Resort Split Stay with MNSSHP (Aug 2025 AKL/SSR)

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Saturday (goodbye Disney )

In the morning we finished packing up and made it out of the room right before check out time

We were tired from the party

We played on the arcade until we ran out of credits. I think the $50 I loaded a week previously went pretty far for us





And then we went to the community hall to pick up the painted ceramics the kids did earlier and hang out



I thought it was really nice how they bubble wrapped it and put it in a nice bag for us. Plus they added lots of glitter to the kids delight.



This is when DD6 realized we were leaving Disney. I must have not done a good job of helping them realize today was the day.

She got really REALLY sad and cried. She didn't want to leave

The original plan was to start heading to a science museum in Jacksonville that was on our way to our next hotel but because DD6 was so upset we decided to go to rainforest cafe again instead since she had loved it so much and DH said he would treat all of us.

It really helped cheer DD6 up. She really loves that restaurant lol

We were seated next to a fish tank. Very cool




This time I got the Asian salad and a cocktail. Thank you DH! They were both good.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Over lunch we asked DD6 wanted to do and she said she wanted to go shopping at the other Disney outlet that we hadn't been to yet. And over lunch she had started to feel sad about summer being over. She was starting first grade on Monday. She didn't love her time at kindergarten (but she's actually really enjoying first grade and loves her teacher. Such a relief)

So anyway DH said we should pick out a first day of school outfit too. This cheered her up some too

Since last time we went to the Vineland outlets. This time we went to the International Drive outlets. It was so packed. DH dropped DD6 and I off and just idled somewhere since he couldn't find a spot. DS3 was napping in the car.

We went to the character warehouse first. It was so much smaller than the other one. Definitely choose Vineland if you only choose one. I'll probably not go to international drive again.





I did like looking at the DCL merch they had tho. DD6 bought a doll, clothes for the doll and a microphone but it really was waaay smaller.

Then we went to the gap outlet next door. No pictures sorry! DD6 picked out her first day of school outfit plus BFF necklace for her and her BFF at home plus some pants she really liked

Here she is on her first day





And then we drove to our hotel. I know I napped. I think we all took turns napping. We were all pretty wiped

We did stop at buckees for the bathroom and gas and snacks



We arrived at hampton inn and suites Charlotte around 1230am

The neighborhood looked really ritzy. We kept joking because even a McDonald's we passed looked high class. It had a 2nd floor balcony seating area. And there was a Rolex store a block away and a fountain outside and classical music playing



We liked our room but the best part......

A TV IN THE MIRROR IN THE BATHROOM whaaaaaaat



We didn't use it but it was a cool surprise

And then we went to bed

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Sunday

We were all tired still when we woke up. Disney does that to you. DH went to the breakfast buffet and brought us all food to eat in bed. I think they had pancakes??? And fresh fruit which was nice. I remember liking it more than I expected to.

And then DH studied with DD6 while I packed up the car and walked around with DS3. When she was done studying I asked if she wanted to rip up her summer study packet since school started the next day

She liked this idea





And then we headed to Discovery Place Science (it was part of our free science museum list). We were in Charlotte NC btw

This place was a cool surprise... except I had to pay for parking which I'm not used to where I live so blah but it was worth it

First we went in the little kid room. It was similar to children's museums weve been to

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

And then I was hungry and DD6 was hungry so we went to the cafe. I got a cookie and a lemonade. DD6 got some chicken nuggets



Then we checked out the aquarium



DD6 touched some sea creatures

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Next up was the rainforest room which was very pretty and warm. The rest of the museum of freezing





It had this cool bridge thing that the kids enjoyed



Then we went to an exhibit about........ummmm.....I think underwater deep sea exploration....I'm not really sure





DS3 enjoyed answering the phone. "Hello?!"

And then we did bathroom and got on the road. I napped a lot on the way home but I drove some

I think we got home around 5pm. I didn't want us to get home late the night before school starting. I washed some clothes (including DD6's new outfit) but it was really nice that most of the clothes in the suitcases were already clean since I did laundry on vacation. I'ma try to do that from now on.

Next up final thoughts