Single mom and a chatty 11 year old's 1st trip to Disney!

[Sadeesmom]

Here's my semi-live trip report. Background: I am 30 years old and have been bitter for 20+ years since my dad started taking my (half)brother to Disney and leaving my sister and I at home. They went to the World three times and Disneyland once....always blamed it on having different moms who allowed different things......anyway, fast forward a couple decades and now I'm a single mother to an adorable, intelligent 11 year old who does not know the meaning of quiet time!
We live in the Midwest, but decided to drive and see a few things neither of us had seen before and visit an old favorite. Plan was to leave Friday by noon.....I threw her all off schedule by picking her up from school Thursday and saying "let's get this vacation started!" Drove 5 hours to Land between the Lakes (on the Kentucky/Tennessee border). If you've never been, it's a gorgeous, peaceful area-just the relaxing start we needed.
Next morning, we left for Atlanta. Went to World of Coca-Cola where she sampled EVERY flavor they had and still decided her favorite was Blue Fanta from North America.....yeah, she's the adventurous type We also rode Skyview-a giant ferris wheel with AMAZING views. It's within walking distance of World of CC and was completely worth the (reasonable) cost in my opinion. Last stop was kind of backtracking-we headed out to Alpharetta to the American Girl store....I really thought we would be past this stage by now, but a couple friends of hers got her started on these dolls and it's all she asked for for her birthday, and this is the big birthday trip, so why not, right?
Left there and drove until I started getting tired. Made it to Tifton, GA and that's where I'll leave you for now! If anyone reads this, thanks now for tagging along; if not, I guess it'll at least help keep my memories fresh for when I plan our next trip!

 

[momabbate]

Wow I would be bitter to. I love reading mom and daughter trips. Nice that you are taking time to see places along the way. Can't wait to read more.

 

[Sadeesmom]

Back at it! We woke up in Tifton and hit the road-anxious to be in Disney!!!
Before we even got on property, we followed the plan of hitting the two Character outlets in Orlando. Hoped to get some souvenirs for friends/cousins back home, but only ended up getting 2 things for other people and a few for ourselves-only spent about $35 though, so not too bad.

Checked into Port Orleans Riverside on Saturday about 3:00. Settled into the room (in Magnolia Terrace-building 85 I think- right over the bridge from the main pool and very close to the main building) and went to find the boat to Disney Springs. One was loading as we walked down the dock and filled up RIGHT in front of us, but another was only a few minutes behind them. The ride was calm and relaxing for me, boring for my daughter. Once in DS, we made stops at Candy Cauldron, the Lego Store (where you can fill a bucket of any size/color Lego's you want), and World of Disney (which was AMAZINGLY busy and big and personally, I spent way too much of my spending budget right off, but it's okay because we got everything we wanted and finished off souvenirs for everyone except my mom). Had dinner at Cookes of Dublin where we split the chicken and chips. I loved it-my daughter said it had too much breading. Returned to the hotel on another relaxing, enjoyable (for me) boat ride and hit the pools! The leisure pool was literally right outside our door, so we started there, but of course the 11yo got bored quickly, so we headed over to the main pool where she enjoyed the slide and I enjoyed the hot tub!
A couple hours later, we fell into a deep sleep in preparation for Epcot the next day!

 

[DHare]

We take mother daughter trips also, my husband and son are not Disney fans. However we fly, because I hate to drive. Sounds like you had a nice trip down. Hope you are having a good time!

 

[dmea10]

Following along! I moved from the Boston area to Tennessee last year. We have been to the beach at Land Between the Lakes several times. We really have to go explore more of the area there. Beautiful place.

 

[BellaBaby]

You sound like a great mom! Following along!

 

[disneyAndi14]

My DD Andi and I have been taking mother/daughter trips since she was 11, we go every year, sometimes more than that, we have AP's this year so that is my excuse. She will be 17 in November and these trips mean so much to her and I and we will have these memories especially when she leaves for college! I'm looking forward to your report, glad you liked POR so far, one of our favorites.