The Voyage-Part One-My Photographic Journal

[tiggerwannabe]

Recap link: Introduction
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=685974

I had to break this down in sections because the boards limit how many photos can be in each thread...

Cast of Characters:

My Mom-Jill
administrator of this voyage, got us a suite at SOG for 5 nights.
My BIL-Tommy
going because he can. His wife and daughter went on the Disney Western Cruise with Mom this past August and now it's his turn.
My 14 & 15 yo nephews: Otto & Chucky
Great kids, true boys, developed the love of Disney when we took them their first time 2 years ago, in December of 2002.
My 18 yo son-Adrian
Has been to the world 5 times and would go 5 more if you ask him. (Who also has a steady girlfriend that's going to miss the dickens out of him.)
My 16 yo daughter-Brittany
Has been to the world 4 times, with 2 more on deck. Is learning to be an avid planner like her mother.
My wonderful husband-John
Gladly goes to disney, as long as he doesn't have to plan anything
and Me-Colleen
Disney addict, who wasn't happy with 5 days and added 2 more (at Coronado Springs.) Responsible for spreading the addiction to Mom. (Mom's been 5 times since 99 with 2 more on deck.)

The Plan:

Friday-Driving down, first pit stop in Santee, SC
Saturday-SC to FL check in at SOG, Dinner at O'Hana's
Sunday-MGM, PS at 50's Prime Time Cafe
Monday/Tuesday-US/IOA
Wednesday-Epcot, PS at San Angel Inn (DH & My wedding anniversary)
Thursday-check out SOG, check in at CSR-hotel day, MVMCP that night.
Friday-US/IOA (yes, again)
Saturday-go straight home, do not pass go, do not collect $200...

Day One:

We woke up Friday morning, December 3rd to a frosty mickey. We’re actually leaving later than usual this year…usually we like to get ahead of DC traffic be leaving at about 4 am. Mom asked us to leave after traffic cleared out of DC, she’s driving the second car with my BIL & 2 nephews. We took off about 8 am, I thought we were following each other but J, the kids and I left on our own.

Mickey antenna topper
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105MATavatar.jpg
AJ, already missing his GF
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105HOME4_THEMOOD.jpg
Loading up
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105HOME2_LOADINGUP.jpg
Someone looks like she’d rather be flying than driving
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105HOME3_THE_MOOD.jpg

We made it to DC by 10:30, we were making VERY good time this trip.

[tiggerwannabe]

~I’ll skip the boring part about how loooooong this drive is~

Yay! We make it to SC! I know once we hit south of the border we only have about another 100 miles to the hotel. I moved to the back seat so our son could ride up front, so this was my view of SOTB…

South of the Border-from the back seat
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/1051SC_ATTHEBORDER.jpg

102 miles later, we exit at Santee…Mom was 30 minutes behind us, they never did catch up to us. I called them to let them know we made it and give them the room numbers. The funny thing was in order to use my cell phone I had to stand in the middle of the driveway, it was the only spot I could get service-
it’s ok tho, I only had to dodge 1 car to make my phone call;)

[tiggerwannabe]

Finally out of the car
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105CLARKS2_KIDS.jpg
Mom relaxing
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105CLARKS3_MOM.jpg
Hanging out with the boys
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105CLARKS4_MnK.jpg
Hubby & BIL enjoying sardines
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105CLARKS6_JnT.jpg

We had 2 very clean, comfortable connecting rooms at the Inn. I like Clark’s…it’s the 3rd time I’ve used this hotel and have yet to be disappointed. We had pizza for dinner and McDonald’s for breakfast…this would be the beginning of our fast food week.
My family rarely eats fast food, it upsets my guys’ stomachs, so by the 3rd day we were all quite bloated from the change in diet.

[tiggerwannabe]

The next morning I was up with the sun, for some reason I do this the first couple days of vacation. At home, I don’t move before 8am:) I took a ride to find a dunkin’ donut’s and found krispy kremes & picked up some coffee while I was out.

Mom thought she was going to sleep in this morning, I think not! We have reservations this evening at Ohana’s for dinner…everyone up, we gotta go!

Up at the crack of dawn, again
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105CLARKS7_SUNRISE.jpg
The pool is open, but it was waaaay too cold
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/photos/data/500/105CLARKS8_POOL.jpg

Coming Soon-We arrive!

[tiggerwannabe]

Link to Part Two-SOG/Dinner at Ohana's...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=703560)
Link to Part Three-Trip recap...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7198733)
Link to Part Four-IOA day...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7211078)
Link to Part Five-USF day...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7245760)
Link to Part Six-DTD/HOB...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7246088)
Link to Part Seven-USF (again)...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7319275)
Link to Part Eight- Move to CSR & MVMCP...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7339943)
Link to Part Nine- MGM/DTD...CLICK HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7376034)