Jumping, Dancing & Jamming Our Way Through Walt Disney World! I'm With the Band Now!

[ronnmel]

Oof, a malfunctioning AC in Florida heat sure isn't comfortable. glad you got it fixed quickly!

 

[Villainess]

So glad they were able to fix the AC and in record time as well!!! (Although I have no idea how long it should take to fix the AC in a car).

Just reading about your drive down makes me want to hop into the car right now!!!

You're not the only one. I have a full tank of gas and just got an oil change, too!

 

[WDWisOurHappyPlace]

Hey Lisa,

Just caught up on your new trip report, looks like it will be another fun read! Sure sucks about the a/c, but glad you got it fixed so fast! When did you go? I may have missed the dates if you wrote them. (Been away from the DIS for some time, slowly getting back.)

We are 10 days back from a DW trip. Stayed in Crestview going (Hampton Inn) and coming home (a nice new Comfort Inn). It's an almost half way place for us. Love your scenery pictures, we see the same sights. Makes me want to jump in my car and go back!

 

[pasofan]

Hopefully the minor AC problem was your only one and the rest was smooth sailin'!

 

[Happy Elf]

Wow, can't believe they got the A/C fixed so fast...that was lucky! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[GrammyJudy]

You make the drive sound like an adventure! Not sure I could stand that long drive. But I keep wanting to drive down sometime so I can see parts of this beautiful country...our ride would be about 1500 miles!
lookinf forward to the next chapter of yout TR

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Yeah! You've finally arrived in Disney (in the TR I mean Haha)! That seemed almost too quick. I mean with the leak and the two days (I think I've counted right) of driving... well, it is a TR not real life so I think that is expected I love the Beverly Hillbillies reference at the beginning! I'm sure most recognized it, but I just love the whole "cement pond" thing, one of the best parts of that show Haha I also love the picture of the ToT advertisement... I remembered how that used to scare me into not going on that ride... not anymore! Can't wait to read about what happens on your first day in the most magical place on Earth!

 

[deedeew80]

Hi Lisa! I am just loving your trip report so far!!! Your trip reports sort of remind me of reading a book (with lots of pictures!)! LOL! Seriously they do! I keep reading & reading & just can't seem to "put it down"! Or...wait till the next installment anyway! Ha! Anyway. I know I have said it before, but your trip reports really make me feel like I am there with you!

Sorry to hear about the air conditioning mishap! Hope they didn't charge you too much! Glad they were able to fix it so quickly!!! Ahhh.....CBR...Home Sweet Home!!!!!!

BTW, on your drive "across" Florida, do you happen to go by a town called Niceville? (sp?) I have family that live there. They are in the airforce & stationed at the base near there. They said they love it there! Actually I have a lot of family in Florida. All cousins. In Niceville, Longwood (right outside of Orlando), and St. Pete Beach! Lucky people down there!! LOL!

Well, can't wait for the next "chapter" in this "book"!!!!!!!

 

[Caretames1]

I would have died if the A/C wasn't working! UGH. I start moaning about the weather when it hit 80 degrees

I want to ride with you next time. It seemed like a blast! Silly you finding all those unique buildings

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Yuck for the A/C needing to be fixed, but yay for getting it fixed so fast!

And Yay for being in WDW already (in the TR anyway).

 

[lbuzz52]

I'm too lazy to trim your post to quote your question on my phone
my city is on the Mississippi, but our house is about 15 miles away. DH works directly on the river.

Can't wait to hear your room assignments! We really enjoyed CBR!

 

[natebenma]

Woo-hoo! You have arrived!

Sounds like you all amused yourselves on the drive. I love your water tower and look for the strange stuff game!

I am very impressed that the airconditioning repair happened so quickly! That is great!

Can't wait to hear more adventures!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm so glad your a/c was fixed so fast!!! How annoying to have to stop for that so close to Disney, but that definitely sounds like it was necessary!!

 

[BPATSMouse]

Finally, we made it to Live Oak and were ready to start our way down Florida. Up until now, we were going across Florida.

Wow your there YIPEE. The picture of the Live Oak, Florida water tower brings back memories it's where I spent years 3-7, we lived there when dad worked for the University of Florida. Still have quite a few people there that we keep in contact with. FYI, there was a seafood joint in Live Oak that was in an old gas station. Best fried shrimp in Florida.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

No pics of Lacey doing cartwheels at the Jameson Inn??

UGH...no air conditioning in a van with 5 people in Florida! YIKES! How AWESOME that you got it fixed so quickly. It hardly even put a wrinkle in your trip!

Don't you just love those road signs.....Hollywood Studios, Epcot 2 Miles, Magic Kingdom! YAY! That's when you know you've ARRIVED!

 

[aprilisis]

That was FAST service on the van!!! I'm so glad you were able to get it fixed & be on your way in under an hour.
That fruit stand looks like fun! It is kinda weird that they have a shark hanging there.
Your photos are making me wish I was going back sooner. I can't wait to hear more & to see what Hunter thinks of the new Star Tours!

 

[ddstratton]

Being the dorkarama that I am, I had to blow the horn and the kids, being dorkarama offspring, held their breath. Yeee haw! It's country come to town!

Well, being the dorkarama's that we are, DH feels the need to rev up the truck (or whatever vehicle we're driving) while in a tunnel. Ya know -- makes it sound "cool".

The next morning, we all went down to the continental breakfast to see what was offered. They had three or four types of cereal (all sugar free of course so Hunter didn't want any), bagels, bread, biscuits, sausage gravy, bananas, oranges, apples, waffles, milk, orange juice and apple juice. We made ourselves toast, waffles and warmed biscuits. It was okay. Nothing spectacular but it filled us up.

Gotta love those free hotel breakfasts!

When John and Mama got to the van, Lacey and Hunter told them I had found a penny and we declared that to mean we would have good luck the rest of the trip.

Sounds good to me!

It was 3:10 p.m. (4:10 p.m. Florida time) when we pulled in. The people there were very friendly and so helpful. They said that there was a place by some valve that was leaking and they tightened it up and were going to recharge the air conditioner with freon. I got one of their business card and told them that I was going to give them glowing reviews on the Disboards. (Ummm, I need to find the card so I can give everybody their name and address.) They had the van fixed and we were on the road at.......get this...3:35 p.m. (4:35 p.m. Florida time). Can you believe that?

So great that they got you in, fixed and out again so quickly!!

This fruit stand is pretty unique. It's a pick-it-yourself stand. They take you out in the orchards in this giant truck so you can pick the oranges yourself:

Notice the big shark in the picture? I don't know how that fits in with picking your own fruit but it's there nevertheless.

We went to this place during our 2008 trip! It's called the Showcase of Citrus. We took the Monster Truck tour - which was actually really very neat. We rode around their orchards and such in a monster truck! We fed some oranges to their cows, too.

(view from the back of the monster truck at one point of the tour)

We got to pick our own oranges, and I got one of my favorite pictures -- DD with her hands on her hips because Grandma is eating an orange right in the orchard!

Not sure about the shark. It wasn't there when we were. There was a walk-bridge out to a little covered dock that you could stand on, but no shark.

Finally, finally, we saw a sign saying Disney World exit 1 mile:

Woo Hoo!!!!! Love those signs!

And, then, TA-DA! We were turning into the Caribbean Beach Resort and telling the guard at the guard station our names. She directed us to the Custom House.

Sweet Mother of Pearl, we were home!

Yay! You have arrived!!!

 

[GrammyJudy]

Lisa, which village do you like at CB?

 

[KatMark]

Lisa, I have no idea how I missed two updates. And one of them included a favorite picture -- John on the phone.

Great pictures as you are traveling along. I cannot believe how high that water was. Was it like that still on the way home? This has been a very rainy spring (as it is not officially summer yet). Actually, the weather this year has been bizarre all around.

Sorry to hear about the AC in the van. But great job by the company you are going to brag on the DIS about for their quick, efficient and friendly service.

And glad to see you made it "home."

Can't wait for the next update.

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

Another great update and again enjoying all the pictures. My goodness, ya'll did look tuckered out at the Jameson Inn!

I'm sorry the A/C in the van went out, but I think your lucky penny had something to do with the repair shop working ya'll in and getting it fixed so fast! I'm thankful it wasn't something more serious than a valve and a recharge of freon!

I also enjoy seeing your different driving route into FL. We always come down I-95 through Jacksonville and Daytona, so it's nice to see the different scenery.

Looking forward to your next installment.