First Time Driving

[graphite1326]

We have always flown from upstate NY to Orlando and used the bus service to our resort. This trip, in September, we thought we would take a few days, since we have the time, and drive down and also seeing a few sights along the way. It looks like about halfway is in the Carolinas. We were wondering where a good place to stay over night there to break up our trip.

Also, any places we should see along the way?

Another question I have; when you get to the gate at your resort what information does the guard need? If any.

 

[networkpro]

How far upstate ? Like Buffalo ? Which route 77 or 95 ?

 

[graphite1326]

How far upstate ? Like Buffalo ? Which route 77 or 95

Rochester. 390 to 15 thru Pennsylvania and pick up 95 in Maryland.

 

[KaliSplash]

I would suggest the Savannah, Ga. area if you can push the drive that far. All the major chain hotels are located throughout your route through NC, SC and GA. But you will have the best selection in the Savannah area. Depending on how much of a break you want, you can drive into Savannah on I-16 to see the downtown squares, parks and the riverfront. You will then be about 5 hours from Mickey.

The North Carolina-South Carolina state line is more the halfway point. Again, hotel chains will be plentiful along the route. Whatever you do, do NOT stay at South of the Border, despite the repeated billboards urging you to do so. Very 1950s tourist trap.

I don't really know any great spots to visit along I-95 in NC and SC, even though I live in SC and drive up to VA from time to time. Again, depending on how much of a break you want, Charleston is about an hour east of I=95, by following I-26 east. Tons to see there and superb restaurants, but that's a good-sized detour.

As to the front gate, I'd have your reservation number, driver's llicense and they will want a tag number for the car.

Good luck on your trip.

 

[networkpro]

The best exit for Savannah would be the one just past I-16. Nine hotels, 8 different food places, etc. all within half a mile of the exit (most on the Eastern side).

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[nickys]

Another question I have; when you get to the gate at your resort what information does the guard need? If any.

If you have a magic band or magic mobile, they’ll probably just scan it.

Otherwise have your reservation info (just on MDE is fine) and some ID.

As for where to stay, you could always have a night or two at the Hilton Head Island DVC resort.

 

[JIMINYCR]

At the entrance gate at POFQ they only ask us for our name and look up that we have a reservation for the stay.
We always stay Hilton because it's a chain that we've never had issues with cleanliness and pleasant staffing. Coming from ME we usually stop around halfway in Staunton VA. or pushing further we stop in Charleston.
Trip advisor lists places of interest in each state or go online and each state has tourism info for what areas have that might interest you. If you are a member of AAA they have guides available also. I always intend to stop at tourist sites but once I get into driving I want to just get to WDW and want no delays. When I retire fully and have no time constraints with the luxury of having extra days at hand maybe I will take in some tourist spots.

 

[graphite1326]

At the entrance gate at POFQ they only ask us for our name and look up that we have a reservation for the stay.
We always stay Hilton because it's a chain that we've never had issues with cleanliness and pleasant staffing. Coming from ME we usually stop around halfway in Staunton VA. or pushing further we stop in Charleston.
Trip advisor lists places of interest in each state or go online and each state has tourism info for what areas have that might interest you. If you are a member of AAA they have guides available also. I always intend to stop at tourist sites but once I get into driving I want to just get to WDW and want no delays. When I retire fully and have no time constraints with the luxury of having extra days at hand maybe I will take in some tourist spots.

So you are recommending I look at Hiltons along the way? Do you think I should just find one and not make a reservation somewhere along the way? The carolinas are about halfway for me.

 

[JIMINYCR]

So you are recommending I look at Hiltons along the way? Do you think I should just find one and not make a reservation somewhere along the way? The carolinas are about halfway for me.

Do what you feel is best for you. Many people decide lodging according to price, amenities, loyalty points they accrue, location to the highway or when they just get tired of driving a certain distance. I have driven the route to Dis enough times that I know Im getting to an area where I can't drive any longer and stay at the same Hiltons. I'm also loyal to these particular Hiltons because of past positive experiences. To many people a hotel room for the night is just a place to crash until morning and anything will do. How particular you are on where you stay and the comfort you will get for the price you pay is your call.

 

[graphite1326]

Do what you feel is best for you. Many people decide lodging according to price, amenities, loyalty points they accrue, location to the highway or when they just get tired of driving a certain distance. I have driven the route to Dis enough times that I know Im getting to an area where I can't drive any longer and stay at the same Hiltons. I'm also loyal to these particular Hiltons because of past positive experiences. To many people a hotel room for the night is just a place to crash until morning and anything will do. How particular you are on where you stay and the comfort you will get for the price you pay is your call.

After researching and suggestions from others and you, Hilton is the top choice. In fact that is what almost everyone said. My next decision is do I want to play it by ear and find one along the way or should I make a reservation before we leave somewhere in mid North Carolina.

 

[JIMINYCR]

After researching and suggestions from others and you, Hilton is the top choice. In fact that is what almost everyone said. My next decision is do I want to play it by ear and find one along the way or should I make a reservation before we leave somewhere in mid North Carolina.

Kids are back in school and most people have slowed down their major vacation traveling by Sept so maybe you would be fine playing it by ear unless you have a more accurate plan on your driving time and where you might want to stop.
My DW needs a handicap bathroom with a roll in shower which dictates our making firm plans in advance because those type of rooms aren't as plentiful.

 

[Figgy1]

DO NOT STOP AT SOUTH OF THE BORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's time I'll never get back. The kids begged for years to stop and we always got away with it's too early or it's too late, the one time we couldn't get away with either

 

[mf1972]

we’ve driven many times from NJ & always stay overnight in georgia. the last 3 years we stayed at a comfortable holiday inn pooler, georgia 100 outlet parkway. its your typical outlet for shopping & had many dining options from fast food to sit down chain restaurants.
agree, dont go to SOTB. i only stopped there for gas & that was good enough for me. nonstop at buc-ees in SC if you can. it gets busy but it was fun to see, stick up on snacks, etc.
don’t have to worry about food or gas. there’s plenty of stops along the way as well as rest areas.
as far as arriving at your resort, i show them my drivers license & mention we’re checking in. they’ll direct you where to go. hope this helps, & have a safe trip.

 

[allgiggles]

After researching and suggestions from others and you, Hilton is the top choice. In fact that is what almost everyone said. My next decision is do I want to play it by ear and find one along the way or should I make a reservation before we leave somewhere in mid North Carolina.

We've done the drive from Southeastern PA 10 times (about 16 hours of driving not including stopping for meals, breaks, etc.). We usually travel in June. For the first several trips, we always made a reservation at a hotel in Port Wentworth (Savannah), GA for the night. That gave us about a 4 hour drive in the morning. Once hotel/travel apps became popular, we stopped making reservations ahead of time because we found that some trips the Port Wentworth stop was the perfect time, but other times it was too far or too close. Now we drive until about 5 or 6 p.m. (we now split the drive over 3 days on the way to DW) and then get off at an exit with a lot of hotels (download the iExit app). We typically stay at Hilton or Marriott properties but aren't 100% loyal to those two. We'll pull in to a parking lot and look at the travel apps to see what rooms are available at what prices and read some reviews. If we can't find something at that exit that fits our needs, we'll search the app for the next exit. The key thing (according to a front desk manager we talked to one night) is to make that reservation by about 6:00 p.m. Once you get later than that, rooms start to fill up and by 9:00, most major hotels along a highway are sold out. Out of all of our trips (each trip requires a total of 3 hotel stays on the round-trip drive), we've never had a problem getting a room at either the exit we originally got off at or another exit that's less than 20 minutes away. Only 3 or 4 of the stays required making a reservation somewhere other than where we originally got off the highway...and those were always times we drove until 6:30-7:00. You don't necessarily need to stop driving at 6:00, but take a few minutes at that time to decide how much further you want to drive and make a reservation at that location so you know you have a room that you'll be happy with for the night.

 

[DisneyFreak]

I would get on the road and drive and then make your reservation later in the day so that way you are not pigeonholed to a specific location along the interstate. This will give you the freedom for an additional stop, heavy traffic, want to drive further or shorter, etc.