4 Parks, 1 World, 2 Families...Day 1

[CamColt]

The Cast... Myself, DH, 2 DSs 3 & 6, and our neighbors, 2 adults, and 2 DSs, 4 & 6. We stayed at ASMO and were very happy there. The other couple hadnt been in 17 years and their kids had never gone, so they wanted to do whatever I planned...no pressure there.

Sun 8/24

We arrived at ASMO around 11:15, after a 25 hour drive(its usually 24 hours but we hit a lot of traffic). We checked in with very little wait and were given connecting rooms in the Mighty Ducks non smoking building, as we had requested. The rooms were ready then.
While in the main building we decided to grab lunch then, before unloading the cars. We enjoyed the food court food a lot during this trip. After lunch we went to our rooms and unpacked before hitting the Mighty Ducks pool. After swimming we all washed up and headed out for the evening around 4:00.
We were going to the Boardwalk for dinner, so we took the bus to MGM in order to catch the boat to BW. While at MGM my family went to guest services to activate our APs(we didn’t want to have to bother with that at EE the next morning). That was quick and before we knew it we were on the boat to the BW. While on the boat we realized how close the Swan is to the BW. Since my family is staying there in December for the first time, we decided to get off the boat there to check it out a bit. After seeing it in person I’m more excited about staying there.
As we walked along the BW to get to ESPN, we noticed it was practically deserted. At ESPN we just had to wait for them to put tables together for us and we were seated within minutes. The restaurant was also fairly empty. We all enjoyed our meal here. After dinner and some playing and shopping next door, we went outside and it started raining.
Because of the rain, and since there wasn’t much happening on the BW, we decided to leave and take a ride on the monorail. We took a MK bus, but it stopped at the Contemporary so we just got off there. While in the elevator I suggested we go to the observation deck. I had heard a lot about this, but I’ve never been. It was so cool up there. We even had a big rainbow over us. If you ever have a few minutes while in that area, definitely check it out. It’s a great view. We then went to the monorail where we had a nice conversation with the CM there. He was full of WDW trivia. We rode the monorail to the Poly where we got off to have a drink at the Tambu Lounge. I just love the atmosphere there. After that we took the monorail to the MK to get a bus back to ASMO. When we left the Poly we double checked with the CM there that busses were still running from MK because it was about 8:30 and I knew the MK had closed early. He assured us we would get a bus. He was right, but barely. There were only a handful of people outside the MK, which made it very peaceful walking around out there. The only bus we saw there was luckily going to ASMO. We had it all to ourselves on the way back. We arrived at our rooms around 9:15 and we all crashed.
The trip was off to a great start!

 

[pumba]

maybe some day we can drive down too.......I love all star movies.....nice place and nice food court......thanks again

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Thanks for posting. I'm always intersted in multi-family trip reports. We rode the boat from MGM to the Boardwalk the last time we were there and experienced much the same thing...few people and quick seating at the restaurants. I'm looking forward to hearing how the rest of the trip pans out.

 

[Minniespal]

Wonderful trip reports ~ Thanx for sharing!!

 

[u4ik]

Did you drive through straight or did you stay overnight somewhere? We are going down in April and are considering driving down from Maine. I like the idea of driving staight down, but now it is a loooong drive.

 

[CamColt]

We drove straight through. This was our 3rd time doing it, but our first with another car load of people following us. We left at 10:15 am and arrived at 11:15. Like I said its usually not that long, but between traffic and having more people at the rest stops this time, it took a little longer.
After doing it this way and know how we handle it, I wouldnt waste time stopping overnight, however I know some people cant do that and would never be able to drive straight through.
Maybe you could plan to drive straight through but be open to the idea of stopping for the night if need be.
Good luck!

 

[IMISSDISNEY]

Great trip report , Thanks for sharing.

 

[u4ik]

I think we can handle the drive, but will let you know afterward. We were going to leave at 3pm and then arrive at 3pm the next day. That way we leave in the late afternoon, sleep in the car, and then the kids are awake for the morning and afternoon. Do you find leaving in the morning better than leaving in the afternoon?

 

[CamColt]

Actually yes, I do prefer leaving in the morning.
The first time we went we left around 3:00pm, but the return trip and all the others have been around 10:00am. I wouldnt say 3:00 was bad but in comparison to 10:00, we prefer that. Leaving at 3:00 made it feel like you were driving for 2 days(the first afternoon and evening, then the overnight trek, then almost another whole day). When leaving at 10:00 you get the bulk of the driving over that first day, then you have the overnight part, and by the time the sun comes up and the kids are awake, we are almost there. It takes the same amount of time, but psychologically it feels better to me.

 

[u4ik]

I think you are correct about it being psychologically better for the kids - at least when they awake - to be closer to Disney. To still have a whole days drive might not be a great thing. I think we have to decide whether we want to have the longer awake portion of the trip to be the first part or the second part. The kids might want to get that out of the way first since they are very excited to get started... Thanks for the input.