Where to stay on the way to the world

[jester911]

Hello all. I was wondering where the best places to stop for the night are along the I-75 while driving down. We are going to be leaving from southern Ontario and driving down. A lot of horror stories about different places that people have stayed. Looking for 2 adults and 4 kids. All kids will be under the age of ten and over 3 when we go. Just firing this out there.

Thanks

J

 

[digskat]

it all depends on how far you want to drive day 1. We have stopped in Dry Ridge (Kentucky), Corbin (Kentucky), Georgetown (Kentucky), Dalton (Georgia), Macon (Georgia), and Valdosta (Georgia). I prefer Dalton, it is a decent area, has nice hotels near I75, and is about an hour North of Atlanta. The only bad experiences we had were Georgetown (wrong side of I75) where they had bulletproof glass in front of the hotel reception, and Macon, where they advised us to remove all items from our vehicle, including the luggage rack.
We usually map out our distance by Along I75, and research the hotel by trip advisor. We then pre-book to get AAA rates.

 

[canadaman]

I don't know how much my opinion matters casue I haev yet to go yet for my first trip. WE to will be leaving from southren ontario and based on my extensive research we decieded to book a room in Dalton Georgia. We booked at the travelodge. It cost roughly $67 dollars and we get free parking and a free breakfast. Google maps tells me it will take roughly 13 1/2 hours to get there and my GPS pretty much agrees. That will be a little bit of a marathon.
From Dalton I think you have roughly 8 hours to the mouses house. depending of course on the un going oonstruction through downtown altlanta.

Good luck.

 

[disneyfreak89]

Pick up the I-75 book, its a great resource for hotels, gas and food all the way to Florida.

We have had our own share of horror story hotel stays.....Our favorite/cheap place to stay are the Red Roof Inns. True some are a bit old but they have been consistently still clean and efficient. We find the drive to Macon, Georgia (Red Roof Exit #169 Bypass) is far enough for us the first day (about a 10hr day), then its about a 9 or 10 hour drive to Disney from there.

We've also made the trip in 2 nights, makes for a much more relaxing journey, stopping in London, Kentucky (Red Roof Exit #41) the first night then Tifton, Georgia (Days Inn Exit #62) the second night....from there its only about a 4hr drive to Disney.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I take 2 and a half days to drive down and here is where we stay. The 1st day we stay at the Hampton Inn of exit 27 Cleveland, Tennessee and the 2nd day is the Hampton Inn & Suites location off exit 16 in Valdosta, Georgia. Driving home we stay at the Hampton Inn location off exit 333 in Dalton, Georgia and the next day we stay at the Hampton Inn location off exit 74 in Troy, Ohio. We have already made our reservations for these locations for our drive down and drive back this coming August.

 

[jester911]

Sounds great everyone. Thanks for the infor. It looks like the Dalton area seems to be the general choice for distance and ease. I like the idea of traveling 10-12 hrs or so then the next day about 8-10 hrs. This way by day three we can have a get ready day and hang out in the disney are with a lot of rest before we hit the parks. Planning on a 8-10 vacation with two days travel there and back. leaving us with 4-6 days in Disney with some rest days in between the parks. Should be a blast.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You're welcome and have a great time.

 

[rjan67]

When we drive to or from Florida, we always stop about 4pm or so and find a Holiday Inn Express and then book one however far away we will drive that night (say 2-3 hours more drive). I prefer Holiday Inn Express because they usually have an indoor pool, which is great for kids who have been in the car all day as well as serve a great breakfast (that is included) which is terrific when you have kids (also can get some snacks for the ride). I factor all that into the cost of the room. You can usually get a room with 2 queens and a pull out couch, enough for 6.

 

[piglets]

I agree with disneyfreak 89 - pick up the Along the I75 book. We have been getting it for years and it really helps when your plans change for whatever reason; construction, an extra long meal stop, etc. You can easily figure out how much farther to the hotel that you have decided to stop at.

When we go, we take 2 1/2 days to get to the World as well. Our first stop is usually either Dry Ridge, Kentucky - Exit 159 (great Hampton Inn there with an excellent pool and nice breakfast), or Corbin, Kentucky - Exit 29 - used to be called the Baymont Inn, but it's name now escapes me at the moment...It's right beside a Cracker Barrel (if you're into that kind of thing and they also have a great pool and hot tub that will ease your driving fatiqued muscles! Breakfast is also offered here. On our second night, we usually make it to the Hampton Inn in Tifton, Exit 62 Georgia - then it's only a few hours the next day to Disney!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Don't forget that there is also the Along Florida's Expressways book, which is just like the Interstate 75 book. So once you come into the state of Florida it's great because no more looking out for signs that say what's on the next, so you are able to plan ahead where you want to stop.

 

[maryrego]

Try roomsaver.com
This website has the same coupons as the traveller books

 

[jester911]

Thanks everyone awesome information. Another question for those of you who do the 2 and a bit days to get to Disney. What time do you usually roll in at. Do you try to get there early enough to hit the parts for half a day or do you do what I plan on doing and relaxing before the real walking begins?
I plan on getting to the hotel about dinner time. That way we can settle in before rushing around

 

[digskat]

hey J

We have done the trip over two nights the last two years. We left at around 10 am, and stopped in Dry Ridge (Kentucky), at a nice Hampton Inn, around 5pm. Had supper at the nearby Cracker Barrel, and a swim, and called it an early night. The next morning, we enjoyed the free breakfast and leisurely drove to Valdosta (Georgia), to the Country Inn and Suites, where we arrived at about 6:30pm. The next morning, we left at about 9am, and were at WDW by noon. We have been lucky enough to check in early both years, and after unloading, we hit the local Target and Walmart for some supplies. We usually relax this day, or hit Downtown Disney, and start at MK early the next AM. I found this easier on the body.
This year, we are leaving at 4am, and driving as far as possible on day 1 (hopefully near Atlanta). The next day we will do about another 7 hours, getting to our condo mid-afternoon.
Have a great trip