gonna start surfing the net now to check out all these places!

Baker

baker462 · Mar 7, 2006

Daisy-J&D said:
Baker462 -
I'm in the same situation but reversed. I normally drive the I77/79 route and it's getting boring. Can you share your I95 route? I may try that this time around. I remember those South of the Border signs from when I was a kid and my Grandparents took me to South Carolina, I would love to take that route.

You may want to try the I-77 route. I find it more interesting than the I-75. It's through the mountains so it isn't a straight road drive, there are lots of curves and The sights are so beautiful. As for I-75, I found it pretty boring and only drove it 1x. We did stop in Atlanta and visited the Coca-Cola museum which was interesting but not worth the boring trip.

Well we cross over just east of kingston (1000 Islands bridge) and that turns into Hwy 81. follow that down basically (there are some changes between, cant remember them. check out a road atlas to be sure) to I-95, take I-95 to I-4 right into disney! It is a pretty simple route, it just gets boring after you do it a bunch of times!

SOUTH OF THE BOARDER is in Dillon (right on the boarder of SC and NC) It has LOADS of cheesy little stores and stuff. It is a nice time to get out of the car and walk around and see all the tacky tourist souveniers.

If you do the drive, let me know what you think!~

If you take the I-77 route, where is the best place to cross over??

Baker

Daisy-J&D · Mar 9, 2006

baker462 said:
If you take the I-77 route, where is the best place to cross over??

Baker

Well, if you get this in time, I live in Toronto so I cross at Queenston/Lewiston. You'd be better off to start out your way and connect onto I-90 West to I-79 South.

Thank you for the 95 info! :figment: