[cowanfamily]

Originally Posted by apayne111982

It's a 12 hour drive.....but the reason we wanted to stop is because our room will not be ready once we arrive in orlando and we would like to take a bath and change clothes after that long drive before we go to the park. If we wait for check-in then that would put us getting at the park at about 4 or 5.

We have driven from Memphis every time - we leave around 5pm and get to Disney around 7am. Except for one time, we have gotten a room right away and were able to unpack, shower and change. The time we could not get our room first thing, we could get it at noon or 1, so we checked in, got something to eat, had packed a water park bag with a change of clothes in it and went to the water park. My DH did all the driving, so he found a shady, quiet spot and slept while the kids and I did the slides. When we were able to get our room, DH stayed and napped while I took the kids to the water park. This way, DH didnt really miss a REAL park, and we got to work our way into Disney, making our second day our first day at a major park.

After you are done at the water park, of course, there are locker rooms with showers there, and as long as you leave before closing, not crowd.

This is all assuming you like the water parks! but they are a nice place to relax and if you have little ones, they both have little kid areas where you can watch them play (depending on their ages, of course.)

Love to hear of another Memphis MBer!