Where to stay night before WDW arrival?

[luvgoing2disney]

A co-worker is driving down to Disney in mid September for their 4 year olds first trip. Her husband refuses to fly so they plan to stay about one hour north of Disney on the day they drive down, then get up the next morning, drive the other hour, check in the their resort and hit the MK. She asked me for suggestions on about where that one hour away location might be and hotels but we always fly in. Can anyone help give me some ideas for her?

 

[gracielou]

We drive down from NC and almost always stop in Daytona Beach the night before we check in. It is just about exacly one hour out from WDW if you don't hit horrible traffic. DH loves the flea market that's just off I4 as soon as you exit I95 - he has to pick up fresh fruit for the room before we hit the road for the final hour. I like to stop there because I hate getting to Orlando but not being able to check into our WDW resort! We usually just search Kayak or another travel site when we're about 2 hours outside of Daytona and book whatever hotel looks best at the time. I'm always afraid that if we book somewhere in advance we'll get a late start (DH always works half a day the Friday we start the trip and we never know what catastrophe may keep him there late!), so I like the flexibility of stopping earlier if need be.

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[tndisneyfan]

The Daytona area seems like a good idea. Honestly though if I were going to go that far I would probably go ahead and drive into the Orlando area and spend the night there. I wouldn't want to do that hour drive if I didn't have to.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

We always leave town as soon as my Vacation time kicks in, usually a couple of days before check in.


St Augustine has some nice places also as does Cocoa Beach

We frequently stay at either the Clarion Inn or the Hilton Garden on Palm Parkway, a couple of miles from Downtown Disney. Easy access via Hotel Plaza Blvd. (dead ends at DTD).

Pretty nice and not expensive.

 

[juliebug1997]

The Daytona area seems like a good idea. Honestly though if I were going to go that far I would probably go ahead and drive into the Orlando area and spend the night there. I wouldn't want to do that hour drive if I didn't have to.

Same here. One hour out? That means you get up the next morning and can go to WDW!!!!

 

[gracielou]

We used to drive the whole way and stay at one of the DTD hotels, but it killed me knowing I was so close to CBR and yet still so far (even checking in at 8am means I'm within a couple of miles yet still so very far away!) The stop for fruit has become such a tradition that this year we booked an extra night so we're leaving on a Friday and it will be open to pick up more on the way home. Hey, using the flea mall as an excuse has gradually helped me convince DH to add more nights. We started at 8 nights 11 years ago and I've "logic-ed" my way into 13 as the years have passed.

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[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum.

 

[Jennybump]

We found the nicest little Homewood Suites in Ocala, FL, with free b'fast, and kitchenettes including full fridge/freezer in the rooms. We are excited to try it out!

 

[Disneyaddictz]

Hilton garden by Jacksonville airport, just off the 95, nice, feels safe, morning grab dunkin donuts and enjoy the most exciting 2 hour drive to Orlando!!! Two hours is perfect because we really enjoy the drive and agree that one hour is too tempting

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