Gas up the car & point it towards Florida! Road Trip, July 2012!...UPDATE 8/5/12

[bangzoom6877]

Hi everyone! I'm Bonnie, and I'm a Disney-holic!

I'm in the process of the early stages of planning our trip to WDW in July 2012...and I LOVE the planning part! Come on in, join the fun, and help me countdown to our second DVC trip home!

On this trip, DH, our 2 sons (ages 5 and 7 when we go), and I will be driving down to Florida from Brooklyn, NY. This will be our third WDW vacation as a family, and we have driven down every time. Our first trip was in 2008, when we drove all the way down to southern FL first to visit some friends and relatives, then to WDW for 5 nights at Pop Century. We loved it, and decided to go to WDW with the kids every other year as they grow up...and then we thought...when they do grow up, we could have some fun of our own at WDW too! SO, we looked into the DVC membership and decided it was for us. Now we would get to stay in a deluxe resort, in a large accommodation with the kids, and to be in close proximity to the theme parks. We chose Boardwalk Villas as our DVC home, since we could walk to both Epcot and DHS from there, and it is also centrally located on property. We went there for our first trip home in 2010, stayed 10 nights, and completely fell in love with the resort!

Another thing you should know...we always go to WDW in the summer. Ahh yes, the crazy hot HOT HOT summer in Florida!! Why, you ask? Because DH and I are both teachers, and we are off for the summer with our boys! So, we have plenty of time to drive down to Florida, spend 10 wonderful nights at WDW, and drive back. In other words...plenty of time for our Great American Road Trip! So, we went in July 2008, July 2010 and tomorrow I will be calling DVC Member Services to book our next trip. We are checking into BWV on July 23, 2012, and tomorrow is finally the 11-month mark so our booking window opens! I am requesting a standard view 1-bedroom villa, same as we had last time.

And yet another thing to tell you...even though we are checking into BWV on July 23, 2012, we are leaving the house on July 19, 2012 and only staying over one night before we reach Florida...can you guess where we will be for the 3 nights before we get to WDW? Hmmm......stay tuned, and I will tell you! Be back later with the full itinerary!

 

[bangzoom6877]

We are going to be leaving the house at the crack of dawn on July 19, 2012...and we will be away for a total of 17 nights. 10 of those will be spent at WDW. Here is the tentative itinerary:

7/19/12: Drive from Brooklyn, NY to Florence, SC (stay at Hampton Inn off I-95)
7/20/12: Drive to Tampa, FL (stay at Embassy Suites Downtown for 3 nights)
7/21/12: Go to Legoland Florida
7/22/12: Go to Busch Gardens Tampa
7/23/12: Check in at BWV!!!
7/24/12-8/1/12: WDW parks (except AK), one day at SeaWorld
8/2/12: Check out of BWV; drive to Lumberton, NC (stay at Fairfield Inn)
8/3/12: Drive to Williamsburg, VA (stay at Marriott for 2 nights)
8/4/12: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA
8/5/12: Drive home

The theme parks we will be going to on this trip are Legoland, Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens VA, SeaWorld, MK (twice), Epcot (twice) and DHS (twice). While staying at BWV, we will have a couple of days that we will not be going to a theme park, so we could relax at the pool and just take it easy. We did this last year and it was a much more relaxing vacation than July 2008, when we stayed 5 nights and went to a park every day.

My parents, sister, and 2 nieces (ages 11 and 8 when we go) will be joining us at WDW on July 29, 2012, and staying until we check out of BWV. They are staying at the Dolphin, as of now. They're not sure yet if they will be joining us at Busch Gardens VA on the drive back. But, we will all be going to MK, Epcot, and DHS together for sure!

 

[Leshaface]

I'm here!

And I'm super excited for your Mega-long trip! Geez, you'll be gone for a LONG time! How exciting!

Can't wait to hear about the ADR's!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I'm here!

And I'm super excited for your Mega-long trip! Geez, you'll be gone for a LONG time! How exciting!

Can't wait to hear about the ADR's!

YAY!! Yes, a 17-night trip in total! Last year our trip was 18 nights altogether, because we went to southern FL so it took an extra overnight stay on the way down.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I called DVC Member Services this morning at 9am when they opened up, and booked BWV for arrival on July 23, 2012. They allow you to book up to 7 nights, so I will be calling them back the next 3 mornings to book the rest. I booked a 1-bedroom standard view, with a location request on the top floor across from the bus stop. For last year's trip, I gave the same room request, and we got 3rd floor (out of 4, close enough to the top), across from the bus stop. We were able to see fireworks from Epcot every night from our villa! The boys loved that, and so did we! It was also a very convenient location for walking to both the bus stop and the parking lot. I'm hoping we get lucky and have this location again.

 

[Leshaface]

I called DVC Member Services this morning at 9am when they opened up, and booked BWV for arrival on July 23, 2012. They allow you to book up to 7 nights, so I will be calling them back the next 3 mornings to book the rest. I booked a 1-bedroom standard view, with a location request on the top floor across from the bus stop. For last year's trip, I gave the same room request, and we got 3rd floor (out of 4, close enough to the top), across from the bus stop. We were able to see fireworks from Epcot every night from our villa! The boys loved that, and so did we! It was also a very convenient location for walking to both the bus stop and the parking lot. I'm hoping we get lucky and have this location again.

YAY! How awesome that you can see the fireworks from your room. Is it a pretty good view, or is it somewhat obstructed?

 

[bangzoom6877]

YAY! How awesome that you can see the fireworks from your room. Is it a pretty good view, or is it somewhat obstructed?

It is a pretty good view, and also a little obstructed. We can't see all of the fireworks, but we could see plenty of it, plus the Eiffel Tower. So, it was also a nice view during the day!

 

[franandaj]

Yay! I finally made it over here! Sounds like a fun trip. I love Williamsburg, the historical village is a lot of fun, so I hope you guys get to go there!

Hope you survived the Earthquake OK! Rock n Roll!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Yay! I finally made it over here! Sounds like a fun trip. I love Williamsburg, the historical village is a lot of fun, so I hope you guys get to go there!

Hope you survived the Earthquake OK! Rock n Roll!

Hi there!! Glad you came here to join me! So far, we have 9 nights booked. Tomorrow morning I call DVC Member Services to book the 10th night and then the trip will be completely booked!

We survived the earthquake just fine. It was very strange...the kids were in the livingroom playing, DH was sitting at the dining room table eating is lunch, and I was sweeping in the kitchen. So, I was walking around but DH noticed it first. He said, "Do you feel that? Look at the chandelier!" It was swaying. I stopped what I was doing and felt something, it almost felt like a huge truck was passing by, but I sure didn't hear one. I thought for sure that the boys were up to something and were jumping off the couch or something like that. I ran into the livingroom...the boys were playing, sitting still. The fish tank was shaking. The front door was swaying (it was open for fresh air since it was a beautiful day). My hanging flowers outside on my front porch were swaying back and forth. I called my parents to see if they felt anything. My dad answered and he said their dished were rattling and things were shaking...I said that we must have had a small earthquake. I turned on CNN and sure enough there it was, in Virginia, a 5.9.

My feelings about people's reactions all over the East Coast: "What was that? I'm SCARED!"

My feelings about people's reactions all over California: "Pshhh....that's nothing. Move on, people!"

So, were you guys all laughing at us, since we took this so seriously?

To be honest, I wasn't really scared...just concerned since they said we could feel aftershocks even up here...but that hasn't happened. I am much more concerned with Hurricane Irene coming...we are supposed to have severe weather from it this Saturday night into Sunday...with Sunday being the worst predicted day so far. Not going to be fun!

 

[Leshaface]

Hi there!! Glad you came here to join me! So far, we have 9 nights booked. Tomorrow morning I call DVC Member Services to book the 10th night and then the trip will be completely booked!

We survived the earthquake just fine. It was very strange...the kids were in the livingroom playing, DH was sitting at the dining room table eating is lunch, and I was sweeping in the kitchen. So, I was walking around but DH noticed it first. He said, "Do you feel that? Look at the chandelier!" It was swaying. I stopped what I was doing and felt something, it almost felt like a huge truck was passing by, but I sure didn't hear one. I thought for sure that the boys were up to something and were jumping off the couch or something like that. I ran into the livingroom...the boys were playing, sitting still. The fish tank was shaking. The front door was swaying (it was open for fresh air since it was a beautiful day). My hanging flowers outside on my front porch were swaying back and forth. I called my parents to see if they felt anything. My dad answered and he said their dished were rattling and things were shaking...I said that we must have had a small earthquake. I turned on CNN and sure enough there it was, in Virginia, a 5.9.

My feelings about people's reactions all over the East Coast: "What was that? I'm SCARED!"

My feelings about people's reactions all over California: "Pshhh....that's nothing. Move on, people!"

So, were you guys all laughing at us, since we took this so seriously?

To be honest, I wasn't really scared...just concerned since they said we could feel aftershocks even up here...but that hasn't happened. I am much more concerned with Hurricane Irene coming...we are supposed to have severe weather from it this Saturday night into Sunday...with Sunday being the worst predicted day so far. Not going to be fun!

Glad you guys were okay

Haha a lot of my friends on FB were somewhat making fun of you East Coast people I think there was even something on the internet poking fun. Let me see if I can find it....

Here it is

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...Coast-rivals-overreaction-5-8-earthquake.html


Oh goodness, so does this mean you'll be locked up in the house all weekend?

Have you updated on CC yet?

 

[bangzoom6877]

Glad you guys were okay

Haha a lot of my friends on FB were somewhat making fun of you East Coast people I think there was even something on the internet poking fun. Let me see if I can find it....

Here it is

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...Coast-rivals-overreaction-5-8-earthquake.html


Oh goodness, so does this mean you'll be locked up in the house all weekend?

Have you updated on CC yet?

I just read your link...very funny! The pictures were the best part...I was when I saw the one of the resin table and chairs, with one chair tipped over!

Yes, we will probably be inside the house most of the weekend. Saturday morning the 4 of us have our dentist appointments, so that just may be the big "outing" of the weekend. We were supposed to go to a Japanese restaurant with my parents on Saturday for dinner, but now they are saying that the storm might be very bad Saturday evening, so we will probably go the following weekend instead.

I just updated CC this morning! And more to come, probably tomorrow!

 

[Leshaface]

I just read your link...very funny! The pictures were the best part...I was when I saw the one of the resin table and chairs, with one chair tipped over!

Yes, we will probably be inside the house most of the weekend. Saturday morning the 4 of us have our dentist appointments, so that just may be the big "outing" of the weekend. We were supposed to go to a Japanese restaurant with my parents on Saturday for dinner, but now they are saying that the storm might be very bad Saturday evening, so we will probably go the following weekend instead.

I just updated CC this morning! And more to come, probably tomorrow!

I hate when the weather puts a damper on activities. Although weather here doesn't get as NEARLY as bad as what you experience over there! Especially with the snow!

Oh good! I'll go over to CC as soon as I get back from lunch

 

[bangzoom6877]

I hate when the weather puts a damper on activities. Although weather here doesn't get as NEARLY as bad as what you experience over there! Especially with the snow!

Oh good! I'll go over to CC as soon as I get back from lunch

You said it! I can't stand the snow...actually, I don't mind some snow...it's just that this past winter was overkill. I don't remember a winter that bad in my lifetime. So I am hoping that whatever we do end up getting this coming winter, it won't be as bad. What I really can't stand are...1, snow on top of snow early in the season when there is no end in sight...2, when all that snow melts just a little during the day and turns to ice overnight...and 3, when it snows ON TOP of the ice! But, the boys do enjoy playing in it, and it makes it kind of fun. I can deal with 1 big snowstorm per year, but last year was ridiculous! I also prefer snow to be at the end of the winter, like late February, early March...that way there is an end in sight and we know Spring is coming within weeks...why can't Mother Nature just listen to me?

 

[franandaj]

I'm still reading your first post over there. But I've been a little busy.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I'm still reading your first post over there. But I've been a little busy.

No problem! I know you have been busy...D23 Expo...ahh, priorities!

 

[Leshaface]

You said it! I can't stand the snow...actually, I don't mind some snow...it's just that this past winter was overkill. I don't remember a winter that bad in my lifetime. So I am hoping that whatever we do end up getting this coming winter, it won't be as bad. What I really can't stand are...1, snow on top of snow early in the season when there is no end in sight...2, when all that snow melts just a little during the day and turns to ice overnight...and 3, when it snows ON TOP of the ice! But, the boys do enjoy playing in it, and it makes it kind of fun. I can deal with 1 big snowstorm per year, but last year was ridiculous! I also prefer snow to be at the end of the winter, like late February, early March...that way there is an end in sight and we know Spring is coming within weeks...why can't Mother Nature just listen to me?

This could be dangerous.

Yes, I remember you talking about how bad it was last year. Hopefully it won't be too bad this Winter. I, for one, am looking forward to cold weather and it's starting to feel like Fall (even though it's 100 today ) but yesterday, as the sun was setting, it kind of looked like a day in October, and I got REALLY excited! Wonder if that makes sense. I love decorating for the seasons and bundling up and not having to worry about how tan I look I'm VERY much looking forward to hot stews, soups, and the like. For some reason, hot food in the Summer is never appetizing or appealing, yet it's my favorite food to make/eat.

...PLUS, the sooner Fall gets here, means the sooner Winter will be here, which means my trip and Christmas is right around the corner!

 

[bangzoom6877]

This could be dangerous.

Yes, I remember you talking about how bad it was last year. Hopefully it won't be too bad this Winter. I, for one, am looking forward to cold weather and it's starting to feel like Fall (even though it's 100 today ) but yesterday, as the sun was setting, it kind of looked like a day in October, and I got REALLY excited! Wonder if that makes sense. I love decorating for the seasons and bundling up and not having to worry about how tan I look I'm VERY much looking forward to hot stews, soups, and the like. For some reason, hot food in the Summer is never appetizing or appealing, yet it's my favorite food to make/eat.

...PLUS, the sooner Fall gets here, means the sooner Winter will be here, which means my trip and Christmas is right around the corner!

I don't mind the cold weather so much, it's walking on the ice that gets to me. I love the Fall weather, the whole feel of the Fall, and all the holidays too. So does DH. It's the main reason why our anniversary is in November! Our favorite holiday overall is Thanksgiving (both of us), and we both really love Halloween too. DH is in all his glory when he is decorating the outside of the house for Halloween. I love all the flavors of Fall and Winter also. Halloween means chocolate, Thanksgiving means comfort food, and delicious desserts, Hanukkah means potato latkes, Christmas with friends means delicious Italian food and I get to make my red velvet cake, New Year's Eve is by us this year and I am thinking of making this warm chocolate mud cake in the slow cooker! Last time we had New Year's here (2 years ago), we set up our chocolate fondue fountain and I cut up pound cake, angel food cake, and put out marshmallows, strawberries, sliced banana and pretzel sticks. I also had some sprinkles for the kids to decorate...it was fun! And DH makes a different gingerbread house...wonder what he will do this year!

There are a couple of parts of winter that get to me (besides when there is ice on the ground)...from the second week of January (after my mom's and DS6's b-days) for about a month (until my sister's b-day and then Valentine's Day, then President's week which we have off); then again from after we go back from President's Week (last couple of days of Feb.) through the end of March (when I feel we are in the clear for snow and ice). I guess, that true "dead of winter" is what I don't like...but since we have a couple of birthdays in there, it makes it feel better.

OK, enough depressing winter talk...at least by the time winter comes, I know I will be about to make my ADRs in January! How's that for positive thinking?

 

[bangzoom6877]

Good morning! I got off the phone with DVC Member Services a little while ago...I completed our booking! I booked the 10th night of our trip. So, it is completely officialy now...we will be checking into BWV on July 23, 2012 and checking out on August 2, 2012!

The CM on the phone was great...he told me that it would be better to purchase tickets and/or annual passes before May 2012, since the price will likely go up around then, or shortly thereafter. He said that Disney hasn't officially informed them of when there will be a price increase, but that it would be safe to buy tickets by May. DH and I were planning to do that anyway, so we will for sure!

I am already looking at restaurants for ADRs, even though I have 5 months to go until I can even make my ADRs! Right now, I am tossing around different possibilities for the day we arrive at WDW. We are coming from Tampa, just about an hour and a half drive away, so we could get there early, and we will probably get there by 11am. My kids are usually up by 8am in the summer, but we usually get up by 7am when we are staying at a hotel that includes breakfast, so we can make it to breakfast and still have a place to sit. So, likely, we will go to breakfast at around 7:30am, leave around 9am or so, and head to WDW.

At first, I was thinking we could get up even earlier and get to WDW by 10am, drop off our luggage and check into BWV quickly, and then head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a late breakfast ADR at Boma. I have always wanted to try Boma for breakfast, but I never had breakfast at a WDW restaurant that did not include characters! Then, I thought...we have hot breakfast (with made to order omelettes) at Embassy Suites in Tampa that morning before we check out. So, do we want to go to a breakfast buffet after that? I know that Boma is more unique but I think it would be better to save it for a different morning. We might go there before heading to SeaWorld.

So, now I am tossing around lunch at Sanaa (LOVED dinner there last summer!), lunch at a DTD restaurant, or at a different WDW resort. Or, we could just wing it and go for CS in DTD or at a resort. I'm sure I will change my mind at least 1,000 times between now and the end of January!

Any suggestions for our arrival day?

 

[franandaj]

No problem! I know you have been busy...D23 Expo...ahh, priorities!

I lost the URL for your cruise...can you repost?

Good morning! I got off the phone with DVC Member Services a little while ago...I completed our booking! I booked the 10th night of our trip. So, it is completely officialy now...we will be checking into BWV on July 23, 2012 and checking out on August 2, 2012!

So, now I am tossing around lunch at Sanaa (LOVED dinner there last summer!), lunch at a DTD restaurant, or at a different WDW resort. Or, we could just wing it and go for CS in DTD or at a resort. I'm sure I will change my mind at least 1,000 times between now and the end of January!

Any suggestions for our arrival day?

I would think someplace relaxing would be nice. Sanaa would be cool because you could see the animals and it would sort of feel like you had been to a theme park. Most of the other WDW resort restaurants are not as relaxing, although I would say that the Turf Club at SSR certianly has a nice steak/prime rib.

 

[Leshaface]

I don't mind the cold weather so much, it's walking on the ice that gets to me. I love the Fall weather, the whole feel of the Fall, and all the holidays too. So does DH. It's the main reason why our anniversary is in November! Our favorite holiday overall is Thanksgiving (both of us), and we both really love Halloween too. DH is in all his glory when he is decorating the outside of the house for Halloween. I love all the flavors of Fall and Winter also. Halloween means chocolate, Thanksgiving means comfort food, and delicious desserts, Hanukkah means potato latkes, Christmas with friends means delicious Italian food and I get to make my red velvet cake, New Year's Eve is by us this year and I am thinking of making this warm chocolate mud cake in the slow cooker! Last time we had New Year's here (2 years ago), we set up our chocolate fondue fountain and I cut up pound cake, angel food cake, and put out marshmallows, strawberries, sliced banana and pretzel sticks. I also had some sprinkles for the kids to decorate...it was fun! And DH makes a different gingerbread house...wonder what he will do this year!

There are a couple of parts of winter that get to me (besides when there is ice on the ground)...from the second week of January (after my mom's and DS6's b-days) for about a month (until my sister's b-day and then Valentine's Day, then President's week which we have off); then again from after we go back from President's Week (last couple of days of Feb.) through the end of March (when I feel we are in the clear for snow and ice). I guess, that true "dead of winter" is what I don't like...but since we have a couple of birthdays in there, it makes it feel better.

OK, enough depressing winter talk...at least by the time winter comes, I know I will be about to make my ADRs in January! How's that for positive thinking?

Wow your NYE party sounded amazing! I'm not sure what we're going to be doing this year for NYE. It's usually all over the place, but I'd like to have some type of tradition. Some years we go with my sister-in-laws family to the TDS Hall (a portuguese hall) for a formal dinner with alcoholic drinks included in the price, but I'd really like to do something more low key this year. And have LOTS of yummy food and drinks. So we'll see. I guess I have a while to think about it

Um you MUST give me that recipe when it starts to get cooler please. Sounds easy and yummy!

Good morning! I got off the phone with DVC Member Services a little while ago...I completed our booking! I booked the 10th night of our trip. So, it is completely officialy now...we will be checking into BWV on July 23, 2012 and checking out on August 2, 2012!

The CM on the phone was great...he told me that it would be better to purchase tickets and/or annual passes before May 2012, since the price will likely go up around then, or shortly thereafter. He said that Disney hasn't officially informed them of when there will be a price increase, but that it would be safe to buy tickets by May. DH and I were planning to do that anyway, so we will for sure!

I am already looking at restaurants for ADRs, even though I have 5 months to go until I can even make my ADRs! Right now, I am tossing around different possibilities for the day we arrive at WDW. We are coming from Tampa, just about an hour and a half drive away, so we could get there early, and we will probably get there by 11am. My kids are usually up by 8am in the summer, but we usually get up by 7am when we are staying at a hotel that includes breakfast, so we can make it to breakfast and still have a place to sit. So, likely, we will go to breakfast at around 7:30am, leave around 9am or so, and head to WDW.

At first, I was thinking we could get up even earlier and get to WDW by 10am, drop off our luggage and check into BWV quickly, and then head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a late breakfast ADR at Boma. I have always wanted to try Boma for breakfast, but I never had breakfast at a WDW restaurant that did not include characters! Then, I thought...we have hot breakfast (with made to order omelettes) at Embassy Suites in Tampa that morning before we check out. So, do we want to go to a breakfast buffet after that? I know that Boma is more unique but I think it would be better to save it for a different morning. We might go there before heading to SeaWorld.

So, now I am tossing around lunch at Sanaa (LOVED dinner there last summer!), lunch at a DTD restaurant, or at a different WDW resort. Or, we could just wing it and go for CS in DTD or at a resort. I'm sure I will change my mind at least 1,000 times between now and the end of January!

Any suggestions for our arrival day?

Yay! Glad it is set in stone now!

Oh goodness, I wonder if you'll even be hungry enough for a late breakfast at Boma if you decide to eat breakfast that morning at your hotel. It sounds like you have a lot of options to play with, which I guess can be good and bad For me personally, I would want to eat as many places at WDW as I could.

AND I must say, i'm quite surprised that you don't have some idea of where your ADR's are going to be at! Or do you, and you're just leaving us in suspense?!