Driving to Disney AKA How many Harley Davidson shops are between OK and Disney

[lyeag]

Day one of our drive down began at 5 a.m. yesterday in SW OK. DH had preprinted out maps to HD shops in every state between home and Disney. He likes to collect shirts from different states. Ladies, if you have to drive, and you want to make great time, find some serious motivation other than Disney! LOL Dh had a timetable of what time each shop closed, and by God, he was going to make it. We were supposed to stop over in Hattiesburg, MS. Instead we are in Mobile, where we arrived at around 630 last night. I have time to type because we are waiting until the HD shop opens in Daphne, AL, at 10. We are scheduled to stop again in Gainesville for a good sleep before we hit the CR in the morning.

Background for the trip report: Dh,40, me 37, DDs 14 and 8, DS, 5. We have had this trip planned since Feb, and I am the only true fanatic in the house. Everyone likes Disney, but they think I am crazy for all the time I spend on it. I planned everything, they just go along for the ride. I tried to get input for what everyone wanted to do, but didn't get much help. It should be very interesting to see what happens.

( Dh is reading this over my shoulder and just said to me, "Oh, honey, you didn't need any input from me, you know how easy going I am." Yeah, right, let's just say easy going is not one of the top 100 phrases I would use to describe DH. Love him, but can you say Cpt Stress?)

Well, we are getting ready to wander down to eat. I am sure I will have some time tonight to post how the second leg of the trip went.

 

[ducklite]

Get off the Florida Turnpike at exit 289 and head south on Route 27. After you cross Route 50, about a mile or two down on your right there's Clermont Harley Davidson, it's supposed to be a really nice shop. From there just stay on 27 south to 192 eastbound (clearly marked for WDW) and follow the signs to Disney.

He might also want to check out Harley Davidson of Orlando while he's here, it's about 10-15 miles north or WDW right off of I-4. They ahve a kiosk at DTD that he could get better directions from.

Anne

 

[OhMari]

Sounds like my husband. Take a look at my avatar. If we are going to drive any where it will be an adventure road trip.

 

[lyeag]

Greetings from Gainesville! Day two was so much shorter and thankfully, uneventful. We were up and at the HD shop in Daphne, AL., right at 10 a.m. when the store opened. Dh was thrilled to get yet another shirt, and we were happy that he was ready to focus on Disney. Dh is going to look for one at DD. We were still pretty worn out after driving so long yesterday, but after mass quantities of coffee, we were good to go.

I have to say, driving in a mini van with three kids is always an adventure, but the kids are doing very well. We haven't had to threaten any of them with making the ride on the luggage rack! Our youngest barely remembers our first trip down two years ago, but he remembers the way to Disney ala Dora the Explorer. He says it is : tunnel, bridge....Florida! (Tunnel just before the bay in Mobile, bridge over the bay, and then of course, a little while later Florida!) So far we haven't had to deal with any major fighting between siblings.

On I-10 the troopers were out in full force. We must have seen around 15 between the AL border and the junction with I-75. They all had people pulled over. It really helped keep the traffic from going crazy.

We are staying at an older Holiday Inn in Gainesville. The rooms are okay, but the pool is wonderful! There are Christmas lights everywhere and the pool was nice and warm. I took the younger two swimming to burn off some energy after being cooped up in the van so long. We had some pizza delivered and are relaxing so we can get up nice and early for the CR.

I was able to call the IPO to get some last minute autograph books and pens for our arrival. My two younger kids decided at the last minute they would like to try to get some autographs. I hope they don't get tired of carrying them around.

Well, that's it for tonight, next stop CR Atrium Club!!!!!!! 6 nights of bliss. After that we drive on to Stuart, FL, to spend time with family. On our way back we are going to spend a day at Sea World and one night at the Caribe Royale before the long trip back home!

 

[swillis]

Loving your report so far! Your title caught my eye, as my hubby and I try to find a Harley store in every place we visit for a souvenier tshirt!

 

[lyeag]

Get off the Florida Turnpike at exit 289 and head south on Route 27. After you cross Route 50, about a mile or two down on your right there's Clermont Harley Davidson, it's supposed to be a really nice shop. From there just stay on 27 south to 192 eastbound (clearly marked for WDW) and follow the signs to Disney.

He might also want to check out Harley Davidson of Orlando while he's here, it's about 10-15 miles north or WDW right off of I-4. They ahve a kiosk at DTD that he could get better directions from.

Anne

Anne, Thanks so much for the tip! Dh loved it. They were also having a sale, so that was helpful!

There was a lot of construction, but I would take that any day over the traffic on I-4.

 

[lyeag]

WE MADE IT!!!! I am sitting in our bay view room, we requested Mk, but we have the room on the end closest to the MK so we can open our door and see the castle from the side of the building.

We were up early and had breakfast in our room in Gainesville, and then made our way to the HD shop in Clermont. (Thanks, Anne!) Dh was in HEAVEN . I could take HD or leave it, I don't even ride on the back of his, (I told him he was riding this mid life crisis all by himself. LOL) Anyway, after a short stop for shopping we made our way to the CR and arrived around noon. Check in was smooth, and our room was ready. The new rooms are great, and the computer station is awesome. We have our laptop, but the computer in the room has some wonderful features to request things like more towels, room service, housekeeping... you get the point.

We settled in, and then made our way to Epcot. We decided to see how bad the lines were and it wasn't very bad at all. Dh and the girls rode Test Track and Mission Space, while ds and I went in Spacehip Earth and the Seas with Nemo. We also went to the Character Connection to get a few autographs. (by the way, the autograph books did not get taken care of)

We had a reservation at Le Cellier at 4:50 and made it in plenty of time. The food was WONDERFUL. It was our first time and I cannot tell you how good it was. The cheese soup is everything this board has said it was and more. It was fun to watch the realization come across Dh's face as he looked around and saw how the whole dining plan worked. It was also nice (for us at least) when he heard some poor man almost yelling at the check in area of the restaurant because it was booked. He looked at me and whispered, "How long ago did you book this?" June, of course, as all good Disboard members know. He will NEVER make fun of me on these boards again.

After dinner, we used fast passes and went back to TT so ds could ride it for the first time. He loved it. We were all pretty wiped out still from our long travel, so we headed back to the room for a good night's sleep before we hit AK in the morning. DD 8, has a scratchy throat and I want her to rest.

If you have any questions, I will try to answer!

Night all, Laura

Wow, dh just noticed our ticker is off by one day. O well

 

[OhMari]

Wow, dh just noticed our ticker is off by one day. O well

I noticed that on Saturday, but I thought it was going to maybe take 3 days to get to WDW.

Hope you have a great time and your dd don't become to sick.

 

[ducklite]

No problem, glad he liked it! You passed me about a mile further down the road. There are two gold course communities right across from each other--we're the one on the right headed south.

Anne

 

[OhMari]

How did the trip go