The Beach, A Savanna, and The FLU - May June Trip Report

[AlohaAnnie]

Hello! Everyone

We are back and things are finally settled down a bit, so I can come play here on the DISboards!


This will be my first trip report, so I am sure there will be a learning curve , please bear with me along this journey.

Our trip was from Thursday, May 27 through Saturday June 12, 2010.

Here is a link to the PTR - THE PTR

Here is the Cast!!!

2008 Disney Vacation Pic

Me!!! Tina - I am a Home Daycare Provider and Love Love Disney like most of the folks here on the DIS!

My Loving Husband - Shawn He is a Project Manager, and I sometimes think he loves Disney more than I do and the kids combined.

My Wonderful Son, Aaron. He is 13, he secretly loves Disney but lives in denial because of his age.

and finally....

Our Princess, Allison, she is 8 going on 16, if you know what I mean seriously, she is a very sweet girl and I have been blessed with a wonderful daughter.


I hope everyone joins me for this ride!!! We had a wonderful time and I would love to share it with all of you. Please excuse me if my updates are not timely. Thank you in advance for your patience

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Table of Contents:

Thursday, May 27, 2010 - HappyO's and Apple Delicious!!!!​

Hello Atlanta!!!Part 1 Friday, May 28, 2010​

Love those AP discounts!! Part 2 Friday, May 28, 2010​

It's the Castle!! Part 3 Friday, May 28, 2010​

Wishes!! Part 4 Friday, May 28, 2010​

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey Tina! I'd love to join you as you relive your Disney vacation!

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Hi! I am new(ish) to the Boards but I stumbled across your PTR. I notice you stayed at AKV; we are thrilled to be going to AKL in September, so I thought I would sub to your report. My oldest DD is 8 as well.

 

[Goofy442]

Joining in.... That's funny about your DS, mine loves Disney and can't wait to go back. He will tell all his friends where he is going, and most want to come along.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

I'll join in!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Leaving Day ​

One week before leaving:

We are driving on this trip so 1 week before we left for Disney, we took our van in for maintence. Oil change, tire rotation, check and inspect all fluids, belts, hoses, and tires. We also had air filter replace, there was a recall for the radiator cap and all fluids we topped off. We found a nail in the tire over that weekend and had to take it back and get the tire patched and found out that a second nail was found in another tire. We are thankful we found those nails and did not end up with a flat on the highways.

Two days before leaving:

I filled up the gas tank and started doing laundry on a daily basis.

One Day before leaving:

I had the kids pack their backpacks of things to do on the trip. Allison brought 2 movies, a book, and her DS, games, and charger.

Aaron brought his laptop, his DSi, DS, and gameboy plus games and game guides.

I also finished up last minute packing and made sure we had everything we needed.

We had a huge pile of things and Shawn was not happy. He felt I packed too much.

I must admit now that we are back, I did pack too much. Allison did not like the dresses and skirts I bought her she mainly wore shorts. Since we are DVC members, it was easy to do laundry. I promise not to bring skirts for Allison on our next trip.

I also brought a small travel size of dish soap, we did not need it. Once again, that is supplied for DVC members out of their yearly dues. There we also a few other things that I brought that I did not need. I am going to try to evaluate what I bring for our next trip.

Now, let's get on with Leaving Day.


On Thursday, May 27, 2010 - It's is time to go to DISNEY WORLD!!!! We are so excited, but we have to wait all day............because I had to work and so did Shawn. Luckily, I work from home. So I packed the van, filled the cooler with Ice and drinks, took a picture of the van packed, the countdown calendar and got rid of all the food or milk that would expire while we were gone.

back of van loaded

Countdown calendar


Around 1:00pm, I receive a text message from Aaron at school. (Aaron's middle school allows the kids on occasion to have electronics at school on special days, since it was the last day of school he was allowed to take an electronic and he chose his cell phone).

A Text Message: I am bored!
Mine: Sorry to hear that.
A: Can't wait to leave.
Mine: I am excited too!
Mine: Want Dad to come get you early?
A: YES!
Mine: Dad is on his way.

Aaron was picked up from school and home by 1:30pm. I know! I know!

We picked up Allison from school at 3pm and we were on the road by 3:20pm!

Off to Disney we go!!


Then we ran into this and I took this wonderful video of the event (just click on the pic below):

SERIOUSLY!!!! ​

It only go worse for a while. Traffic was very slow moving and the weather conditions were not good for a while.

The kids decided to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakqual.

We stopped in Jeffersonville, Indiana for dinner at Chickfila. and continued down the road.

Hello Kentucky!!!

Now, I can't remember where we ran into this! If it was before Kentucky, or after Nashville, or before Nashville but after Kentucky, who knows??

Dinosaur World!!!

We just missed it!!!!



Hello! Nashville!

Somewhere on the highway, I seen this and felt is was so funny!

I found my HappyO's, I was on my way to Disney World!!!

and it is Apple Delicious! Yummy! To be on our way to Disney World!!

Shawn thought it was lame but I like it

About 45 minutes before we reached our destination. A Hampton Inn in Chattanooga, Tennesse. Traffic came to a standstill and was barely creeping along. We were wondering is this an accident or road construction or what??? We were so tired, it was 10pm at night. Allison was complaining how tired she was.....blah....blah...get the torture over with.

So, we found out the reason for traffic was because they were repaving the road at night and traffic was going down to one lane. When it was our turn to drive on the one lane, we got to see Old Bessie from Disney Cars. She was repaving the road but alas, No Lightening McQueen.

Down the Mountain, in and out of Tennessee, then Georgia, Then Tennesse and we arrived at The Hampton Inn around 11pm. We checked in and off to sleep we went. With dreams of arriving at Disney the next day!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Hey Tina! I'd love to join you as you relive your Disney vacation!

Thanks!! It is nice to have readers along for the trip :Welcome:

Hi! I am new(ish) to the Boards but I stumbled across your PTR. I notice you stayed at AKV; we are thrilled to be going to AKL in September, so I thought I would sub to your report. My oldest DD is 8 as well.

You will love AKL, it is very beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice. So you know all about the 8 year old girl mind. Allison will be 9, July 24.

Joining in.... That's funny about your DS, mine loves Disney and can't wait to go back. He will tell all his friends where he is going, and most want to come along.

He tells them but acts like it is not all that, but when he is there he has a blast. I think it is his age plus he has to participate in so of his sister's girl activities.

I'll join in!

Glad you can make it!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just read your latest update. I had to chuckle because your departure day sounded just like mine. I had to work too and the day just drug on and on. Then, when we finally left, it was raining!

Looking forward to your next installment.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Wonderful update! Your DS looks so happy! And your daughter looks very...relaxed. Traveling is so tiresome - sorry you had all of that rain and then the delays from rd construction. But hey, you got to see Bessie!

Can't wait to see what the next day brings.

 

[luvfigment]

Jumping on boards...your title caught my eye. Looking forward to reading about your trip.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Just read your latest update. I had to chuckle because your departure day sounded just like mine. I had to work too and the day just drug on and on. Then, when we finally left, it was raining!

Looking forward to your next installment.

The Rain....was a disappointment and it slowed us down a bit. The anticipation had built all day and when we finally get on the road, RAIN!
Hopefully, I will have time for the next installment on Friday

Wonderful update! Your DS looks so happy! And your daughter looks very...relaxed. Traveling is so tiresome - sorry you had all of that rain and then the delays from rd construction. But hey, you got to see Bessie!

Can't wait to see what the next day brings.

It was all worth it to see Betsy! I was laughing and wished I had the Camera out and I could have caught that picture. It would have been great for the Trip Report. The kids were very happy and Allison was relaxed just for the picture. She was eating candy which always makes her happy.

Jumping on boards...your title caught my eye. Looking forward to reading about your trip.

Glad my title caught your eye. The title explains our trip to a degree but that is not all that happened, someone did get sick but I will let you know who later!

 

[mdsouth]

Hi,

I live in central Illinois so I am very familiar with the route you took. Usually we go through southern Illinois but we have also gone through Indiana too. We usually stop around Chattanooga or try to make it to Marietta Georgia (outside of Atlanta).

My kids are close in age to yours too so I am looking forward to reading your TR. My son is 13 and my DD is seven.

 

[Angies1274]

Hi! Just noticed you started your TR...YAY! Can't wait to read all about your trip!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Finally, I got to come back here and post part of the next day of the Trip Report! So sad that I have to be responsible, I would rather be here on the DIS.

Anyway to continue with the trip report!


Friday, May 28, 2010

We woke up around 5:30am at the Hampton Inn in Chattanooga, TN we took our time getting dressed and had the free breakfast at the Hampton Inn. I was not very good and I would have paid for breakfast anywhere else, if I would have know.

The previous evening we had seen a couple checking in the Hampton Inn at the same time we were. Their children were alot younger than ours and they were caring around a stuffed Woody and Buzz. I told Shawn that they were probably heading to Disney. The next morning we seen them eating breakfast too.

We ended up on the road around 7:10am, we were all so excited and ready to be at Disney. We had not seen our Magical Happy Place for a year after all.

We stopped for gas around 10am and noticed a van the same model and color as ours. Who else did we see? The couple with the little kids had also stopped for gas at the same station. Shawn is the type to strike up a conversation with anyone (I love this about him). So he says Hi, and they guy starts talking to him. They also recognize us and low and behold they are also headed to Disney! Just too COOL!

Hello! ATLANTA!

It was so exciting seeing the palm trees in Florida, I have always wanted to buy a palm tree and bring it home with me but I do not think it would live in our cold Indiana weather.

We finally made it to Disney between 3:30pm and 4pm.

Don't you just love this sign!!!

We are finally at the Happiest Place on Earth!!!

another update on the way.......

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Hi,

I live in central Illinois so I am very familiar with the route you took. Usually we go through southern Illinois but we have also gone through Indiana too. We usually stop around Chattanooga or try to make it to Marietta Georgia (outside of Atlanta).

My kids are close in age to yours too so I am looking forward to reading your TR. My son is 13 and my DD is seven.

Thanks for joining me. So you know what I am talkin about the drive! It is nice that our kids are close in age and the same boy first and then girl.

Hi! Just noticed you started your TR...YAY! Can't wait to read all about your trip!

Thanks for joining me!!

 

[Later_Mater2009]

YAY you made it!! looking forward to another update

 

[RachelNinja]

Hi! I'm here!

Every time I see a pic of a countdown calendar, I really want to make one myself! Maybe when DBF and I get married, we'll make one! I'm REALLY excited to have our kiddies use it.

 

[Bridora]

Hey! I'm coming along for your trip, too!

Ugh, I don't like driving for a long time in the rain. It just makes the trip longer...

Hooray for the Disney World sign!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Isn't that neat/weird/cool that the other family was also going to Disney and that you saw them a couple of times?!?!

Disney signs always make me smile. Some even make me cry.