Need some "Don't miss stops " Dallas to Orlando, FL

[guitarbug]

Hi all. My family and I are heading to Disney World, Orlando! Will be leaving DFW on the 5th of May and will be driving. I am looking for some "Do not miss stops " along the way. I am thinking about going through New Orleans or something like that. What are some other great places to see and photograph along the way. I have plenty of time, so I would like to get some cool shots to take home and share. Any help would be awesome.

[Davidtxs]

dont know if you into war stuff but the USS Alabama is cool place to visit
http://www.ussalabama.com/

[guitarbug]

Thanks David, I actualy love war stuff,lol! I watch the history channel all the time. I think my little boy will love it. My wife and I boarded the Lexington in Corpus the weekend of his conception! Who knows, thanks for the tip. Keep them comming!

[babybluetx23]

If you GET a chance to get outside of Orlando, Visit Coco Beach. (Take a TON of change for the toll road!) there are some REALLY beautiful Sunsets out there if anything! There is also the Kennedy Space center. Check to see if there is going to be any kind of a launch while you are out there. if so head down A1A to the Ron Jon Shop and hit Coco Beach just behind the ron jon shop. it is a pretty secluded stretch of beach! We fell in LOVE with the area while we were there! There is also a really great and AFFORDABLE seafood place not too far from the ron jon called Florida Seafood Bar and Grill. It is all you can eat and it is AWESOME! Ask for some rock shrimp! If anything EAT SOME FOR ME!!!! hehhee Enjoy your trip, take a TON of photos and post OFTEN! I miss disney world and Coco Beach!

[guitarbug]

Thanks Cynthia. You made me hungry now! Sunsets in Florida, why didn't I think of that. Man, I am getting more and more excited about this trip. More, more, more!

[KdLaneJr]

Naval Air Museum at NAS Pensacola.

[guitarbug]

Thats another one for the list, thanks!

[dminton]

Civil War battle grounds in Vicksburg MS. You can drive through the battle grounds and they have huge memorials built by each state to the people that died from those states, and they have a museum where you can see the SS Cairo, which was sunk in the siege of Vicksburg then later raised from the mud and put in the museum. Really neat, even if you're not a history buff!

[guitarbug]

Sounds like I may need to invest in some more SD cards! Thanks Dave, that sounds pretty fun!

[babybluetx23]

Ok you asked for more.........Kennedy space center, outside of the facilities is a rocket garden! hehehe It has life size replicas of the rockets they have shot into space. Oh and if you go to kennedy space center take a 70-200 or 300. They take you out to the observation Platform so you can see where they launch a space ship. I wish I had a good camera when we went. I took like 5 or 6 disposables. Got NOTHING but junk! ummm lets see what else.....There is also universal and busch gardens. But That is IN orlando. I am stummped what to photograph on the way there.....we flew into Tampa and drove to orlando. when you start to get close to lake buena vista you will know it. All the electrical lines turn to mouse ears! hehhe its pretty cute....Ohhhhh yeah, on the resort properties, there is a BEAUTIFUL golf corse........You could probably get in some really peacefull shots there.
Oh and Kennedy space center is a natural preserve, so lots and lots of critters. how long are you going for? We went for a week, and it was just two adults. we needed more time! hehehe

[johnastovall]

If you are going by way of New Orleans consider seeing some of the historic homes on the River Road.

If you can only see one make it Oak Alley.

[guitarbug]

Thanks again Cynthia! Stovall , this is definitely something I want to get. It looks like the house from Forrest Gump! Awesome, I bookmarked those sites. Thanks again. I am still open for more . Its a two way trip, what I miss on the way I will try to get on the way back!

[johnastovall]

if you are taking the coastal roads back check out Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile.

[guitarbug]

Thanks Stovall, my would love this! I think the butterfly walk would be real cool. Bookmarked!

[Ropinamoment]

At the Kennedy Space center, there are crocs in the ditches around the parking lot! We were there the exact time of year two years ago and we saw a ton of them from right there in the parking lot. Our son was four nearly five and he loved Sea World more than anything that we went to down there. He could have cared less about Disney. He really like the Animal Kingdom too. We took our camper and stayed at the Fort Wilderness Campground on Disney property. Absolutely amazing place even if you don't stay there. It's worth a drive through. Make sure to see the parade of lights on the water on Disney property too. You can rent cabins at Fort Wilderness. They do a marshmellow roast and sing along for the kids with Disney characters every night.

Have a ball, I know we did! I'm ready to go back.