Because We're Insane: Driving & Triple Split Stay! Updated 10/23. Pg.16

[JenSop]

All caught up and I must say I am quite impressed with your overnight 13 hour drive. I am also curious about the route you took. It might be out of the way for me, but anything to avoid that DC traffic. My GF's and I are driving to HH in October, so I'm gonna have to look at that. Overall, I think you guys made great time.

You started off with some yummy looking food. I don't know how you kept your eyes open that evening. Cute dress!

Looking forward to more!

Thanks!

Seriously - it was a really good route! (That reminds me, I still have to give my dad his map back....) Definitely look into it. We almost took 81 even farther south, but decided that it might be tricky to navigate roads that unfamiliar in the dark. We wanted to be on 95 once the sun went down. Our motto was, "when in doubt, just stay on 95!"

Caught up!
Love the navy dress!

I can't believe you both didn't just pass out upon arrival (well, after eating... can't miss that reservation!). Mostly because that's what I would do, haha!

I am also now reallllly wanting some drinky-drinks from WDW! Just 4 more months until my Nov trip, sigh!

We LOVE TIW. It's such a great savings - and I love that you can use it at the lounges for drinks too!

Top row/center is totally the best Soarin spot. I'm usually not willing to wait.. It was the very first seat I ever got for Soarin and I've been spoiled since! It's worse on the ends in CA, since the screen is like, smaller? I don't know how to describe it well, but it is better on the ends in WDW though still no front/center!

Thanks! See, now I'm jealous of your November trip! My next one's not until next summer! It's so far away!

TIW was great! Ours expires on July 31st next year, so we're actually thinking about making next year's trip be the last week of July instead of the beginning of August. With as much as my family drinks, we would definitely get lots of savings out of it!

 

[loritemp]

Just found your TR, I am in!!!

I am glad my DH isn't reading this, he would give me a whole "told you so" about driving straight through. But with 2 little kids, I can't imagine that ride!

We bought into DC last year, made our first trip to our home, BWVs, in March. LOVE it there, Dh and I are huge Epcot fans so it is perfect for us. Another huge benefit for us is we have a big old double stroller. So being able to get to 2 of the 4 parks without taking a bus is HUGE!

Looking forward to more...and more fashion reports! I always look at what people wear when they post TR pics

 

[JenSop]

Just found your TR, I am in!!!

I am glad my DH isn't reading this, he would give me a whole "told you so" about driving straight through. But with 2 little kids, I can't imagine that ride!

We bought into DC last year, made our first trip to our home, BWVs, in March. LOVE it there, Dh and I are huge Epcot fans so it is perfect for us. Another huge benefit for us is we have a big old double stroller. So being able to get to 2 of the 4 parks without taking a bus is HUGE!

Looking forward to more...and more fashion reports! I always look at what people wear when they post TR pics

Welcome! Glad to have you along for my TR!

I have to say I got a "good vibe" feeling the whole time at Boardwalk. I would definitely like to stay there again! But I have to say, this was our first trip where we didn't stay for part of the time at our home resort of AKV, and wow did we miss it!

 

[Snow_Princess]

I have also had a couple of CM's who don't seem too nice about request. Once I asked for all of us to sit together in BTMR (which isn't even anything special) and he sat us in two different carts. I didn't get why he did that but he blew up on me and even screamed after that I was feeling kinda bummed the rest of the day, it kinda kills the Disney magic when something like that happens

Anyways, I love the blue dress! It's awesome to see what you wear and get some ideas, most people just wear what is comfortable but I think looking cute is important since you take soo many pictures on those trips

 

[JenSop]

I have also had a couple of CM's who don't seem too nice about request. Once I asked for all of us to sit together in BTMR (which isn't even anything special) and he sat us in two different carts. I didn't get why he did that but he blew up on me and even screamed after that I was feeling kinda bummed the rest of the day, it kinda kills the Disney magic when something like that happens

Anyways, I love the blue dress! It's awesome to see what you wear and get some ideas, most people just wear what is comfortable but I think looking cute is important since you take soo many pictures on those trips

Every time someone gets really short with people, I TRY to give them the benefit of the doubt. I know at my retail job, we sometimes get some nasty entitled people who exhibit more 'extreme behavior.' I imagine at Disney, some of that extreme behavior is taken to an all new level. Does Disney do training to help CM's stay positive even when conditions are tough? If not, they should.

Thanks on the dress! Who doesn't like getting a little dressed up on vacation? (Well, clearly I like getting a little dressed up on vacation! As if you all couldn't tell! ) But you're right - with all that picture taking, one might as well look nice.

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

That seafood looked awesome at Cape May! Yummy! I have never eaten there before, I think it has made my own person 'Must Do'.

 

[JenSop]

That seafood looked awesome at Cape May! Yummy! I have never eaten there before, I think it has made my own person 'Must Do'.

It was SO good! I love seafood - I could have just sat there eating crab legs all night if I had tried REALLY hard!

 

[JenSop]

NEXT PART: Day 2!!!


Before we knew it, it was morning. We got up around 8:40am. I knew we would start taping video footage today, so I re-showered to get my hair looking better. Our plan was to tape the intros of the videos today - at least most of them.

I had already picked out my outfit for that day last night. I wanted to make sure it was pink, as that's the official color of our travel agency.

After packing, we decided to film the intro for the "Top 10" video out on our room's balcony.

This was our first go at the video recording - and wow, it was way harder than I expected. My normal performance-persona is almost always a pre-scripted on-stage character. Not myself! So after I figured out how to not stumble all over my words, we got several versions that I can pick from.

I haven't even started to edit the videos yet. That will start once I come home from my next trip. (I leave for Europe on Tuesday and will be gone for just over a week.)


Anyway, we got out of our room just before 11am. We packed up the car and headed for OKW. It took us all of FIVE minutes to get there! Oh yeah!




Would we have the same luck as the day before? Nope. Room not ready. (cue sad trombone sound....)

We gave some of our bags to Bell Services - the ones that couldn't stay in the hot car and we walked around a bit.


We found a secluded spot and filmed the intro to the "Hidden Gems" video.

Mr. Cameraman!

While walking around, we noticed that there was no one in the pool. It was closed for "non-scheduled cleaning." Ew. I think we can all guess what that means.

However, because it was closed, we got some GREAT pics!

We were kind of hungry, so we decided - what the heck, let's just eat at Olivia's using the TIW card!

This was our third time eating at Olivia's, and you know, I really like it. It's such a relaxed, laid-back type of place with really good food.

We shared the conch fritters appetizer:

MMMM..... conch fritters.....

Then we split the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich. It was great!:

And, well, you can't go to Olivia's without getting their special Key Lime Tart!

(Seriously - go get this dessert!)

After lunch, we headed to the car to get a few things. Just then the DTD bus came. We were going to take the boat, but this made an easy decision for us!


We walked around DTD for a little bit.

Trend-D is on my list of favorite gift shops, so we got some footage there.

Then we just walked all around trying to kill time until our room would be ready.

I tried on an adorable bathing suit in the sports place next to Trend-D. It almost fit. Sadly, it was made for someone with a flat butt. Fortunately, I am not that kind of shape. When something I really like doesn't work, it's always a mixture of emotions. Sad that I won't be getting it, but glad that I won't be spending that money! ;-)

My MUST DO pic on every trip!

Brian's putting action to go along with the "Soap bomb".....

Here are some of the new Lego sculptures!

We continued shopping....

Look at this ADORABLE iPad cover! If I ever get one, I want a case like this!

Brian posing with Yoda. I said Yoda looked like a cranky baby.

I am Thor!

Dude! When is our room going to be ready?!?!??!


.......to be continued......

 

[jjsmom]

Great thread! I thought I'd jump in.... Love the TR so far! I also like your on the road pics! I couldn't believe the traffic in VA that time of night. YIKES! DH and I have this debate every single trip. He just can't understand why I'd rather pay the $12.00 Ches. Bay Br. Tunnel toll, than go around DC and Northern VA. Now I have undisputed proof that MY way is better!

Did I read correctly? Just 13 hours from PA? The best we've ever done is 16 hours from central Eastern Shore of MD (1 Cracker Barrel meal stop, plus gas/potty stops).

 

[pigletto]

Joining your trip report! If you note the tickers.. we are 6 weeks away from our trip. We're staying at OKW first for 5 nights, then on to BWV for 8 nights. There was no availability for our final night and since we fly home early we booked a value for our last night to use ME. So 3 resorts for us too!

5 minutes to get to OKW from BWV? Awesome! We'll be cabbing it when we move our stuff so that sounds great!

Awesome trip report and I am loving all your pcitures!

 

[jecskc]

We were disappointed by the "unscheduled" cleaning that day as well. The kids really wanted to swim and so did I. Like I said in my TR, we suspected a "code brown". I can't wait to see where your room was.

 

[Sooze]

Now you have me REALLY interested in those videos you are recording! Will you let us know how to see them when they are done?!

Going to DTD during the day is such a smart idea. We always end up going at night and it is always such a madhouse! We can't take fun pictures because we are just trying to get out of there!

And you DID score some fantastic pictures of the pool at OKW. It looks gorgeous!

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

I hope you bought this hat!

 

[Shannon84]

Too bad for a random unscheduled cleaning in the pool, but what a great opportunity to get pictures of it

I love the Yoda cranky baby and your Thor pose

 

[JenSop]

Great thread! I thought I'd jump in.... Love the TR so far! I also like your on the road pics! I couldn't believe the traffic in VA that time of night. YIKES! DH and I have this debate every single trip. He just can't understand why I'd rather pay the $12.00 Ches. Bay Br. Tunnel toll, than go around DC and Northern VA. Now I have undisputed proof that MY way is better!

Did I read correctly? Just 13 hours from PA? The best we've ever done is 16 hours from central Eastern Shore of MD (1 Cracker Barrel meal stop, plus gas/potty stops).

Thanks for joining in! Glad to have you on board!

Well, I have to say, I'm super glad we didn't take I95 for that first stretch.

Actually the 13 hours was the amount of time that I drove. Brian took over after that for the last 5 + hours. So overall, it took us from 4:30pm (with errand running at the beginning) on Friday to 10:45am on Saturday. We stopped for that quick Arby's dinner and some gas and bathroom breaks - that's it.

Joining your trip report! If you note the tickers.. we are 6 weeks away from our trip. We're staying at OKW first for 5 nights, then on to BWV for 8 nights. There was no availability for our final night and since we fly home early we booked a value for our last night to use ME. So 3 resorts for us too!

5 minutes to get to OKW from BWV? Awesome! We'll be cabbing it when we move our stuff so that sounds great!

Awesome trip report and I am loving all your pcitures!

Thanks for joining in on the TR!

Oh wow - your trip is right around the corner! So exciting! I really liked the short drive from OKW to the Boardwalk. We ended up using our car a few times during the trip as a result....

We were disappointed by the "unscheduled" cleaning that day as well. The kids really wanted to swim and so did I. Like I said in my TR, we suspected a "code brown". I can't wait to see where your room was.

Haha! I'm thinking that too. I was especially grossed out by the fact that they told us the slide might be closed longer than the pool. Ummmm..... the slide?! Just ew.

Now you have me REALLY interested in those videos you are recording! Will you let us know how to see them when they are done?!

Going to DTD during the day is such a smart idea. We always end up going at night and it is always such a madhouse! We can't take fun pictures because we are just trying to get out of there!

And you DID score some fantastic pictures of the pool at OKW. It looks gorgeous!

Thanks on the pool pics! The little bit of silver lining for me in a not so great situation.

I will totally let everyone know where to see the videos when they're done - I'll just have to do it very strategically so I don't get in trouble with the DIS. I might end up having people PM me to get the link.

I hope you bought this hat!

Haha! Alas no - I didn't get the hat!

 

[mkoerner]

Enjoying the story so far! We live in NE PA and we are driving to WDW for the first time ever in 5 weeks! Only we plan on taking 78 to 81 to 77 and picking up 95 around Savannah. Can't wait!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Joining in; loving your report so far!

 

[JenSop]

Enjoying the story so far! We live in NE PA and we are driving to WDW for the first time ever in 5 weeks! Only we plan on taking 78 to 81 to 77 and picking up 95 around Savannah. Can't wait!

Thanks for reading along! It's a rough drive - so just be sure to mentally prepare yourselves before hand. Are you guys stopping along the way, or going straight through?

Joining in; loving your report so far!

Thanks so much! Glad to have you along for the ride!

 

[mkoerner]

We're stopping to visit my sister in Charlotte for the night on the way down. Coming home, my husband has to stop in Greensboro, NC for a work meeting. From what my sister tells me, both are about halfway. Our 2 sons and grandson are flying though because they don't have as much time off. I'm a teacher, so lots of time in summer, and my husband, a workaholic, always has vacation leftover at the end of the year, so I'm pretty much making him take the time off. This is our first trip as DVC owners. Sooo excited!

 

[JenSop]

We're stopping to visit my sister in Charlotte for the night on the way down. Coming home, my husband has to stop in Greensboro, NC for a work meeting. From what my sister tells me, both are about halfway. Our 2 sons and grandson are flying though because they don't have as much time off. I'm a teacher, so lots of time in summer, and my husband, a workaholic, always has vacation leftover at the end of the year, so I'm pretty much making him take the time off. This is our first trip as DVC owners. Sooo excited!

That's sounds like a good plan - you won't overdue it. (I readily admit that 'our way' of driving straight through is not really the best way.)

And let me tell you, that first trip as DVC members is SOOOOOOOOOOO awesome! When we first bought in to DVC in 2007, Brian wanted to do it, but he was a little reluctant because of money. By the end of our first DVC stay in 2008, he told me how glad he was that we were DVC. We have NO regrets and just love it so much!