Pre TR | 2 tents & 17 days

[ilovedisneymm]

From Mt. Vernon we go 57 to 24 to 65. Then we go 82 to 10 to 75 south. Avoiding the traffic in Atlanta.

Making good time, in Alabama just north of Birmingham.

Hoping to make it to Gainesville tonight.

[/B]

Have a great trip down! I've made the trip so many times. I bet we overlap routes from Mt Vernon on. And I remember the many times my only child asking "how much farther".

If you feel a real strong need to post pics while you're there, Photobucket has a good phone app that sends pics to your Photobucket account. Then it is a simple link to put those in a post on here. No need for a 26 in Mac screen.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Wave as I65 takes you south of downtown Birmingham thru the I459 interchange. I work about a mile as the crow flies from that interchange.

I used the Montgomery to Dothan to I10 route both coming and going in the last week. Gas prices are cheaper in Alabama than Florida so if it's close buy on the Bama side. I got gas at the Flying J in Dothan yesterday for $1.89.

From I459 to I10 the quickest I've driven it is 3hr 30 minutes. You might get it in under 4. Then 166 miles on I10 to I75.

Safe travels.

Bama Ed

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Dothan will be about refuel time, so thank you

I waved, did you see me? I was the one in the white minivan...lol!

By the way, nice sunset picture!

Wave as I65 takes you south of downtown Birmingham thru the I459 interchange. I work about a mile as the crow flies from that interchange.

I used the Montgomery to Dothan to I10 route both coming and going in the last week. Gas prices are cheaper in Alabama than Florida so if it's close buy on the Bama side. I got gas at the Flying J in Dothan yesterday for $1.89.

From I459 to I10 the quickest I've driven it is 3hr 30 minutes. You might get it in under 4. Then 166 miles on I10 to I75.

Safe travels.

Bama Ed

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Made it to Lake City last night. It was almost 10pm and we all needed a decent nights sleep. A little short of the original plan (Gainsville) but that's ok. We drove 970 miles yesterday, a win in my book.

Estimated arrival time to FW is 10am!

 

[av8erdunn]

Sounds like y'all are making good time! What's your fuel economy been with the van towing the golf cart? We were going to tow ours down but the difference in fuel economy we get while towing it we were able to rent one from tee time for just a little more se we opted for that. We oare only coming from 500 miles away so its not near the distance y'all are traveling but it still seems like it takes forever to get there. LOL.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

We are averaging 17 right now. I thought we would do better than that. We are loaded pretty heavy and hubby has a lead foot too.

Sounds like y'all are making good time! What's your fuel economy been with the van towing the golf cart? We were going to tow ours down but the difference in fuel economy we get while towing it we were able to rent one from tee time for just a little more se we opted for that. We oare only coming from 500 miles away so its not near the distance y'all are traveling but it still seems like it takes forever to get there. LOL.

 

[mightyexplorers]

From Mt. Vernon we go 57 to 24 to 65. Then we go 82 to 10 to 75 south. Avoiding the traffic in Atlanta.

[/B]

I have just been looking at your route. I am thinking of changing up my route down from MN and picking up 65 from Nashville. I would love to miss Chattanooga and Atlanta.

How is that route in terms of hills and terrain? I wouldn't mind missing the steep grade in Monteagle either. it is about 53 miles more for us, but not having to do the hills with the RV might end up a wash with time and gas money.

How are Birmingham and Montgomery for driving through?

Plus I have never been to Alabama so that would be a bonus too. Maybe if we can hit Montgomery at midnight we will run into Alan and Hank.

 

[tina.tina]

I hope you made it safely and are all settled in!

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Hi Tina.

We arrived safe and sound, thank you!

We are in 1509 and have a nice cozy spot. It was a very big day and tired out after we got the tents set up. We had 530 ressie for TE but canceled cause we were not yet finished with setting up and dirty too. Took an extra long hot shower in the super clean comfort station, did some looping, got some TE to go and watched wishes from the beach. The kids play tetherball with their new friends and hubby and I shared a $15 Coors light six pack. We set up the beds and cots before we left for dinner and cranked the electric blankets and heaters!! Kids feel asleep in 2 seconds after listening to the water parade. I'm typing from my iPhone and snuggled in my warm cozy cot listening to the rain. I think I'm going to trade my bed in for this cot when I get back home.

Tomorrow I'm going to finish up our site and make it more home like. Hubby is going to string the rest of the lights and we will hit the local walmart for some groceries and maybe checkout downtown Disney.

PS - I want to buy everything in the Trading Post!

I hope you made it safely and are all settled in!

 

[blu]

I'm jealous. I know what you mean about the cot. If I could find bedsheets as comfortable as the liner of my sleeping bag I would never leave my bed.

 

[JanL]

We loved our cots when tent camping, too. Scientific types argue that these are colder due to air mass beneath you while you sleep, but with electric blankets, egg crate pads, and a small electric space heater, we never noticed.

Plus we had great space beneath the cot to put the shower caddies and our shoes, etc. Certainly kept the tent much tidier.

 

[North of Mouse]

Glad you had a safe trip down and are all set up - too bad about the rain as soon as you arrived though. Imagine you 'were' too tired to go out to eat after all that work!! Was cancelling TE at that late time a problem - did they charge you $10 a person to cancel? Just wondering how strict they are with that now??

Hope it's not too cold to enjoy the parks, and y'all have a wonderful filled trip!!

 

[garneska]

Went by this morning but you guys were already out. Love your set up though. What kind of tents are those? The one you are using for kitchen looked fantastic.

If we don't catch up have a great trip. We will be out again looking for you.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Visitors? Oh how wonderful! We would love to meet up!

Today was our first day in the parks and we made rope drop - MK.
Tomorrow we have an 8am BBB appt and then FP to meet A&E, FP for Cinderella & Repunzel, FP for lunch at Beast Castle and then FP for Mine Train. Our plan is to be back by early afternoon to rest and play around the site.

The tents are cabin style that I picked up at Kmart.

Went by this morning but you guys were already out. Love your set up though. What kind of tents are those? The one you are using for kitchen looked fantastic.

If we don't catch up have a great trip. We will be out again looking for you.

 

[SillyFamily]

I would definitely think about eating at a few different restaurants during your trip. You might enjoy 50's Prime Time or SciFi Dine at HS. The atmosphere in there is amazing. This time of year your should be able to get a lunch ressie pretty easily maybe even walk in.

I find the lines at the Publix on west 192 to be a little shorter compared to the ones if you get off on 192 eastbound. Plus there is a target right across the street if you need any other odds and ends.

I would suggest a FP+ for toy story mania in HS. The lines for that ride are always insane. IMHO its the best ride. You might also wanna fp+ the safari in AK. The kids will love seeing the animals right up next to them. You should be able to get these FP+ the morning/night before you decide to go to that park as long as you look pre park opening.

I second taking a boat tour to other resorts, if it gets chilly dont forget a blanket for the ride though. The wind chill drops the temp significantly on the boats. We try to stop at each of the deluxe resorts 1x per trip just to try out the new cupcakes. Each season the chefs try out a new cupcake recipe or two. Sooo yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you're having a wonderful time!!!!!

 

[ilovedisneymm]

(1) No steep grades. A few hills you would notice in an RV in TN but nothing like Monteagle.

(2) Fine as long as you don't hit them at traffic hour.

(3) Sorry it took so long with my reply.

I have just been looking at your route. I am thinking of changing up my route down from MN and picking up 65 from Nashville. I would love to miss Chattanooga and Atlanta.

How is that route in terms of hills and terrain? I wouldn't mind missing the steep grade in Monteagle either. it is about 53 miles more for us, but not having to do the hills with the RV might end up a wash with time and gas money.

How are Birmingham and Montgomery for driving through?

Plus I have never been to Alabama so that would be a bonus too. Maybe if we can hit Montgomery at midnight we will run into Alan and Hank.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

We were able to get the tents up before the rain came in. The sounds of the pitter patter raindrops on the tent were like a lullaby.

At check in I requested to cancel for that evening. She said it was not a problem and I would not be charged. In typical Disney fashion, they worked with me now if we just blowed it off and had not attempted to contact to cancel I'm sure we would have been charged.

Thanks for the pixie dust!

Glad you had a safe trip down and are all set up - too bad about the rain as soon as you arrived though. Imagine you 'were' too tired to go out to eat after all that work!! Was cancelling TE at that late time a problem - did they charge you $10 a person to cancel? Just wondering how strict they are with that now??

Hope it's not too cold to enjoy the parks, and y'all have a wonderful filled trip!!

 

[North of Mouse]

We were able to get the tents up before the rain came in. The sounds of the pitter patter raindrops on the tent were like a lullaby.

At check in I requested to cancel for that evening. She said it was not a problem and I would not be charged. In typical Disney fashion, they worked with me now if we just blowed it off and had not attempted to contact to cancel I'm sure we would have been charged.

Thanks for the pixie dust!

Thanks! Glad to know!! Glad y'all are continuing to have a wonderful time!

 

[mightyexplorers]

(3) Sorry it took so long with my reply.

No problem, thank you for your reply. Number one rule; enjoy your trip 1st, answer questions second.

I think I am sold on the new route, although won't be using it as soon as I would like.

 

[Elianor]

Don't forget to take pictures of your camp set up please! We all want to see!!