Book it. Buy it. BELIEVE it! - TR is started! link posted 8/11

[eandesmom]

Great changes!
So great that your waitlist came through.

I am very relieved. I'd have loved the extra bath, or 2, but I'm sure this will be lovely

 

[Misskitty3]

Honestly at this point, all I really need is SUN! LOL Hopefully I get some of that and not grey, clouds, humid and rain. Really hoping we have decent weather.

Sun??? What is that? Since running errands yesterday and today, I have probably seen half a dozen people wearing Uggs and jeans! Brrrr....I guess by Thursday summer should be arriving to the Seattle area (fingers crossed)!


I am sure you have the rental car thing down but just wanted to suggest checking Costco travel rates (I am assuming you are a member). No idea how they compare to the other companies in Florida but .....we spent a total of $52 for a 6 day rental (VW bug) which we picked up at the Orange county airport in May. The prices can fluctuate so I often check in the morning and afternoon or night. I am going to Scottsdale in August with some girlfriends (cause I need some sun too!) and I keep checking Costco trying to get a better rate - so far I have a "standard" car for $82 but hopefully it will come waaay down before our trip!

 

[eandesmom]

Sun??? What is that? Since running errands yesterday and today, I have probably seen half a dozen people wearing Uggs and jeans! Brrrr....I guess by Thursday summer should be arriving to the Seattle area (fingers crossed)!


I am sure you have the rental car thing down but just wanted to suggest checking Costco travel rates (I am assuming you are a member). No idea how they compare to the other companies in Florida but .....we spent a total of $52 for a 6 day rental (VW bug) which we picked up at the Orange county airport in May. The prices can fluctuate so I often check in the morning and afternoon or night. I am going to Scottsdale in August with some girlfriends (cause I need some sun too!) and I keep checking Costco trying to get a better rate - so far I have a "standard" car for $82 but hopefully it will come waaay down before our trip!

Well you know the saying, summer starts in Seattle on...July 5th. The kids keep asking if we are going to the lake tomorrow and we are like...we'll see! That rain last night was something else!

No, I don't have it down, the car thing that is. Or at least the rates haven't come down! Unfortunately costco won't work for the route we want, picking up in the DTD area. When I checked their rates, the airport pickup/port drop off was actually more than the best DTD pick up I've found for the same car which is a bit of a bummer. Currently I have 5 reservations!

• Avis 4 day mini van @$362. It won't let me modify it to 3 days since vans are sold out. Trunk 33 cubic feet but you've got extra space with empty seats as well.
• Avis Ford Escape, 3 days @$275 - trunk 34 cubic feet
• Avis Lincoln Towncar, 3 days @$258 - trunk 21 cubic feet
• Dollar Crown Victoria 3 days @ $180 - trunk 21 cubic feet
• Budget Ford Edge, 3 days @ $166 - trunk 32 cubic feet

Clearly the Edge is the leading contender, we are just worried whether we will really fit in it. I can't see how the towncar, crown victoria or escape are better so am inclined to cancel those plus Dollar would actually require a cab ride to get there, it's about a mile away from DTD. Alamo and National keep showing sold out for a port drop off, although Alamo is available through costco...for more.

UGH

 

[Native NYer]

I am very relived. I'd have loved the extra bath, or 2, but I'm sure this will be lovely

I'm sure you'll have an amazing time.

Any decision on the rental?

 

[eandesmom]

I'm sure you'll have an amazing time.

Any decision on the rental?

Only if having 5 reservations is a decision another diser took a pic of her edge and is going to send it to me. I'm inclined to just make it work but will probably keep the other ressies for a bit

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow - lots of change!! But all for good.

Your rental car dilemma brings back memories our the trip we took to Disney when Alex was a baby. My mother came along with us & we didn't even consider the size of our rental car. We got there & had stuff piled everywhere. You know how much gear you have to bring with a baby... the stroller takes up the trunk by itself. My mother, Alex & I all sat in the back seat. We loaded the front seat up with luggage & still had bags on our laps. We made it work, but it wasn't pretty! I think we've rented a minvan since then.

I have no idea if an Edge would work for you but at least you are thinking it through before making a decision!

 

[Misskitty3]

Well you know the saying, summer starts in Seattle on...July 5th. The kids keep asking if we are going to the lake tomorrow and we are like...we'll see! That rain last night was something else!

No, I don't have it down, the car thing that is. Or at least the rates haven't come down! Unfortunately costco won't work for the route we want, picking up in the DTD area. When I checked their rates, the airport pickup/port drop off was actually more than the best DTD pick up I've found for the same car which is a bit of a bummer. Currently I have 5 reservations!

• Avis 4 day mini van @$362. It won't let me modify it to 3 days since vans are sold out. Trunk 33 cubic feet but you've got extra space with empty seats as well.
• Avis Ford Escape, 3 days @$275 - trunk 34 cubic feet
• Avis Lincoln Towncar, 3 days @$258 - trunk 21 cubic feet
• Dollar Crown Victoria 3 days @ $180 - trunk 21 cubic feet
• Budget Ford Edge, 3 days @ $166 - trunk 32 cubic feet

Clearly the Edge is the leading contender, we are just worried whether we will really fit in it. I can't see how the towncar, crown victoria or escape are better so am inclined to cancel those plus Dollar would actually require a cab ride to get there, it's about a mile away from DTD. Alamo and National keep showing sold out for a port drop off, although Alamo is available through costco...for more.

UGH

Cannot wait until July 5th!!

Sorry the rental car situation is so complicated! I have never even heard of a Ford Edge.

I can't remember if you already mentioned this but will you have checked luggage or just carry ons?

 

[eandesmom]

Wow - lots of change!! But all for good.

Your rental car dilemma brings back memories our the trip we took to Disney when Alex was a baby. My mother came along with us & we didn't even consider the size of our rental car. We got there & had stuff piled everywhere. You know how much gear you have to bring with a baby... the stroller takes up the trunk by itself. My mother, Alex & I all sat in the back seat. We loaded the front seat up with luggage & still had bags on our laps. We made it work, but it wasn't pretty! I think we've rented a minvan since then.

I've been there! Oh my goodness. I actually wrote a post about it a LONG time ago, it was about the day we fell in love with the World. It's here, Of red eyes, cake and steak

Due to poor planning and communication we had a short period of time where we realized we had 7 people, 3 cars seats (big ones)one booster and a ton of luggage.

And one sedan.

I have no idea if an Edge would work for you but at least you are thinking it through before making a decision!

I'm getting such mixed reports on it, 2 families think it's fine (that actually own one) others, that own say no and then you have the "get the nicest biggest thing you can with rear view cameras and leather seats and DVD group"...who I ignore.



Once I see the actual picture (probably next week, she took it and then uploaded it to her laptop but is now on a cruise lol) I'll feel better about cancelling some of these. Vans are gone everywhere but frankly for the 2 hours max we will be in it, if we had to, suitcases could be on laps, they are small. It wouldn't be fun but...$200????

Cannot wait until July 5th!!

The sun! I see a glowing orb in the sky today! And the hope, the possibility of a number 7 looms!

Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer

And I'll be back at work.

Very happy though, Eric has a 3 day scout hike that starts Friday and Evan heads to church camp on the peninsula, both which will be a TON more fun in nice weather!!

Sorry the rental car situation is so complicated! I have never even heard of a Ford Edge.

I can't remember if you already mentioned this but will you have checked luggage or just carry ons?

Me either! It's comparable to other stuff I'd never heard of. Toyota Venza, Mazda CX7 stuff like that. It's a crossover.

Right now the plan is 1-2 checked bags, 3 carryons plus "personal" bags. I'll have 2 of those (tote and camera bag), K will have one tote and I'm making the boys share one backpack. Jeff will be checking a mid sized suitcase (25") as he's got the airshow before and is bringing more stuff as a result plus he has a really tiny daypack he uses as his carryon. I'm hoping to get by with a carryon for me, but will probably check it simply for liquids, though it is carryon sized.

It will be a bit tight, for me but Jeff is going to take a few things in his suitcase with it (like all the full size sunscreen) to make it work. The pro, if I pull off a smaller suitcase for me, is that moving will be that much easier if I'm organized enough on the stuff. And since we are moving several times, that could be good. I can't stand the 25" suitcase I have for me, it's REALLY heavy and honestly doesn't hold all that much more than my magical bag. Someday I need the 25" version of my magical bag but think I should be able to make do. I did a test pack last weekend and if Jeff can take the sunscreen, and my heels...it will work.

Con is obviously no room for anything we buy to bring back so it's probable that an extra duffel if it was the special for spending x amount of money, could well end up with us. We will get one daypack thing as our castaway club gift but that won't exactly hold a ton although as all we typically get are t shirts and small things, that might be ok.

And at least one coffee cup for me, preferably 2-3.

 

[eandesmom]

I present to you...a stock picture of the trunk space in question.

Of course, we could end up with something different at actual pick up, it's "Ford Edge or similar" and of course you have NO idea what else they have in that car class, which is considered Standard SUV

Seating wise, I think we will be ok, very similar to what they deal with now with my car.

 

[Native NYer]

It looks roomy!
How many suitcases does the rental car company estimates that it will hold?

 

[Misskitty3]

Me either! It's comparable to other stuff I'd never heard of. Toyota Venza, Mazda CX7 stuff like that. It's a crossover.

I have a friend with a Mazda CX7 and they are very roomy especially when you consider they don't look that big from the outside. I have sat in her third row with another adult and we had plenty of legroom (granted I am 5'2) but I have also sat in the back of a Honda Pilot and those have no leg room at all!

I know that doesn't help a ton since you won't know what you are getting until you get there....

 

[eandesmom]

It looks roomy!
How many suitcases does the rental car company estimates that it will hold?

LOL. According to

Budget: 1 large, 2 medium, 2 small, or 2 small and 3 large depending on which site you look at
Avis: 1 large, 2 small
Alamo 3, no size specified

honestly the only info I actually count on is the cubic feet shown on the Ford website. Based on that...it should work. I'm down to 2 reservations at the moment, still have the van which is a little silly as it's an extra day and $200 more but I can't book another van anywhere to save my soul as they are all gone so holding on to it just in case. In case of what...I've no idea!

I have a friend with a Mazda CX7 and they are very roomy especially when you consider they don't look that big from the outside. I have sat in her third row with another adult and we had plenty of legroom (granted I am 5'2) but I have also sat in the back of a Honda Pilot and those have no leg room at all!

I know that doesn't help a ton since you won't know what you are getting until you get there....

Yeah, less concerned about the leg room and more about the luggage...they are kids, they will live if squished for an hour or 2.

What do you think of this sun!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KatMark]

If my head weren't spinning enough with all the stuff we are trying to do with Mark's mom and dad, you go and make more changes. But if I'm reading right, they all seem to be good changes so that is good.

 

[eandesmom]

If my head weren't spinning enough with all the stuff we are trying to do with Mark's mom and dad, you go and make more changes. But if I'm reading right, they all seem to be good changes so that is good.

Well that's a different kind of spinning to be sure!

I think they are good changes, everyone seems pleased with it.

Of course...I did make another one today (not including cancelling 3 cars lol)...may have dodged a bullet!

 

[ARmom30]

Cynthia - I've been lurking on your pre-trip report and wanted to comment on the Ford Edge. I own one and my family (of 4) drove it to WDW last summer. 890 miles one way, with a 15 year old and a 5 year old in a high back booster. We fit fine and we were very comfortable. I started a trip report( that I never finished) but there is a picture in the 1st post of the back of my car all packed up. I really think for a 2 hour trip you should be fine.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Changes that make the math work out are always good! It is so fun that your mom is looking forward to the treehouse villas so much!

Speaking of treehouses, did I ever mention our adventure at Out N About? I first saw it on GMA when my boys were about the ages of yours. I thought "what other vacation (besides Disney) could a boy want?" We had an amazing and very interesting time -it IS Oregon, after all! Here's the link: http://www.treehouses.com/

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia - I've been lurking on your pre-trip report and wanted to comment on the Ford Edge. I own one and my family (of 4) drove it to WDW last summer. 890 miles one way, with a 15 year old and a 5 year old in a high back booster. We fit fine and we were very comfortable. I started a trip report( that I never finished) but there is a picture in the 1st post of the back of my car all packed up. I really think for a 2 hour trip you should be fine.

Thanks!!!! I took a perk at your TR, I think it will be fine too!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Changes that make the math work out are always good! It is so fun that your mom is looking forward to the treehouse villas so much!

Speaking of treehouses, did I ever mention our adventure at Out N About? I first saw it on GMA when my boys were about the ages of yours. I thought "what other vacation (besides Disney) could a boy want?" We had an amazing and very interesting time -it IS Oregon, after all! Here's the link: http://www.treehouses.com/

You did! Those look really really cool!!!! I could totally see us trying that out. Yes, saving money is very good!!!!!

Mom loves the treehouse idea

 

[MAGICFOR2]

You did! Those look really really cool!!!! I could totally see us trying that out. Yes, saving money is very good!!!!!

Mom loves the treehouse idea

Sorry to be repetitive - old age you know!

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry to be repetitive - old age you know!

LOL! Repeating is good, I'm a BIG fan of it.

My brain is a colander.