Spinal Dalmatians, Eliminations, and The Merry Go Round of Life...June 2011 New 2/19

[shocky5]

Such cute pics! Your state line gifts make me want to drive!!! And that Tennessee scenery.... ahhhhhh....

Can't wait to see Georgia. Awesome you get to arrive to Disney early!

 

[Moira222]

I found you! i see I am 6 days and 5 pages behind!

the kids look so happy and excited!! great car shot!

the start of your trip sounds ominous with the wierd sounds....

.... One time Rachel asked me why there wasn't a wicked witch of the south in The Wizard of Oz. I told her it was because the South doesn't HAVE witches. My dear MIL spit her drink half way across the table, she was laughing so hard.

That is too funny Judy!!

Taking a break from real life! I got 6 basket of laundry sorted, but not put away. It's all on my bed, so Scott and I may have to bunk with kids or on the couch tonight! Hey...it happens!

I am laughing with you....as I am catching up on first housework and now DISboards as Katie is sleeping at my sister's for the night.

_____________________
.....Both Scott and I were stress free on this problem (that really doesn't happen much with a worrywart husband and a overplanner wife!).

that is DH and I, too!!!

The kids were sleeping, we were energetic, and we'd be 2 hours closer to our destination. In fact, we made a change in our trip plans right then and there.

Original Plan: Day 1: Chicago- Kentucky; Day 2 Kentucky to Florida Border; Day 3 Florida Border to WDW (to arrive mid morning)

New Plan: Day 1 Chicago- Almost Tennessee border Day 2 Tennessee- WDW (to arrive late evening)

Considering we left in the afternoon on day 1, not a bad itinerary! Scott's mom and dad were also traveling at this point, but they left about 2 hours after us and would meet us at WDW.

First crisis averted, and we were left with a good night's sleep.

Next up...Extra long day on the road! But who cares! We're going to DISNEY WORLD!!!

for cruising along more speedily into DisneyWorld!


aaaawwww i love the sleepy kid photos....

 

[teachermommy78]

You were making great time. I bet until you hit Georgia. We have the worst traffic, no matter what time of day it is.

Our time was especially good going from Kentucky into Tennessee that first day. One minute commute! We have awful traffic in Chicago, so I don't get too impatient very easily.

Such cute pics! Your state line gifts make me want to drive!!! And that Tennessee scenery.... ahhhhhh....

Can't wait to see Georgia. Awesome you get to arrive to Disney early!

TN is so beautiful. There were many times on the trip where I daydreamed about moving from my big city to the country!

I found you! i see I am 6 days and 5 pages behind!

the kids look so happy and excited!! great car shot!

the start of your trip sounds ominous with the wierd sounds....

You are actually only 1 day on the trip behind! I just started day 2. Welcome!!! I was missing you!

 

[teachermommy78]

Here's a TR post in which I am confused. Yes. You knew it was coming! I THINK we entered Georgia twice. For those familiar with the trip and that area, I apologize if I am nuts. Scott said, "we're in Georgia...I think." So I took a picture of the time

There was much joy and celebration so I passed out the state line gifts:

But then, not too much later we saw this:

And it was:

And yes, Sophie did ask if they get another state line gift.

So now that we were officially in Georgia, everyone was getting excited about Disney! The Four Parks CDs were playing on a loop on the ipod and we were all happily singing along.

We decided to stop at Wendy's for lunch:

I don't like Wendy's very much, but in Chicago they have an awesome buffalo chicken sandwich. So I was happy to stop. Until I noticed that they didn't have the sandwich on the menu. No worries...I ordered the buffalo chicken bites and waiting about 10 minutes for the food while Scott was trying to keep the kids from disturbing everyone in a 20 mile radius. That's when the SLOOOOOOW moving lady told me they didn't have any buffalo chicken bites. OK, um, grilled chicken sandwich? YES! Success! Suckers...it was 32 cents more than the buffalo bites! We ate, I took the kids to the bathroom 32 times by myself (does anyone notice a theme to my days?), and we were on our way once again.

In case anyone is wondering, the car is chirping like we have a nest of baby birds living inside of it and it is not feeling right still. This does get addressed later! I'm just not good at the art of suspense!

I ended up missing the Florida border sign. I was knitting a scarf. Which I haven't picked up since that moment. So I got this instead:

And it was:

State line gifts:

Up next...WELCOME TO WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

 

[ZFamily5]

I said it already, but I'll say it again, I love the idea of the state line gifts! Did you come up with the idea or read it somewhere? You're getting soooo close to actually being IN Disney World!!

 

[teachermommy78]

I said it already, but I'll say it again, I love the idea of the state line gifts! Did you come up with the idea or read it somewhere? You're getting soooo close to actually being IN Disney World!!

I got the idea here! I can't remember where, though!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hurray, you are in Florida!

 

[ZFamily5]

I got the idea here! I can't remember where, though!

It's actually getting me excited for next summer, despite my longing to FLY to Canada instead of drive! Mom and Dad will be happy to hear I'm finally coming around. Their attempts to convince me driving would be fun included that I could drive part of the way and we would be gone for close to 3 weeks! I'm still not so sure about 20+ hours in the car, but it sounds more fun thanks to your TR!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

It's actually getting me excited for next summer, despite my longing to FLY to Canada instead of drive! Mom and Dad will be happy to hear I'm finally coming around. Their attempts to convince me driving would be fun included that I could drive part of the way and we would be gone for close to 3 weeks! I'm still not so sure about 20+ hours in the car, but it sounds more fun thanks to your TR!!

Are you headed to Canada? Whereabouts? If you need any info/tips let me know.

 

[TeaForTulips]

joining in!

can't wait for more!

 

[ZFamily5]

Are you headed to Canada? Whereabouts? If you need any info/tips let me know.

Yes we are! Next summer we are taking a driving trip to Canada...all I know so far is we are going to "the eastern part" (the quote is what my mother told me). She called it something like "French Canada" but I thought all of Canada was kind of French...if you have any idea what I'm talking about, tips would be much appreciated!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Yes we are! Next summer we are taking a driving trip to Canada...all I know so far is we are going to "the eastern part" (the quote is what my mother told me). She called it something like "French Canada" but I thought all of Canada was kind of French...if you have any idea what I'm talking about, tips would be much appreciated!

Only a very small part of Canada is "French". You are probably going to Quebec which has a very strong French heritage, the main cities there are Montreal and Quebec City. You may also be going to the Maritimes which is somewhat French influenced but also very English. Just be aware, it is illegal to turn right on a red light in Quebec.


Sorry for the hijack!

 

[ZFamily5]

Only a very small part of Canada is "French". You are probably going to Quebec which has a very strong French heritage, the main cities there are Montreal and Quebec City. You may also be going to the Maritimes which is somewhat French influenced but also very English. Just be aware, it is illegal to turn right on a red light in Quebec.


Sorry for the hijack!

Oh...well I just looked kind of stupid...

Quebec sounds familiar as does Montreal. Thanks for the info Lessa! And yes, sorry for the hijack!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Oh...well I just looked kind of stupid...

Quebec sounds familiar as does Montreal. Thanks for the info Lessa! And yes, sorry for the hijack!

Nah, not stupid, so long as you don't think that we have snow all year round and live in igloos and travel by dog sled instead of in cars.

As your trip approaches feel free to post any questions on my thread or PM me. I live very close to Quebec.

 

[teachermommy78]

Hurray, you are in Florida!

Yahoo!

It's actually getting me excited for next summer, despite my longing to FLY to Canada instead of drive! Mom and Dad will be happy to hear I'm finally coming around. Their attempts to convince me driving would be fun included that I could drive part of the way and we would be gone for close to 3 weeks! I'm still not so sure about 20+ hours in the car, but it sounds more fun thanks to your TR!!

I'm glad!!! You could make your state line gifts more elaborate, but we were broke!

joining in!

can't wait for more!

Welcome!!!

Only a very small part of Canada is "French". You are probably going to Quebec which has a very strong French heritage, the main cities there are Montreal and Quebec City. You may also be going to the Maritimes which is somewhat French influenced but also very English. Just be aware, it is illegal to turn right on a red light in Quebec.


Sorry for the hijack!

No problem! A geography lesson is good for everyone!

Oh...well I just looked kind of stupid...

Quebec sounds familiar as does Montreal. Thanks for the info Lessa! And yes, sorry for the hijack!

You do not look stupid! If anything, it was amusing!

 

[ZFamily5]

Nah, not stupid, so long as you don't think that we have snow all year round and live in igloos and travel by dog sled instead of in cars.

As your trip approaches feel free to post any questions on my thread or PM me. I live very close to Quebec.

You don't? Totally kidding! I know a little bit about Canada, but as you just saw, not too much!

I'm glad!!! You could make your state line gifts more elaborate, but we were broke!



You do not look stupid! If anything, it was amusing!

Believe me, I'm broke too! Disney has WAY too many gift shops! I'm glad I could provide some entertainment!

 

[PirateKate]

Those state line gifts are such a fun idea! Did the kids like their Vinylmation?

You all are making such great time. It's the best feeling in the world when you cross that Florida state line.

And Lessa- I feel very disillusioned. I thought for sure your brothers would travel by dog sled.

 

[teachermommy78]

Those state line gifts are such a fun idea! Did the kids like their Vinylmation?

You all are making such great time. It's the best feeling in the world when you cross that Florida state line.

And Lessa- I feel very disillusioned. I thought for sure your brothers would travel by dog sled.

Thanks! I had lots of fun shopping for them! It will definitely be a tradition. Vinylmations are a big hit!

 

[teachermommy78]

Where we left off, we had entered Florida and were rejoicing over state line gifts! FUN! We were so close! The kids remained good humored throughout the last leg of the drive and soon we were stopping at a sketchy gas station with fake alligators throughout. Pair that with the "not quite sure if I'm safe" feeling and you know you are almost there!!!

Soon we were seeing this!!!

And the time was

We had reached our ultimate destination! Kind of...On the way, I booked us (both our family and my MIL/FIL) a room at the Best Western near downtown Disney. It's on property and cheap. Perfect for a one night stay before our trip! I don't know why I don't have any pics of this, but we were really impressed with the BW. It was beautiful and regal! We will definitely be staying there again if we need to do a night before or after a WDW trip. We brought our overnight bags in and headed straight out. We were going to downtown disney!

We went to the lobby to get directions and got into a conversation with the Wyndham Bonnet Creek timeshare guy. I braced myself, but he was totally unpushy and asked us to come back if we had any question. Phew.

We started our short walk to downtown disney and just had a nice stroll as a family. It was great to get out and walk after such a long drive. Pretty soon we saw it! Scott and I hadn't been to this area since 1999, and I can't remember it at all. I know they did a major renovations, so maybe that was why. Obviously the kids had never been.

We hadn't eaten dinner yet, and I recall it being almost 9. One of my must dos was Earl of Sandwich. I spotted it right away...and then saw the line snaked through the restaurant and out the door.

Scott said, "everyone is here for the same reason. let's just have a good attitude and do this!" So we did. Well, he did. It was hot and the kids were excited. I wanted to look in stores, but knew the kids wouldn't even consider it. They spied the fountains and were bouncing out of their skin. I decided to just let them be kids and go wild. I released them into fountain.

Poor Finn was just so unsure.

This sweet boy (around 11) just kept trying to persuade him to go in, but this just made Finn more hesitant. He was happy just watching for now. In the meantime, a CM approached me to chat. He was super nice. Very young, and seemed very nervous. We chatted about hidden mickeys and he asked if it was our first time at WDW. I explained that all three kids had been before. He told me he was going to get something and that he'd be right back. Finn decided to go play, so he was off having fun. About 5 minutes later, the CM returned with First Time buttons for each kid. He said they probably didn't remember it last time. I thanked him sincerely and put them in my purse.

I decided to gather the kids to grab a table just as Scott was coming out. He was on the phone with his parents who were just arriving on property. They would meet us at DTD. I got the italian sandwich

Scott got the Hawaiian (I don't remember the name, but I think it was something to do with Hawaii!)

And the kids shared a PB&J and Grilled Cheese. Mostly they left the food and drank all the soda. Scott also got his parents sandwiches.

At this point, we were seeing lots of lightning, Scott's parents couldn't find parking at DTD, and the kids were soaking wet. We decided to call it a night and walk back to the hotel. I had seen exactly 3 buildings in DTD, but was so excited for what the next day would bring!

Scott had talked to a CM about getting our KTTW cards and was told that he can get them anytime after midnight. We got back to the room at about 10:30, got settled and got the kids to sleep. At 11:30, Scott and his mom headed over to POP. They were back soon after with the news that the KTTW cards can't be given out until 7:30am. Oh well. It will make my rope drop plans improbable, but I will live. I will have 9 more days to make it to rope drop! I decided to look at the next day as a bonus. We weren't even supposed to be there until mid afternoon the next day. I drifted off to sleep thinking about our first day in Disney. EPCOT.

Bonus Pic: Finn in DTD

Up next: Day 1 EPCOT!

And, our photopass CDs are here! YAY!

 

[cglaura]

It was your kids first time to DTD, so they got First Time Visit buttons for that!

Loving the report so far. Happy family!