Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[disneygal922]

i have driven 3 times to the motherland .........never again


i took on an extra job in order to pay for plane tickets for future trips.


car travel can be great at times if you have plenty of vacation time.

we prefer to get to orlando and spend more time there than on the road.


when we did one drive, we had to stop and do some sightseeing before reaching florida.
which of course took time away from the mouse then.

That's a great point Mac! I am nervous that driving would exhaust us and we wouldn't be very much into doing anything when we got there.

 

[macraven]

That's a great point Mac! I am nervous that driving would exhaust us and we wouldn't be very much into doing anything when we got there.

i did a straight drive through one of the times.
by the time i hit orlando, i was too exhausted to do anything but to go to the room at 5:00 pm and go to sleep.
didn't even bother to eat first.
too exhausted from the drive.

the other times i split it up and took 2 days down.
still doing that, i wiped out quite early in the evening from the parks on arrival day.

i was giving up 5 vacation days from the trip for the driving and recovery.
i could only stay 4 nights there as i had to be back at work....

i don't mind paying the money to fly.
i get to stay for 10 days that way.

 

[Crissup]

When I did the split drive, I'd usually be checked in at WDW by 4-5pm. I agree it does leave tired that first night. I would generally get into my room, change clothes, then head out to the Boardwalk for a snack and just sit around taking in the atmosphere. It didn't require much energy and it would really start to soak in that I'm now sitting in WDW. Usually by 9pm, I'd head back to my room and crash for the night. Then, get up and get an early start in the morning.

So, don't figure you're going to want to get any park time in that first night.

 

[disneygal922]

When I did the split drive, I'd usually be checked in at WDW by 4-5pm. I agree it does leave tired that first night. I would generally get into my room, change clothes, then head out to the Boardwalk for a snack and just sit around taking in the atmosphere. It didn't require much energy and it would really start to soak in that I'm now sitting in WDW. Usually by 9pm, I'd head back to my room and crash for the night. Then, get up and get an early start in the morning.

So, don't figure you're going to want to get any park time in that first night.

well, that might work for us actually. We have an ADR at 6:15 at Narcoossee. So we would probably just take it easy that night anyway... hmmmmm decisions decisions!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

DG, we just did this the first week of December. We took I65 to 24, then followed John's route the rest of the way down. We came back John's route, though, because of the snow that hit IN. We left about 7AM and arrived at AKL at 2AM. Initially we thought we'd stop in GA and drive the rest of the way the next day, but we felt good so we just kept going.The excitement of arrival rather helps. When we got to AKL I explained we weren't to check in until later that day, but we found ourselves on their doorstep. They found us a room for that night (and didn't charge us any extra-) I had not planned a park day for Sunday, anyway, so we spent that day enjoying the lodge, swimming (that was just before the cold front came in), dinner at BOMAS, and then did the monorail resort tour to check out the Christmas decor. It actually turned out to be one of my favorite days of the trip. We left on Saturday around 3, drove to Manchester TN (arrived there about 11PM) and stayed at a Country Inn and Suites for $60, and that included a breakfast. Left there about 8AM. We arrived home Sunday about 4PM. It wasn't that bad driving at all. And to save $1000, I would do it again.
Now, if I were going by myself (or maybe just 2 of us), I would think I may prefer to fly as long as I could get airfare under the cost of gas/hotel.

 

[geffric]

So we drive.. many times..

usually we start at 3 am ( yep 3 in the morning) take 90/80 around Chi.. so getting around chi is fast and traffic free..then take 65 thru indiana.. stop for gas just south of merrillville.. and stop again for gas by the airport in Indianoplis.. ( take the round indy way).. 65 south thru indiana, Ky and thru Nashville.... join 24 in Nashville.we stop south of nashville for gas at costco, water at walmart and burger at steak and shake... south on 24 to 75 just outside of chattanooga. we go around atlanta, and 75 to macon, around Macon..we stop about midnight about valdosta, ga, breafast at the hotel then next day onto WDW via 75 to to tollway to Orlando.. we get off tollway at Rte 27. take 27 south to I-4 and into WDW..

 

[Bunchkin]

John Warm food is NOT over rated!!


disneygal and disneygal's dude You can possibly drive straight through but unless you're both really good at sleeping in moving vehicles and for short periods of time, I wouldn't suggest it. We stopped both ways in GA, and still made good time. We never plan anything for the parks for the first day even if we are flying. You will be tired after all that driving.

 

[faithtrustpixie]

Hi There-

We're heading to WDW at the end of the month for 5 days. Any ideas on getting to O'Hare from Evanston for a morning flight? We're weighing the pros and cons of parking at the airport and potentially returning to a car covered with snow versus some sort of taxi or van service.

Anyone have any recommendations? DH, DD (4) and I have not been on vacation in years!

Thanks so much!

Marla

 

[Crissup]

Anyone have any recommendations?

I generally use West Suburban Limousine for airport transfers. No hassle, no parking, kick back and relax as I return home.

 

[geffric]

driving from Evanston a hassle since there is no expressway to go on for any length of time.. devon to hwy is only route.. takes a good hour in lite traffic..

but i would echo John's suggestion to take a limo, much easier than parking and walking etc..

 

[macraven]

i'll look up the name and number/website for the limo company i use.

have been using them for over 15 years and never had issues.

 

[Stitchfans]

Hi everyone!! Just a quick drive through to say hello, catch you all up and then off to run some errands.

First off in case I never posted-- my grandson Liam arrived on the 16th! He is such a special gift from Heaven. Such a good nature d, sweet baby boy. Little man of a thousand faces. It was one of the highlights of my life sharing and experiencing his birth. When I saw his little head crowning my heart stopped for a moment. I got to cut the cord There is no words to describe my feelings on the whole experience.

Youngest DD is much happier here. Loves her new school, loves the youth group at church and has found a boyfriend whom she plans on going to prom with. I am trying to find a dress that will not break the budget. I am closing soon on this house so that will take quite a bit of what was left from the closing on our home up north.

To get DH off my back I gave him his half of the money after paying off all of his debt with the credit cards he charged up. Bi polar illness is bigger then him. He is a totally different person that to be honest none of us care for. All he thinks about is money, himself and his friends. He more of less sold us for a price. Like one of his sisters said he is going to really regret all of this once he is totally well again.

I do not think I can forgive him for any of it this time. He pushed me past my limit. Hurts so bad since I always considered him my soul mate.

On a brighter side....... The sun is shining, it isn't super cold here. No snow on the ground. DD16 is happier. DD30 has her son and happier. I will be really hitting the streets to bring in some money so we will all be A-ok!
Hope all of you are having a great weekend. And Happy New Year!!!

 

[Beastlover]

Hey Everyone!

I have been gone for a very long time...and I have been thinking of everyone a lot over the year(s)!!

I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing, and catching up with old friends, and making new ones!

See ya!

 

[Gabe1]

We have had very good luck with American Taxi. You can pre arrange your pick-up and return. They have flat rates from your city to Ohare/Midway.

Returning home. Call them and they will meet you on the arrival level on the islands.

We always request a minivan as it holds our luggage better, family of 4.

 

[DisneyDork1969]

Hi everyone my name is John and I'm a DISNEY DORK!!! I take Disney trips at least once a year. I go with friends, my partner, my niece or nephews and by myself. I love Disney movies, the parks and its history.

As you can see in my signature I have a blog, I have videos and I'm on Twitter & Facebook.

I also share photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9329633@N04/

So if you wanna see my videos, read my trip reports or see my pics stop on by.

Thanks for letting me share. Have a Magical Day!!!

John

 

[KimRaye]

all!!

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Sad news to report... the Disney Store in Joliet has closed. It was one of my favorites since it was the old style with the cool fiberglass characters everywhere.

 

[momto1]

My son told me about the Disney store on Sunday when he was at the mail with friends. I think he was trying to break the news to my gently by suggesting that maybe they were just remodeling. We can only hope!
Lori

 

[geffric]

yes that is sad.. i heard that the other day..

BTW DisneyDork..I added you as a friend on facebook.. so friend me back..

Stitchfans - glad to hear from you..

 

[disneygal922]

Happy New Year homies! yes, sad news about the Joliet store. But just think, if you drive about 30minutes north east you can be at the Orland Park store!
In other news, I'm still looking for full time work. I'm still working part time so that's good! Otherwise, I'm doing well! I chopped off my hair (well, not me personally, but i went to get it done) hmmm what else... not much. Oh oh oh... we were able to get flights at a decent price for our trip so we won't be driving after all. It really can't come soon enough, i'm sick of winter.

Hope everyone is doing well!