EEK I'm Going Camping...Please Help!!

[Teamubr]

My DW is an unsweet only person too. She has always been able to get it, but also, always says unsweet. Disney is in the south. Any time we are south of the Mason Dixon line, we specify.

j

 

[frog3101]

As I recall some place had unsweetened tea, some places did not. It's been my experience that if you want Unsweeten Tea, you need to specify it EVERY TIME.

Thank you for this information. I'll just make a point to make sure to ask at each and every place. Even with the refills I'll try to remember to remind them.

 

[frog3101]

Hi,
I can't believe that we will be at Disney in less than 3 weeks! Our goal for our first day of driving is to make it to Valdosta, GA. Looking for hotels that are a good stay and Alain any that we should avoid. Not planning on making reservations too far in advance , since we never know what can happen but want to get a general idea of places to keep an eye out for availability. Thanks!!

 

[FtW Mike]

We have had good luck wit Days Inn Best Westernsand while not a travel specialist we have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express for a night

 

[frog3101]

Thank you FtW Mike, I will put those on my list.

 

[FortForever]

Hi,
I can't believe that we will be at Disney in less than 3 weeks! Our goal for our first day of driving is to make it to Valdosta, GA. Looking for hotels that are a good stay and Alain any that we should avoid. Not planning on making reservations too far in advance , since we never know what can happen but want to get a general idea of places to keep an eye out for availability. Thanks!!

Holiday Inn Express = free breakfast buffet for the whole family. Always my first choice so that I don't have to worry about feeding anyone.

 

[Scherzermk]

Country inn and suites and drury inn are at same exit in Valdosta. We have stayed at both and liked them. Good breakfast and pool. Not sure about camper parking if needed because we just had minivan. We leave in 3 weeks too but we may not make it all the way to Valdosta this time.

 

[bama_ed]

My DW is an unsweet only person too.

Wait, waht?

Your DW is a very sweet person, Teamubr. She was nice to all of us last year at GSP.

I can't believe you said that about her.

Bama Ed

 

[frog3101]

Soooo, in 6 hours and 45 minutes we will be on the road! Thank you all so much for your help. I will try to post a few updates during the week.

 

[Scherzermk]

We will be checking in Monday too. It took 3 hours to load can this morning. Safe travels!

 

[frog3101]

Hi All,
Just wanted to give a short recap of our trip and let everybody know I survived my first camping experience. Thanks again to everyone who responded to my questions and helped me prepare for The Fort. This may be a bit random, but I wanted to get it posted before time gets away from me.

We arrived at The Fort on Monday the 29th about 3:30pm. 2.5 hours after we had hoped to check in. That is the way things go when you are driving with kids. Our camper was all set up and ready to go. We were in the 1200 loop and I think we really lucked out. Super close to the bus stop, comfort station, and trash services. We had very quiet neighbors and hardly noticed the buses running. The camper was just what we needed and I'm happy to say no overflows or clogs occurred! Thank goodness!

The Fort is definitely a great place and I'm sad to say we didn't really have that much time to explore. With only 3 full park days and never knowing if/when we would make it back we had to make the most of it. (I know to some of you making the most of it means not leaving The Fort while there, but for my kids the parks were calling). Anyway, we had supper at Whispering Canyon that night. So fun. Loud but fun. My kids loved it and got a huge kick out of the guys singing "I'm A Little Tea Pot". Had a cake delivered for my youngest sons birthday. Headed back to the camper tired and full.

Tuesday was Magic Kingdom day and lunch with Pooh and Friends. We had Fastpasses for Pooh before and it was a huge it with the whole group. My youngest daughter was SO in love with the characters, she could hardly contain herself when she saw them coming towards our table. The others loved it also, but I kept saying during the whole trip that my youngest daughter was the "poser child" for Disney this trip. Everything was "real" and magical and she was so excited and in awe of everything. After lunch some of the group did Big Thunder and Splash. After that we headed to Tomorrowland and did some things there. Now I knew it was going to be hot going in, but honestly the heat was getting to all of us. We had left temps in the high 40s at night to high to low 70s in the day with low humidity. That coupled with the two day drive was not setting well with the kids. We were getting ready to head back to the camper when a storm rolled in. My oldest daughter doesn't handle bad weather well. She was slightly freaked and wanted to go home. Thankfully we made it to the boats about an hour later and all was ok. I had ponchos packed so we were prepared.

Wednesday was Hollywood Studios. We had lunch with the gang from Disney Jr. Live at Hollywood and Vine. The kids had on handmade (Not by me...sewing is not in my genes) clothes for each character. Oldest daughter had on a Sophia dress, oldest son a Jake and the Pirates button up shirt, youngest daughter and Doc McStuffins dress, and youngest son a Handy Manny button up shirt. The characters and their handlers (is that the right term??) really made a big fuss over them. Apparently they had rarely seen Handy Manny material made into clothes. We had MAJOR Disney Magic when we received free fast passes for any park for 1 ride! WOOT! After that youngest dear son was having a bit of a melt down so he and I hung out while the others went to see Disney Jr. Live. After that my youngest daughter went to meet Doc again. She was in heaven. I was happy to be able to see Chewbacca and R2D2 and some storm troopers. I had unfortunately missed my morning fastness for Tower of Terror, so once again I didn't get to ride. We did Toy Story, which everybody loved. I was so sweaty though that I had sunblock dripping in my eyes and thought I was shooting at 1000 point targets when in reality they were 100 point targets. I totally blame the heat on my horrible score...

Thursday we headed to Clearwater to meet Winter and Hope from the Dolphin Tale Movies. My kids were super excited as they are big fans of both movies. My cousin has volunteered at the center where Winter and Hope live for years and was able to get us a few passes to get in. Thanks Peg!! After we went to the beach for a little bit so the kiddos could see the ocean. Then it was off to see my cousins (who I had not seen in years) for supper before heading back.

Friday was Epcot. Kids had a good time and my oldest daughter thought Soarin' was just about the coolest thing ever. She also thought Test Track was pretty neat. My oldest son loved Test Track but at the last minute decided against Soarin'. We enjoyed breakfast with the princesses and then a few more rides. Again, the heat was really getting to the kids, even with shade breaks and lots of water. We were going to head back to the camper for a rest and then to Magic Kingdom for the night. Well rain set in and we decided to do Disney Springs instead...not really sure why, just happened that way. Kids liked the Lego store and walking around.

Sat. it was up at 5:00 and on the road for the two day drive home.

Overall it was a good trip. A few bumps along the way. My youngest son was super clingy and I wasn't able to do several things because of this, but that is ok. I have also learned that was are definitely not rope drop or even early morning arrival people. I wish I would have planned my fast passes differently, but I really wasn't sure what to expect when I booked them. I will admit that "having to" book your fast passes so far out is kind of turn off for me. There were just so many changing factors that happened once we got there that there was no way I could have predicted them all when I made the original reservations.

I'd love to be able to go back in a few years when kids are a bit older and we can stay longer. I usually am a "go go go" person on vacation, but with the kids I'd actually like to be able to slow down and savor the moments with them.

Anyway, thanks again to all who helped me along the way, it was a great journey!

 

[peg110]

I will admit that "having to" book your fast passes so far out is kind of turn off for me. There were just so many changing factors that happened once we got there that there was no way I could have predicted them all when I made the original reservations.

This can be a good thing or not. I think for those new to WDW, the Fastpasses are a challenge. Newbies don't really understand the dynamics of the parks, the lines, the weather, the crowds, etc.... We have gone enough that we don't typically even need a map as we know where pretty much everything we want is at.

That said, you have to look at Fast Passes as a "Nice to have" but not absolutely necessary. We make plans for them, but if we miss it... oh well. You can wear yourself (and family) out trying to "Maximize" the visit. This isn't good for anyone.

I am sure on your next trip, it will be better. As you stated, the kids will be older and you will be wiser as to the ways of the parks (and the Fort if that's where you stay)

 

[lindsey]

Thank you for your report.

 

[frog3101]

I forgot to mention we were able to eat at Trails End one night. It wasn't in the original plans, but when we were back at the camper earlier than expected with no plans for supper, it just happened to work out. So much food and so yummy! Glad we were able to experience it.

I'm thinking that after I've had a few days to decompress I'll remember more of the good than bad, and really there wasn't that much bad. I think I just wanted it all to be so wonderful for many reasons. Two of the biggies being: My friends used what very little vacation time they receive to come along and help with my kiddos. I wanted them to have a good time and still talk to me when it was all over. (they are as far as I know) And two, we rarely travel. This is the first major trip we have taken in 3 years. Our last trip was only 3 nights long and a much shorter car ride and one less kiddo. I really have no idea if we will ever make it back. I love Disney, but given that travel is sparse for us, I find I'm torn between going back to Disney if/when the opportunity arrives or showing my kiddos other parts of the world or at the very least the US. I felt I was pretty prepared (thanks to these boards) but I should have went with my gut on some things instead of following some of the tried and true rules that seem to work for others. I also went in knowing we would never see everything and to tried enjoy what we could. I just never expected my youngest son to be so attached to me. He usually isn't phased by new places/things and loves the two friends went with, so it must have just been too overwhelming for him. And, I'm guessing two days in a car didn't help the situation. I know it didn't help my disposition. I will say I think my biggest mistake was driving. I know the flights could have been bad too, with the possibility of delays and such, but man, I am not a good in the car person. Now if I had 3 or 4 days to get to my destination and could stop and see some sites along the way I might like it more.

Anyway, again, thanks to everybody who has replied to my posts and helped me along the way. If we do go back, I will definitely consider staying at The Fort. We have a lot more to see just there!