Have you ever taken a spontaneous trip to WDW?

[TaurusSES_Sport]

I always thought it would be fun to all of the sudden decide we were going to Disney and leave the next day or so. Has anyone ever taken a spontaneous trip to the World?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I haven't, because I'm scared of not getting a room. For example, this weekend there isn't a hotel room in Orlando because a HUGE convention is in town. From what I hear, Disney is booked solid through mid-March, as well.

But it would be fun

 

[liliagm]

We just did it for New Year's!! We wanted to drive somewhere close to celebrate, so my husband calls me at work on the 30th and says let's go to Savannah, and since we have been there before I said ok, so I get home at 5pm and he just shows me the unused park hopper we had from the last trip and that was it!! I had 2 hrs. to find a hotel online and purchase another park hopper, make a priority seating for New Year's eve, pack and get on the car!! We had to stay offsite and I mean way off site, by the airport, because we took our dog (we could not leave him anywhere) and that was the only hotel that would accept pets! (within our last minute budget $$) and we could only get PS at marrakesh and it took us 10hrs to get there...
I knew (from reading the boards) that the parks would be completely full and that lines would be awfull and my husband hates crowds so I didn't said a word about that but let me tell you, it was one of the best trips ever!! so, you may want to try it but if you are like me and love to plan everything, just close your eyes until you are at the monorail!!

 

[mjmcca]

My trips are always last minute. This summer i drove to Florida without even hotel reservations.

 

[clkelley]

I have on a couple of occasions. I usually end up staying offsite when I did.

One time I had mucho overtime in and had my 80 hours for two weeks in by Tuesday of the second week. We delivered the project Wednesday morning, then I told work I wouldn't be in the rest of the week and left Wednesday afternoon for WDW.

Another time, my AP was about to expire in a few weeks, so decided to hop down there for Columbus weekend.

A third time, we were in Pensacola for a family emergency on a Wednesday in April 2002. By late Thursday night Pop was much better and was out of the woods, so it was either drive home on Friday. We instead decided to head on down to WDW, so we drove about 4 hours late Thursday, finished the drive Friday morning, then spent Friday and Saturday at the parks and drove home Sunday. I was surprised the credit card company didn't security flag at us on that one. Four different hotels in four cities in four nights. Wednesday night Pensacola, Thursday night Lake City, Friday night All-Stars, Saturday night, Ocala.

Carol

 

[Chip126]

I just took a "last minute" trip last December. Last minute to me was four weeks before we went. (I am one of those compulsive planners that just loves to read the Dis Boards and plan a year way.)

My husband had some vacation time left and asked me if I wanted to go to Disney. I told him "you don't need to ask me twice!"

I ended up getting an AP rate at the Polynesian and absolutely loved it. I brought my 3 month old son (as well as my 15 and 12 year old sons) so being on the monorail was wonderful.

It was kind of stressful doing all the quick planning, but we ended up having a great time. Though to me, half the fun of the trip is all the time I spend reading the boards and planning, planning, planning.

It was definately a little different, but we still had a great time.

If you want to be spontaneous - go for it! No matter what, I am sure you will still have a great time!

 

[Janet2k]

I always thought it would be fun to all of the sudden decide we were going to Disney and leave the next day or so. Has anyone ever taken a spontaneous trip to the World?

I began planning in my mind a spontaneous trip to WDW just last weekend. On Sunday, I sent a vacation request to my boss. The request was for the end of January/beginning of February (two weeks notice is about as spontaneous as I can get with my job). On Tuesday morning, my vacation request was denied. Oh, how my heart sank. This trip was just for me (yes, a very selfish trip but one blessed by my husband & children).

I was going to spend at least three nights at the Grand Floridian before I headed to the Gulf Coast to join up with my parents, sisters, aunts, and uncle for the rest of the week (everyone was meeting in Florida for a winter soiree). I was going to keep my early arrival a secret since I was pulling a Greta Garbo (“I want to be alone”).

I was only planning two meals in advance. One was going to be hot dogs at Casey’s in the Magic Kingdom, and the other was going to be a gourmet dinner at Victoria & Albert’s in the Grand Floridian. The rest of my time would be spent completely without plans. I wanted to do nothing but lounge around the swimming pool with a stack of modern day fairy tales (People, Us, Fortune, In Style, Money).

After spending a few days with my family on the Gulf Coast, I was going to sneak back to WDW and end my vacation with a one- or two-night stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I can’t tell you how much I was looking forward to this spontaneous vacation. I have been working insane hours since returning from my vow renewal vacation at the beginning of November. To say I desperately need a break from reality would be the understatement of the year, ~sigh.~

Alas, I had to wake up from my fairy tale. My boss obviously has other plans in store for me this month. One of these years I’m going to pull off a spur-of-the-moment vacation, mark my words.

 

[momofpunkinboo]

Alas, I had to wake up from my fairy tale. My boss obviously has other plans in store for me this month. One of these years I’m going to pull off a spur-of-the-moment vacation, mark my words.[/QUOTE]

And I certainly hope you do, my darling. It sure sounds as though you deserve it! Good luck with that!

 

[eeyore0062]

Yep, did it when we first moved down here. Called to see if we could get a Florida resident rate on a value resort (remember, just moved, tight budget). Got a great rate 40% off at AS-Mo to in check 2 days from then. Got there early so we could check in and go to EE that morning. Our room was ready then. We were in 101 Dalmations. Unfortunately the Fantasia pool was closed, but we were able to swim next door at the Calypso pool at Music. Loved the theming of that pool even better, so everything turned out great!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I haven't, I met someone at WDW once who had. She was another solo, the first week in January. She'd decided one afternoon to go to WDW the next day, called and got a room at one of the All-Stars. What amazed me was that she was having lunch at CRT that day, she said she just walked up, no PS.

 

[liznboys]

Our last trip in the first week of March 2003 was spontaneous. It was late January, and we were sick of the winter, felt like we needed to go somewhere...and in a few days we planned a week long trip to WDW! Our older two boys were 3 and 17 months for the trip, and we really didn't plan to take them until they were a couple years older. Boy were we glad we took that trip!!!!!!!! It was absolutely wonderful!! We got very lucky and were able to get AP rates for POFQ (we didn't have AP's...long story ). I predict we will take future spontaneous trips...we're just like that. (Is it still spontaneous if I'm predicting we'll do it?!?! )

Fun thread!

 

[dizagain]

Wow...I envy you guys! I think a spontaneous trip sounds really neat! Unfortunately I can't see it happening...we have to save for such things and I'm a planning nut as it is. Hopefully "someday" we can do something so wild and crazy!

 

[eeyore0062]

I could use a spontaneous trip right now... however the weather won't be any different 25 miles away than it is here..... gloomy!

Oh well... I'll keep saving for that stay in the Beach Club!

 

[Taratink]

We live in Ma. and last winter was unbearable. We needed some sunshine. I planned our first wdw vacation in 2 weeks. I had to board the dogs get plane, rental car, hotel very quickly. We had a unbelievable trip. It was actually the best week of my life. Going to WDW with my children was priceless. We will be there in 2 weeks to do many of the things we couldn't do last trip. Now I am a pro and have a detailed itinerary planned. I have saved a lot of money this trip as well.
Tara

 

[danders2]

Last year on President's day weekend, I came home from teaching at 3 o'clock, prepared to go to my DD's basketball game and settle in at home for a long three day weekend.

My mother had other plans. I walked into the house and I was very surprised to see the bags packed (snacks and all), and my mother getting our annual passes together.

She said "Let's wing it!"

We were all prepared to set off after my dd's 9pm ballgame and drive the ten hours to Disney, no plans, no hotel room and I really did not know what my mother had packed for me to wear!

After the ballgame, I got a little nervous, and I called for a reservation. I called for two hours to every hotel we could think of, NO ROOMS IN THE WORLD!!!

Alas, our dream spontaneous trip was waylaid!

 

[ADisneygirl]

Since moving here we have made quite a few spontaneous trips to WDW. Sometimes we call on a Thursday to reserve a room for Saturday. Other times we actually plan it out months in advance. Being a 2 hour car ride away from my favorite place is one of the few perks of living here that I count.


Marie

 

[laurapooh]

My husband called me at 4:00 on a Friday, just as I was about to walk away from my desk to go to a meeting. He had gone to the doctor that day because he had been having headaches and he said the doctor scheduled him for a CAT scan on Monday afternoon. He said he'd go crazy all weekend thinking about it, why not go to Disney World! Now I am not a spontaneous person by nature, but all I could think about was if the news was bad, I might regret saying no for the rest of my life, so I said OK. I walked in to my 4:00 meeting (late by this time) and told my boss that something had come up and I needed to take Monday off. He asked if it was bad news and I told him I'd tell him on Tuesday. I picked up the kids at daycare while my husband booked a 7:00 flight and then I talked him through the packing on the phone as I drove home. He threw the bags in the car when I got there and we drove to the airport. We only told the kids were going somewhere fun because our flight reservation was standby (too late to get a confirmed reservation). Once we got there and we knew we were on the flight we called and booked a room (AKL) and told the kids we were going to Disney World. We were there by 10, and in our room by 11:00 (carrying two sleeping kids, but that's OK). We went hard for 2 straight days (4 parks in 2 days), got up at 5 on Monday and caught a flight to be back in time for the CAT scan. It was the best trip I've ever had, and the best part is that the tests came back completely normal. I have to say that taking that trip has changed my outlook on life (a little anyway) and I now let more spontaneity into many things. Boy am I glad I answered the phone and didn't just go to my meeting.

 

[MariaTia2]

While eating breakfast one Saturday morning at Chick-Fil-A, trying to decide what to do for the day, I decided I wanted to go to Disney World - 8 hours away! We left Chick-Fil-A, with our dog with us, drove 2 hours met my sister, who packed us a bag and got my dog, and drove the rest of the way. Called on the way and finally got ressies for All-Star. Arrived at WDW @ 7 p.m., went to Epcot and then on to Pleasure Island before checking in. Went back to All-Star Sports around 12 a.m., to be told they were full and were moving us over to the Boardwalk Villa -- to a 2 bedroom villa!! For the same price of 89.00 (it was the weekend before valentine's day, 2002). WOW - we were shocked!! We had hardly any luggage with us in this great room and had to buy a camera to take pictures of the room. Next morning went to MK at early entry, then over to MGM for lunch (we have AP's) before driving back to NC. We also got in lots of traffic driving home due to Harley Week in Daytona. One of the best parts was going back to work on Monday morning and co-workers doing the usual, "What did you do this weekend?" and replying, "Oh, we went down to Disney World!" The looks were great!! Crazy I know,but it was fun!!! That was my valentine's present from my husband, because that is the only reason he went through with it!!

 

[dmaz]

My DH and I did when we were dating. We had decided to go to VA from NY one Feb weekend. We had no reservations. When we got into VA we decided it was too cold.
He asked, "Should we keep driving south?" I replied, "Only if we're going to Disney!"
Drove straight through. Found a hotel offsite. Went to Magic Kingdom on Sat, Epcot on Sun and drove home Mon.
It was wonderful!

 

[Min and Bill]

We have done this several times... living two and a half hours away from WDW makes it too tempting to avoid some times...

The best one was in June 2003... it was the weekend before our anniversary and we had both started new jobs, so it had been a rough week for us... we called CRO got Florida Resident rates on a room at Port Orleans Riverside and were on the road in less than an hour... Min was shocked... it was the first time we had taken a spur of the moment trip... then we went back the next weekend...

You can read the trip reports here:

http://www.minandbills.net/disney/tripreports/trip200306.asp

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