DIS Dads DDC XXIII - Where Everyone Knows Your Name! NORM!!!!!

[Captain_Oblivious]

Has anyone ever driven overnight to WDW? Our family is getting to the point where the prospect of saving $1000 in travel costs by driving instead of flying to The World is pretty attractive. But I don't want to burn a whole day of our vacation to do it. For my 12-hr drive, I'd need to leave home at about 8 pm the night before in order to get there at 8 or 9 am. Is that just stupid to drive overnight like that? I don't want to get up at 4 or 5 on the first day of a vacation and load everyone in to the family truckster just to spend most of the day on the road and just get there in time for dinner. No- I don't have a trip in the works. This is for the imaginary trip that I'm always working on. And I'd rather not stop at a hotel half way through. With that expense (we'd need two rooms) and hassle, I'd almost rather bite the bullet and fly.

I know Barry has done the all-nighter several times. He and his wife switch off for the driving during the night. For some reason, I think Nate may have done it as well.

goooooodddddd morninggg vietnammmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1

We'll have to make sure we have that lunch before your last day. This week was tough with the storm. Next week we have a trade show in Germany (which I avoided by sending my staff) so will be a little slower. What does your schedule look like for next week? Like it really matters if you give notice, but thought I would ask anyway.

Congrats on the new position! The shorter commute is why I left Cambridge to work in Woburn.

Every once in a while I drive up to Portsmouth, NH to visit my brother. My son has been begging me to try and get to a Red Sox game next time we're up there. If we make it to the area, I'll have to try and say hi to you guys.

 

[mm1971]

Well between 8 pm and 8 am all I'd need to see is the road. Falling asleep at the wheel would be my only real concern. But if I knock off work a little early, take a nap and experiment with 5-hr energy drinks it could work out.

I think you could easily be able to do it if you were rested before leaving. I drove 10 1/2 hours home from Niagra this summer. I think you just want to be sure to get some sleep before you leave. I could have made it another hour or so.

I would think you will need to nap a little when you arrive if you plan to have an active day your day of arrival. The rest of the family will have slept in the car and will want to drag you everywhere.

Oh, 5 hour energy works pretty well, just don't take too much.

 

[AirGoofy]

Thanks. It's a corporate controller position for a vc-backed hi-tech company about 5 minutes from my house. The company and opportunity are what drove me to it, but the location is a nice bonus too!

Congrats. I am available for a highly paid, unqualified job if you are searching.

Has anyone ever driven overnight to WDW? Our family is getting to the point where the prospect of saving $1000 in travel costs by driving instead of flying to The World is pretty attractive. But I don't want to burn a whole day of our vacation to do it. For my 12-hr drive, I'd need to leave home at about 8 pm the night before in order to get there at 8 or 9 am. Is that just stupid to drive overnight like that? I don't want to get up at 4 or 5 on the first day of a vacation and load everyone in to the family truckster just to spend most of the day on the road and just get there in time for dinner. No- I don't have a trip in the works. This is for the imaginary trip that I'm always working on. And I'd rather not stop at a hotel half way through. With that expense (we'd need two rooms) and hassle, I'd almost rather bite the bullet and fly.

Check out my trip report. We have been driving that way for 12 or so trips, because of the savings. It is about a 13 - 14 trip for us, depending on the traffic and we have a time zone change. We left this year a little after 3:00 PM and arrived around 5:00 AM. It is great. I love to drive and am so excited, that I can't sleep much anyway. When I do get tired, DW will drive and give me a nap, although they are limited to a couple hours. I drove the whole way down this time with no problems. Yes, when we arrive in WDW, the family has slept and I am tired, but not nearly as tired as I miss Atlanta and all the other traffic.

Disclaimer - We do character breakfast in AM and hang at resort afterwards (pool, community hall, etc) with no parks. This time, I napped at Bay Cove pool and was smart enough to have applied sunscreen.

Here are my tips.
Nap if you can before trip.
Pack stuff that keeps you awake - cokes, candy, coffee (thermos) as gas stations can cost $.
Time it to miss traffic - before or after.
Get ADR Breakfast at or close to resort.
Put swimsuits in easily accessible bag if room not available.
No theme parks.

 

[mm1971]

I am heading to Montreal for some meetings and a conference but I would have been happy to go to Germany for you.

Unfortunately, the show is pretty uneventful. We normally sit in a booth for 8 hours while all of our distributors from around the world come in and tell us what we need to do better. Half of them don't speak english so we just sit and nod.

The beer and parties are a lot of fun though. I'll remember you for next time.

 

[mm1971]

I know Barry has done the all-nighter several times. He and his wife switch off for the driving during the night. For some reason, I think Nate may have done it as well.



+1



Every once in a while I drive up to Portsmouth, NH to visit my brother. My son has been begging me to try and get to a Red Sox game next time we're up there. If we make it to the area, I'll have to try and say hi to you guys.

That sounds like a plan.

Did I mention the seats behind the plate? I can get 4 of them and if we plan it right could get together and see a game at the same time.

 

[Goofy + 3]

I know Barry has done the all-nighter several times. He and his wife switch off for the driving during the night. For some reason, I think Nate may have done it as well.

But my van doesn't have turbo boost so it's not really the same thing. Although we do travel with cheese puffs. Not quite cheese balls, but close.

I would think you will need to nap a little when you arrive if you plan to have an active day your day of arrival. The rest of the family will have slept in the car and will want to drag you everywhere.

Well it's normally me dragging them around so I guess it would be my turn to suffer.

Check out my trip report. We have been driving that way for 12 or so trips, because of the savings. It is about a 13 - 14 trip for us, depending on the traffic and we have a time zone change. We left this year a little after 3:00 PM and arrived around 5:00 AM. It is great. I love to drive and am so excited, that I can't sleep much anyway. When I do get tired, DW will drive and give me a nap, although they are limited to a couple hours. I drove the whole way down this time with no problems. Yes, when we arrive in WDW, the family has slept and I am tired, but not nearly as tired as I miss Atlanta and all the other traffic.

Disclaimer - We do character breakfast in AM and hang at resort afterwards (pool, community hall, etc) with no parks. This time, I napped at Bay Cove pool and was smart enough to have applied sunscreen.

Here are my tips.
Nap if you can before trip.
Pack stuff that keeps you awake - cokes, candy, coffee (thermos) as gas stations can cost $.
Time it to miss traffic - before or after.
Get ADR Breakfast at or close to resort.
Put swimsuits in easily accessible bag if room not available.
No theme parks.

Good tips. I'd also look for a good audiobook to put on the Ipod.

I think you all have clinched it for me. Next trip, overnight travel!

 

[DisneyDadC]

Has anyone ever driven overnight to WDW? Our family is getting to the point where the prospect of saving $1000 in travel costs by driving instead of flying to The World is pretty attractive. But I don't want to burn a whole day of our vacation to do it. For my 12-hr drive, I'd need to leave home at about 8 pm the night before in order to get there at 8 or 9 am. Is that just stupid to drive overnight like that? I don't want to get up at 4 or 5 on the first day of a vacation and load everyone in to the family truckster just to spend most of the day on the road and just get there in time for dinner. No- I don't have a trip in the works. This is for the imaginary trip that I'm always working on. And I'd rather not stop at a hotel half way through. With that expense (we'd need two rooms) and hassle, I'd almost rather bite the bullet and fly.

Well between 8 pm and 8 am all I'd need to see is the road. Falling asleep at the wheel would be my only real concern. But if I knock off work a little early, take a nap and experiment with 5-hr energy drinks it could work out.

I do it this way every trip,and I am further north and go right by your place.If you are a night time driver I say go for it. It is the best time to drive no traffic,but can get a little lonesome if the rest of the car falls asleep.Most times I end up working full day then hitting the road.If you can manage a half day before leaving ,it would be better.We leave around 7/8 pm and take our time to get there around 3/4 pm for check in( sometimes we go faster and get there earlier)In your case if you leave around 8pm you will be there 8 am so you will have the day to do what ever you want.
so in short I say say the cost of flying big family,use money for other things,and enjoy the ride it is part of your trip!!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

That sounds like a plan.

Did I mention the seats behind the plate? I can get 4 of them and if we plan it right could get together and see a game at the same time.

I love it when a plan comes together!

But my van doesn't have turbo boost so it's not really the same thing. Although we do travel with cheese puffs. Not quite cheese balls, but close.

Can't help you on the turbo boost. I haven't worked with rocket fuel since The Incident.

I don't think I could ever do the drive through the night thing. I have a hard time sleeping in cars, and an even harder time staying up all night.

 

[Goofy + 3]

I do it this way every trip,and I am further north and go right by your place.If you are a night time driver I say go for it. It is the best time to drive no traffic,but can get a little lonesome if the rest of the car falls asleep.Most times I end up working full day then hitting the road.If you can manage a half day before leaving ,it would be better.We leave around 7/8 pm and take our time to get there around 3/4 pm for check in( sometimes we go faster and get there earlier)In your case if you leave around 8pm you will be there 8 am so you will have the day to do what ever you want.
so in short I say say the cost of flying big family,use money for other things,and enjoy the ride it is part of your trip!!!

Wow that's a long haul for you. With the money you save over flying, you could easily justify eating a certain filet mignon a couple times on each trip.

You work a full day and then drive 16+ hrs? That sounds dangerous. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I'd become one for a trip that long.

I haven't thought about it much lately, but all of a sudden I'm getting excited for the January trip. It will be good to meet many of you.

 

[theduck619]

Congrats. I am available for a highly paid, unqualified job if you are searching.



Check out my trip report. We have been driving that way for 12 or so trips, because of the savings. It is about a 13 - 14 trip for us, depending on the traffic and we have a time zone change. We left this year a little after 3:00 PM and arrived around 5:00 AM. It is great. I love to drive and am so excited, that I can't sleep much anyway. When I do get tired, DW will drive and give me a nap, although they are limited to a couple hours. I drove the whole way down this time with no problems. Yes, when we arrive in WDW, the family has slept and I am tired, but not nearly as tired as I miss Atlanta and all the other traffic.

Disclaimer - We do character breakfast in AM and hang at resort afterwards (pool, community hall, etc) with no parks. This time, I napped at Bay Cove pool and was smart enough to have applied sunscreen.

Here are my tips.
Nap if you can before trip.
Pack stuff that keeps you awake - cokes, candy, coffee (thermos) as gas stations can cost $.
Time it to miss traffic - before or after.
Get ADR Breakfast at or close to resort.
Put swimsuits in easily accessible bag if room not available.
No theme parks.

I second this advice

5 hour energy is also good. We start buying snacks about a month before we leave so that it is not a big hit to the budget.

 

[Goofy + 3]

Can't help you on the turbo boost. I haven't worked with rocket fuel since The Incident.

I usually get your references but I don't know the rocket fuel Incident to which you are referring. Is it in a trip report somewhere?

 

[AirGoofy]

The beer and parties are a lot of fun though. I'll remember you for next time.

I am available to be an overpaid assistant at your work as well.

Good tips. I'd also look for a good audiobook to put on the Ipod.

I think you all have clinched it for me. Next trip, overnight travel!

Happy to help. Bring your earphones. Learned that during one trip - don't want to wake up the monsters, err um, children. Actually, we started traveling that way as my oldest was car sick, and her sleeping in the cooler car was nice.

Glad things are relatively OK. Hurricanes are not fun at all. But all things considered, I can’t beat living in S. Florida. Saw a picture from the dive operation I dive with in Key Largo and the ocean was flat. Beautiful day to dive. Unfortunately, I am stuck here.

Poor CJ. Back to slumming it.

It's definitely on the list, but we have a lot of sports lined up as it is the last weekend for soccer, fall travel hoops, field hockey and swimming. If we don't make it we'll see it next weekend. Please let us know your thoughts when you see it. Have fun!

Have a nice sports weekend.

Yeah I'd think that also. But I had a hit and run a long time ago and his insurance didn't pay up until he was found guilty in court. Thank goodness someone that witnessed it followed the guy home and ID'ed him when the police showed up.

Hope this one works more smoothly than the last time, or perhaps, you need to start traveling by boat.

I can just picture you guys throwing empty Pabst cans at passing traffic in the neighborhood

You don't throw them at the cars. You save them for that recycling fee to buy more beer.

Good Luck with the foot. Hope it heals quickly. Awesome grades for DD. You must be a proud dad today! Ms DS was accelerated all the way through and is 7th now. She may be able to start the Kingdom Keepers series. DD read them in 2nd and 3rd and found them a little confusing at first, but did well.:

DW talked about reading those. Are they any good?

First time on the net since Sandy rolled through. We did pretty well, just lost the cap off a roof vent so i was up there at 430 am on Tuesday with plastic sheeting and duct tape. Wife now knows for sure what she suspected for 34 years. I am a touch crazy. Living off of generator, woodstove and gas grill but that's far better than lots of folks. Next Disney trip starts 28 Nov so that will help us unwind. Rethinking my plans to retire to central florida. Hurricanes suck very much big time.

Glad you made it thru. Good luck.

 

[trennr]

Has anyone ever driven overnight to WDW? Our family is getting to the point where the prospect of saving $1000 in travel costs by driving instead of flying to The World is pretty attractive. But I don't want to burn a whole day of our vacation to do it. For my 12-hr drive, I'd need to leave home at about 8 pm the night before in order to get there at 8 or 9 am. Is that just stupid to drive overnight like that? I don't want to get up at 4 or 5 on the first day of a vacation and load everyone in to the family truckster just to spend most of the day on the road and just get there in time for dinner. No- I don't have a trip in the works. This is for the imaginary trip that I'm always working on. And I'd rather not stop at a hotel half way through. With that expense (we'd need two rooms) and hassle, I'd almost rather bite the bullet and fly.

My drive is about 10 hours give or take a hour for stops and refueling and random traffic. We typically leave around 4am.

For me to fly it would have to be a MAJOR deal. and we do have flights from our regional airport to Sanford for around $75... but by the time you add all the fees and 4 people... it becomes cost prohibative. We spend about $400 on gas...including the time we are down there driving to the parks and what-not.

I priced out a flight and car for me and DS for the DDC1... it's like $350. Which is about break even... however my travel dates would have to change. and Our return trip would be too late for DS17.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I usually get your references but I don't know the rocket fuel Incident to which you are referring. Is it in a trip report somewhere?

No, I was just being an idiot. You may have noticed I do that occasionally as well.

 

[Venomhatch]

No, I was just being an idiot. You may have noticed I do that occasionally as well.

We all do this!!!

 

[AirGoofy]

Friday ownage.

I don't think I could ever do the drive through the night thing. I have a hard time sleeping in cars, and an even harder time staying up all night.

I can sleep anywhere. Best place is work.

You work a full day and then drive 16+ hrs? That sounds dangerous. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I'd become one for a trip that long.
.

I usually don't work the day we leave. In the past, I've tried to nap without much success. Now, I try to sleep in late (as possible before taking kids to school), pack, and load car.

Hope you feel better, Steve! I hear bacon cures pneumonia.
)

You're on a roll today.

I guess that means you're alive too.

He forgot about that already, but I didn't.

Tying seems like an awful lot of work. You could probably just use duck tape to stick the tarps to everything.
.

Well, tape is a standard fastener. I was trying to class the place up for CJ.

Does this mean, I'm kicked out of the club?

I'll get a darn tie....geez.

If you have a Star Wars tie that would now qualify.

Or a Marvel tie. We won't kick you out. Just put some tape in the shape of Mickey ears on your tie.

Got a text from Ron last night,
Bad News, yesterday was day 4 without power.Good News, They leave for Disney tomorrow morning. Dave posted over in the Pub, that things haven't changed for him. He and the girls are still living in a motel. The roofer is scheduled to show up today.

I hate to hear that they are both still without power.

Hooray for Friday's! I've got a mix of good and bad.

The bad news is that I'm dealing with what I hope is a minor foot injury that will not set my training for the half marathon off course too far.

The good is that DD6's 1st grader teacher told us last night how bright she is (not that we didn't already knwow this) and got her first report card - a mix of all A and A+'s! She reads very well for her age so the teacher is going to try and find some more difficult books for her to read and challenge her a bit.

Hope the foot is better and good to hear about the grades.

Plywood & tarps??? I was picturing something more along the lines of an old school bus sitting on blocks with all the seats ripped out of it. You know, something a little more permanent.
.

Well, that's what the pop up camper will eventually turn into. I've got to get it down there.

 

[AirGoofy]

CJ's property value will certainly skyrocket with your underoo's hanging from his front porch

That was my thought. CJ sure is lucky to have us.

Did not sleep well last night. Kept having dreams of the Bumpuses moving in. Something about plywood, tarps and outhouses on my front lawn..

Outhouse? Thought we would use your crapper and make the place smell a little more like home.

Hey Jason! (Dis_Dreamin)
][/QUOTE]

Happy Birthday

[quote="BigTikiDaddy, post: 46609391"]
today's the day for work where Christmas starts swinging into gear. We have 12 skids of Christmas gift packs and stock waiting for us:scared: At least there is a few nice beers I can get a hold of now, one I haven't had in 8 years or so....
![/QUOTE]

If you need to unload any of those for free, give me a call.​

 

[RodBelding]

Congrats. I am available for a highly paid, unqualified job if you are searching.

Thanks. You'll be at the top of my list once that position opens up.

 

[AirGoofy]

Besides this last Orlando trip, every trip before we have done universal, It's always fun, but DD is so young now she prob won't enjoy it as much so for awhile I won't be going unless its a solo trip like the last 2 were, I really looking forward to the rumored potter expansion that's suppose to open sometime in 2015 so I highly recommend a universal side trip for your family

I'm ready to go. Can we all leave now? I was thinking about doing of the Univesal resorts, but I may just stay at SSR and drive over.

Sounds good. I'll start collecting all the tarps and bungee cords I can get my hands on...

Excellent plan, The bungee cords will extra class the place up for CJ.

How's everyone doing?

Hey James. Did you all make it thru the bad weather?

"You surprised to see us, CJ?

"Oh, Norm... If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now."

I haven't been drunk enough anymore, and I don't have much hair to sew to the carpet. Super glue is much faster.

 

[AirGoofy]

Thanks. You'll be at the top of my list once that position opens up.

Thanks. I'm sure to disappoint.