Hello everyone,

I am planning a road trip to Orlando with my family this year and would like some advice on places to stop overnight. Our kids are very young (3 under 4) and we don’t think they can handle the 13 hours straight. I’d like to stop overnight somewhere near the midway point or as far as Savannah, GA.

Does anyone have any experience with Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC? We originally planned to visit Savannah and dine at Paula Dean’s restaurant, but we’ve since heard really bad reviews of the place. Any suggestions for a good place to eat? We only plan to be there for dinner, rest in a hotel and then get back on the road after breakfast the next day.

Please – no South of the Border! :-)

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I hope other families will benefit from this post as well.

Seriously, airfare between DC and Orlando is insanely cheap. Why put yourself, kids and car through that ordeal?

Hotel room going down, hotel room coming back, a total of four days on shitty I-95 with bored kids, an oil change and at least $200 round trip in gas will cost about the same as plane tickets and a rental car.

yeah unless you have 8 kids or something

Did the same thing a few times. Charleston is too far off 95 to make it an "on the way" stopover. Savannah is a decent small town. Paula Deen's is not a bad as you have probably heard - just not as good as what you'd expect from one of the more famous celebrity chef's. It is a buffet. The Hampton Inn in downtown is a nice clean hotel. There are plenty of ggod restaurants within walking distance from there. Just ask the front desk.

BTW, Savannah is much further than half way. You are really only 4.5 hours from Orlando at that point. Thought about driving through the night. I did it with a 2 and 4 year old a few years back. Most relaxing long haul drive I ever had with them.

I've done the trip. By the time you divert to Charleston from I-95, you'd be halfway to Savannah. I would stop in Savannah. Also, I recommend you leave really early to avoid traffic and get some driving in while the kids are sleeping.

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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

Go online and look for vacation packages. A family of four can do a package with airfare, hotel, rental car and Disney and/or Universal tickets for cheap.

If you want a mid point. I stopped with my family in Santee, South Carolina. There is a Holiday Inn with a swimming pool.

Yeah I'm sure a couple of little kids would prefer Paula Dean's over South of the Border. ::roll eyes::

It is actually easier to drive our own car down than to fly with three kids. We would have to pack three carseats in addition to our own luggage because renting carseats is more expensive than just buying new ones. Then by the time we pay for airfare, go through the misery of getting three little kids through the security line, try to survive the flight without driving the other passengers nuts, go collect our luggage plus three carseats while pushing two strollers with three kids in them, get through the rental car process....you see my point?

Anyhow - I am not looking to justify my family's vacation plans...I was just looking for some tips on a place to stop.

Thanks.

A road trip to Orlando costs about half as much as flying and renting a car, if not less. Also, for the cheaper flights you'll be connecting in Atlanta, so you'll be dealing with the kids all day, anyway, with a bunch of irritated travelers with you. I much prefer driving to flying when it comes to traveling with little kids.

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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

Check out Yelp reviews. Paula Dean's has a shitload of reviews and only mustered an average/so-so rating. That fatass uses too much butter anyways!

A road trip with teenagers is cool. A road trip with little snot nosed whiners sounds like hell to me.

Washington Tone-Locian is talking out of his ass again. Another vote for flying, especially with little ones. Go here: http://www.easyorlandovacationsonline.com/

0o0o0o0 Wrote:
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> Yeah I'm sure a couple of little kids would prefer
> Paula Dean's over South of the Border. ::roll
> eyes::

Roll you eyes all you want. They are going to effing Orlando. I think the kids will be more than entertained on vacation. A single dinner that the parents are interested in for one night is not absurd - not saying Paula's place is the right one, which is why he asked for alternatives. Think they are going to Orlando to catch a Heat game or do you think they might have some kid friendly plans? hmmmmm....

You can get directs from Reagan to Orlando for about $90 each way.

WTL is correct that driving will be cheaper. But, is it worth it? Driving will cost probably around $650. Say $270 in gas ($4.00 at gallon for 1700 miles at 25 MPG). Two nights lodging at a Hampton Inn will run you $200. Depreciation of about $40.00 on the car. And, 26 hours of transit time. Not to mention a total of 20 meals. Lunch, dinner, snacks, etc. Say another $150.00 in food.

You can fly non-stop for as low as $150 out of Dulles or Reagan if you are flexible and you will be in Orlando in under 3 hours. You do have to add in the rental car, but you can find that cheaply if you are aggressive.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

FFX Native Wrote:
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> It is actually easier to drive our own car down
> than to fly with three kids. We would have to
> pack three carseats in addition to our own luggage
> because renting carseats is more expensive than
> just buying new ones. Then by the time we pay for
> airfare, go through the misery of getting three
> little kids through the security line, try to
> survive the flight without driving the other
> passengers nuts, go collect our luggage plus three
> carseats while pushing two strollers with three
> kids in them, get through the rental car
> process....you see my point?
>
Considering having 3 kids in a car for 13 hours (each way)... That 2.5 hour flight looks mighty tempting to me.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

yea know it Wrote:
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> You can get directs from Reagan to Orlando for
> about $90 each way.


So with five people that's $180 x 5 = $900. Then you add taxes, fees, checked baggage fees, parking for the week, etc, and you could easily hit $1,500 or more before even landing in Orlando. That doesn't include what it costs to rent a vehicle in Orland around Spring Break. The base cost just for the trip down there could be $2K. What's it take to fill up a couple of times and do an overnight stay at a cheap hotel? $400? $500?

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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

$600 in fees? Are you nuts? $180 includes all taxes. Travel light and check one or two bags. That should mean $100 in bag fees - assuming you take a mainline carrier. Car seats/strollers are free.

Have a friend or relative drop you off at the airport and buy them a bottle of wine. That means free.

Sorr, your $600 in fees is not adding up.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

Three toddlers in a car for 900 miles of driving each way... are you fucking insane? Even if flying costs more, you'd be avoiding a total of 4 days in the car. That's 4 days of having fun at your destination.

Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
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> $600 in fees? Are you nuts? $180 includes all
> taxes. Travel light and check one or two bags.
> That should mean $100 in bag fees - assuming you
> take a mainline carrier. Car seats/strollers are
> free.
>
> Have a friend or relative drop you off at the
> airport and buy them a bottle of wine. That means
> free.
>
> Sorr, your $600 in fees is not adding up.

Have you flown with kids? I have. It always ends up being a lot more than you would think. Especially at this time of year when everyone is going to Florida.

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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
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> yea know it Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You can get directs from Reagan to Orlando for
> > about $90 each way.
>
>
> So with five people that's $180 x 5 = $900. Then
> you add taxes, fees, checked baggage fees, parking
> for the week, etc, and you could easily hit $1,500
> or more before even landing in Orlando. That
> doesn't include what it costs to rent a vehicle in
> Orland around Spring Break. The base cost just for
> the trip down there could be $2K. What's it take
> to fill up a couple of times and do an overnight
> stay at a cheap hotel? $400? $500?

I am not disagreeing with you that it is cheaper in the long run, just that your connection assertion is a bit off.

Gas alone on your trip is running over $300 for your trip assuming about 20mi/gal. If you are getting better mileage you are in a car that is not comfortable to make a 1600 mile trip. That being the case, you are staying at some fleabag hotels to get in around $400.

EJ Wrote:
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> Three toddlers in a car for 900 miles of driving
> each way... are you fucking insane? Even if
> flying costs more, you'd be avoiding a total of 4
> days in the car. That's 4 days of having fun at
> your destination.


Concur. My rule is ... anything more than 6 hours means fly. Which means Wilmington, NC and New York is my limit.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2011 12:28PM by Pinhead the Cenobite.

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WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
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> Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > $600 in fees? Are you nuts? $180 includes all
> > taxes. Travel light and check one or two bags.
> > That should mean $100 in bag fees - assuming
> you
> > take a mainline carrier. Car seats/strollers
> are
> > free.
> >
> > Have a friend or relative drop you off at the
> > airport and buy them a bottle of wine. That
> means
> > free.
> >
> > Sorr, your $600 in fees is not adding up.
>
> Have you flown with kids? I have. It always ends
> up being a lot more than you would think.
> Especially at this time of year when everyone is
> going to Florida.


Um, yes. My first son flew when he was three months old. He now has about 100,000 miles in his account, and he is 7. Up until 2 years ago, I flew 150,000 miles a year - butt in seat miles. This year I will fly about 75,000. So, I do know a thing or two about air travel.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2011 12:30PM by Pinhead the Cenobite.

I am looking at airfares from Washington, DC to Orlando the week of April 17th. They start at $461 each. How's that information grab you?

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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
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> I am looking at airfares from Washington, DC to
> Orlando the week of April 17th. They start at $461
> each. How's that information grab you?

That information grabs me as a dumbass that waited to late to book.

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WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
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> I am looking at airfares from Washington, DC to
> Orlando the week of April 17th. They start at $461
> each. How's that information grab you?


Well, for one thing, the OP never stated when he was planning on traveling. If its spring break week, then there is no way he is getting a low fare at this juncture. Looking at 6/16 - 6/23, US Airways offers non-stop service DCA-MCO for $180.00 - inclusive of all taxes.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

WashintoTone, you fucking moron. Look at package deals when it comes to Orlando with rugrats.

Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am looking at airfares from Washington, DC to
> > Orlando the week of April 17th. They start at
> $461
> > each. How's that information grab you?
>
>
> Well, for one thing, the OP never stated when he
> was planning on traveling. If its spring break
> week, then there is no way he is getting a low
> fare at this juncture. Looking at 6/16 - 6/23, US
> Airways offers non-stop service DCA-MCO for
> $180.00 - inclusive of all taxes.


I bet a couple of weeks ago, you could get directs during spring break for $180.

I'm not eesh Wrote:
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> WashintoTone, you fucking moron. Look at package
> deals when it comes to Orlando with rugrats.


That is true. United Vacations and trip consolidators offer pretty good deals - usually including car, airfare, and hotel. A la carte is only as good as the traveler is in terms of scoping out deals.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

Pinhead, is it tru about the package deals or that Tone is a fucking moron?

yeah know it Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I am looking at airfares from Washington, DC
> to
> > > Orlando the week of April 17th. They start at
> > $461
> > > each. How's that information grab you?
> >
> >
> > Well, for one thing, the OP never stated when
> he
> > was planning on traveling. If its spring break
> > week, then there is no way he is getting a low
> > fare at this juncture. Looking at 6/16 - 6/23,
> US
> > Airways offers non-stop service DCA-MCO for
> > $180.00 - inclusive of all taxes.
>
>
> I bet a couple of weeks ago, you could get directs
> during spring break for $180.


No. I was considering taking the family there since my original plan - going to St. Thomas - fell through. Best I could price out was about $240. If you went the week before Easter week, you could get $180 though.

Airlines have really racheted up pricing on peak demand weeks (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas).

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

I'm not eesh Wrote:
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> Pinhead, is it tru about the package deals or
> that Tone is a fucking moron?

Certainly on the package deal. WTL's status as a fucking moron is doubtful. He is headstrong (sometimes to a fault), but generally knowledgeable.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

..
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Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
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> yeah know it Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > I am looking at airfares from Washington,
> DC
> > to
> > > > Orlando the week of April 17th. They start
> at
> > > $461
> > > > each. How's that information grab you?
> > >
> > >
> > > Well, for one thing, the OP never stated when
> > he
> > > was planning on traveling. If its spring
> break
> > > week, then there is no way he is getting a
> low
> > > fare at this juncture. Looking at 6/16 -
> 6/23,
> > US
> > > Airways offers non-stop service DCA-MCO for
> > > $180.00 - inclusive of all taxes.
> >
> >
> > I bet a couple of weeks ago, you could get
> directs
> > during spring break for $180.
>
>
> No. I was considering taking the family there
> since my original plan - going to St. Thomas -
> fell through. Best I could price out was about
> $240. If you went the week before Easter week, you
> could get $180 though.
>
> Airlines have really racheted up pricing on peak
> demand weeks (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas).

I bet if you left good friday and came back mid to late week the following week $180 was available.

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x
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...
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Awesome work Fugly. I just spit coffee all over my monitor. F'ing hilarious, especially that last one!

FFX Native Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello everyone,
>
> I am planning a road trip to Orlando with my
> family this year and would like some advice on
> places to stop overnight. Our kids are very young
> (3 under 4) and we don’t think they can handle
> the 13 hours straight. I’d like to stop
> overnight somewhere near the midway point or as
> far as Savannah, GA.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with Savannah, GA
> or Charleston, SC? We originally planned to visit
> Savannah and dine at Paula Dean’s restaurant,
> but we’ve since heard really bad reviews of the
> place. Any suggestions for a good place to eat?
> We only plan to be there for dinner, rest in a
> hotel and then get back on the road after
> breakfast the next day.
>
> Please – no South of the Border! :-)
>
> Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I
> hope other families will benefit from this post as
> well.


South of the Border? LOL! That has to be the worst tourist trap east of the Mississippi. Had a taco there once about 20 years ago and I think it's still
in my stomach. How it stays in business is beyond me but it's still there too.

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Something I'd suggest you do if you're planning on driving - go overnight - just drive all night long. Set off ~9pm and you'll miss the bad traffic. Pack snacks in the car, your wife can dole them out. Have the little DVD player for the kids...run them ragged during the day, they should be out cold by 11pm or so. When they awaken you should be fairly close to Orlando.

The speed limit on 95 is 70, you can comfortably do 80 without police issues.

Driving isn't time effective but even with the gas prices it is still cost effective given 5 the passenger ratio. Flying will cost ~$200 ea x 5 = $1000 minimum (ticket alone - w no checked luggage), you'll have to pay for your car being at the airport ~$70 ($10 x 7 days), airport meals each way ~$30x2 = $60
Flying would cost ~$1,100+ but take <6hrs door-to-door.

Driving through the night both ways = ~2000 miles at 25mpg = 80 gallons X $4 = $320, depreciation/wear&tear = <$50, food/snacks <$100 = total driving through night = ~470 but it will take approximately 10-12hours door-to-door.

Other option. Take the AutoTrain.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
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> Other option. Take the AutoTrain.

Talk about ripoff. The only good way to do that is get a sleeping car. Being in with the masses is like riding a train in India. Once you are paying for your car, a sleeping car, etc. Just drive. It isn't all that quick either. Plus, if your car is the last unloaded, I hope your kids enjoy sitting in a hot lot in Sanford, FL.

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2012 08:54PM by Alias.

I'd considered not making a comment on this thread and instead simply returing back to lurking, but I'll make this one (or two) observation. I would rather fly any day of the week rather than spend 14+ hours with a car full of kids.

And to those who are saying that the drive to Mickey Ears Land will take 10 or 12 hours....Who the fuck are you kidding? Between 20 and 30 potty breaks, accidents, spilled chocolate milk, fights, and general bitching from your spouse, I can guarantee you with metaphysical certainty that you can tack on an additional 3 hours to your drive. In fact, the only way you will do a drive like that with 3 kids and a spouse in 10 or 12 hours is to induce a coma on all of them.

It just ain't gonna happen.

Thanks to all my loving fans and FUCK YOU to all the haters...

ITRADE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'd considered not making a comment on this thread
> and instead simply returing back to lurking, but
> I'll make this one (or two) observation. I would
> rather fly any day of the week rather than spend
> 14+ hours with a car full of kids.
>
> And to those who are saying that the drive to
> Mickey Ears Land will take 10 or 12 hours....Who
> the fuck are you kidding? Between 20 and 30 potty
> breaks, accidents, spilled chocolate milk, fights,
> and general bitching from your spouse, I can
> guarantee you with metaphysical certainty that you
> can tack on an additional 3 hours to your drive.
> In fact, the only way you will do a drive like
> that with 3 kids and a spouse in 10 or 12 hours is
> to induce a coma on all of them.
>
> It just ain't gonna happen.
>
> Thanks to all my loving fans and FUCK YOU to all
> the haters...


It is called driving in the middle of the night. You do realize roads are open at that time. Did it in 11:45 last October leaving Orlando at 7:30 pm. Me, wife, 5y/o and 2.5 y/o.

Oh, it happened, now you have to deal.

And I bet your were bright cheery bushy tailed and ready to roll the next day. I've pulled all nighters before, but not in the heat of Orlando and not with thousands of my closest friends angling to get a bit closer to the Magic Teacup ride.

How many bruises did your wife and kid earn that next afternoon?

ITRADE Wrote:
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> And I bet your were bright cheery bushy tailed and
> ready to roll the next day. I've pulled all
> nighters before, but not in the heat of Orlando
> and not with thousands of my closest friends
> angling to get a bit closer to the Magic Teacup
> ride.
>
> How many bruises did your wife and kid earn that
> next afternoon?

Considering I left from Orlando and arrived in NoVA, I unpacked the car and slept from about 8 to noon in my own bed at home. Not sure about your house, but I don't have magic teacup rides in my living room.

Sure you don't. I forgot 750 square foot apartments usually don't have walls either. Does the baby sleep on the floor or in the bathtub/shower?

ITRADE Wrote:
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> Sure you don't. I forgot 750 square foot
> apartments usually don't have walls either. Does
> the baby sleep on the floor or in the
> bathtub/shower?


Ohhhhh noes, economic condition put downs. Better be sure you can back em up. Given your reading comprehension skills, do you really think you are in any position to make those assumptions. After all, how far can someone with your limited skills go?

Do you get the drive the truck instead of hang off the back? Did they bump you up to the recycling unit?

When we've made the Fairfax-Florida trip we've stayed in Fayetteville, N. C.
and visited the 82nd Airborne Museum. Awesome! My kids loved it and
you can get some really cool t-shirts. Well worth the visit.

http://82ndairbornedivisionmuseum.com/

This is how I envision what a car drive to Florida with little kids would be like:

I know I'm 76 posts late into this thread and if I repeat what's already been written, suck my dick. I'm busy and can't read all of them.

Anyway - we make this drive annually. It's cheaper than flying and renting a car, but the trade off is 14 hours of hell in the car. I know - I crunch the numbers every single year. Driving ourselves save at least 40%.

Instead of driving the I-95 "Trail of Boredom", take I-81 to I-77 to Charlotte NC (6.5 hours). It's a nice drive through the mountains. Stay in Charlotte for the night and then take I-77 to I-26 and then hook up with I-95 (about 1.5 - 2 hours north of Savannah). Charlotte to Orlando is about 9 hours.

You could also investigate the Auto Train...you put your car on the train in Manassas and then ride the train all the way into Orlando overnight. Although it's almost as pricey as airfare....

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2011 07:44PM by Warhawk.

If you have annoying kids, please drive, and leave those of us who fly in peace.

Driving can be cool with kids, but you have to plan. We usually stop at someplace with a picnic lunch a few hours down the road on the way out. Places are usually some national park or other. Petersburg battlefield just south of Richmond works is you have really little kids. Older kids, I'd try to go further. THere's a web site that shows all the places along I95, rest areas, parks, sights, etc. I believe it's I95exitguide.com. Lots of good info there.

We stayed in Santee on one trip. Worked well, cheap, right off the highway.

There's a really cool Air Force museum, THe Mighty Eighth Air Force, I believe. The problem with stopping in Savannah is that it's a little ways off of 95. Several miles. Though it is quite nice.

Jacksonville, Fl is good for a meal break, but there's a ton of construction around there.

St. Augustine is a marvelous day stop or overnight, though it's really close time-wise to Orlando.

I've done the autotrain. It's slow and noisy, but I was cheap and didn't get a sleeper. We rode it down and drove back. At the time, with a one year old. I'd do it again, but not with a baby unless I had a sleeper car.

There's a great museum outside of Ft Bragg that's a good mid day stop as well.

Alias Wrote:
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> I don't know if the OP is going to Disney World
> with three under five, but I can only imagine how
> much fun that would be.

I don't understand why people take such young kids to Disney World. You pay out the asshole to get into the place, have to babysit this toddler the whole time, and the kid won't even remember being there. What a waste of time and money. Wait until they're like 8.

tomahawk Wrote:
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> Alias Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I don't know if the OP is going to Disney World
> > with three under five, but I can only imagine
> how
> > much fun that would be.
>
> I don't understand why people take such young kids
> to Disney World. You pay out the asshole to get
> into the place, have to babysit this toddler the
> whole time, and the kid won't even remember being
> there. What a waste of time and money. Wait until
> they're like 8.

Under 3 is Free.

This thread reminds me of some great times. Fights over crayons, stomping
french fries into the carpeting, "I gotta pee again!", and my favorite,
lets play "How many groundhogs can you see?"

Enjoy it while you can. They grow up quick.

Hey, Little Mini-Van! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapkaBUaWlc

I make this trip twice a year usually in March. As someone else said, drive through the night. From Fairfax it's minimum 11.5 hours if you drive straight through stopping for gas and a quick bit to eat. So say you drive slower than me and it does take you 13 hours. Leave around 7 in the evening and everyone in the car except hopefully you will sleep through it all. Arrive around 8 the next morning.

Been doing this for.............over 20 years, with and without kids. One of the few times we flew down my youngest caught the flu from someone in our isle and passed it on to everyone else. What an expensive and wasted trip that was.

If I were driving by Savanna I'd want to check this place out.
Rave reviews from a friend. Menu says it all.

http://www.americascuisine.com/georgia/savannah/TheOldePinkHouse/menu.aspx

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2012 09:09PM by Alias.

I love my kids but there is no freakin way I would drive to Florida with them. I don't care if flying is triple the price.

Been there done that Wrote:
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> I love my kids but there is no freakin way I would
> drive to Florida with them. I don't care if
> flying is triple the price.

THIS



PLUS THIS

,