We made it to Orlando!
07 Nov 2013
This past Tuesday at 4pm, we started our road trip to Disney World. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon around 4pm.
After viewing the Border Delay app, Wendy suggested crossing at Rainbow Bridge, as there was only a 10 minute wait. As always, the app was bang on.
While planning for our Disney getaway, we asked our friends on Facebook for the best way down… through Detroit and straight down I-75; or the most direct route – through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, then into Florida.
Lots of people kicked in and suggested I-75, as there were lots of places to stop along the way. The people who suggested the more direct route through Pennsylvania said it was more scenic, but mountainous through West Virginia.
The more direct route was crossing at Fort Erie; taking I-90 to Erie, Pennsylvania; I-79 through Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to 19; 19 to I-77 in West Virginia; I-77 to Columbia, South Carolina, 26 to I-95; I-95 through Georgia into Florida.
In doing our research, this was our preferred choice, as we planned on driving straight through. Also, it would avoid the traffic in and around Atlanta, Georgia (which everyone warned us about).
Even though this was a scenic route, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the scenery. We would be driving through the mountains of West Virginia at night.
Our friend Tim had taken this route many times. He gave us approximate times of when we would be where, based on the time we left. His times were bang on.
Wendy captured these shots of the mountain tunnels while I was driving:
We stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast in Columbia South Carolina.
The girls enjoyed a game of checkers before breakfast.
I gotta say, there is nothing like southern hospitality. The food could have been terrible and I would have still loved the place, due to the exceptional service. The personal attention was amazing. When she found out we had been driving all night, she got Wendy and I each a coffee to go. The food was amazing!
Before taking off for our day of driving, we gassed up the truck. Gas is so cheap in the southern States!
We continued southeast on 26 to I-95 south, which took us to the Georgia Welcome Centre.
The girls were curious to know how far along we were on our roared trip. Luckily, there was a huge map on the wall.
Our next stop was the Florida Welcome Centre.
We picked up a map from here as well, and took some fun pictures.
They were also handing out freshly squeezed Florida orange juice. So good!
We needed to find a hotel to stay in for the night. Tim had suggested the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott.
The Fairfield is a nice hotel, located 10 minutes from Disney World.
Today we will be heading to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where we will stay for the next 3 nights. The girls are really looking forward to checking out this awesome resort.
Our plan is to check out Magic Kingdom and Epcot this trip. What are your favourite parts of these two Disney Parks?
Cheers,
Big Daddy
If you would like me to review your service, product, or travel destination, please send me an email at craig@bigdaddykreativ.ca or find me on “the twitter” at @BigDaddyKreativ
Craig Silva
Craig is a husband, father, team leader, travel and food writer, senior youth group coordinator, designer, brander, community builder, volunteer, and social media strategist. He likes to travel, go camping, go on road trips, watch movies, build stuff, operate the grill, and sing with his band. Craig is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada. If you are a PR agency or brand and would like Craig to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send him an email.
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