Any interesting stops on I-95?

[moonspinner]

We will be making our first trip to WDW in September and will be traveling with our two DDs (ages 5 and 8). :sohappy:

We are coming from Lexington, SC and plan on taking I-95.

While it is a fairly short trip (7 to 8 hours, I think), I'm thinking it would be nice to have somewhere to stop and let the girls get their wiggles out.

Are there any interesting or nice places to make a short stop along that route? I'm honestly looking for anything that would let them move about, even something as mundane as a fastfood joint, as long as it's clean. :lookaroun

Thanks guys!!

 

[woodardfamily]

When we drive from NC, I like stopping at the Chick Fil A's. Their playground is clean and in the AC. We usually let them play the entire time my wife and I eat. Then we get theirs to go. Works very well!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[moonspinner]

I'm thinking that Chick-fil-a might be our best bet. They are always clean and consistantly have great customer service across the board AND they almost always have indoor playgrounds (at least in my experience).

I hate to admit it, but I don't think we ever considered letting them eat in the car after they play. It's a great idea. How hard is it to get them to sit down and eat when they are pratically itching to play? Exactly. It might not be something we normally do, but on a road trip I think that's a great solution.

Thanks for the suggestion!!

 

[ScoutN]

Whatever you do, DON'T I repeat DON'T stop at South of the Border. It is the biggest hole you could ever stop at in your wildest dreams. If you're entering Florida after 7am then stop at the welcome center there and sample some orange juice or grapefruit juice.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Whatever you do, DON'T I repeat DON'T stop at South of the Border. It is the biggest hole you could ever stop at in your wildest dreams. If you're entering Florida after 7am then stop at the welcome center there and sample some orange juice or grapefruit juice.

:lol::lol::lol: We use to stop there EVERY trip on our way down. We know that place very well. I guess its safe to say its gone downhill in the last decade.

 

[MansionGoer13z]

:lol::lol::lol: We use to stop there EVERY trip on our way down. We know that place very well. I guess its safe to say its gone downhill in the last decade.

Stopped there maybe once or twice in my life typical bathroom break then back on the road for us. I'm wondering how deplorable has it gotten now?

 

[Master Yoda]

If you are going through Jacksonville somewhere between lunch and dinner there is a Dave and Buster's right off of I-95 at J Turner Butler Blvd. It is a tad tricky to get into but if you have a GPS it will be a breeze.

 

[moonspinner]

You know it's funny. I've lived in SC for most of my life and I've never gone to South of the Border. I'm thinking that has been a good thing. :animwink: I'm wondering if it just hasn't seriously gone downhill, which is a shame. Sounds like (based on location if nothing else) it would have real potential to bring in travelers.

I'll have to make a note about the Dave and Buster's. Girls have never been there and they would probably get a kick out of it.

 

[Master Yoda]

You know it's funny. I've lived in SC for most of my life and I've never gone to South of the Border. I'm thinking that has been a good thing. :animwink: I'm wondering if it just hasn't seriously gone downhill, which is a shame. Sounds like (based on location if nothing else) it would have real potential to bring in travelers.

I'll have to make a note about the Dave and Buster's. Girls have never been there and they would probably get a kick out of it.

Send me a PM if you decide to go. It is one of those places that you can see from I95 but can't quite figure out how to get there.

 

[moonspinner]

I'll do that, thanks!

 

[Disneybird]

If you want to take the time, drive into St. Augustine for an hour or two. The historical area is something to see at least once for everyone and then there's a fort to visit too.

 

[moonspinner]

Ooo, St. Augustine sounds great! Googled it and it looks like a beautiful city (reminds me vaguely of Beaufort). Looks like a great place to spend a little time just winding down.

I think that would make a great place to stop and see on the way home (at least I would have SOMETHING to look forward to as we leave the world).

Thanks for the tip!!

Sweet looking pic btw.

 

[Disneybird]

Ooo, St. Augustine sounds great! Googled it and it looks like a beautiful city (reminds me vaguely of Beaufort). Looks like a great place to spend a little time just winding down.

I think that would make a great place to stop and see on the way home (at least I would have SOMETHING to look forward to as we leave the world).

Thanks for the tip!!

Sweet looking pic btw.

Thank you. I need to update that picture, it's 4 years old now.

You'll love St. Augustine.

 

[tigsmom]

]Whatever you do, DON'T I repeat DON'T stop at South of the Border. [/B] It is the biggest hole you could ever stop at in your wildest dreams. If you're entering Florida after 7am then stop at the welcome center there and sample some orange juice or grapefruit juice.

What?!

It's a must for us, stretch your legs and get a good laugh at the cra...wonderful merchandise for sale. :lol:

and we always stop for our free glass of juice too!

 

[brisem]

I think the Billboards are better than the attraction. Plus it's always the part of the trip that let's you know that Disney is getting closer.

 

[ScoutN]

What?!

It's a must for us, stretch your legs and get a good laugh at the cra...wonderful merchandise for sale. :lol:

and we always stop for our free glass of juice too!

I'm a big "time driver," when I drive to Disney... I drive. Restroom breaks at gas stops, orange juice, packed food. I don't stop. Even when my family does I prefer to save my eyes from that place. Once I started driving there alone and stopped once or twice there I understood why the father went right by all those years.

 

[DBF John]

Daytona Beach, The Worlds Most F amous Beach.
just before you turn right on I-4


sorry bad joke:ROFLOL:

 

[moonspinner]

DH is a time driver, too. And while he says I can take a turn and drive any time, he almost never lets me. See, I don't drive as fast as he does, so I think I cut into his time.

Despite his need to speed :animwink:, this will be a 7 to 8 hour trip. Personally, I grew up with my folks driving to TX to see family (18 hour trip) so this to me isn't too bad, but I think the girls will feel just a wee bit confined. So, we will have to make at least a few stops.

Maybe I can convince him to appreciate 'good time with stops'? I know, I don't think he will buy it either, but it's worth a shot.

 

[Master Yoda]

DH is a time driver, too. And while he says I can take a turn and drive any time, he almost never lets me. See, I don't drive as fast as he does, so I think I cut into his time.

Despite his need to speed :animwink:, this will be a 7 to 8 hour trip. Personally, I grew up with my folks driving to TX to see family (18 hour trip) so this to me isn't too bad, but I think the girls will feel just a wee bit confined. So, we will have to make at least a few stops.

Maybe I can convince him to appreciate 'good time with stops'? I know, I don't think he will buy it either, but it's worth a shot.

I am kind of the same way but for me it is not the length of time it takes to get somewhere it is arriving on time. Typically with us we are trying to get checked into our resort at to a park no later than 8:30 AM. To do that we really need to be on the road by 5:00 AM. When we get out by 4:30-4:45 I am relaxed and do not mind a delay or two. When we don't see highway until 5:30 or so the vein in my head begins to pop. If he works the same way leave early and he might calm down a touch.

 

[moonspinner]

Ah, I'm familiar with THE VEIN. :animwink: Right are you Yoda. Leaving early I'm sure would only help make the drive more relaxing for him and allow for extra time to stop.