Heading south to WDW Fort Wilderness tomorrow for a week

d50erock · 10-20-2016, 06:18 AM

We are heading out tomorrow down to Fort Wilderness. We are taking the same route we have taken the past 3 times as I am now familiar with the route . We are coming out of Mass. So we will be heading down to 84 in CT then 287 around the Garden state pkwy then onto 95 from there, going around the beltways of course. I will update with the travel conditions through NC when possible. I know there are other routes and such but this is what we are taking and being that I now know the drive and what to expect I will stick to what I know. I have been keeping tabs on the NC DOT website. Looks like a few spots it goes to 1 lane. I will asses those situations as I get close to the NC border. Seems there was a accident today that caused some sort of damage as the southbound side will be closed till tomorrow morning.

We are not planning to leave till mid afternoon tomorrow so that should, and better be, cleared by the time I roll through NC on Sat.

**ependydad** · 10-20-2016, 08:07 AM

Check the NC DOT site. I read a Facebook comment of a random person that SB may be closed through the weekend due to that accident.

My friends drove 95S on Monday and even with the detours, said it only added about an hour. Everything opened later that day.

maskins · 10-20-2016, 12:13 PM

i-95 southbound is closed in nc.

I-95 northbound near Smithfield opens after fatal crash; southbound lanes remain closed :: WRAL.com

d50erock · 10-23-2016, 05:20 AM

I looked before we left and 95 in NC was open both directions. BUT haven't made it to NC yet as the TV died and we have to wait till Monday to get it fixed, I hope. The shop that towed us set us up at the local CG at least.

dblr · 10-23-2016, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d50erock

I looked before we left and 95 in NC was open both directions. BUT haven't made it to NC yet as the TV died and we have to wait till Monday to get it fixed, I hope. The shop that towed us set us up at the local CG at least.

Sorry to hear you broke down, how far did you get?

d50erock · 10-23-2016, 12:08 PM

I am in Emporia VA. Having no transportation is a bummer but making the best of it. Wife and kids are in good spirits and the campground is not too bad.

slipf18 · 10-23-2016, 02:00 PM

Be aware that Interstate 4 through Orlando is undergoing major construction from Lake Mary, east of town all the way west into the attractions area. Expect delays all the way out to the park. Have fun!

Brewhedd · 10-23-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipf18

Be aware that Interstate 4 through Orlando is undergoing major construction from Lake Mary, east of town all the way west into the attractions area. Expect delays all the way out to the park. Have fun!

Yep, glad I don't have to deal with I-4 north of 528 because it is a mess. Looks like the OP is coming down I-95 so he can take 528 or 417 to Disney. Welcome to Orlando - land of toll roads.

d50erock · 10-25-2016, 12:08 PM

This is our 4th trip down there in the past 2 years so we have had to deal with the never ending construction.

Update on the broken TV. Garage found the issue and ordered parts overnight. They found out today that the parts are wrong and sent a runner to a ford dealership to get the right parts. What they found was the IPR valve had failed and the screen was missing. They also found the high pressure pump had eaten some of the screen material. So what made the parts a debacle was that even Though it's a 2005 it has a 2004 motor in it and has a 1generatipn pump where as an 05 engine had the redesigned pump. The garage is still shooting to get everything done by this afternoon.

dblr · 10-25-2016, 06:33 PM

Hope you get up and running soon and salvage your trip, I have a bunch of friends at the Fort now from another web site and the pics they have posted look great.

d50erock · 10-25-2016, 06:59 PM

Looks like we will
Be hitting the road tomorrow late morning. The shop had difficulties getting the pump. They were reassembling everything as of 3:00pm today.

dblr · 10-26-2016, 03:47 AM

Ok good to hear you will be ready soon, I know one from this board is at the Fort also, just look for some signs at sites for Fort Fiends all good people and have great knowledge about Disney and always ready to lend a helping hand when needed stop and introduce your self......also have great pot lucks with LOTS of food.

**ependydad** · 10-26-2016, 11:29 AM

I'm at the Fort now. Hope the rest of your drive is uneventful!

Helmsey · 10-26-2016, 12:22 PM

I want to be back at the Fort, and not sitting at my desk working again.

Hope the rest of your trip is smooth!

Narboza · 10-26-2016, 02:37 PM

I would always recommend SR417 around Orlando over I4 through town. It is worth the tolls. I drive portions of it as part of the commute. It has some construction south of the SR408 interchange, but it's brief. Check out I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project for the Orlando I4 project info.

dblr · 10-26-2016, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'm at the Fort now. Hope the rest of your drive is uneventful!

Sorry Doug I forgot you were there also

d50erock · 10-27-2016, 10:22 AM

So we made it with no more issues. 95 in NC wasn't too bad. There were 2 spots where it was down to 1 lane but that's it. Lots of trees down on the shoulders though. I-4 was a piece of cake, at 2 am. lol. We are going to extend our stay a few days to salvage our trip.

Having the larger 312Bhds made life much easier while stuck in VA for 4 days. Glad we bought it.

dblr · 10-28-2016, 08:27 AM

Glad to hear your there finally now time to enjoy!!!!!!!

d50erock · 11-02-2016, 11:55 AM

We made it back home with no issues, thankfully. Frustrating trip for sure.

dblr · 11-02-2016, 06:29 PM

Glad to hear your home safe and no more issues, hope you had a great time there. I saw some photos of the golf cart parade and site decorations and they all looked great.

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