An APRIL Adventure in Autism: 2008 (8/8) Time to Say Good-Bye.... - The DIS Discussion Forums

KathyRN137 · 04-04-2008, 08:53 AM

Author's Note: This PTR/TR was begun over a year ago for a trip we took in April of 2008! I'm finally getting around to finishing it! Thank you for your patience! ~ Kathy

Hello, DIS-Friends!!

Because this trip is only 2 ½ weeks away, I intend to dispense with the customary detailed introductions in the interest of time. If you are new to the Adventures in Autism series, please allow me to refer you to previous reports if you desire full and complete background information!!

For those who are fine with an abridged version of the intros, here you are:

The Cast:

Ed (DH), 47: Dad & Police Lieutenant.

Tricia (DD), 12: Sixth-grade student.

Billy (DS), 10: Autistic, Special Ed student.

Kathy (Me!) 44: Mom & RN.

Past Disney Trips:

9/03: Caribbean Beach Resort: Our first visit; all planning info obtained from guidebooks and family members who had visited before. Seven days, eight nights. I was hooked!

1/05: Port Orleans French Quarter Resort:

We celebrated Ed’s BD with our longest stay to date: 10 days, 9 nights!

12/05: Saratoga Springs Resort, 1BR Villa. Our first trip as new DVC members! WDW at Christmastime…wonderful!

MVMCP and the Candlelight Processional were really magical. Short trip, though. Only 5 days, 4 nights.

1/06: Port Orleans French Quarter: Ed and I take a three-day weekend trip alone. (The first time we had been away without the kids overnight!)

We got to do fun, grown-up Disney things like Pleasure Island, a couples’ massage at the Grand Floridian Spa, and the Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

11/06: Old Key West Resort, 2BR Villa. My first trip planned as a DISer!! Also the first time we were joined by Ed’s Aunt Rae (77), and for a few days by my DSS, Eddie (17). Six days, seven nights. We were really getting spoiled by the spaciousness of the DVC villas! Our first trip using the Dining Plan.

Adventures in Autism: WDW!

1/ 07: The Swan: Ed and I take our second three-day weekend without the kids. Ed runs in the WDW Half Marathon and I cheer him on.

I somehow manage to walk/run with him in the Family Fun Run 5K.

The Half and Half Report!

11/07: The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, 2BR Villa. Another Jersey Week!

Aunt Rae joins us once more for a 7 day, 8 night stay in the World.

ANOTHER Adventure in Autism!

April Pre-Trip:

The Dates: Sunday, April 20 through Saturday, April 26.

The Travel Plans:

Driving (gulp!) with the kids (double gulp!!) from New Jersey to FL for the 1st time!

Stopping for an overnight stay en route each way.

The Resort: Old Key West, Studio. 7 days, 6 nights. We originally had a ressie for SSR and were waitlisted for OKW. I’m glad our waitlist came through because the studios at OKW are a bit more spacious and the second bed is a regular, queen-sized bed. The other studios have a sleeper-sofa for the second bed. I think the kids will be more comfortable in the regular bed.

I’m sure going to miss having that washer and dryer in the villa, though. I’ve really been spoiled!

Background:

If you have been following along in my current report, you recall that this upcoming trip was not as carefully planned in advance as our previous ones. We have been blessed with the ability to visit WDW just about every year since we fell in love with it, thanks in part to our DVC membership.

However, this summer we plan to do a full-scale renovation on our “real” home in New Jersey, which will make it financially difficult to do our annual Jersey Week trip come November. Well, we had some DVC points for 2008 left over plus annual passes that we purchased on our last visit (thinking that we would be doing an RV camping trip at Fort Wilderness this summer.) As you may know, those plans fell through.

So here we were with DVC points and annual passes… the only thing we would need to pay for was travel and dining. Sometime in December, we decided to go for a Spring Fling during our children’s spring break so the aforementioned points and passes would not go to waste. Only thing was….we only had so many points to play with. We could do fewer nights in a 1BR, or a longer stay in a studio. We decided to go with the longer stay (of course!)

But, the holidays were upon us and we just couldn’t afford to book the airfare. We had to wait for our ’07 tax refund to finance that little purchase. Once we had the money, however, I realized that ticket prices had just become too costly.

I thought that that would be the end of our plans, but Ed proposed that we drive to Florida instead.

Which brings us to the next issue: Aunt Rae. We certainly could not invite AR to come with us this time because of the limited space in the studio. And, since we were trying to do this trip “on the cheap”, we just wouldn’t be able to spring for an extra room for her.

I was a bit nervous about telling her that we would be going to Disney without her this time. After all, she had been so excited about the last two trips and I didn’t want to disappoint her. Plus, she didn’t really do so well physically and mentally this last time (see TR) and I was afraid she might think that we simply did not want her along. She can be quite sensitive about these things.

My fears were put to rest, however, once I had explained to her about the limited DVC points and the smaller accommodations. And when she discovered that we would be driving down, well, that clinched it. She said she would rather not make that long drive.

Whew! What a relief!

So there you have it. In two weeks, we will be hitting the road. Disney or Bust!!

Now, back to work on my other report!!

Love to all,

Kathy

************************************************** ******

**I'm having a bit 'o trouble re-naming the links with AOL...but here are links to the corresponding chapters:

PTR #2:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=20

PTR #3:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=27

PTR #4:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...2&postcount=38

PTR #5:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...7&postcount=47

PTR #6:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...3&postcount=57

PTR #7:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...6&postcount=63

PTR #8:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=74

PYR #9:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...8&postcount=79

PTR # 10:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...3&postcount=83

PTR #11:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=92

PTR #12
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=99

PTR #13
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=108

PTR #14
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=132

**************************************************

TR #1 Ready For a Road Trip??
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=134

TR #2 The Duck-a-Duck-a and the Nung-a-Nung-a!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=157

TR #3: "Mom, What Are GRITS??"
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=167

TR #4: Hola, Pedro! Adios, Pedro!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=182

TR #5: Open Up That Golden Gate!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=200

TR #6: Welcome Home!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=213

TR #7: "Mom, Are There Alligators in the Water??
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=228

TR #8 A Dreamy Kind of Morning.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=244

TR #9 Pay it Forward!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=267

TR #10 A Dream Team Knock-Off & Drip Dry at the Sci-Fi!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=286

TR #11 Talk About Animal Magnetism!!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=316

TR #12 It's Just Nature's Call!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=319

TR #13 Kiss of the Spider Daddy!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=353

TR #14 Brush! Brush! Brush!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=367

TR #15 The KEY to a Relaxing Vacation Is...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=379

TR #16 Pool Days, Pool Days, Dear Old Golden Pool Days!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=399

TR #17 Bossy Betty and the Bewildering Boat Blunder!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=427

TR #18 Hats Off to Mom!!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=456

TR #19 Just Another Addition to Davy Jones' Locker!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=485

TR #20 Pirates and Princesses... and a Crusty Old Crab!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=513

TR #21 The Captain and the Kid...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=530

TR #22 Revenge of the NOTP!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=583

TR #23 Magic, Music & Mayhem!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=615

TR #24 A Storybook Breakfast in Norway!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=655

TR #25 Butterfly Flutterby!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=693

TR #26 Playfully Picture-Perfect!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=716

TR #27 More Future World Frivolity!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=757

TR #28 Coming to America...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=784

TR #29 Cross My Heart, It's NOT Beverly!!!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=801

TR #30 Our Epcot Evening Comes Full Circle
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=843

TR #31 Putting All the Pieces Together
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=879

TR #32 Just When You Think All's Well in the World...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=904

TR #33 Divide and Conquer (the Endoftripitis!)
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=939

TR #34 Going out with a Bang! ... I mean, a Splash!!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=972
part two:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=973

TR #35 Time to say Good-bye...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=995

Thanks for reading!

Kathy

Goofster57 · 04-04-2008, 09:18 AM

Driving? Looking forward to hearing how that works out.

Sounds like another great trip for you guys

jcc0621 · 04-04-2008, 09:52 AM

I'm here Kathy

We have driven from Philly several times and it is NOT as bad as some people make it. Just have plenty of things to entertain the kids. The best investment we ever made was a portable DVD player (or a minivan with one built in

). Just plan on lots of potty breaks and leg stretching breaks.

MRYPPNS · 04-04-2008, 10:14 AM

I suggest investing in either headphones or earplugs for the drive down for Ed.

Had you not been driving and staying in a studio do you think AR would have wanted to come?

Hedy · 04-04-2008, 10:25 AM

I'm in! Good luck driving!

KathyRN137 · 04-04-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRYPPNS

I suggest investing in either headphones or earplugs for the drive down for Ed.

Had you not been driving and staying in a studio do you think AR would have wanted to come?

Hmmmm. I really don't know. (And I'm not sure I really want to know!) I'm just glad that it worked out this way... less awkward, KWIM?

Kathy

KathyRN137 · 04-04-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcc0621

I'm here Kathy

Just plan on lots of potty breaks and leg stretching breaks.

Yes, for Mommy!!

Kathy

preschoolmom · 04-04-2008, 10:37 AM

I enjoy all of your posts!

I'm excited to be following along on another trip with you and your family!

mousescrapper · 04-04-2008, 10:50 AM

subbing in I'm always along for the ride w/ you!

Driving!!!??? have fun w/ that

Only drove once from Chicago area and that was in '95 before kids, Matt (then DF) and my parents in a borrowed super van. We did Atlanta in one day and then made it to Disney on the 2nd.

Looking forward to more Adventures in Autism!

J-

mrsksomeday · 04-04-2008, 10:59 AM

YAY !! I am in, I am glad things went so smoothly with telling AR. I was wondering how she would handle the news. Bill and I have toyed with driving down to Orlando as well. It would be nice to have the van down there with us, but we end up flying because Bill is spoiled with it taking less then 3 hours to get there . I can't wait to hear more.

I am still sad you won't be there in November for Bill and I to stalk, but at least you get to go back to Disney and that is the most important thing .

DisMomAmy · 04-04-2008, 12:28 PM

Yay! I'm so glad you decided to start a report for this trip!! Can't wait to read all about it! Amy

jordanyosh · 04-04-2008, 12:34 PM

Alrighty...I'm here...

irish dancer · 04-04-2008, 01:10 PM

Hi Kathy -

We just did our first long drive with the kids. We did HHI for their spring break the week after Easter, 15hrs from Chicago (took us 17 with stops). On the whole the drive wasn't too bad, especially once we put DS7 in the seat right behind the driver's seat, lol. DS has Autism and is at the time obsessed with speed limit, in the beginning of the trip he kept reminding DH of the speed limit and announcing every time DH would go over the limit

.

I like your writing style and am looking forward to both reports. Plus I can live vicariously through you since our trip isn't until Oct and it is a suprise so I can't talk about it with the kids.

aspen37 · 04-04-2008, 01:38 PM

I am happy you are doing this report. I love reading about your adventures.

Have fun on your trip, and good luck with the drive.

Montana Disney Fan · 04-04-2008, 01:40 PM

I'm here to cause Hate & Discontent.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

04-04-2008, 08:53 AM	#1
KathyRN137 ...and the greatest of these is Love Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 7,046	An APRIL Adventure in Autism: 2008 (8/8) Time to Say Good-Bye.... Author's Note: This PTR/TR was begun over a year ago for a trip we took in April of 2008! I'm finally getting around to finishing it! Thank you for your patience! ~ Kathy Hello, DIS-Friends!! Because this trip is only 2 ½ weeks away, I intend to dispense with the customary detailed introductions in the interest of time. If you are new to the Adventures in Autism series, please allow me to refer you to previous reports if you desire full and complete background information!! For those who are fine with an abridged version of the intros, here you are: The Cast: Ed (DH), 47: Dad & Police Lieutenant. Tricia (DD), 12: Sixth-grade student. Billy (DS), 10: Autistic, Special Ed student. Kathy (Me!) 44: Mom & RN. Past Disney Trips: 9/03: Caribbean Beach Resort: Our first visit; all planning info obtained from guidebooks and family members who had visited before. Seven days, eight nights. I was hooked! 1/05: Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: We celebrated Ed’s BD with our longest stay to date: 10 days, 9 nights! 12/05: Saratoga Springs Resort, 1BR Villa. Our first trip as new DVC members! WDW at Christmastime…wonderful! MVMCP and the Candlelight Processional were really magical. Short trip, though. Only 5 days, 4 nights. 1/06: Port Orleans French Quarter: Ed and I take a three-day weekend trip alone. (The first time we had been away without the kids overnight!) We got to do fun, grown-up Disney things like Pleasure Island, a couples’ massage at the Grand Floridian Spa, and the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. 11/06: Old Key West Resort, 2BR Villa. My first trip planned as a DISer!! Also the first time we were joined by Ed’s Aunt Rae (77), and for a few days by my DSS, Eddie (17). Six days, seven nights. We were really getting spoiled by the spaciousness of the DVC villas! Our first trip using the Dining Plan. Adventures in Autism: WDW! 1/ 07: The Swan: Ed and I take our second three-day weekend without the kids. Ed runs in the WDW Half Marathon and I cheer him on. I somehow manage to walk/run with him in the Family Fun Run 5K. The Half and Half Report! 11/07: The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, 2BR Villa. Another Jersey Week! Aunt Rae joins us once more for a 7 day, 8 night stay in the World. ANOTHER Adventure in Autism! April Pre-Trip: The Dates: Sunday, April 20 through Saturday, April 26. The Travel Plans: Driving (gulp!) with the kids (double gulp!!) from New Jersey to FL for the 1st time! Stopping for an overnight stay en route each way. The Resort: Old Key West, Studio. 7 days, 6 nights. We originally had a ressie for SSR and were waitlisted for OKW. I’m glad our waitlist came through because the studios at OKW are a bit more spacious and the second bed is a regular, queen-sized bed. The other studios have a sleeper-sofa for the second bed. I think the kids will be more comfortable in the regular bed. I’m sure going to miss having that washer and dryer in the villa, though. I’ve really been spoiled! Background: If you have been following along in my current report, you recall that this upcoming trip was not as carefully planned in advance as our previous ones. We have been blessed with the ability to visit WDW just about every year since we fell in love with it, thanks in part to our DVC membership. However, this summer we plan to do a full-scale renovation on our “real” home in New Jersey, which will make it financially difficult to do our annual Jersey Week trip come November. Well, we had some DVC points for 2008 left over plus annual passes that we purchased on our last visit (thinking that we would be doing an RV camping trip at Fort Wilderness this summer.) As you may know, those plans fell through. So here we were with DVC points and annual passes… the only thing we would need to pay for was travel and dining. Sometime in December, we decided to go for a Spring Fling during our children’s spring break so the aforementioned points and passes would not go to waste. Only thing was….we only had so many points to play with. We could do fewer nights in a 1BR, or a longer stay in a studio. We decided to go with the longer stay (of course!) But, the holidays were upon us and we just couldn’t afford to book the airfare. We had to wait for our ’07 tax refund to finance that little purchase. Once we had the money, however, I realized that ticket prices had just become too costly. I thought that that would be the end of our plans, but Ed proposed that we drive to Florida instead. Which brings us to the next issue: Aunt Rae. We certainly could not invite AR to come with us this time because of the limited space in the studio. And, since we were trying to do this trip “on the cheap”, we just wouldn’t be able to spring for an extra room for her. I was a bit nervous about telling her that we would be going to Disney without her this time. After all, she had been so excited about the last two trips and I didn’t want to disappoint her. Plus, she didn’t really do so well physically and mentally this last time (see TR) and I was afraid she might think that we simply did not want her along. She can be quite sensitive about these things. My fears were put to rest, however, once I had explained to her about the limited DVC points and the smaller accommodations. And when she discovered that we would be driving down, well, that clinched it. She said she would rather not make that long drive. Whew! What a relief! So there you have it. In two weeks, we will be hitting the road. Disney or Bust!! Now, back to work on my other report!! Love to all, Kathy ************************************************ ** I'm having a bit 'o trouble re-naming the links with AOL...but here are links to the corresponding chapters: PTR #2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=20 PTR #3: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=27 PTR #4: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...2&postcount=38 PTR #5: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...7&postcount=47 PTR #6: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...3&postcount=57 PTR #7: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...6&postcount=63 PTR #8: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=74 PYR #9: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...8&postcount=79 PTR # 10: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...3&postcount=83 PTR #11: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=92 PTR #12 http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=99 PTR #13 http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=108 PTR #14 http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=132 ************************************************** TR #1 Ready For a Road Trip?? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=134 TR #2 The Duck-a-Duck-a and the Nung-a-Nung-a! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=157 TR #3: "Mom, What Are GRITS??" http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=167 TR #4: Hola, Pedro! Adios, Pedro! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=182 TR #5: Open Up That Golden Gate! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=200 TR #6: Welcome Home! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=213 TR #7: "Mom, Are There Alligators in the Water?? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=228 TR #8 A Dreamy Kind of Morning. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=244 TR #9 Pay it Forward! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=267 TR #10 A Dream Team Knock-Off & Drip Dry at the Sci-Fi! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=286 TR #11 Talk About Animal Magnetism!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=316 TR #12 It's Just Nature's Call! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=319 TR #13 Kiss of the Spider Daddy! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=353 TR #14 Brush! Brush! Brush! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=367 TR #15 The KEY to a Relaxing Vacation Is... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=379 TR #16 Pool Days, Pool Days, Dear Old Golden Pool Days! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=399 TR #17 Bossy Betty and the Bewildering Boat Blunder! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=427 TR #18 Hats Off to Mom!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=456 TR #19 Just Another Addition to Davy Jones' Locker! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=485 TR #20 Pirates and Princesses... and a Crusty Old Crab! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=513 TR #21 The Captain and the Kid... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=530 TR #22 Revenge of the NOTP! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=583 TR #23 Magic, Music & Mayhem! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=615 TR #24 A Storybook Breakfast in Norway! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=655 TR #25 Butterfly Flutterby! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=693 TR #26 Playfully Picture-Perfect! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=716 TR #27 More Future World Frivolity! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=757 TR #28 Coming to America... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=784 TR #29 Cross My Heart, It's NOT Beverly!!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=801 TR #30 Our Epcot Evening Comes Full Circle http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=843 TR #31 Putting All the Pieces Together http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=879 TR #32 Just When You Think All's Well in the World... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=904 TR #33 Divide and Conquer (the Endoftripitis!) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=939 TR #34 Going out with a Bang! ... I mean, a Splash!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=972 part two: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=973 TR #35 Time to say Good-bye... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=995 Thanks for reading! Kathy __________________ A HALLOWEEN Adventure in Autism(10/09) * An APRIL Adventure in Autism(4/08) * ANOTHER Adventure in Autism(11/07) * Half & Half: DH Does His 1st Half-Marathon (1/07) * ADVENTURES in Autism(11/06).* http://twitter.com/KathyRN137 My blog: http://wdwadventuresinautism.blogspot.com/ . AUTISM affects approximately 1 in 90 children, totaling an estimated 673,000 children in the U.S. ~ The Center for Disease Contol, October, 2009 ~ /, Last edited by KathyRN137; 08-09-2009 at 10:41 PM. Reason: Adding Links & Heading Changes

04-04-2008, 09:18 AM	#2
Goofster57 What if the “Hokey Pokey” really is what it’s all about? Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: On the other side of that invisible line that I just can’t help crossing some times Posts: 3,057	Driving? Looking forward to hearing how that works out. Sounds like another great trip for you guys __________________ Partly Confused (All of the Time) Disneyland-On Going Trip Report WDW 2007 Wilderness Lodge

Sponsored Links
DIS ad Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000+	<div align="center">This information cannot be displayed because your browser does not support inline frames.<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com">Click Here</a> </div>

04-04-2008, 09:52 AM	#3
jcc0621 DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 11,798	I'm here Kathy We have driven from Philly several times and it is NOT as bad as some people make it. Just have plenty of things to entertain the kids. The best investment we ever made was a portable DVD player (or a minivan with one built in ). Just plan on lots of potty breaks and leg stretching breaks. __________________ Janet TFW Unofficial Odds Maker

04-04-2008, 10:14 AM	#4
MRYPPNS Practically Prefect in Every Way Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane Posts: 4,082	I suggest investing in either headphones or earplugs for the drive down for Ed. Had you not been driving and staying in a studio do you think AR would have wanted to come? __________________ Heidi 5 Days, 4 Parks, 3 DIS-Meets, 2 ADR's and 1 Solo DISer ---NEW TR October 2009 PTR for the planning obsessed! Our October 26 to November 4 2008 Vacation October 2008 TR: Is it a bad sign for the vacation when you faint on the plane?

04-04-2008, 10:25 AM	#5
Hedy I'm 22 and I still kind of stammer If you're old enough to hold a job, you're old enough to not burn popcorn Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 11,042	I'm in! Good luck driving! __________________ 4/93-Dixie Landings12/96-Dixie Landings2/02-PORDLR-8/05-Royal Stovall's Inn3/06-POR12/07-POFQ8/08-POP/Dolphin10/09-POFQSwan 12/10Podcast cruise 12/10AKL(?)8/11 Universal: 7/08 HRH, 7/09 RPR, 8/10 RPR Compulsive WDW planner since age 9. Disney-o-holic since birth. (See tag) I may be 26, but the stammering still happens. A vegetarian and pescetarian do Disney dining 12/07Hedy and the Carnivores 08/08Hedy and Lexie Rock Vegas 12/08* Catch more about the joys of being an adult at WDW at my blog Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids "They can't hit ya!"~Miss ya, Bawb 'Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten

04-04-2008, 10:37 AM	#8
preschoolmom DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 520	Suscribing ;) I enjoy all of your posts! I'm excited to be following along on another trip with you and your family! __________________ Me DH Son (7) and twin Princesses (6)

04-04-2008, 10:50 AM	#9
mousescrapper DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago Suburbs, IL Posts: 2,731	subbing in I'm always along for the ride w/ you! Driving!!!??? have fun w/ that Only drove once from Chicago area and that was in '95 before kids, Matt (then DF) and my parents in a borrowed super van. We did Atlanta in one day and then made it to Disney on the 2nd. Looking forward to more Adventures in Autism! J- __________________ MouseScrapper Visit my PTR: I'm Ordering a big BLT for Thanksgiving 2010My 2008 WDW Scrapbook Special Guidebooks for DS has ADHD & HFA Visit my BLOG Julie's Mickey Memories... Past Disney PTR/TR's:June 08 POLY TR 08 was so GREAT at the POLY Mar-Apr 09 CSR TR We've Bounced Back like Tigger SB09 twins

04-04-2008, 10:59 AM	#10
mrsksomeday Bazinga! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Carbondale, IL Posts: 5,162	YAY !! I am in, I am glad things went so smoothly with telling AR. I was wondering how she would handle the news. Bill and I have toyed with driving down to Orlando as well. It would be nice to have the van down there with us, but we end up flying because Bill is spoiled with it taking less then 3 hours to get there . I can't wait to hear more. I am still sad you won't be there in November for Bill and I to stalk, but at least you get to go back to Disney and that is the most important thing . __________________ Ace, Me, and the Guy with CP - 1st TRHappy Birthday Bill 6/08 Introducing Amy to "Walt's World" 10/08 Where everybody knows Bill's name 11/08 Does this mean we aren't going to the mountains? 11/09

04-04-2008, 12:28 PM	#11
DisMomAmy DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NH Posts: 4,202	Yay! I'm so glad you decided to start a report for this trip!! Can't wait to read all about it! Amy __________________ AmyTim Alex(9) & Zach(6) Give me an AP & look what happens - 2 for 1 PTR! "Mom, this is like a whole new Disney!" An April 2010 TR October 2007 - WDW or Bust! My April Weekend Getaway - without the boys! Can we? Should we? A spring 2009 PTR "You want to ride Dinosaur again?" Celebrating my Un-Birthday Disney Style - April 2010

04-04-2008, 12:34 PM	#12
jordanyosh DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orange county,CA Posts: 17,563	Alrighty...I'm here... __________________ Feb 08 Pre trip report here. A hot, sweaty Asian TR-Feb 08. Part 1. A hot, sweaty Asian TR-Feb 08. Part Deux. A hot, sweaty Asian TR-Feb 08. Part 3!!!!! Peeps II. The Hot, Sweaty Asian Strikes Back. A Feb 2010 PTR. PTR Feb 2010 Part 2 Click here. The Return of the Asian. Feb 2010. Lights, Motor! Asian. Feb 2010 Part 2!!!! thanks mrsksomeday

04-04-2008, 01:10 PM	#13
irish dancer DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago West burbs Posts: 1,271	Hi Kathy - We just did our first long drive with the kids. We did HHI for their spring break the week after Easter, 15hrs from Chicago (took us 17 with stops). On the whole the drive wasn't too bad, especially once we put DS7 in the seat right behind the driver's seat, lol. DS has Autism and is at the time obsessed with speed limit, in the beginning of the trip he kept reminding DH of the speed limit and announcing every time DH would go over the limit . I like your writing style and am looking forward to both reports. Plus I can live vicariously through you since our trip isn't until Oct and it is a suprise so I can't talk about it with the kids. __________________ me dh dd13 ds9 dd8 TR from HHI Spring Break 2010 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2432610

04-04-2008, 01:38 PM	#14
aspen37 Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Aspen Posts: 4,647	I am happy you are doing this report. I love reading about your adventures. Have fun on your trip, and good luck with the drive.

04-04-2008, 01:40 PM	#15
Montana Disney Fan GAT-Master Extraordinaire A little off topic Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Big Sky Country Posts: 5,784	I'm here to cause Hate & Discontent.