Samsaf

We just got back from a quick trip to Orlando, and I thought I'd write a quick little trip report.

We stayed at the Orlando World Center Marriott (got a good deal on it), and we really enjoyed our stay (only 3 nights). We were on the 25th floor with a view of the pool, Downtown Disney, the Magic Kingdom (sort of in the distance) and Epcot. Every evening we were able to watch the fireworks from Epcot and the MK.

The pools were nice and uncrowded. There is a Starbucks in the lobby. Champions Sports Bar was a nice place to eat for the first night (they serve Pizza Hut pizza, a big hit with our 15-year-old son).

We went to Downtown Disney (son and husband went to Disney Quest, an indoor 'virtual reality' amusement park; we have always enjoyed it). Other than that, we mainly relaxed at the pools at the hotel (husband was there on business).

TIP FOR DRIVING I-75 NORTH: Once we crossed into Georgia from Florida, I-75 N traffic was terrible. It seems like there is construction constantly on that stretch of interstate. We got off I-75 and took SR 41 for awhile, but then traffic got really backed up near Adell, Georgia, so we backtracked a little bit and got back on the interstate. The traffic has been bad in that area for the past 2 years every time I have been on that road! They're always doing some sort of construction. I have to drive that way again the first week of June, and I'm planning an alternate route.

sludick

Enjoyed reading your post, Samsaf. We live here in the Orlando area. The first year that I saw Florida (it was about 25 years ago, an eon in Florida time), we also elected to get off the main freeways and travel as you did. Nowadays, we vacation up in more northern climes and still prefer to take some of the backroads through Georgia and South Carolina, just to relax and see the country. The wisteria is absolutely breathtaking in some of those small towns in the springtime!

Samsaf

sludick, yes, the back roads are beautiful, but I guess we were just ready to get home, and it took us 2 more hours to get home than it did to drive down!

The first year we went to Florida, around 1974, I was a little girl, but I still remember my parents stopping off the side of the road and my Dad getting some Spanish moss off the trees to take home!

sludick

I grew up in California. Back in the 70's, I was obsessed with bromeliads and would mail order them. Once I ordered Spanish Moss and grew it on a coathanger. Now, I have to pick them off bark and rack it out of the trees...lol!

roofgirl

Be careful sludick, i've heard it's illegal to remove spanish moss from trees, but i know how it can get everywhere.

mcmckissic

Hi, just a quick fyi, don't even know where you are from samsaf but...we took I-95 to I-77 back from Florida to Michigan and had the most uncrowded relaxing no stress drive ever!! It was so wonderful, we got back on Monday and we were the only ones on the road!!! I know it all depends on where you live and are going but thought I would let you know.

Samsaf

Thanks mcmckissic. We'll be driving to and from Pt. Canaveral to the Atlanta area. I think we'll stay on I-95 at Jacksonville (instead of crossing over I-10 to get to I-75), and we'll cross over in the middle of Georgia. Maybe that way we'll avoid most of that traffic!