Mask up buttercup! We're going to Walt Disney World! A 15 day trip like no other! UPDATED x lots 9/10!

[Gracefulskinny]

Joining in. I too haven't been on in many years. Getting ready to take our next trip soon.

 

[rdkeim]

 

[TinkSassy]

I know it probably sounds mad but I love when you guys in the States take these long car journeys, because it's something I'd like to do myself, our roads and cars in the UK are so small.

So all the pictures inspire me, can't wait to see more and tag along with you guys.

Stay safe.

But what we wouldn't do for your train system! I'm always envious of that.

 

[GrantDB]

But what we wouldn't do for your train system! I'm always envious of that.

Ha, it's funny you say that, I work for the railway!

 

[GrantDB]

Duplicate

 

[DLo]

Following along. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. I was there right after you . Nov. 29th - Dec 4th. Besides it being colder (than when I usually go ( May or Sept )( well , and maybe a few other different things ; ) ) , I had a magical time .

 

[mickeystoontown]

Really enjoy the Pre-Trip offerings.
Thanks

Welcome! Thanks!

I like reading about all the pre-trip stuff. It's an exciting part of the trip! I understand you needing to get away. I did the same for my Mom who passed during the pandemic. We haven't driven to Disney for a long time - my DH is retiring at the end of this month so maybe next time it will be a road trip. I love a good road trip How nice you get to celebrate your anniversary in Disney. We're celebrating DH's retirement in Disney in early March. Anxious to hear more about your adventure!

I love a good road trip too! Not long until your celebration trip!

I know exactly what you mean about the loneliness the older folks are feeling! My mom lives about 10 minutes from us, I’m the only child and she’s been single since she and my dad divorced in 1976! Thankfully, she had already planned on moving from her rather isolated house to an active retirement community before Covid hit. It’s a new place so was delayed in opening a bit but she was finally able to move in September. Now she sees people daily, instead of just when I can stop by. She is such a social person and has missed her church, Bridge, canasta, and other groups. I am so happy she has someone other than her dog to talk to on a regular basis now! And I am the same about planning, I have notebooks upon notebooks with all sorts of plans in them! This next trip is totally different since we just scheduled it last week and we will be arriving in WDW on February 7th! We had to cancel our 30th anniversary trip to Disneyland in September (that I had been planning for over a year).

My mom has been single since my dad died almost 30 years ago. She always said she wouldn't get remarried or even date because if that person said anything bad about her kids, she'd go crazy on 'em. LOL
I'm so glad that your mother is in a good community where she can visit with other neighbors.

It's almost time for your trip!!!!!

I know it probably sounds mad but I love when you guys in the States take these long car journeys, because it's something I'd like to do myself, our roads and cars in the UK are so small.

So all the pictures inspire me, can't wait to see more and tag along with you guys.

Stay safe.

Doesn't sound mad at all! I don't know what I'd do without our road trips.

Well well well. Somebody found their log in information. Welcome!

We went to Disney at the end of September beginning of October and it was such a nice mental break. We are so glad we took a chance and went. Your dh is such a sweetheart with the note.

Glad that you guys were able to get away and to Disney of all places! I can think of no better place!

yay your back. So excited to be joining in for the adventure

Hey! I'm glad that you are here!

Hey! Welcome!

I love the pre-trip stuff! And I totally get the multiple hotel reservations, I do the same thing for trips where we are driving, partially due to not knowing when we will plan to stop at first, and partially because we will pick different types/features and then decide for sure a week or 2 beforehand which to keep.

I love it too! That's exactly what I do. I mean, a girl has to have options.

I'd love to follow along!!

Love the title!!

Thank you and welcome!

My 20 year old son was just diagnosed with epilepsy in 2019. His 2nd seizure ever happened in the room while on vacation at DW. We are relatively new to the dx, but I have had to learn all that I can--- triggers, meds, etc. Currently (knock on wood!) He is 486 days seizure free and we are grateful for every single day, we have found a medication that seems to agree with him. I pray it continues. Disney is our happy place, everyone here at the Dis gets that. My son, who also has some developmental delays, looks forward to our trips every year, and we go every year, sometimes twice a year. That year in 2019, the day after his 2nd seizure, we went to Magic Kingdom, scary and terrifying, but probably the best thing we could've done.

Looking forward to reading more!
Dawn

Seizures are scary! You feel sooo out of control of the situation. It took quite some time to get John's meds in the right dosages. I'm so very happy that he is seizure free! I remember counting down those seizure-free days. Praying he continues to do well.

Im here! Welcome back! I always enjoy your reports! Can't wait to hear how a Covid trip goes. We had to cancel our July trip. I was pregnant and just didnt feel safe. We have plans for Feb for a long weekend but I think we may cancel that too We bought DVC in May 2019 and have yet to use it!

Thank you and welcome to my latest report!

I don't blame you for cancelling the trip. Gotta be safe for yourself and the baby.

i love all the pre trip stuff! It’s so exciting seeing everyone plan on going to the most magical place!

I love the planning as it builds up the excitement!

I'm so excited to see your new report!

Welcome! I'm excited to share!

Following along. I normally read your reports but don't respond much but hopefully I'll be more vocal this time. Sounds like a great start so far.

Thanks for coming onboard for another trip! And, yes, please comment as often as you would like!

Sounds like this will be a fun report! Can't wait to hear what happens!

Welcome! I am excited to share all the details.

I so enjoy your trip reports. If I am truthful, they are addicting! I had gotten back sacks from you a few years ago and took it this trip in December (forgot it on last years trip) and I got so many compliments on it. Can't wait for your next installment!

Glad to have you here and thanks for the bag orders! I love the backsacks because you can cram so much into them.

What part of LA yall from? My wife and I live an hour south of New Orleans(da bottom of da boot) lol
Great read so far. Were leaving on two days after mardi gras, so hopefully the airport isnt too busy

We are from the top of the State. In West Monroe. I am going to miss Mardi Gras as I am sure you will too. But you'll be in Disney!

Can’t wait to hear all about your trip.

Welcome! I hope to share more in just a bit.

Enjoying the start of your trip. As of now we're driving for our May trip. DH wants to leave early Saturday morning and since we're a little closer than you we won't have as long a drive (we're in Baton Rouge). I would love to get him to agree to leaving Friday afternoon and staying the night along the way. We've only every broken up the drive once back in 2010 for our Mardi Gras trip. Thanks for the tips on different places to stop.

Hey there! At least you guys are near a large airport if you decide to fly. We just have our rinky dink one here. You guys could totally make it to Crestview if you left Friday after work.

This is one of the most precious things I've seen!! How wonderful! Love your story so far!! ❤

He may look rough and gruff but he has the sweetest heart!

Love reading your report! Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to read more

Glad to have you here! I'll be sharing more soon!

I am just now making it over here...so good to have this little bit of fun to break up my days here at work! We won't be "doing Disney" again until our next cruise in March of 2022, so I am excited to get some small doses of Disney to hold onto until then.

Hey!!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be nice and normal by the time you cruise!

Joining in. I too haven't been on in many years. Getting ready to take our next trip soon.

Thank you for joining in on the fun!

Hello! Hello!

Following along. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. I was there right after you . Nov. 29th - Dec 4th. Besides it being colder (than when I usually go ( May or Sept )( well , and maybe a few other different things ; ) ) , I had a magical time .

Welcome! You WERE there right after we left! We always traveled in late May/early June but love the Fall weather too.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Whew! I had some quote catchin' up to do. Now that that's done, I'll finish up the first day of the trip.

Thank gosh it's Friday! continued

When I left off, we were in Mobile, Alabama and were just about to enter the tunnel. I had John snapping pictures with my phone and most are blurry but they are part of the trip/story so here you go:


There's the tunnel!

And that's when John said "don't honk your horn". What the? Huh? Don't honk the horn? Are you crazy man?


Of course, I did a mini honk and kept on driving.


That's when he told me I was stubborn and I gave him a stubborn look...while staring straight ahead of course.



There's the end and we were on our way towards the great state of Florida.





It was dark so there were no more pictures taken that evening. We continued on I10 and crossed the Florida line not long after traveling through Mobile. Miraculously, I didn't have to stop at the Florida rest area but only because I took a tinkle break when we stopped for gas before getting to Mobile.

189 miles and almost three hours later, we were in Marianna at pulling into the Fairfield Inn. The Fairfield was off the highway in a little cluster of hotels. I believe there was a Comfort Inn and a Microtel all within walking distance from one another. When searching for a place to stay, I chose Fairfield Inn because the other two said the neighborhood wasn't that great and Fairfield got good reviews. After we saw where they were all located....y'all, I'm serious, they were thisclose to one another. I wished that I had booked the cheaper of the three because the whole neighborhood crap was so wrong.

Anyway, I checked us into the Fairfield and John and I set off to find something to eat. It was about 10:15 p.m. and I didn't want to dig out the chicken salad that late. Taco Bell is always a good late at night restaurant even during the pandemic so I used Google Maps to find the closest one and it was about 2 miles away. That's not too far so off we went. We turned this way and that way and found what we guessed was the heart of Marianna. To get to Taco Bell, I had to drive a wee bit in the wrong lane or go a good ways down and turn around and come back. Being the rebels that we are, I zipped across the lane and into Taco Bell. What can I say? We live on the edge. I mean, I bumped across the edge of the concrete when I turned in.

Order placed and food in hand, we were on our way back to the Fairfield.

When I pack for any trip, I always pack an overnight bag. One that has a change of clothes, sleep clothes and toiletries. I also have a small bag with all of John's medicine. He takes 30+ pills a day and they cost over $3500 a month. We aren't leaving those in the car! We grabbed the overnight bag, our jackets and the bag of medicine. Oh and the food. We can't forget the food.

I could have sworn that I took pictures of the room but I guess that I didn't because I'm not seeing them in my camera roll. What I do remember is that the food wasn't good at all. Who the heck can screw up chicken quesadillo? The Taco Bell in Marianna, Florida, that's who. John said that his tacos were alright but nothing to write home about. Just something to write about in a trip report, I guess.

John took a shower and not long after, we hopped in bed with visions of castles and pixie dust in our heads.

**Up next: Gnats? Why'd it have to be gnats?
​

 

[mickeystoontown]

Gnats? Why'd it have to be gnats?

We woke the next morning and I checked my messages/emails quickly before hopping in the shower. When we checked in the night before, the gentleman told me that they had a to-go breakfast and that we could stop by in the morning and ask for a to-go bag. John went downstairs to get one for each of us while I was showering and getting ready.

I was done in the bathroom and John wasn't back yet. Now I'm not a long showerer but I'm not a short showerer either so I was wondering what was up. I looked on the dresser and his phone was lying there. No calling him. I started drying my hair so that i could style it and pack up my curling iron and straightener after they cooled a bit. That's when John came in. He and a guy/guest were in the lobby talking about the pandemic and traveling. They talked from a social distance of course and with masks on.

John had two paper bags. I said something like "let's see what they surprised us with". It was almost like going trick or treating or opening your Christmas stocking. Only with pre-packaged food. Sorry about the picture, it's not turned the right way. But, you can see that there were sausage biscuits, a chicken biscuit, a couple pastries, some yogurt, a couple of muffins, milk and cereal and a couple of boiled eggs. Nothing outstandingly good but it filled our tummies. And the leftover cereal and yogurt we packed up and placed in the ice chest that was in the car.



One thing that I forgot to mention before was that the room smelled clean and fresh when we opened the door. Even still, I wiped down the surfaces with the wipes that I had packed and I sprayed the entire room, bed and pillows with Lysol.

While eating, I looked at the weather and it looked good all the way to Walt Disney World. The view from our room was nothing spectacular, not that I expected it to be. That's our car down there with the luggage carrier on top. The parking lot was full when we checked in the night before.





You can see the Comfort Inn just across the parking lot.



We finished our breakfast and getting ready and started gathering up our things. It was time to get on the road again because today was the day we had been waiting for. We were going to be at Disney today. I checked us out and we put our things in the car.

We had covered quite a few miles the day before, about 80 more than we usually would had we stopped in Crestview. Well lookie there, we were leaving semi-early. 9:05 ain't that bad for us. We have to get up at 5 a.m. every morning and it was nice to "sleep in".



How'd that happen? We had traveled exactly 499 miles. I say traveled. We also took that side trip to Taco Bell. Oh and this picture was taken across the highway from the Fairfled. We decided to top off the tank even though we could go a long way still on the gas that was in the tank. We wouldn't have to stop for gas for a while since my car gets excellent highway miles. We'd only need potty breaks for a while.



Hey John are you ready to go to Walt Disney World? That smile means yes!



A couple of years ago, a hurricane had hit the area that we were about to drive through hard. Really hard. There were trees down everywhere. I take that back, when there were trees. The tops were gone and the limbs stripped bare. There was devastation everywhere. In the years since, we had seen the hard work that the State had done to clean up the damage caused by the hurricane. We wondered what it would look like this time. In this next picture, you can see the trees lining the side of the interstate but then it's open behind them. That's where trees were before the hurricane.



The picture below is on an area that was badly hit. Two years ago, we could only travel on one side of the interstate as the other was blocked off due to the trees that had fallen and crews were still cutting them off the road.


See the trees on the right side of the next picture? Look how striped they are at the bottom, and look behind them. Hardly any trees.



Continued in next post​

 

[mickeystoontown]

Gnats? Why'd it have to be gnats?

We were happy to see that the cleanup had been going well but we still saw many houses and buildings with tarps on them. We weren't sure if that was from the earlier hurricane or another that had come through since.

We continued on the interstate, just talking and looking and looking and chatting. And, of course, John napped on and off a bit 'cause that's what he does. I'm fine with it because I like driving. It gives me time to think. Many miles later, i needed to take a bathroom break. I woke John as soon as I saw the rest area "x miles" ahead sign. He hates it when I wake him up right before because he says he is discombobulated and needs a few minutes to wake up before jumping out of the car.

We stretched our legs a little and walked up to the bathrooms. They were clean and there were crews on site to keep them that way.


We had no trouble finding a parking spot and were the only ones who were picnicking that day.



John got the ice chest while I got out the snack bag with the plates, napkins, chips, etc.


We had a nice little set up and it wasn't until we started making the sandwiches that we noticed the gnats. There were so many of them. They kept getting closer and closer. We were eating fast and swatting at gnats just as fast. John finally took his sandwich and ate it on the move.



We certainly didn't dawdle while we ate and then threw everything back into the cooler and snack bag. I don't think we were there a total of 20-25 minutes. I made a last stop in the bathroom and we were off again.

Not long after we were back on the interstate, John was back to napping. Again, I was fine with it. No need to make him stay awake when there wasn't much to see anyway. This was a national park area but I can't remember the name:



And, then, we were on the dreaded I75. I hate I75. It sucks, big time. There's too many lanes for my liking and too many people driving like maniacs. John dozed on and off and I'd get tickled every time he would wake up and try to act like he hadn't been asleep. As if I couldn't tell. I mean, he was snoring and his chin was on his chest. He did wake up in time to see the gigantic Chewy headquarters.







See those green signs up ahead? Those were telling us that it wouldn't be long now!


**Up next: You're a dadgum liar!​

 

[rdkeim]

Love reading about your road trip - you're almost there!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

ROOOOAAAD TRIP!!! That is what we are doing for our vacation this year. Just the hubby and I are taking a 10 day road trip to the Grand Canyon and Utah to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We will be packing picnics, too.....hopefully we won't have to fight the gnats for our sammiches!

 

[EpcotIsMyFave]

Oh Lisa! I'm so happy to have a trip report to read! Yours are the best! I always feel like I was right there with you! And we are heading there on MONDAY!!!! I'm so excited, not so much about the masks, but hey, I'm at Disney, I'll wear it!!! Well I hope to get a little more reading in before we go, it's making me so pumped! Take care!

 

[Woth2982]

Yay for making to to Florida! Boo for mediocre at best Taco Bell! Glad to hear the hotel was clean, but I would be annoyed too with the bad neighborhood review, and then the hotel is RIGHT THERE! Oh my! Is it bad I was glad the gnats were at the rest area and not in your hotel room, which was my first thought reading the title? I guess this is why we read to the end!

 

[vamassey1]

It's required to take a picture when you drive through the Mobile tunnel.

Nice selection.

And, of course, John napped on and off a bit 'cause that's what he does.

I'm the one guilty of napping while DH drives.

We stretched our legs a little and walked up to the bathrooms. They were clean and there were crews on site to keep them that way.

I love that Florida has so many rest areas.

We had a nice little set up and it wasn't until we started making the sandwiches that we noticed the gnats. There were so many of them

Oh noooooo!

And, then, we were on the dreaded I75. I hate I75. It sucks, big time.

Me too. So much more traffic on I75.

 

[CJBerge]

We are from the top of the State. In West Monroe. I am going to miss Mardi Gras as I am sure you will too. But you'll be in Disney!

Eh, we're not big Mardi Gras fans. Too much craziness and drunks! Glad we won't have to deal with that this year!

 

[Clarf]

Yay! You're almost there! Why didn't John want you to honk in the tunnel? Party pooper. I can't believe the Taco Bell was bad. Seriously. I didn't think you could mess up Taco Bell. Glad your room was decent and you got an okay free breakfast! You're almost there!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Yay for updates! Almost there now!

George is the same as John, he is sleeping whenever we drive. Heck, sometimes it's 5 minutes into a 20 minutes drive and he is already asleep. He calls it the "car drowsies".

 

[Gino USMC]

Thank you for taking the time to do this trip report. I always love seeing the pictures, especially the road trip ones. That's part of the fun, except the trip back home.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Love reading about your road trip - you're almost there!

I love a good road trip!

ROOOOAAAD TRIP!!! That is what we are doing for our vacation this year. Just the hubby and I are taking a 10 day road trip to the Grand Canyon and Utah to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We will be packing picnics, too.....hopefully we won't have to fight the gnats for our sammiches!

That sounds like a fantastic road trip! I actually had a similar road trip planned as a backup vacation. If Walt Disney World had closed again, we were going to the Grand Canyon, Vegas and Phoenix.

Oh Lisa! I'm so happy to have a trip report to read! Yours are the best! I always feel like I was right there with you! And we are heading there on MONDAY!!!! I'm so excited, not so much about the masks, but hey, I'm at Disney, I'll wear it!!! Well I hope to get a little more reading in before we go, it's making me so pumped! Take care!

Aww thank you! And you are in Disney right now! Color me jealous!

Seeing those green signs is very exciting! Looking forward to more.

Gotta love the green signs. They are always a pick me up when it seems as if you have been driving forever.

Yay for making to to Florida! Boo for mediocre at best Taco Bell! Glad to hear the hotel was clean, but I would be annoyed too with the bad neighborhood review, and then the hotel is RIGHT THERE! Oh my! Is it bad I was glad the gnats were at the rest area and not in your hotel room, which was my first thought reading the title? I guess this is why we read to the end!

I was pissed when I realized that all three hotels were right beside each other. I would have booked the cheaper one had I known that.

Those darn gnats would not leave us alone. I think that's the fastest picnic we've ever had.

It's required to take a picture when you drive through the Mobile tunnel.

Absolutely!


Nice selection.

While none of it was outstanding, it was still nice to have something to fill the hole in our tummies.

I'm the one guilty of napping while DH drives.

I have never been able to sleep while some else drives. I envy y'all who can.

I love that Florida has so many rest areas.

Me too!


Oh noooooo!



Me too. So much more traffic on I75.

I just hate that section of the trip.

Eh, we're not big Mardi Gras fans. Too much craziness and drunks! Glad we won't have to deal with that this year!

Mardi Gras down there is a lot more rowdy than up here where we are.

Yay! You're almost there! Why didn't John want you to honk in the tunnel? Party pooper. I can't believe the Taco Bell was bad. Seriously. I didn't think you could mess up Taco Bell. Glad your room was decent and you got an okay free breakfast! You're almost there!

John thinks that people are gonna give us THE look when we honk in the tunnel. When did we start caring about that? LOL

Yay for updates! Almost there now!

George is the same as John, he is sleeping whenever we drive. Heck, sometimes it's 5 minutes into a 20 minutes drive and he is already asleep. He calls it the "car drowsies".

John can fall asleep in a car faster than you can snap your fingers. Sounds like he and George are kin.

Thank you for taking the time to do this trip report. I always love seeing the pictures, especially the road trip ones. That's part of the fun, except the trip back home.

Thank you! Yeah, the trip back home is never as exciting as driving there.