Home after 9 days (tears)

[prmatz]

Just got home from a 9 day trip! 20 hour drive not so easy on the way back! stayed at AoA. Saw MK 3 times and each other park 2. Did 2 BOG breakfasts, had Wishes FP+. Also did Jedi Training. If anyone has any questions I can answer, fire away!

 

[kcbutterfly]

What was your experience with the Wishes FP+?

 

[xjay]

How was the viewing area for Wishes FP? We arrive next Friday and have it for our arrival day.

 

[prmatz]

How was the viewing area for Wishes FP? We arrive next Friday and have it for our arrival day.

Very happy we did it. Keep in mind though the park was only a "2" per Touring Plans, so lighter crowds to begin with. We picked out a spot for MSEP nice and early and had a great view. After a potty break got to the FP location at 9:30. There was plenty of room. The CM came by a couple of times and announced the area was standing only, but they didn't enforce it. We just kept near the back and had a ton of space, and the kids got to sit. No 4th FP was a bummer, but we would do it again without question. I think it depends on how many days you have in the parks. Had we only one day for MK, we probably wouldn't have done it.

Off topic... But dang people will RUN YOU DOWN to get to A&E. Do all you can to get a BOG early reservation if you don't have a FP for the gruesome twosome.

 

[mshanson3121]

Curious about your driving. Where were you coming from? What route? We leave in 6 weeks, 27 hours driving.

 

[>Ash<]

glad u had fun OP

how was the be our guest breakfast? did you get a ressie for this?

 

[KNJWDW]

Curious about your driving. Where were you coming from? What route? We leave in 6 weeks, 27 hours driving.

Jumping in here. Wow! That is a long drive, where are you coming from? We leave in about 6 weeks as well and will have a 20 hour drive (with stops) from WI.

OP - glad you had such a great time! I agree, the ride back is always tough.

 

[prmatz]

Curious about your driving. Where were you coming from? What route? We leave in 6 weeks, 27 hours driving.

We drove from Michigan. Got up super early to steal a few hours driving while the kids slept/rested. Spent most of the trip down on 75, staying just south of Atlanta. Was a nice and easy drive. Way back took somewhat longer, as we ran into a lot of construction on 65. Would recommend traveling on a Sunday if at all possible, as the traffic was so much lighter!

 

[larryz]

We drove from Michigan. Got up super early to steal a few hours driving while the kids slept/rested. Spent most of the trip down on 75, staying just south of Atlanta. Was a nice and easy drive. Way back took somewhat longer, as we ran into a lot of construction on 65. Would recommend traveling on a Sunday if at all possible, as the traffic was so much lighter!

Agreed - we usually leave on a Saturday, spend the night just N of Atlanta, and drive down the next day.

 

[prmatz]

glad u had fun OP

how was the be our guest breakfast? did you get a ressie for this?

For us, it wasn't worth it for the breakfast alone. $20 for two waffles... Yikes. The castle was cool and all, but still the only reason we kept the second was to get in line early. Beating the masses to A&E or 7DMT was priceless!

We did have ressies. Tons came open the week before, so just keep looking. I'd say anything 8:15 or before will work!

 

[prmatz]

Agreed - we usually leave on a Saturday, spend the night just N of Atlanta, and drive down the next day.

We stayed south of Atlanta (Morrow) to avoid that Monday morning Atlanta traffic. Either way though, for us, driving is the way to go!

 

[darkwing818]

20 hours driving, I feel your PAIN. We do about 12 hours (700 + miles) & it just about wipes me out. But after hitting the parks & doing a Disney cruise it's always worth it. Though the drive home always seems much longer than the drive down to WDW.

 

[>Ash<]

thanks

 

[scrappinmom]

We'll be making the drive from northern Illinois in 48 days ... You stayed in Morrow? My goal is to get south of Atlanta on day 1 as well. Do you mind sharing your hotel? Nice? Inexpensive? Breakfast?

Did you stop on the way him as well? That's the one I'm having a hard time with - I'm guessing Kentucky would make sense

 

[AgletWDW]

We stayed south of Atlanta (Morrow) to avoid that Monday morning Atlanta traffic. Either way though, for us, driving is the way to go!

I am very familiar with this area, go down a few more exits to Exit 218 and stay there in McDonough. Much nicer area.

 

[mshanson3121]

Jumping in here. Wow! That is a long drive, where are you coming from? We leave in about 6 weeks as well and will have a 20 hour drive (with stops) from WI.

OP - glad you had such a great time! I agree, the ride back is always tough.

We are driving from Northern Maine planning on doing the 81/84 route through PA, VA etc... To avoid the cities (DC, NYC etc)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I always tear up at the end too and I'm old.
We stopped driving since it's 20 hours. Just too convenient to just hop a flight and let Disney deal with everything from there.

 

[prmatz]

We'll be making the drive from northern Illinois in 48 days ... You stayed in Morrow? My goal is to get south of Atlanta on day 1 as well. Do you mind sharing your hotel? Nice? Inexpensive? Breakfast?

Did you stop on the way him as well? That's the one I'm having a hard time with - I'm guessing Kentucky would make sense

We stayed at the Drury Inn in Morrow. I've always liked those hotels. Nice pool and breakfast, about $130 with taxes. A fine hotel for the night, but nothing special. All we needed was a pool, bed and breakfast though! I'd trust the local expert on here and consider Exit 218 next time.

The way back was the Drury in Bowling Green, KY. I actually liked this one more, and would stay again. Long drive though from Disney!

 

[prmatz]

I always tear up at the end too and I'm old.
We stopped driving since it's 20 hours. Just too convenient to just hop a flight and let Disney deal with everything from there.

We will check out flight options next time. With a family of 5 though it can get pricey!

 

[larryz]

We are driving from Northern Maine planning on doing the 81/84 route through PA, VA etc... To avoid the cities (DC, NYC etc)

You have chosen... wisely.