I'll combine the first two days together since they really only consisted of driving from NJ to Orlando.
Cast of characters:
Me, DizneyFreak2002, and my dad,
Day 1: Saturday August 30, 2025
Well, the day finally arrived. The beginning of our long drive to Orlando. And today started off like every other time we drove.
We woke up at 6:00am and made sure the car was packed. I filled our cooler with water bottles and ice so I had cold water for the drive. I also purchased a used phone and a new gimbal with the hopes of recording the drive. And of course, the gimbal didn't stick to the dashboard. So, they went out the window. So i turned to my dash cam, and that was a failure too. Even though I subbed, I wasn't able to save dash cam footage to the vault. May need to look into a new dash cam.
Anyway, we topped off the gas and went for breakfast at a local diner. We had our usual: Dad had bacon and Swiss cheese omelet, and I had a ham and American cheese omelet. Drank many cups of coffee, unusual for me honestly. But, I new I was facing 10 hours on the road before calling it a night.
Finally, leaving NJ. Heading onto the NJ Turnpike around 7:30am, 30 minutes before planned. WOO HOO I am ahead of time for a change. All was going great as well. No issues in NJ. Delaware is a sneeze and you miss it state. We were into Maryland within 2 hours. Roads were clear, no traffic. By 11 we were through DC and into Virginia. Then.... TRAFFIC.
Never seems to fail. Woodbridge, VA. Always hit traffic by that exit. This time, traffic wasn't too bad. Usually I am stuck in a parking lot. This time we were at least moving. We hit a few pockets of such traffic in Virginia. And I had my first gas tank filler up. Virginia is such a long state to drive through. And the part of the drive I hate the most. Feels like I am in that state for 10 hours. My planned stop time of 6pm was destroyed. By time I left Virginia, I lost 30 minutes on my drive time, and now I was scheduled to arrive at my over night hotel destination at 6:30pm.
Crossed into North Carolina and stopped at the Welcome Center. Needed a stretch of my legs and to fill my water bottle. I was also letting friends and family know when we stopped, that everything was going good, and our ETA for the hotel. Second gas stop was in North Carolina as well.
And there is something that hits when you start seeing Pedro and South of the Border signs. Watching the NC I-95 exits go down in number. Knowing we are approaching South Carolina and could cross another state off the list. When, finally, in the distance.... THE SOMBRARO. It's Pedro and South of the Border!!! South Carolina, we are here!
Topped off gas and on the final leg of my drive for Saturday. We always stay at the SureStay by Best Western in Manning, SC, Exit 119. I knew I had one more hour left, 60 miles or exits or so. And now, GPS was saying 6:45pm arrival time. Which, while a little later than hoped, wasn't bad either. And sure enough, around 6:40pm, we arrived.
I parked by the hotel entrance and checked in. Room was on the first floor, so no climbing stairs. We got the room key and off to the room we went. Two queen beds with... NEW TVs!!!!! Smart TVs, with apps. Yes,I had YOUTUBE!!!!
SureStay is a very clean, very quiet hotel. I do not feel uncomfortable there. Now do I feel like I am in a roach motel. They do a great job keeping the rooms clean. And updated.
We called home and let everyone know we were there, safe. Then took a walk over to Shoney's for dinner. Dad had a hamburger and I had chicken tenders. Back at the room, we changed and got into our beds. We fell asleep to college football, forgetting what game we watched. I know we had Miami/N.D. on at some point. Not sure who we dozed off to though.
Day one in the books. Longest part of the drive is now in the past. Time to get a good night sleep, rest, and be ready for the final leg of the drive.
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
Day 2: Sunday August 31, 2025
More of the same: I-95 all day!
We woke up around 8am and got ready for the end of our long drive to Disney. After packing the car, we walked over to Shoney's for breakfast. Can you tell we like Shoney's??? We walked back to the hotel, freshened up, and then checked out. Into my car and off we went, back onto I-95 South to finish the drive.
We had two more hours left in South Carolina and then Georgia, which, I believe takes about an hour and a half, maybe two hours. After that, then Florida. Clear sailing into the Sunshine State. No traffic and a little rain, but no heavy downpours.
I turned off I-95 and onto I-4, but I didn't stay on 4. By Sanford, I exited, and took 417 into Disney. I avoided all that I-4 traffic. And glad I did.
My first two nights were at the Drury on Hotel Plaza Boulevard. We arrived at the hotel and checked in. Went up to my room and put my things away. We relaxed for a bit then went to enjoy the free dinner snacks they serve at dinner time. I believe we had mac and cheese and chicken strips. All the free soda you want. Oh and free popcorn. My dad and I filled a bag each, and we went back to the room.
A little while later, we went back down to the food area and got a cup of coffee each. We also took a 2nd bag of popcorn. Back in the room, we change and put on the Yankees game. At 9pm, we sat by the window, no we didn't have a balcony, I wish we did but we had a great view, and watched the Epcot fireworks while picking on our popcorn. Yankee game was over and then my dad wanted to watch the news. So, we put the news on and were ready for bed. Two queen bed room with a view! We called it a night and went to sleep.
Over all, I love the drive except for Virginia. I love seeing the countryside in North and South Carolina. I love Georgia and Florida. The drive isn't stressful for me, it is relaxing, even if I hit traffic. Which, other than Virginia, no traffic heading south. Also, thankfully, we didn't come across any accidents. The overnight stay was perfect. Drury was a great hotel. And arrival day went just fine.
Monday would be a WHAT DO WE DO kind of day. Report coming soon.
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
Glad it was mostly smooth sailing on your drive down I-95!! Now it's time to have some fun!!
Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
faline@intercot.com
Glad it was mostly smooth sailing on your drive down I-95!! Now it's time to have some fun!!
I was very happy the drive was smooth. Usually we come across a few accidents, and thankfully we didn't come across any this time. I've seen some bad ones over the years, and while I wind up stuck in traffic, I always put that into perspective since, wow, some of those accidents.... always hoping the people involved are/were OK.
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
I didn't realize there were still Shoney's left open. All the ones around here have been Mexican restaurants for years now. I do miss Shoney's breakfast.
Coming up... ???
25 Jun CR Garden (1 day)
25 Jan Pop (MLK weekend)
19 May Disney Dream, Nov Pop
18 Oct ASMv
17 Jan POFQ (10k!)
16 (APs) Jan POR, Feb CSR, April ASMv, June BC, Oct Pop & Cabins, Dec ASMv & AKL & Pop
15 May Pop & CBR pirates
13 Oct ASMu & AoA
10 (APs) June CR, Oct AKL & Pop, Dec Pop
07 March ASMv
04 June POR
94 June Dixie Landings (I think)
I didn't realize there were still Shoney's left open. All the ones around here have been Mexican restaurants for years now. I do miss Shoney's breakfast.
Not sure how many are left. This one in Manning is always busy, especially on Sunday for their breakfast. But, that matters nothing. I used to stop at one in Emporia, VA I used to stop at for breakfast on the way home. That one was always busy at breakfast time as well. And yet, it is now closed.
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
