20 days until 35 nights in Florida! Pre-Trip update post 16

[starbox]

I woke up this morning at 6 and could not get back to sleep thinking about how to pack, so I figured I would start a trip report! I'll probably update daily while on the trip since we'll be in Vero a lot of the time and I know there are always questions about what to do in Vero.

So, here's the plan:
Drive to Orlando May 28th. We were originally going to stay offsite one night, but I hit the Priceline jackpot and got my favorite non-DVC resort - The Grand Cypress for 77$, so I added a second night. We 're going to spend the second day just in the pool at the resort and at DTD at night.

May 30-June 1 - BLT This will be first stay at BLT (the only DVC) we have not been in!

The first of June we will drive to Vero and check in to a 3-bedroom home in the Sea Oaks community. The house backs up to the Jungle Trail and has a private screened in pool/spa and we have a 1 month membership at the beach club.

The second week in June, we'll drive to AKV for three nights in a Jambo savanna-view studio. I'm thinking we'll likely use our room keys to pool hop at VB on our check-out day, because although we'll have similar facilities at Sea Oaks beach club, we've been staying at Disney's VB since the kids were small and they know many of the CMs by name - so we'd like to say hi!

We'll have a nice 12 night stretch at Vero in the house, then it's back to WDW for 4 nights at BCV. We should be ready for some park action - maybe even a commando day!

Okay - about 9 more nights in Vero and then - back to the real world.

This trip has been a year in the planning (and saving). DH will be writing his dissertation while in Florida. We've got someone to live in our house while we're gone, so thankfully I don't have to figure out shutting that down. I'm renewing my botanical garden membership today so that we can have free reciprocal admission to McKee botanical gardens. I think we're ready!

On a side-note, my sweet DS13 was diagnosed with pretty severe scoliosis last week and there's a very good chance he'll be spending the next few years of his teenage life in a brace. I am sooooo grateful that he'll get a month to be shirtless in a swimsuit, in and out of water all day before the not-so-fun stuff begins for him.

Now I just have to figure out how to pack for a month!

 

[cj9200]

Sounds like a great trip. Have lots of fun and enjoy. Sorry to hear about your son’s scoliosis. The thing about it is that it is correctable. A good friend of mine went through an operation to correct it and lives a healthy, pain free life. The brother of my daughter’s friend also had the surgery and after being laid up for a few weeks, hasn’t had a problem. Hope your son has a fantastic vacation. Keep us posted on how it is going.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Gosh, I thought we had a long vacation lined up for later on this month. We'll be at OKW for 12 nights.

Have fun at VB and I hope no hurricanes come your way. It will be very early in the season, but it has happened.

 

[Disney Princess]

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the month of June. We hope you have safe travels and a great time as a family. Here's hoping the dissertation goes well and that your son has a fantastic month!

 

[starbox]

A good friend of mine went through an operation to correct it and lives a healthy, pain free life. The brother of my daughter’s friend also had the surgery and after being laid up for a few weeks, hasn’t had a problem. Hope your son has a fantastic vacation. Keep us posted on how it is going.

That is good to hear. DS 's xray showed that he has not even started his adolescent/adult growth, so bracing will hopefully be enough. He's just not thrilled with the brace. Glad he has this month to be free of it!

Have fun at VB and I hope no hurricanes come your way. It will be very early in the season, but it has happened.

Had not even though about hurricanes! I grew up in Florida and they seem such a late summer/early fall thing. I'm more worried about oil blobs making their way into the stream and up the east coast.

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the month of June. We hope you have safe travels and a great time as a family. Here's hoping the dissertation goes well and that your son has a fantastic month!

Thanks!!

 

[disneymomjcs]

I woke up this morning at 6 and could not get back to sleep thinking about how to pack, so I figured I would start a trip report! I'll probably update daily while on the trip since we'll be in Vero a lot of the time and I know there are always questions about what to do in Vero.

So, here's the plan:
Drive to Orlando May 28th. We were originally going to stay offsite one night, but I hit the Priceline jackpot and got my favorite non-DVC resort - The Grand Cypress for 77$, so I added a second night. We 're going to spend the second day just in the pool at the resort and at DTD at night.

May 30-June 1 - BLT This will be first stay at BLT (the only DVC) we have not been in!

The first of June we will drive to Vero and check in to a 3-bedroom home in the Sea Oaks community. The house backs up to the Jungle Trail and has a private screened in pool/spa and we have a 1 month membership at the beach club.

The second week in June, we'll drive to AKV for three nights in a Jambo savanna-view studio. I'm thinking we'll likely use our room keys to pool hop at VB on our check-out day, because although we'll have similar facilities at Sea Oaks beach club, we've been staying at Disney's VB since the kids were small and they know many of the CMs by name - so we'd like to say hi!

We'll have a nice 12 night stretch at Vero in the house, then it's back to WDW for 4 nights at BCV. We should be ready for some park action - maybe even a commando day!

Okay - about 9 more nights in Vero and then - back to the real world.

This trip has been a year in the planning (and saving). DH will be writing his dissertation while in Florida. We've got someone to live in our house while we're gone, so thankfully I don't have to figure out shutting that down. I'm renewing my botanical garden membership today so that we can have free reciprocal admission to McKee botanical gardens. I think we're ready!

On a side-note, my sweet DS13 was diagnosed with pretty severe scoliosis last week and there's a very good chance he'll be spending the next few years of his teenage life in a brace. I am sooooo grateful that he'll get a month to be shirtless in a swimsuit, in and out of water all day before the not-so-fun stuff begins for him.

Now I just have to figure out how to pack for a month!

Sounds like a great trip. I love love long trips! Make me want to go away for a month. We are going to Europe for three weeks this summer and I thought that was a long time.

Well you've inspired me to plan a month somewhere soon.

My friends DD12 has pretty severe scoliosis and just started wearing her brace in April. She has adjusted great. It does get a little hot she said and she wears a cami or light tshirt underneath. On a good note the Doctor told her that swimming is great for her back. She doesn't have to wear it in the pool. Have a great trip.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Your plans sound heavenly. Good luck to dh with the dissertation.

I've got to get off the boards so that I can get something to my chair tomorrow.

 

[winniedapooh]

I hope you guys have a blast, it sounds awesome! If I can make one suggestion for your husband though...try to give him a few hours a day of alone time to write. I just defended my dissertation in November and spent a few weekends alone up at the beach writing it last year. It was difficult to start and stop...writing in blocks of time was so much easier. Good Luck and have fun!

 

[starbox]

I hope you guys have a blast, it sounds awesome! If I can make one suggestion for your husband though...try to give him a few hours a day of alone time to write. I just defended my dissertation in November and spent a few weekends alone up at the beach writing it last year. It was difficult to start and stop...writing in blocks of time was so much easier. Good Luck and have fun!

Good advice! I'm going to encourage DH to keep "office hours" of some sort - he's Lithuanian and does not handle morning/midday sun as well as the kids and I do.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Well, sounds like your Summer is off to a wonderful start. Interestingly , DS(13)'s best friend also 13 was diagnosed with scoliosis in March. The school tested all of the kids and sent letters home. My prediatrician has always examined my son for this, especially since he's tall and grew very quickly, he's 6 feet. His best friend was sent the results and referred to a pecialist, he also will have to wear a brace later in the Summer.

Have a great summer and good luck with your son.

 

[wbl2745]

DH will be writing his dissertation while in Florida.

You've got to be kidding! I'm in the middle of my dissertation and there is no way on earth that I could write while on vacation at WDW. I told my wife about this and she just laughed.

Seriously, I wish your husband all the luck in the world and hope he completes it as intended. Also, I hope things work well for your son and his treatments.

 

[El&Asmom]

Have a blast. I can't wait for TR updates. Good luck to your dh and best wishes to your ds.

 

[toniosmom]

Wow......a whole month on vacation......

Have a wonderful time.

 

[starbox]

You've got to be kidding! I'm in the middle of my dissertation and there is no way on earth that I could write while on vacation at WDW. I told my wife about this and she just laughed.

Seriously, I wish your husband all the luck in the world and hope he completes it as intended. Also, I hope things work well for your son and his treatments.

Well, he'll be working on it in Vero - very quiet and relaxed. He's been supposed to finish it for 13 years It's with his M. Div - and both the seminary and church have been very generous in letting this drag on, but seriously he needs to just finish the dang thing!

 

[a742246]

Good for you!!!! Enjoy.

 

[starbox]

Nothing is packed and I have no clue where to start!!