A Jan 2013 first time trip for dad, 4 kids, gma and gpa. Mom hasn't been in 11 yrs.

[luvalwaysMandy]

Hello!

I"m Mandy the mom.

We are planning a trip for Jan of 2013. I have been trying to get my Disney HATING husband to agree to a trip for 3 years! And he FINALLY has!

When: Jan 2013 (this is where it gets tricky!) 11th- 21st MAYBE

Who: Myself (hasn't been to Disney since I was 11)
My Husband (NEVER been and has NEVER wanted to)
The Kids: DD-Paige (age 7 will be 9 when we go) DS-Hunter (age 5 will be 7 when we go) DD-Callie (age 2 will be 4 when we go) DD-Harper (8months will be 2 when we go)
The In-Laws (Have never been!)

Where: We will be staying off property. I have narrowed it down to what we need and a few possibilities but have not make any exact decisions.

How: We will also be driving from IL for 19+ hours! (husband will NOT fly)

 

[luvalwaysMandy]

The dates are a little up in the air. I know I want to go in Jan. I don't want to go near New Years. So I'm thinking the 11th is a Friday. The kids would go to school and we would leave after The Husband gets off work at 5. Then we would drive all night and get there the next afternoon/evening.

I know that we don't have enough time to do everything I want to do. So fitting it in the best way with the most things without running the kids down and so they still have fun.

My list of WANTS:

MK
AK
Sea World
Cocoa Beach/Ron Jons
DTD (shopping)


UT has Disney tix buy 3 get 1 = 4 Disney Days
Sea Worlds deal is buy 1 get 1 = 2 Sea World Days

I really want to do MK for 2 days and AK one day. But then I'd be throwing away a day. And we prob only need one sea world day, but again, trowing away a day. I know we want to take a day off in the middle to relax swim/shop. And I know we cant stay 2 weeks. But it will also take us 19+ hours to drive down and back.

Im open for suggestions!!!

RIGHT NOW my plan I have is...
Leave the 11th at 6.
Drive straight through

Arrive the 12th late afternoon/evening
Unload
Eat at Chef Mickeys

13th would be our 1st FULL day in MK
Eat SUPER early at Crystal Palace (before opening)
Eat lunch on prop if kids ok/ go home for rest/food/swim if kids need a break
Go back for evening
Not sure as to eat dinner on prop or not.

14th @ Sea World
Breakfast @home
Lunch on prop
Dinner?

.....That's it so far...

 

[luvalwaysMandy]

So tomorrow is my birthday! I wonder if The Husband will remember?! HA! That's very doubtful. He doesn't remember any dates of anything. Although the date is circled on the calendar but he probably still won't notice.

Guess I'll buy myself something Disney related!

 

[luvalwaysMandy]

So I'm a little worried about traveling so far. I used to do it all the time when I was little. But 4 kids in the van. I'm afraid it'll be terrible! MIL and FIL are driving their car as well, so I'm hoping we can stick one kid in there. I know they will want to ride with them. We will just have to switch them out at a rest stop so they all get a turn.

I've come up with a binder for each kid. I've started to print coloring pages and game sheets that I've found online. I've also gotten a soft pencil case that I'll put pencils/crayons/markers/etc in. And I've found a website with TONS of stickers! I've been ordering some here and there and separating them into 4 baggies. Each kid will get a baggie FILLED with all kinds of different stickers. When I order they also send a bag full of freebies (silly bands/rings, star/heart shaped sunglasses, high lighters, small pads of paper, stickers, etc. So I"ll separate those out to for each kid.

I also found a neat car bingo game. I printed and cut the game boards out, Put them in ziplocks and if we used white board markers with them, then they can just be wiped off and reused! Should keep em entertained for a bit.

We don't have a DVD player in the van but we will probably look into getting a portable for the trip. The kids also have DS's and MP3 players.

What do you use/do to keep your kids entertain on long car trips???

 

[luvalwaysMandy]

WTHeck? No visitors??? I'll hopefully have pics up on Monday. Maybe that will make it more interesting around here...

 

[999ghostslover]

I'm a visitor. Pics make it more fun.
Sounds like a doable plan if you drive so you can get to all of those fun places Ron Jon's is a let-down. If that is the only reason you are going (and in january it probably is) then skip it. Cocoa Beach isn't very lively in January. I think 4 Disney days and one Seaworld day is plenty. Your kids would love Epcot at their ages. Your 2 year-old will love the Nemo Ride. I would try to squeeze it in if possible. Good luck!
Your plans will likely change over and over. My last PTR was a year in the making and it was a very different trip then when I started.

Also, for more visitors add a link to your PTR in your signature and when you post other places people will visit.

If you link it they will come!

 

[ladytink75]

I'm joining in the fun with your PTR.. I have a trip to Disney coming up in Dec and we will be driving 18+ hours our self but at least i have my parents driving in the same car so this way it will be four drivers to split up the drive instead of the two.. Can't wait to hear more about your planning