Hi,
We're planning another Disney trip right after Christmas until after the New Year. The past 3 times we went down we took the train. We're in a suburb of Philly, PA and we would take the train from Wilmington, DE down to Kissimmee, FL. This year we're planning on driving down. Anybody make the drive down before or does anybody have any hints on where to stay, etc. on the way down. We usually stay at the Contemporary and this year is no different. Thanks in advance! 
Welcome Elaine!
I am a driver too..but staying in SC usually means we can make it in a day..however..I have heard that a lot of people make SC their stopping point. There are a few great places here that have safe and affordable hotels right off the exit. Florence is first (right after the NC/SC border..do NOT stay at South of the Border. It's okay to visit but staying there..just don't do it!). Another little town about half way through SC is Santee (Exit 98) They have very nice hotels and a lots of places to eat.
Bella
Hi ElaineS and 
to one of the friendliest forums around. We are from the Philly suburbs too! About 20 minute West. We drive down all the time, at least 3 times a year. Not a bad run at all. We'll leave Friday by noon or 1pm stop after we get past Washington or close to the SC boarder, then the next day drive till we get to WDW and stay just outside of DTD at the Hampton Inn for Saturday and check into our resort on Sunday morning. We always stay at Hampton Inns on the way down. We think they are the cleanest and nicest & most comfortable Hotels without paying a whole lot.
Hi Elaine and welcome!
We're from Charlotte, NC, and we drive down as well. Once you get to Charlotte, it's about 8 1/2 hours to The World. So I'd guess anywhere in NC would be a good stopping point and break the trip up for you.
Thanks for the welcome and the replies!! Mrhub----where exactly are you? I'm in Concord Township, pretty much 5 minutes from the DE state line.
Elaine we're just a little north of King Of Prussia.
Welcome to the boards Elaine!
We always drive 16 hours from Missouri but we are coming a different way and always stay overnight in Atlanta. We like to stay in Hampton Inn's on the way too. Pretty affordable and clean also!
I lived in VA up until 2 years ago and drove down to WDW all of the time. If you are coming from Philly and you want to break up the drive into 2 days I would suggest maybe staying in SC, around Walterboro or so (depending on how far you want to go in one day.) There are quite a few decent places to stay just off of 95 and at reasonable costs.
Sue Ellen
We don't drive... We always fly... But I just wanted to say welcome 
Welcome Elaine! Nice to have you join us!
It takes us about 26 Hours of straight driving to get to WDW, so we don't do it very often anymore. However when we did drive we usually stopped someplace around Macon, GA to sleep. It was always our goal to get to the south side of Atlanta on the first day.
Elaine we're just a little north of King Of Prussia.
I went to King of Prussia Mall once. It changed my life.
Bella
Road Trip 
We took a family vacation and drove down from Pittsburgh many moons ago (circa 1998). I recall that my parents drove until St. Augustine and then Day 2 was spent at some space place, an alligator farm (
) and then over to Disney (finally! that was torture knowing Disney was just a few hours away)
I had the pleasure of just sleeping in the back the whole way (ahhh...childhood) but my parents just took turns driving.
We always drive straight down from Raleigh, NC so it's only about a 9-10 hour drive. We always stop at each state's boarder rest stop to get out and stretch. Also, the rest stop just as you get into FL has free OJ! and lots of books about all of the touristy things to do in FL. I always get tons of books there just to keep myself sane until we get to Orlando!
I'm from Cincinnati and it takes about 14-15 hours driving. We drove straight through during our trip in December for the first time and it wasn't bad at all. We prefer to drive during the night though when traffic is minimum and cops are few. So, we leave in the evening and get to WDW in the morning, go to a park, and wait for check in.
We drive down every year. But we make a vacation of that too. This year we are stopping in Cartersville, GA. We were going to see my sister but her husband just got relocated again to Texas. Then we are driving to North Redington Beach. We are staying there for a few days; so when its time to go to Disney we wake up and have about an hour drive. We have a3disk cd set of 75 of the best Disney songs ever to entertain us along the way!
Welcome!!!! I am not one for road trips.. we are only 9 hours away and we fly! haha!
I'm not sure how you will get to Orlando from PA, but I would recommend stopping in Chattanooga, TN, they have an awesome aquarium, an underground cave with a water fall (ruby falls), and lookout mountain. Also, you'll go through Atlanta probably, so you could visit the aquarium there or the coca-cola factory =) Lots of fun stuff to do in Atlanta!
November 14-18, 2019 | All Star Movies
March 2-10, 2012 | Pop | Trip Report - http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/ems-long-awaited-trip-report
mrhub wrote:Elaine we're just a little north of King Of Prussia.I went to King of Prussia Mall once. It changed my life.
So how did it change your life Bella?