OMG mom can't we just go back to the hotel and swim?...lots of pics!!...updated 4/24

[akayek31]

Hi all. We just returned from a 17 day trip to WDW, US/IOA, and Jacksonville Beach. I have only been to Magic Kingdom twice in the past. This year we visited it all. Here are the cast of characters.

Me. I am now 37 and it was my birthday trip for myself

My 16 yr old DS

My 12 yr old DD

We are going to all 4 Disney parks, University of Fl, University of Central Fl, Valdosta state University, Islands of Adventures, Universal Studios, and Jacksonville Beach. Its going to be a long trip

 

[MissTink]

 

[akayek31]

Today started off with me going to my full time job for about 4 hours. My co workers surprised me with a cookie cake. I was touched.

I got off of work at lunch and got home about 12:30 and packed up the car. I did not think that all that stuff would fit in the car.

I know I am forgetting something but can’t think of it. Oh well I will figure it out later. We leave home about 1:10. We have to take the video games back before we go. OMG I remember what I forgot. I forgot to give my mom the deposit slips for my Cracker Barrel paycheck. Thank God for cell phones. I call mom and she agrees to meet us at Stevie B’s pizza buffet (I have a coupon 2 for 10)
We get to SB and I see kids are 10 and under. I asked the cashier if DD can be 10 still just joking. Lady did not know how to do the coupon so 3 buffets and 3 drinks were 12.91. I lucked out. Lucky streak number one. I forgot to take pics of lunch. Mom meets us by the time we leave and I give her 2 deposit slips.
I go to Cracker Barrel and get my check. It is $35 more than I expected.
We begin to drive. I drive first since I don’t want my son driving in Atlanta traffic.
We get to the point where all the traffic begins and all of a sudden I have to go to the bathroom. OMG it’s the middle of Atlanta where will I find a bathroom. We go in circles and finally I give up. Now we are lost. Thank God for the GPS. Somehow we get back on I-75 after the traffic. We drive about 30 miles and then find a arbys. Thank God I could wait that long lol.
We get to the Forsyth exit where I did my training for my job. I have a free coupon for a blizzard if I buy one first. OMG how much is the one I having to buy! $3.57.

I finally let my son drive. He did better than me. We get to Cordle Ga. And Danielle has to use the bathroom. We stop at a no where gas station. Looks like the only one in town. I have cash I want a lottery ticket. DD says no I will waste money. I get them anyway. I got two $2 tickets and two $1 ticket. I paid $6. OMG I won $30 on two tickets. I never win at home.
We finally get to the hotel in Valdosta.

DD wants to swim. DS wants to go to Valdosta state University. I want my free cheesecake from fazoli’s so we all head out and go visit VSU. Nothing is open but DS is just happy seeing the college.

\


We then went to Fazoli's I got my cheese cake and spaghetti, DD gets lasagna and DS wasn't hungry. It was pretty good. DD ate half of my birthday cheesecake

After we eat DD gets to finally swim and I drink my free cocktail from the hotel and a beer.

Will they ever go to bed so it will be time for Disney!

 

[reyasmommy]

Can't wait to hear about Disney

 

[luckylady]

Waiting for the rest. Brave mom to let DS drive.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Found you.

Hopefully the kids took some time out of their swimming to see some parks.

How sweet of your co-workers.

That looks like a lot of luggage.

 

[hlrababy]

Okay, you can begin now....I am here!!

 

[sassysasha]

Oh how I miss Fazoli's, ours went out of business.

 

[akayek31]

Hey

Can't wait to hear about Disney

We get there soon

Waiting for the rest. Brave mom to let DS drive.

He actually did awesome. I let him drive the whole vacation.

Found you.

Hopefully the kids took some time out of their swimming to see some parks.

How sweet of your co-workers.

That looks like a lot of luggage.

It was and it just got bigger as the hotels changed or maybe it just seemed like it

Okay, you can begin now....I am here!!

Hey I was wondering where you were.

Oh how I miss Fazoli's, ours went out of business.

Hey I haven't been to a Fazoli's since we moved to Ga and it was as good as I remembered it




I will post more tomorrow. DS and I are watching the first three movies of a movie we saw at Citywalk. I will tell you what movie when that day gets here

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I made my way over here, finally...I got lost...no GPS...

Very nice of your co workers to get you a bday cookie!

I'm not a fan of driving through ATL, good thing this trip I'm avoiding it by going down I-95.

Food looks good, yummy.

Glad DS got experience being the driver and got you around without a problem. It must have been fun for him.

It must have been very HOT at WDW, if all your DS wanted to do was swim....

 

[akayek31]

I made my way over here, finally...I got lost...no GPS...

Very nice of your co workers to get you a bday cookie!

I'm not a fan of driving through ATL, good thing this trip I'm avoiding it by going down I-95.

Food looks good, yummy.

Glad DS got experience being the driver and got you around without a problem. It must have been fun for him.

It must have been very HOT at WDW, if all your DS wanted to do was swim....

I wish it was hot all the time. A lot of the time we were soggy from the rain

 

[akayek31]

We get up at 7 to eat. We have eggs, grits, sausage ect for breakfast. It was good for hotel food.

We get on the road at 9:30. Can’t these kids get ready faster. DD has look perfect to walk out of the door. This will be a source of many arguments in the next 17 days. I took these pictures from our balcony

Here is a pic of the finished product of DD. I swear I think she took one everyday

We stop at the Florida Welcome sign to get pictures and get some juice. DD swears she is going to keep the juice cup since it was from Fl but who knows where it is now. It begins to rain as I am taking the pics of the sign.

I fell asleep after this. It was raining a little. I think this is the theme of the week.
We get to Pop about 1:30 pm.

I did the online check in so I went to the sign with the computer mouse.
I get all of the paperwork and my birthday button. I ask what room we are in. We were in the 90’s building. I asked if we could be in the 50’s or 60’s since we wanted to swim in the hippy dippy pool. They put us in the last 50’s building. Next time I will stay in the 90’s since it is closer to the buses and classic hall.
We get to the room and bring all our stuff in.

I tell DD and DS that it is time to go to the Magic Kingdom. It starts pouring by then and the kids don’t want to go. They start whining that it is raining and why not just stay there. I informed them that I have to go today to get my birthday fun card and It is not as crowded when it rains. It starts thundering and lightning at this point. DS is freaking out. DS says "omg mom normal people don't go out in this kind of weather!..."
Did I get to Magic Kingdom? Did I buy ponchos before getting there? Tune in next time for As the Disney World Turns!

 

[GGOOFY1]

Can't wait to hear about your trip

 

[micandminforever]

I tell DD and DS that it is time to go to the Magic Kingdom. It starts pouring by then and the kids don’t want to go. They start whining that it is raining and why not just stay there. I informed them that I have to go today to get my birthday fun card and It is not as crowded when it rains. It starts thundering and lightning at this point. DS is freaking out. DS says "omg mom normal people don't go out in this kind of weather!..."
Did I get to Magic Kingdom? Did I buy ponchos before getting there? Tune in next time for As the Disney World Turns!

DS son should know we are not normal people we are Dis members. When it comes to Disney we are like mailmen snow, sleet, rain, hurricanes will not stop us from our mission.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What I wouldn't give for a 17 day trip! We are usually there for 10 days and I'd love to stay for more.

You and your kids are adorable and I'm looking forward to reading all about your adventures.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

One of my favorite parts of the drive down is stopping at the FL welcome center.
I always get the juice and load up on brochures.
I've been doing it since I was as a little kid so it's a tradition.

I love seeing the 'Welcome to WDW' arches....

Glad you got your choice of locations. 50's it is!

Sorry it rained on your bday.
I hope you get to MK....oh the drama....

 

[Deffenm]

Great trip report so far. Can't wait to read more.

 

[MissTink]

I love your pics and I can't wait to read more! 17 days? Whoa!

I've never stayed at WDW for more than 5 days.

 

[PeytonSdiz]

Hi. Subscribing. I love all of the pictures.

 

[akayek31]

Can't wait to hear about your trip

I hope to have more up tomorrow night...work gets in the way of TR

DS son should know we are not normal people we are Dis members. When it comes to Disney we are like mailmen snow, sleet, rain, hurricanes will not stop us from our mission.

That's what I said lol.

What I wouldn't give for a 17 day trip! We are usually there for 10 days and I'd love to stay for more.

You and your kids are adorable and I'm looking forward to reading all about your adventures.

Thanks. I was looking at my photopass pics and noticed that DD is taller than me

One of my favorite parts of the drive down is stopping at the FL welcome center.
I always get the juice and load up on brochures.
I've been doing it since I was as a little kid so it's a tradition.

I love seeing the 'Welcome to WDW' arches....

Glad you got your choice of locations. 50's it is!

Sorry it rained on your bday.
I hope you get to MK....oh the drama....

Oh yes the drama. There will be so much of it this trip

Great trip report so far. Can't wait to read more.

Thanks I hope to get more up soon.

I love your pics and I can't wait to read more! 17 days? Whoa!

I've never stayed at WDW for more than 5 days.

Thanks I went picture crazy sometimes We only stayed on property for 8 days but we were in Orlando for 15 days. I wish it was on property the whole time.

Hi. Subscribing. I love all of the pictures.

I have many many more pics to come