reyasmommy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2007
- Messages
- 1,952
**** Thought I would post the road trip/universal part of my vacation here****
Hello to all who have decided to stop by.
This is my first trip report and I hope that you will all enjoy.
****Our trip was back in September 2007, so I will do my best to remember everything that I can. I started writing my trip report soon after we got back but was sidetracked and never finished. After day 14 or so I unfortunately lost my notes and don't remember details but I'll post pictures and information on what I do. ((Sorry))
First a few side notes for you all
1. Our vacation was a total of 21 days, so this will be a long trip report and I will try to update it as often as I can.
2. Our trip also consists of a 5 day road trip and some time at universal studios and the beach. (sorry for those of you who hate universal)
3. There are NO pictures of us with the characters because we soon realized after arriving at the parks that our DD was terrified of them.
4. You will see very few pictures of myself because I avoid the camera at almost all cost.
Other then that please sit back and relax.
The cast
Me: I'm a 29 year old stay at home Mom. This is my 5th trip to disney world. My husband and I were married at the Poly in June of 2001. Every trip that I've taken to Disney was for a special occasion of some sort. My first trip was for my high school graduation in 1996, Second trip we took my DH best friend who was sadly dying from cancer,((that was the most memorable trip of course)) , 3rd trip was for my wedding and honeymoon, 4th trip was for my 2 year anniversary, and now this 5th trip is for my DD first visit. I planned every second of this trip myself while my husband worked very hard to pay for it.
DH: 31 years old. Investment Broker. Also his 5th trip to disney World. Best husband and Father in the world.
DD: 18mos old. The most friendly loving baby EVER. This is her first trip to Disney World. Went to DL when she was 6months old and loved it, so I was hopeful she would enjoy Disney even more now that she's one year older. I soon realized that was false and has since then become a big wuss. But ya gotta love her, and she still had a wonderful time
DC: 18years old. First trip to Disney World. Took a week off of school to join us for a week. Only made it because we agreed to pay for his hotel and some park tickets. Really needed him for an extra hand so it was worth it.
DG: (my dad) 47years old. First trip to Disney World. Lives in California so I only get to see him a few times a year. Flew in to meet us for 4 days.
Okay let's begin
~~~~
September 12th
YAY!! Today was finally the day we were going on our worry free 3 week vacation. I woke up around 7:00am so I could try to hurry up and get ready before my DD woke up so there would be little interuption. DH was going to work for part of the day but luckily decided at the last minute to go ahead and take the day off so we could leave a little earlier.
9:30am: house sitter/dog sitter arrived. ((I'm so thankful for her, how many people would agree to watch your home and pets for 3 weeks?!?))
10:45am: All packed up and Ready to GO!
~~~ OKAY REYA ~ READY TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD???!!!~~~~
~~~ REYA trying to decided whether to take her bunny or Bear~~
~~~ She decided on bunny~~
After an hour and a half of driving we decided to stop and stretch our legs at a rest stop in Arriba Colorado?!?! Reya was so happy to get out of the car! She's an awesome rider and complained very little. The entire road trip we made sure to stop every one to two hours so she could run around and burn some off some energy, plus we made sure to have Sponge Bob playing on the DVD player non-stop while we were driving. ((amen to dvd players))
After using the facilites, walking, and playing tag for about 20mins we headed out on the open road again. After about another hour and half of driving we stopped in a place called Colby Kansas to refuel the car and our tummies. We ate at a McDonalds. I think this was the worst McDonalds EVER! When we walked up to the counter the lady standing there didn't greet us with a hello or even a smile. All she did was yell at the top of her lungs "I NEED SOMEONE UP AT THE COUNTER NOW!!!" Couple of seconds later an older man came up to the counter and took our order. The restaurant didn't seem to be the taken care of , and the food was horrible. Also, during the time we were eating some guy came in and started spraying pesticide on the floors under and around the tables... WHAT THE????
On top of the horrible service and food, Reya threw her bottle on the table and spilled my food all over me. I had mayo, mustard, and ketcup all over my shirt and pants. Geezz, vacation wasn't starting off too well.
After lunch we stopped at the one and only starbucks in town. We didn't see any other signs the entire way until we got into Georgia. ((INSANE))
Drove another hour and a half and stopped at a rest stop somewhere in kansas. The rest stop was icky and had bugs all over the place in the rest-room. Let Reya run around for awhile then headed off to our hotel which was about an hour away.
((to be continued))
Hello to all who have decided to stop by.
This is my first trip report and I hope that you will all enjoy.
****Our trip was back in September 2007, so I will do my best to remember everything that I can. I started writing my trip report soon after we got back but was sidetracked and never finished. After day 14 or so I unfortunately lost my notes and don't remember details but I'll post pictures and information on what I do. ((Sorry))
First a few side notes for you all
1. Our vacation was a total of 21 days, so this will be a long trip report and I will try to update it as often as I can.
2. Our trip also consists of a 5 day road trip and some time at universal studios and the beach. (sorry for those of you who hate universal)
3. There are NO pictures of us with the characters because we soon realized after arriving at the parks that our DD was terrified of them.
4. You will see very few pictures of myself because I avoid the camera at almost all cost.
Other then that please sit back and relax.
The cast
Me: I'm a 29 year old stay at home Mom. This is my 5th trip to disney world. My husband and I were married at the Poly in June of 2001. Every trip that I've taken to Disney was for a special occasion of some sort. My first trip was for my high school graduation in 1996, Second trip we took my DH best friend who was sadly dying from cancer,((that was the most memorable trip of course)) , 3rd trip was for my wedding and honeymoon, 4th trip was for my 2 year anniversary, and now this 5th trip is for my DD first visit. I planned every second of this trip myself while my husband worked very hard to pay for it.
DH: 31 years old. Investment Broker. Also his 5th trip to disney World. Best husband and Father in the world.
DD: 18mos old. The most friendly loving baby EVER. This is her first trip to Disney World. Went to DL when she was 6months old and loved it, so I was hopeful she would enjoy Disney even more now that she's one year older. I soon realized that was false and has since then become a big wuss. But ya gotta love her, and she still had a wonderful time
DC: 18years old. First trip to Disney World. Took a week off of school to join us for a week. Only made it because we agreed to pay for his hotel and some park tickets. Really needed him for an extra hand so it was worth it.
DG: (my dad) 47years old. First trip to Disney World. Lives in California so I only get to see him a few times a year. Flew in to meet us for 4 days.
Okay let's begin
~~~~September 12th
YAY!! Today was finally the day we were going on our worry free 3 week vacation. I woke up around 7:00am so I could try to hurry up and get ready before my DD woke up so there would be little interuption. DH was going to work for part of the day but luckily decided at the last minute to go ahead and take the day off so we could leave a little earlier.
9:30am: house sitter/dog sitter arrived. ((I'm so thankful for her, how many people would agree to watch your home and pets for 3 weeks?!?))
10:45am: All packed up and Ready to GO!
~~~ OKAY REYA ~ READY TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD???!!!~~~~
~~~ REYA trying to decided whether to take her bunny or Bear~~
~~~ She decided on bunny~~
After an hour and a half of driving we decided to stop and stretch our legs at a rest stop in Arriba Colorado?!?! Reya was so happy to get out of the car! She's an awesome rider and complained very little. The entire road trip we made sure to stop every one to two hours so she could run around and burn some off some energy, plus we made sure to have Sponge Bob playing on the DVD player non-stop while we were driving. ((amen to dvd players))
After using the facilites, walking, and playing tag for about 20mins we headed out on the open road again. After about another hour and half of driving we stopped in a place called Colby Kansas to refuel the car and our tummies. We ate at a McDonalds. I think this was the worst McDonalds EVER! When we walked up to the counter the lady standing there didn't greet us with a hello or even a smile. All she did was yell at the top of her lungs "I NEED SOMEONE UP AT THE COUNTER NOW!!!" Couple of seconds later an older man came up to the counter and took our order. The restaurant didn't seem to be the taken care of , and the food was horrible. Also, during the time we were eating some guy came in and started spraying pesticide on the floors under and around the tables... WHAT THE????
On top of the horrible service and food, Reya threw her bottle on the table and spilled my food all over me. I had mayo, mustard, and ketcup all over my shirt and pants. Geezz, vacation wasn't starting off too well.
After lunch we stopped at the one and only starbucks in town. We didn't see any other signs the entire way until we got into Georgia. ((INSANE))
Drove another hour and a half and stopped at a rest stop somewhere in kansas. The rest stop was icky and had bugs all over the place in the rest-room. Let Reya run around for awhile then headed off to our hotel which was about an hour away.
((to be continued))


Had a semi-long drive ahead of us. After about 2 hours we stopped at a rest stop somewhere in Kansas. Reya ran around to burn off some energy, as we ran around after her.
I asked him how in the world could he confuse the womans restroom with the mens ? He said he noticed there weren't any urinals right away, but didn't think anything of it, just thought it was a MO thing.
It wasn't my first choice, but there really wasn't much else around. Luckily this one was much better then the one in COLBY KS. People were much friendlier and the food was much better too. Reya got to have some ice cream for dessert, so she was a happy camper.
After our brief break we decided to walk over to the mall to see what they had for dinner.
I'm reading the 4th book right now, I'm so obsessed! I got to meet the author a couple of months ago, she's such an amazing writer!
and muffins, and DH had the same as me.
Reya absolutely had a ball, she laughed and laughed and laughed.
and loves to talk and be held by just about anyone.
Anyway, DD and the nice lady talked back and forth for a few minutes then we were seated. Reya and I shared the Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, french fries, and corn. Not sure what DH had?!?! I didn't think the food was anything special. I've had better and I've had worse, but you got a lot of food for what you pay for and that was nice. 
I drifted off to sleep.
The staff was not friendly, and I would not have stayed more then a couple of minutes if it weren't for all the other tourist around. After we left the ghetto we drove about 10miles down the interstate and stopped at the Florida Visitor Center. We let Reya walk around and play for a little while, gathered up some brochures and were on our way.
Reya was getting pissy and was obviously ready for bed so we hurried up ate and left.
((DW really needs to invest in those--they're everywhere at Universal and were a god-send)) Anyway~~ After a few minutes of sitting in the shade I decided to join Reya for a little while. DH went to get my $1000.00 camera to take a picture of DD and I. Reya and I were standing underneth some kind of deck/awning but my DH was not. A couple of seconds later while he's taking our pictures we hear someone screaming "WATCH OUT!!"" and this massive bucket of water poured on top of my husband, All I could do was stare with my mouth wide open repeating over and over.. (oh my god, oh my god, oh my god)! I thought DH was going to freak out, but he was nice and calm and collected about it. He went over to try to dry off my camera and himself. I was freaked out because I was thinking my camera was a ruined. Well, the thing still takes pictures, but from here on out all of the pictures have a weird little spot in the left hand corner.
~~

Now that I had my refreshment we could continue on our 5 mile walk to the car. Grrrrrrr.
It was pouring outside so we sat in the car until it stopped. We were seated on the top floor overlooking the rest of the restaurant. Will and I shared the appetizer sampler and Mike got the bacon cheeseburger, everything was pretty yummy.