Yay for list making! I love it! I also enjoy packing, hate unpacking, and really detest doing vacation laundry.
Just today I was packing with the help of 3 lists in 2 notebooks and a reminders list on my phone. The electronic 'check' on the reminders lists makes me very happy.
I'm such a dork.
I'm so happy that someone else shares my affinity for lists!
I have 3 Disney notebooks with lists in them. Lists on resorts, ADRs, snacks, you name it! And then I'll have many more for packing!
We loved POFQ, and I am a little sad that we aren't staying there again. I loved how small and peaceful it is. The food court at FQ was pretty good too! But, then again, beignets for breakfast make me very, very happy as well.
That's good to know that y'all loved POFQ! I think the small size if part of its' allure for me. You can never go wrong with beignets! Yummy!!!
Maddie is exactly the same as Reid. She could stay up all night, especially if there's a movie or TV on. And, my DH is the one who gets his own bed on vacation too! I don't mind sleeping with DD (she snores less, and is much smaller
) but, sometimes when she's really tired she still has 'accidents'. And who bears the brunt of that? Good ole mom of course. And DH wonders why I need a clean pair of PJs for every night...
Can't wait to hear more!
Funny thing is....I was going to reply to your response last night. But, just as I was about to start, Reid woke up. So, I had to get him settled back down so he would go back to sleep.
I actually don't mind sleeping with Reid either. Sometimes he's a bit of a crazy sleeper when he's really tired. And on the 1st few nights of vacation, he'll wake up crying & I have to settle him back down. But, other than that, it's not bad.
I think your plans sound great!
Thank you!
I hate, hate, hate packing, so you'd be welcome to come over and do it for me anytime, pretty please!
I would be more than willing to do your packing! I just find it so exciting! I know....I need help!
I think you've got a good plan to try and get some driving done at night, if you make it to Pensacola, the drive to Orlando isn't bad at all.
I like your idea of getting to Pensacola. I mapped it out & that would be about 5 1/2 hours for us on the Thurs. night leaving us with a little over 7 hours on Friday. I even found a Comfort Inn hotel for $80. I'm going to suggest this to Ed.
I also think the idea of eating at the POR food court is a great one! The food there is good, and you'll have a decent variety to choose from. It also has ample seating, and doesn't get all that crowded in the evenings. You guys could also walk over to the River Roost and catch a few songs from YeHa Bob if you are so inclined. He starts pretty early, and keeps his show family friendly.
I've heard that the POR food court is a little bigger so I'm excited to try it out. Thank you for the entertainment suggestion! That may be a little fun something to check out before heading to bed.
Looks like a good plan. The only thing you might consider may be to stay at a hotel that offers breakfast (like a Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express, etc.). That way you wouldn't have to pack food into the car to eat that morning and you could get something hot too.
Thank you, sir! I like your idea of a hotel with free breakfast. I even found one in Pensacola for $80!
I could always send the boys to eat while I get us packed up. And then we could still be on the road by 7am.
Looking forward to seeing your road trip distraction ideas. When we drove sleeping and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD's were the main forms of distraction. They worked well until about the last 2 hours of the drive.
I am definitely coming up with a list of distractions. It's a little harder when they're young because you can't play a lot of the typical road games until they're a tad older. I promise an update later on in the PTR that will be dedicated to this subject!
sounds like good plans so far.
Our last trip to WDW we did drive. probably about the same distance, my kiddos were 6 and 3. I bought things from the dollar section in Target before the trip for both the drive and for them to open each morning.
Included in this were some items that helped on the car ride-
I got those dollar dry erase boards that come with a marker.
also had coloring books and crayons, with stickers
I got them glow bracelets for the hotel that first night to use like a nightlight
they had the dvd player
they had leapsters
they each packed a little bin with little toys too, and this sat next to them in the back.
hope that helps, you could also print up some fun car bingo games and such, were he could put stickers over the items as he sees them, like blue car, or alabama welcome sign, etc.
can't wait to read more
Thank you! I appreciate your ideas on car distractions. I especially like the glow bracelet idea. I think I have a lot of those left over from Halloween.
I'll be curious to see your thoughts on POR FQ as it seems the resort has a popular following here. Are you staying in one of those royal rooms?
No, unfortunately, we are not in one of the royal rooms. I mentioned these to my little boy who promptly informed me that "Those are for girls! Me & Daddy can't stay there."
I'm hoping we like POFQ. It does indeed seem to have a large following on the DIS. My only concern has been that we live in south Louisiana & I hope I won't feel that Disney exaggerated it in a bad way. I don't think that'll be the case but that's the only thing that makes me a little hesitant.
Love the ideas people posted about breakfast and road trip activities.
You can always count on the good people on the DIS for great ideas/tips!
, but I am very happy for you anyway
Maybe I'll see you there. Would Ed do the Half Marathon in Feb? I would be willing to take extra photos for you since you can never have too many of your DH in a tutu.
It's good to see you back!I haven't been since I was a kid - hope to go back someday!
POR and POFQ are high on my last to try - can't wait (as usual) for your trip and TR!
I'm so happy to have you in on my planning! 
Since we won't be leaving until after dinner, I have scheduled for us just to drive about 4 or 5 hours this night. That would put us in Mobile, AL or in the FL panhandle. Knowing Ed, he'll want to go further. But, we'll just have to see about that. We'll get some shuteye & wake up rested & ready to get to DISNEY! 
Hopefully, this will not take too terribly long because I will be ready to check in here:
I figure we'll let him play on the playground for a little while. Then, we'll stretch our legs a bit more by walking on over to POR. I wanted to make sure that we got over there to see what it looks like as well.
