flamestarrdust
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2006
- Messages
- 1,414
I'm in, too! Can't wait to hear about this surprise trip! I loved your Christmas TR by the way. Sorry this is my first time posting. I'm more of a lurker/reader when it comes to TRs.
Snow, Savannah, and NO School! A Feb 2010 TR! UPDATE marathon! New TR! Souvies! 3/6
- Thread starter Happydog
- Start date
jeremysdisneymom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2008
- Messages
- 1,956
Count me in!!! Can't wait to hear about your trip!
Erika
Erika
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
Oh.... I wish I could have hopped in the car and gone to Disney! I was stuck on my all-guys floor for 4 days at my college. I'd hate to count how many Disney movies I watched. haha
Can't wait to hear more!
Oh yes I understand! Well welcome over for the adventure!!!
They are coming tonight REALLY!!! I had to chaperone a basketball game last night and when I got home I realized how exhausted I really was! It was a great time and the extra week was just a surprise! Here we go!
Well I guess you better move to my neighborhood!
I am surprised you are not talking about snow, though!!!! I'm in!
Glad you are here!
Awwww, well don't worry DELURK! It is kinda fun to add quips here and there -- but thank you for reading along! I like reading TRs too!
Great! Going to post tonight, really!!!!
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
I am sorry for the delay all! It has been a particularly hectic week at work and frankly I have not had a minute for anything since coming back after our "second winter break!" But I am here now! 
AND this TR is on HYPER drive! Because it WILL be done before I leave Wednesday afternoon for my cruise!!! 
TALK ABOUT heads spinning!!!
So......
Here begins the short tale of a family who, buried in snow and with the threat of more snow looming, packed a car and a family in about three hours, and fled to the south! To the mecca of Disney World.
And it was looking more and more like an oasis that day, what with more than two feet of snow on the ground, and another foot on the way!
This was an idea planted late Monday evening, after a wonderful day of skiing, with a blue sky and sunshine. Here are a few photos from that Monday afternoon, after skiing. Here is out front our house, the front and the side, you can see that they hadn’t finished plowing the sidewalk…. They boys skied all day, then went out to the back to play in the snow still!
I had been to the store, and had come home, we had dinner and that evening, as we watched the weather channel, the realization dawned… My DH and I stared at the screen… “12 – 15 inches of snow possible Tuesday into Wednesday..” the TV Anchor said excitedly…
Yeah, I thought, exciting for WHOM!!??
And then out of the blue my DH said – "We could get out of here, you know. Do you want to leave?" His comment threw me for a loop. "What do you mean, what do you have in mind? He said, “well I was originally thinking we could go to North Carolina.” (where my I inlaws own a beach condo…). I said “yes…okay, but why?” and then he said “Yeah I know -- not much to do, what are we going to do on the beach?” I piped in, “you know there is a great AP discount right now”… NEVER NEVER thinking he would go for that… “And he said, “well I know it is crazy and I know we were just there, but honestly, I was thinking the same thing.” Now immediately I was jumping up and down inside. Then the reality of work, unfinished work, and what would happen if I was called in to work on Friday might mean… 
It would be a little irresponsible of me. My DH said, they are likely to call off school the rest of the week. (They had already done so up to Thursday even for Admin offices…) He saw me hesitating. “well,” he said, “sleep on it.” So that is what we did… Before I went to bed, I checked the Disney website, just to see – nothing was showing up… But that didn't mean there were not rooms... He said “see what happens tomorrow.” So Tuesday morning, I woke up and called Disney. On the website it was now showing rooms at PO Riverside, and the AK. I wasn’t 100% sure we were going, but I booked it. I was mentally thinking about how I could manage this and when my DH came downstairs I said "okay, we can get a room -- I booked it before it disappeared... I know we may not do it, but that way we can... are we going to do this?" "If you want to go, and you wont be a worry wart the whole time, I say we do it!" So, I said "ok, lets go -- I will work it out if they do end up opening admin offices" He was thrilled. He loved the idea that we were just going to get up and go. Why not? Right? 
So, the next three hours were intensely busy. A flurry of action! I packed, he took the car to get gas, get books on tape, run a few errands, and get us ready. He packed his bag, I did laundry and threw things in suitcases. I gave the boys baths, I sorted out the fridge, (needless to say I had just been to the store the day before to get groceries for this NEW storm!) I put food in the freezer and packed a bag of food to drop off at my DBIL’s house when we dropped off the dog – he had offered to take him. We packed a tub with our Disney trip fun (toys, etc) and some food items. Packed snacks for the car ride down, and then I hopped in the shower. We did all this and were on the road to my DBIL’s house just after 1pm... On the way, we had a call from a friend who said the county had just closed all schools and offices for the week. 
The snow was starting to fall, swirling around, but not sticking too much. We took the dog, we got back on the road, and headed out of town!!! I was completely at ease because I knew I could take care of whatever work things I needed to keep track of via email, so otherwise it would be just fine!
I was personally so amazed that we were able to get ourselves together. My DH was impressed with the fact that I actually pulled it all off in a short amount of time – Heck, so was I!!!! I guess I was determined!! We headed out, drove through to somewhere near Richmond I think, or close to the VA/NC border. It was about 4:30… we stopped at my boys’ favorite restaurant – IHOP. We all ate “breakfast” Back on the road, they watched movies, and we listened to a book on tape. It was just what the doctor ordered on this kind of drive, "Angels and Demons" -- by the same author who wrote the "Da Vinci Code"....riveting! That is the kind of book I need to stay awake and drive. We both found it a great car trip book, and since the boys had their head phones on and were asleep, we could play it.
I drove for a while, and then DH took over again. The boys watched movies until 8pm, then they went to sleep… we stopped for gas a few times, switched drivers again, and then somewhere close to 4am in the morning… we rolled into Orlando. Let me tell you, I-40 is a great drive through Orlando at that time of night!!!! NO one on the road!!! HA! DH got gas at the HESS station, we took the car through the car wash, and then we drove to the AKL! We had called ahead, asking about coming in and checking in that early. They said no problem. So we drove up, in the darkness of course! And I hopped out to check in. They gave us a nice room, a bunkbed standard view room, and we pulled out the suitcases there at the entrance, then drove the car over to park. We put the boys in the stroller, somewhat awake, and got inside the resort. It was a beautiful sight to be there, in the wee hours of the morning, not a lot happening, it was almost 5am now, and we headed up to our room together, sleepy but glad to be in Disney!
We had listened to the Sirius radio along the way – our local weather and traffic – and it was already a mess. We were very happy that we had left! When I was checking in at the hotel there were a few people up working with the airline desk there in the lobby, because their flights had been cancelled. Some were trying to add a day or two onto their stay at the AKL, because they couldn’t go anywhere. I was grateful we had been able to book a room the day before, because inevitably that may have been more difficult since all three airports in the DC area were shut down.
At any rate we stumbled along to our room, opened the door to a beautiful space, with a very inviting décor and bed! The boys I put in the bunks, they definitely were tired, but restless. We found the Disney channel, turned it on low, turned off the lights and went to bed. The boys were in their bunks watching the tv and I think they dozed off too, but I really don’t know! DH and I awoke from our coma to a blue sky peeping through the curtain, somewhere around 9am. The boys were definitely up at this point! We all changed, got cleaned up a little more, walked the grounds of the resort, HOW beautiful it is, but more on that later!!! And then headed off for some breakfast -- we were all famished! I was able to make some ADRs on the phone on the trip down, and while I had made one for Boma's, we were excited to get over to the MK, so we did The Wave instead. I will share the rest of my ADRs that I got within hours of our trip in the next post!
So anyhow, we drove to the Contemporary, it was cold – but sunny. All I can say is that I was a very happy mom with some very happy kids, with a happy albeit still a little sleepy dad!
MK coming later today!
AND this TR is on HYPER drive! Because it WILL be done before I leave Wednesday afternoon for my cruise!!! TALK ABOUT heads spinning!!! So......
Here begins the short tale of a family who, buried in snow and with the threat of more snow looming, packed a car and a family in about three hours, and fled to the south! To the mecca of Disney World.
And it was looking more and more like an oasis that day, what with more than two feet of snow on the ground, and another foot on the way!This was an idea planted late Monday evening, after a wonderful day of skiing, with a blue sky and sunshine. Here are a few photos from that Monday afternoon, after skiing. Here is out front our house, the front and the side, you can see that they hadn’t finished plowing the sidewalk…. They boys skied all day, then went out to the back to play in the snow still!
I had been to the store, and had come home, we had dinner and that evening, as we watched the weather channel, the realization dawned… My DH and I stared at the screen… “12 – 15 inches of snow possible Tuesday into Wednesday..” the TV Anchor said excitedly…
Yeah, I thought, exciting for WHOM!!??And then out of the blue my DH said – "We could get out of here, you know. Do you want to leave?" His comment threw me for a loop. "What do you mean, what do you have in mind? He said, “well I was originally thinking we could go to North Carolina.” (where my I inlaws own a beach condo…). I said “yes…okay, but why?” and then he said “Yeah I know -- not much to do, what are we going to do on the beach?” I piped in, “you know there is a great AP discount right now”… NEVER NEVER thinking he would go for that… “And he said, “well I know it is crazy and I know we were just there, but honestly, I was thinking the same thing.” Now immediately I was jumping up and down inside.
Then the reality of work, unfinished work, and what would happen if I was called in to work on Friday might mean… It would be a little irresponsible of me. My DH said, they are likely to call off school the rest of the week. (They had already done so up to Thursday even for Admin offices…) He saw me hesitating. “well,” he said, “sleep on it.” So that is what we did… Before I went to bed, I checked the Disney website, just to see – nothing was showing up… But that didn't mean there were not rooms... He said “see what happens tomorrow.” So Tuesday morning, I woke up and called Disney. On the website it was now showing rooms at PO Riverside, and the AK. I wasn’t 100% sure we were going, but I booked it. I was mentally thinking about how I could manage this and when my DH came downstairs I said "okay, we can get a room -- I booked it before it disappeared... I know we may not do it, but that way we can... are we going to do this?" "If you want to go, and you wont be a worry wart the whole time, I say we do it!" So, I said "ok, lets go -- I will work it out if they do end up opening admin offices" He was thrilled. He loved the idea that we were just going to get up and go. Why not? Right? So, the next three hours were intensely busy. A flurry of action! I packed, he took the car to get gas, get books on tape, run a few errands, and get us ready. He packed his bag, I did laundry and threw things in suitcases. I gave the boys baths, I sorted out the fridge, (needless to say I had just been to the store the day before to get groceries for this NEW storm!) I put food in the freezer and packed a bag of food to drop off at my DBIL’s house when we dropped off the dog – he had offered to take him. We packed a tub with our Disney trip fun (toys, etc) and some food items. Packed snacks for the car ride down, and then I hopped in the shower. We did all this and were on the road to my DBIL’s house just after 1pm... On the way, we had a call from a friend who said the county had just closed all schools and offices for the week. The snow was starting to fall, swirling around, but not sticking too much. We took the dog, we got back on the road, and headed out of town!!! I was completely at ease because I knew I could take care of whatever work things I needed to keep track of via email, so otherwise it would be just fine!
I was personally so amazed that we were able to get ourselves together. My DH was impressed with the fact that I actually pulled it all off in a short amount of time – Heck, so was I!!!! I guess I was determined!! We headed out, drove through to somewhere near Richmond I think, or close to the VA/NC border. It was about 4:30… we stopped at my boys’ favorite restaurant – IHOP. We all ate “breakfast”
Back on the road, they watched movies, and we listened to a book on tape. It was just what the doctor ordered on this kind of drive, "Angels and Demons" -- by the same author who wrote the "Da Vinci Code"....riveting! That is the kind of book I need to stay awake and drive. We both found it a great car trip book, and since the boys had their head phones on and were asleep, we could play it.I drove for a while, and then DH took over again. The boys watched movies until 8pm, then they went to sleep… we stopped for gas a few times, switched drivers again, and then somewhere close to 4am in the morning… we rolled into Orlando. Let me tell you, I-40 is a great drive through Orlando at that time of night!!!! NO one on the road!!! HA! DH got gas at the HESS station, we took the car through the car wash, and then we drove to the AKL! We had called ahead, asking about coming in and checking in that early. They said no problem.
So we drove up, in the darkness of course! And I hopped out to check in. They gave us a nice room, a bunkbed standard view room, and we pulled out the suitcases there at the entrance, then drove the car over to park. We put the boys in the stroller, somewhat awake, and got inside the resort. It was a beautiful sight to be there, in the wee hours of the morning, not a lot happening, it was almost 5am now, and we headed up to our room together, sleepy but glad to be in Disney!We had listened to the Sirius radio along the way – our local weather and traffic – and it was already a mess. We were very happy that we had left! When I was checking in at the hotel there were a few people up working with the airline desk there in the lobby, because their flights had been cancelled. Some were trying to add a day or two onto their stay at the AKL, because they couldn’t go anywhere. I was grateful we had been able to book a room the day before, because inevitably that may have been more difficult since all three airports in the DC area were shut down.
At any rate we stumbled along to our room, opened the door to a beautiful space, with a very inviting décor and bed! The boys I put in the bunks, they definitely were tired, but restless. We found the Disney channel, turned it on low, turned off the lights and went to bed. The boys were in their bunks watching the tv and I think they dozed off too, but I really don’t know! DH and I awoke from our coma to a blue sky peeping through the curtain, somewhere around 9am. The boys were definitely up at this point!
We all changed, got cleaned up a little more, walked the grounds of the resort, HOW beautiful it is, but more on that later!!! And then headed off for some breakfast -- we were all famished! I was able to make some ADRs on the phone on the trip down, and while I had made one for Boma's, we were excited to get over to the MK, so we did The Wave instead. I will share the rest of my ADRs that I got within hours of our trip in the next post! So anyhow, we drove to the Contemporary, it was cold – but sunny. All I can say is that I was a very happy mom with some very happy kids, with a happy albeit still a little sleepy dad!
MK coming later today!
Charleston Princess
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 21,444
Happydog, it's official! I want to be just like you when I grow up! 
Did you just say you were leaving Wednesday for your cruise???
That has snuck up quickly! You must be super excited!
Didn't you just love Angels and Demons? In many ways, I liked it more than the Da Vinci Code. Since you have been to Italy a few times, had you visited some of the places mentioned in the book? I haven't read The Lost Symbol yet, but my dad really liked it. I know it will make me want to go to Washington, DC afterwards because that's how I felt after reading the first two books. Have you picked out your audio books for this trip down? You probably have that drive down pat by now!
Did you just say you were leaving Wednesday for your cruise???
That has snuck up quickly! You must be super excited!Didn't you just love Angels and Demons? In many ways, I liked it more than the Da Vinci Code. Since you have been to Italy a few times, had you visited some of the places mentioned in the book? I haven't read The Lost Symbol yet, but my dad really liked it. I know it will make me want to go to Washington, DC afterwards because that's how I felt after reading the first two books. Have you picked out your audio books for this trip down? You probably have that drive down pat by now!
HockeyMomR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 2,311
How exciting! Great report, yes, the Wednesday morning here was really unreal. I can only imagine how happy you were to be in Disney that morning.
Yes, Anne Arundel County here is on the slow melt. I think we are now down to 1 ft. of snow on the ground. Hoping today we get more of the big melt and can evaluate our landscaping. Looking forward to reading more.
Yes, Anne Arundel County here is on the slow melt. I think we are now down to 1 ft. of snow on the ground. Hoping today we get more of the big melt and can evaluate our landscaping. Looking forward to reading more.
SoonerGirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2006
- Messages
- 4,850
This is so fantastic! I think the uber planner in me may have had a nervous breakdown trying to book, plan & pack for a Disney vacation in a matter of hours - but I sure would like to try it sometime. How fun!!
2xcited2sleep
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
- Messages
- 11,274
I just love that you guys pulled of the spontaneous trip. Someday I would love to do that. And you leave for your cruise on Wed?? I don't know where you get the energy!!
for more updates.
for more updates.
Dugette
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2009
- Messages
- 5,775
I'm in for this TR! I found your other TR late and ended up reading most of it during the Superbowl, but I'm here at the start for this one. I love the spontaneity! I thought we were last minute (our last 2 trips were booked about 1.5 months out and 4 weeks out), but this beats that. Wish we could do what you did, but driving from MN wouldn't leave much time at Disney on a short trip. I will be taking notes, however, as we did get APs last trip and we're keeping an eye out for cheap airfare...these APs are burning holes in our pockets! Looking forward to hearing more!
jeremysdisneymom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2008
- Messages
- 1,956
Wow, what a great way to get away from the snow! So glad the drive down was better than the last trip you took. Looking forward to hearing all about your vacation and the resort!
ERika
ERika
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
Happydog, it's official! I want to be just like you when I grow up!
Well you are probably more grown up than I, especially since I am the one who drops everything and throws being responsible out the window at the mention of Disney
I swear it was the weather!Did you just say you were leaving Wednesday for your cruise???
YES YES YES, but also I am a little overwhelmed with all that I need to get in place before hand! YIKES!!! IT will be okay, obviously, but I am a little upside down right now!
It was very very good! Yes, I thought it was really an interesting story, the twists, etc. Obviously dark and such, but it is a perfect driving book because it keeps you on the edge of your seat (literally!) I hadn't heard of the new book, but I just noticed that there was one, so I am interested to read that too! WELL, if you do come, you let me know! We are not far! Only a metro away!!! HA! YES, both novels have many references to Italy, which include places we have visited.. We were in Rome when the Pope died. It was very surreal. We have not picked books yet, DH has that on the schedule for tomorrow! I have packing and cleaning duty this weekend! DS7 gets his orange belt for Karate today, too. SO a lot to fill this short weekend, which after 10 days off is going to seem like a blink! We are okay with the drive -- frankly I am a little bummed because Jet Blue just released some AWESOME rates for flights, around $120 a person, but since we already booked the one night at HH, it would be a waste of that night to fly now... so we are going to drive. In the end, it is probably safer -- who knows with this weather... More "possibly snow/ice" coming Monday...
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
We were very happy to be there and not here, yes!!!!
Like I said, we kept tabs listening to the Sirius station, and all we heard was "white out conditions, Blizzard warning, foot of snow..." etc! We had sunglasses and down vests on, and glad to be outside!You know, I am an uber planner too... but the decision was an easy one -- and fun, too. It wasn't going to be a full length vacation, it was just for fun. We knew we would be back in the summer, so I think we were willing to roll with it so long as we could get a room!
I just love that you guys pulled of the spontaneous trip. Someday I would love to do that. And you leave for your cruise on Wed?? I don't know where you get the energy!!
Thanks Christine! We were pretty pleased with ourselves too! Just because we could! We are fortunate, of course, to be able to. AND so I consider us lucky.
YES! leaving for the cruise Wednesday. Don't get me started!!!
I want to get through this TR first!
Keep your eyes on the look out! I bet you will find those fares! They have had a good rate through Jet Blue around here... The AP discounts are wonderful! Fall is a great time!
Yes, the drive through VA was a blink in comparison!! We were laughing about that. It was smooth sailing, and though a little long, it wasn't bad. I think the car makes all the difference, and our volvo is a great road trip vehicle.
DEdisprincess
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2008
- Messages
- 46
Hi! I lurked on your last trip report and my mouth dropped open when i read that you left the snow for Disney!! seeing as i was stuck in that snow with an infant and 3 year old can't wait to read more!
can't wait to read more!
Diamondintheruff
<font color=magenta>Thinks she saw a flash!<br><fo
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2006
- Messages
- 2,683
I liked the wave when I was there. I can't imagine your boys liked it that much though. Other than the blue lights in the entrance/lounge area. Waiting to see how they liked it.
Mickey_Mom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2009
- Messages
- 3,360
Wow! Love this update..... while one side of my brain was reading how you did it, the other side was wondering if I could pull it together and do it myself. Mmmmm, March break is coming up shortly.... 
Love this update..... while one side of my brain was reading how you did it, the other side was wondering if I could pull it together and do it myself. Mmmmm, March break is coming up shortly.... Did you just say you were leaving Wednesday for your cruise???
Imagine how much nicer the wait for a Disney cruise is because you are doing your waiting in Disney World!
That is some wild snow, Happydog! We got 3-7 inches in these parts, and that is pretty big news for us. You can write the trip report fast, but I think I'll read it slow to stretch it out. We still have a long way to go until trip time.
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
Imagine how much nicer the wait for a Disney cruise is because you are doing your waiting in Disney World!
That is some wild snow, Happydog! We got 3-7 inches in these parts, and that is pretty big news for us. You can write the trip report fast, but I think I'll read it slow to stretch it out. We still have a long way to go until trip time.
Oh don't you worry MeMom! I will follow up with another TR on the cruise, and get my PTR for June started too!!! Lots to share!
I will help pass the time for you! Your summer trip will be quick upon us too!
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
Hi! I lurked on your last trip report and my mouth dropped open when i read that you left the snow for Disney!! seeing as i was stuck in that snow with an infant and 3 year old
Oh well, I would agree with you! That would be a bit much! But two boys, ages 7 and 4 cooped up in the house is pretty much the same! At least I could throw them outside in the snow!!!
Oh yes, we loved the Wave! Been there for dinner twice, with the boys, and then we did breakfast. Dinner wasn't a problem with them -- but they had a nice grilled chicken with veggies and dip first, then mashed potatoes and green beans.... this is a good match for mine. And I appreciated that it wasn't chicken nuggets and fries... Breakfast was great. The omlettes with spinach feta and tomatoes, excellent, and the boys had mickey waffles... they were freshly made, multigrain, with a piece of bacon and two strawberries... they were darker in color than the regular mickey waffles you get at Crystal Palace, for instance, there was one moment when my very picky 7yr old was not sure about them for that reason, but we were able to convince him they tasted equally as good when I smeared peanut butter on them... yes, he is a pancakes with peanutbutter and syrup kind of kid...
So our family experiences at The Wave have been favorable, and you can't beat the access to MK.
Wow!
Well all I can say is don't think to hard about it! If you do, it would be more difficult because of all the reasons "not to" you know? We are very glad we left town. We had a great time as a family being together.
SoonerGirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2006
- Messages
- 4,850
KathyRN137
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2006
- Messages
- 7,882
I'm still in shock that hubby went for it... he must be completely converted now!!
How surreal... to just jump in the car and GO!!
Kathy
How surreal... to just jump in the car and GO!!
Kathy
-
Loungefly's New 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' Floral Zero
-
Is Park Hopping at Disney Still Worth the Extra Money in 2025?
-
Photo Tour of The Beak and Barrel, Adventureland's New Pirate Bar at Disney World
-
New Oogie Boogie Bash Lunch Discount in Downtown Disney at Disneyland
-
Dark Universe Soundtrack from Danny Elfman Now Streaming
-
Jock Lindsey's HALLOWEEN Hangar Bar Full Menu Review at Disney World
-
New Disney Character Sweaters Now at Disney World
Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
New Posts
- Sticky
