Am I Crazy?

[momof1princess]

DH and i REALLY want to go to wdw and see the Christmas decorations. we've been talking about it for years, but haven't done it. well, with everything that's been going on, we didn't really get to celebrate DD14's birthday last month, except for a small, family party, which she had to share with my 7yo nephew (and wasn't happy about), so, we've decided to try to swing a short trip to WDW at the beginning of Thanksgiving week!

this would be a VERY short trip-either arrive on sunday (11/20) and check out on monday (11/21) or on tuesday (11/22). we're really just going to see the osborne lights, the decorations at MK, and hit our favorite rides.

have we completely lost our minds? i've already contacted a disney travel agent for a quote...lol.

 

[Marionnette]

DH and i REALLY want to go to wdw and see the Christmas decorations. we've been talking about it for years, but haven't done it. well, with everything that's been going on, we didn't really get to celebrate DD14's birthday last month, except for a small, family party, which she had to share with my 7yo nephew (and wasn't happy about), so, we've decided to try to swing a short trip to WDW at the beginning of Thanksgiving week!

this would be a VERY short trip-either arrive on sunday (11/20) and check out on monday (11/21) or on tuesday (11/22). we're really just going to see the osborne lights, the decorations at MK, and hit our favorite rides.

have we completely lost our minds? i've already contacted a disney travel agent for a quote...lol.

I guess that my answer would hinge on how much travel time is involved. I would not spend the $ and the time for just one night in Disney. But that's because a last minute flight would run me more than $200 pp. I would have to rise before the sun, drive to the airport (a 30 minute drive) with enough time to allow for security, wait, Wait, WAIT at the gate for boarding (1/2 hour prior to take off), 2.5 hours from the time we push away from the gate until we arrive at the gate at MCO, 30 minute drive to Disney. Multiple that amount of time X2 to account for the return trip. 8+ hours out of 24 spent in "commuting".

I'm not sure that I would even do it if we were to stay for 2 nights. Mostly because of the cost of travel.

But if you live close enough that travel cost and time are minimal, then go and have a good time.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Wow that is a short trip and as I understand a very busy Disney time! The Christmas decorations are fabulous and there are so many!! I'd think you'd have a hard time seeing everything in 2-3 days with the crowds, but that's just me. You'll have a magical time no doubt!

 

[ilovemk76]

DH and i REALLY want to go to wdw and see the Christmas decorations. we've been talking about it for years, but haven't done it. well, with everything that's been going on, we didn't really get to celebrate DD14's birthday last month, except for a small, family party, which she had to share with my 7yo nephew (and wasn't happy about), so, we've decided to try to swing a short trip to WDW at the beginning of Thanksgiving week!

this would be a VERY short trip-either arrive on sunday (11/20) and check out on monday (11/21) or on tuesday (11/22). we're really just going to see the osborne lights, the decorations at MK, and hit our favorite rides.

have we completely lost our minds? i've already contacted a disney travel agent for a quote...lol.

How far away do you live?


A 14 year old was upset over sharing a birthday celebration with her cousin? Really!!!???

 

[momof1princess]

How far away do you live?


A 14 year old was upset over sharing a birthday celebration with her cousin? Really!!!???

we live 10 hours away from wdw, give or take 30-60 minutes (depends on traffic around atlanta). we would drive there and back.

i'm not going to justify my daughter's feelings to anyone. yes, she was disappointed that she had to share the party with my DN, but it was the only time we could all be together. if it makes her selfish that she wanted a LITTLE bit of attention on her birthday, so be it. i think it's rude to laugh at a kid for wanting to have a good time on her birthday.

MOD, please close this thread. it was supposed to be about a quick trip to wdw, and i won't have it turned into a bashing of my DD.

 

[gules]

You're not really THAT crazy. I mean, if I had the cash to spend, I'd do it too!

That said, you might want to consider at least the 2-day stay, so you have a little breathing time. And you might want to think about doing it the week BEFORE Thanksgiving. Any extra time padding between you and Thanksgiving will help! Unless that's the first week lights go up? I haven't checked since I'll be going all the way in Dec.

Your daughter was a trooper to share with her cousin, lol. Go, and get an ADR to celebrate again in a less Go Diego way.

Best of luck!

 

[mom2val]

.

 

[Chris the CPA]

Do the extra day and ride the monorail to it's different resorts and see their decorations. They are fantastic!

 

[momof1princess]

Do the extra day and ride the monorail to it's different resorts and see their decorations. They are fantastic!

this is the plan. to arrive on sunday, tour the deluxe resorts to see the decorations, then see the osborne lights at DHS that night. monday would be MK.

 

[JustineMarie]

I dont think you are crazy at all! If you can afford it, then do it! My DH and I tinkered with flying down one day and flying home the next to see the lights last year but airfare was crazy!

 

[mom2princesss]

It wouldn't be something I would do but I don't think you are crazy.

I am a little confused as to how you would pull it off. I'm north of ATL so I know the drive. After spending 10 hours or so in the car I'm toast. To arrive Sunday you would either have to drive all night Saturday so you would be exhausted when you arrived so how would you do anything fun? Or you would have to drive most of the way saturday, stay in a hotel overnight and then drive the rest of the way Sunday morning which would still cut into fun time. I guess to make it work at all I would drive down and check in Saturday night and be ready to hit the ground running Sunday morning and check out Tuesday as late as possible.

 

[ToddyLu]

I do not think that is crazy at all. When I went to the Swalphin several years ago for a two night company workshop...I skipped the evening entertainment and took a bus to DTD. I got an ice cream at the McDonalds and just sat there. No park tickets on this trip. Loved every second of it. Of course, I called DH to ask him "Where in the World do you think I am?". He was jealous.

Then took the bus back to EPCOT, cause it was close to Swalphin---for those of you thinking that was stupid--you are right. Yeah, I am blonde but I have learned more about the ins and outs of Disney Transportation since then. One step of that bus and dum, dum, dum--knew I had made a grave error.

 

[momof1princess]

It wouldn't be something I would do but I don't think you are crazy.

I am a little confused as to how you would pull it off. I'm north of ATL so I know the drive. After spending 10 hours or so in the car I'm toast. To arrive Sunday you would either have to drive all night Saturday so you would be exhausted when you arrived so how would you do anything fun? Or you would have to drive most of the way saturday, stay in a hotel overnight and then drive the rest of the way Sunday morning which would still cut into fun time. I guess to make it work at all I would drive down and check in Saturday night and be ready to hit the ground running Sunday morning and check out Tuesday as late as possible.

we would leave home at about 8:00 pm CT saturday, DH would drive until we get south of atlanta (roughly 2.5-3 hours), then i would take over and drive the rest of the night. we would arrive sunday morning, eat breakfast, hit DTD, check out the decorations at the deluxe resorts, then check-in and i would take a nap while DH and DD14 (who both slept in the car on the drive down overnight) hit either the pool or the arcade. then, we'd go to DHS for the osborne lights and do our favorite rides. we always drive down that way. it's worked great so far, especially as DD has gotten older-she can sleep anywhere, lol.

 

[Marionnette]

we would leave home at about 8:00 pm CT saturday, DH would drive until we get south of atlanta (roughly 2.5-3 hours), then i would take over and drive the rest of the night. we would arrive sunday morning, eat breakfast, hit DTD, check out the decorations at the deluxe resorts, then check-in and i would take a nap while DH and DD14 (who both slept in the car on the drive down overnight) hit either the pool or the arcade. then, we'd go to DHS for the osborne lights and do our favorite rides. we always drive down that way. it's worked great so far, especially as DD has gotten older-she can sleep anywhere, lol.

That's definitely something that I wouldn't do. It falls under the heading of "Crazy Things I Would Have Done When I Was in College" for me. Twenty plus hours in a car is not worth 20 wakeful hours in Disney. I would wait until I had more time and money.

But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it just because I wouldn't. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I say go for it!!! A 10 hour drive wouldnt be a big deal for us. If I was only 10 hours away, we'd probably go all of the time!!!

I hope it all works out for you......the Christmas decorations are amazing, you won't regret going!!!

Have fun!!!

 

[momof1princess]

looks like it's a moot point, guys. the quote is almost $1000 for TWO days! i guess we'll be sticking to summer trips, lol.

 

[vaDisneyGuy]

I say go for it who cares what people think? I think a few hours in the car is worth a few hours of Disney Magic .

When I lived in Va I drove down to WDW for long weekends all the time. It was worth it every time.


As far as people picking on your daughter for not wanting to share her birthday with someone else, Well who cares what they think, It just makes those adults sound like bullies for picking on a kid


Take your princess to WDW for her birthday surprise her with something fun like birthday ears or what ever she would like. Christmas decorations at WDW are awesome and worth the drive.

 

[momof1princess]

I say go for it who cares what people think? I think a few hours in the car is worth a few hours of Disney Magic .

When I lived in Va I drove down to WDW for long weekends all the time. It was worth it every time.


As far as people picking on your daughter for not wanting to share her birthday with someone else, Well who cares what they think, It just makes those adults sound like bullies for picking on a kid


Take your princess to WDW for her birthday surprise her with something fun like birthday ears or what ever she would like. Christmas decorations at WDW are awesome and worth the drive.

thanks since the quote was so high for thanksgiving week, we're going to shoot for early march, during her spring break. crowds will be much lighter that week, according to the crowd calendar, and rates will be lower. crossing my fingers for free dining!

 

[Judique]

looks like it's a moot point, guys. the quote is almost $1000 for TWO days! i guess we'll be sticking to summer trips, lol.

What are they quoting you for $1000? Room and tickets?

Are the Xmas decorations up before Thanksgiving now? And do they start the Osborne lights before TG?

 

[ilovejack02]

we live 10 hours away from wdw, give or take 30-60 minutes (depends on traffic around atlanta). we would drive there and back.

i'm not going to justify my daughter's feelings to anyone. yes, she was disappointed that she had to share the party with my DN, but it was the only time we could all be together. if it makes her selfish that she wanted a LITTLE bit of attention on her birthday, so be it. i think it's rude to laugh at a kid for wanting to have a good time on her birthday.

MOD, please close this thread. it was supposed to be about a quick trip to wdw, and i won't have it turned into a bashing of my DD.

I dont think it was bash at all ... I took it as I don't think any of us are surprised she wouldn't want to share her birthday . My oldest wouldn't have been thrilled either . : )

Im jealous you are getting to go see the lights and decorations. Hubby and I have talked about it for years, we just can't stand the thought of the crowds. HAVE FUN !!

OPPS... now I see it is very pricey ! WOW .. that is expensive.