The Disney Grump is taking me on a DREAM vacation! TR Link, pg 30

[MaryAz]

A big congrats to Justin!! Awesome!!! Hurray for a day in Atlanta. The hotel looks really nice. How nice of you to include a ballgame

 

[LilAnn]

Aww, I will definitely keep your BIL and family in my thoughts. The images and news reports are just crazy coming out of there. I hope they stay safe.

I don't think I'll be doing a February TR. Once again it was a character heavy trip, but there were definitely some awesome moments. I'll let you know if I change my mind. I did post about two of my absolute favorite moments frm our trip on my family blog, though. PM me if you want to read about them.

The stop off in Atlanta sounds fun! All of those activites look like fun and I think that as long as you are on your way away from home, it will be a fun outing!

 

[999ghostslover]

Lots of prayers! How unbelievable this all is.

I would pick the aquarium over the world of coke. WoC is kinda boring but the aquarium is incredible. That is my 2 cents. The Turner Field tour is really good. And try to get to Dante's Down the Hatch in Buckhead for dinner. There are tons of good places to eat in Atlanta but that is my favorite!

 

[MEK]

Thoughts and prayers to your BIL and family!

Congrats to Justin and his homeroom. What a great way to start the season.

Your little detour through Atlanta looks it will be a lot of fun. Hey - if your gonna drive, might as well get the most bang for your buck.

Baseball coaches - they know how to put the guilt trip on you, don't they?

 

[Happydog]

A cruise is something I'm seriously considering but am a bit on the fence about.

Get off that fence already!! LOL!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Your travel plans sound so fun! I actually didn't mind the driving either the times we have done it -- and though we tended to plow straight through, this time we will have the nice pit stop in Vero. But your adventure in Atlanta sounds fabulous!!! I think those are some great places to go! The aquarium would be my kids vote for sure, but I know it is hard to fit too much into one day! You end up not really seeing anything!

The Embassy suites have great amenities! Including happy hour...

 

[TanzUnited99]

Justin!! That's great!

Love your travel day plans - hope the driving goes ok.

How cool to stop in Atlanta - love the photos of the suites and that park sure looks beautiful

Good luck deciding between the World of Coke and Georgia Aquarium - they both sound great!

 

[photographymom517]

Hi Michelle! Loved the update!!!

Congrats to Justin!!! How exciting for him!!! And, of course, for his proud mommy too!

Your plans for the first day sound really great! When I was younger, we ALWAYS drove to Florida (about 10 times total). I think its an awesome idea to stop! We never stopped & just drove the entire way (about 20 hours!) and I always wondered why my parents never stopped. There are so many great cities along the way!

I think your day in Atlanta will be great! Very thoughtful of you to include a day for your husband! Him & the boys will definitely love the game & day in Atlanta!

Both of the choices sound great...I think that I would choose the World of Coke but thats just me! LOL The only reason is because I've been to a few aquariums in the Southern states so that would be something different to experience! They both sound amazing so I'm sure it will be hard for you to choose!

The pictures of the Embassy Suites & the park look amazing! Make sure to take lots of pictures in Atlanta to post on your TR for us to see!

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!!!

 

[cdotla]

Hi Trish!!!

You are so right on the park situation, if we get there and I try and talk him into going, or tell him I'm taking the boys for the day, he would NOT be happy, and I want him to be happy on this trip, you know, for future ammunition

Plus, I don't know about you, but if I only had a day or less in the parks, and obviously couldn't get "it all" done, I think I would rather simply stay at the resort, possibly head to another resort for dinner, or to DTD, and simply soak up the atmosphere and relax...you know, all the things you always want to do, but somehow never seem to find the time due to the call of the parks?

On another note - congrats to Justin! That is awesome!

And great way to justify a drive down with the Atlanta Braves game. Plus, Atlanta is such a great place to visit. I am sure you will have fun at either Coke or the Aquarium.

However....leaving before the game is over???? Are you crazy???!!!! I would love to see you try to drag Don and the boys out in the 3rd inning. However, I think you can still do an early departure. Just make Don swear that if you stay for the end of the game he promises to be up bright and early to hit the road the next morning. Plus, you could drive and let the boys sleep in the car. If you are anything like me, there is nothing like knowing you are heading to Disney to get the adrenaline rolling!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Congratulations to Justin! That is fabulous that he hit a home run! I bet you took lots of pictures of that run around the bases!

Hmmm, I feel like I have been to some of those places. Both the World of Coke and the Aquarium are great -- it would be a hard decision which one to do. You guys will love going to a Braves game -- it's always a lot of fun doing the Tomahawk chop during the games. If Don is a big Braves fan, he will want to keep an eye out for the fence in the parking lot (where the old Braves stadium used to be) where Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I think the Aquarium....
(Pepsi drinker here)

Awesome hit Jared! I know that had you on your feet!!!
Did anyone have it on tape? I'm sure he would love to see it!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Congrats on the homerun! Way to go!! Can't say I'm a big baseball fan but it's a sign of spring and that I definitely love!! And what a thrill it must be to hit a homerun! Of course if it were me, I'd be thrilled just to hit the ball!

Not sure I'm envious of a drive to WDW but I do think the stops you're incorporating sound great. I think I would vote for the acquarium over World of Coke but I'm not really sure what WoC is all about. Your boys are going to love the game!! I agree, getting them to leave the game early may be a challenge.

 

[kschafer]

Yay Justin...that's awesome!!

Sounds like a good start to your vacation...way to compromise

 

[Wicket's Mom]

So glad to hear that your step brother & family are ok. My son works for a Japanese firm & they must be really worried about their families & friends. One family that is back there has a son that they named after my husband. I do so hope that they are alright.

I hear that the Varsity is great for burgers & the Braves stadium is pretty cool. Two of my sons have been there for games, they are Reds fans. Congrats to your son's home run. I had so much fun at my son's games when he was in school. The one that wasn't so much fun is when he ran into the out field fence trying to catch a ball. He was knocked out & had a cut to his face that needed stitched. He got a ride in an ambulance for that one & a concussion also. His first words were did I make the catch. Boys!

 

[RachelNinja]

Ooo, you're going to have a fun "getting there" part of your trip report! If you take lots of pics during the drive and of every little thing that you do, even that becomes fun!

 

[MeMom]

Before I get started on the trip plans, I have to share a little life update. We've started baseball here and I have some bragging to do! Thursday night Justin hit a home run, 365 feet out of left center field!


Atlanta is about a 14 hour drive from here, so I'd love to get some of that behind us on Sunday!

I doubt we will stay for the whole game unless it is just really entertaining, because the next morning I want to be on the road by 6am and on our way to Orlando!

for the homerun!

14 hours is just part of the way? Ouch - that is a drive, for sure!
I know the guys will enjoy that baseball game, though.

 

[KatMark]

Justin, way to go! It's so neat when they hit that long home run when you know when it is going the minute it hits the bat.

We thought of driving too this trip, but with 150,000 mils on the car, it's just not doable. Mark has been to Turner Field and says it is really nice.

I vote for the Aquarium too.

 

[lovegrumpy]

Thats awsome about Justin. I so wish my boys still played baseball. On are move to DC we stoped in Atlanta for a couple days. We did the Georgia Aquarium and loved it. So far that has been the best one we have done.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Congrats to Justin on the homerun!!! Way to go

Wow that Olympic parks looks gorgeous!! Your plans look good. I bet the boys will love seeing everything there.

Doesn't the park look so pretty?! I want to see it both at night and during the day, hopefully I'll be able to!

Loving your plans so far! My Husband is also a HUGE Atlanta Braves fan and he swears our son (who is all of 7 weeks old) is too I sometimes wish we could do a road trip down to Disney and make fun stops like that on the way. However, it's over 1800 miles from where we live so that will have to wait until retirement time

Of course your DS is already a Braves fan Don swore our boys were too, but much to his dismay, they don't really have a specific team that they are fans of, they just love baseball in general.

We had initally planned on several stops, there and back, but budget and time put a stop to those plans!

1800 miles is a really loooong drive, I thought mine was bad!

A big congrats to Justin!! Awesome!!! Hurray for a day in Atlanta. The hotel looks really nice. How nice of you to include a ballgame

Well, I figured the trip couldn't just be all about me

Aww, I will definitely keep your BIL and family in my thoughts. The images and news reports are just crazy coming out of there. I hope they stay safe.

I don't think I'll be doing a February TR. Once again it was a character heavy trip, but there were definitely some awesome moments. I'll let you know if I change my mind. I did post about two of my absolute favorite moments frm our trip on my family blog, though. PM me if you want to read about them.

The stop off in Atlanta sounds fun! All of those activites look like fun and I think that as long as you are on your way away from home, it will be a fun outing!

I'd love to read your posts from your blog! PM me the link whenever you have a chance

I agree, I think either of our choices in Atlanta will be fun!

Lots of prayers! How unbelievable this all is.

I would pick the aquarium over the world of coke. WoC is kinda boring but the aquarium is incredible. That is my 2 cents. The Turner Field tour is really good. And try to get to Dante's Down the Hatch in Buckhead for dinner. There are tons of good places to eat in Atlanta but that is my favorite!

The pictures of the aquarium do look so cool! I'm just not sure we'd get our money's worth since we might be kind of pressed for time. About how long do you think it would take to see it? World of Coke was appealing to me for the tasting room alone, kind of reminds me of Club Cool at Epcot.

Thanks for the link to Dante's, it sounds kind of like The Melting Pot, which I love, but unfortunately Don does not I'll show him the menu though and see if I can talk him into it!

Thoughts and prayers to your BIL and family!

Congrats to Justin and his homeroom. What a great way to start the season.

Your little detour through Atlanta looks it will be a lot of fun. Hey - if your gonna drive, might as well get the most bang for your buck.

Baseball coaches - they know how to put the guilt trip on you, don't they?

Oh my gosh, Justin's coach is intense too!

I'm excited for our little detour, I think it'll be lots of fun!

Get off that fence already!! LOL!!!!

Your travel plans sound so fun! I actually didn't mind the driving either the times we have done it -- and though we tended to plow straight through, this time we will have the nice pit stop in Vero. But your adventure in Atlanta sounds fabulous!!! I think those are some great places to go! The aquarium would be my kids vote for sure, but I know it is hard to fit too much into one day! You end up not really seeing anything!

The Embassy suites have great amenities! Including happy hour...

That's what I'm afraid of with the aquarium, I'd hate to feel cheated because we didn't really have enough time to experience it, kwim? If we can just leave home on Sunday instead Monday I'll feel better, then we should have some time to do something when we arrive in Atlanta on Monday, and free up more time for Tuesday.

We love Embassy Suites, Don & I like happy hour, and the kids love the free breakfast. They are not big breakfast eaters at home, but put them in a hotel and they are all about rushing down in the morning for food

 

[SoonerGirl]

Justin!! That's great!

Love your travel day plans - hope the driving goes ok.

How cool to stop in Atlanta - love the photos of the suites and that park sure looks beautiful

Good luck deciding between the World of Coke and Georgia Aquarium - they both sound great!

I hope the driving goes ok too! I'm nervous about spending that much time trapped in a car with two boys whose favorite pastime is to annoy the other one

I think we'll have fun at either place, I may just let the kids decide instead of killing myself trying to figure out which one I'd rather do!

Hi Michelle! Loved the update!!!

Congrats to Justin!!! How exciting for him!!! And, of course, for his proud mommy too!

Your plans for the first day sound really great! When I was younger, we ALWAYS drove to Florida (about 10 times total). I think its an awesome idea to stop! We never stopped & just drove the entire way (about 20 hours!) and I always wondered why my parents never stopped. There are so many great cities along the way!

I think your day in Atlanta will be great! Very thoughtful of you to include a day for your husband! Him & the boys will definitely love the game & day in Atlanta!

Both of the choices sound great...I think that I would choose the World of Coke but thats just me! LOL The only reason is because I've been to a few aquariums in the Southern states so that would be something different to experience! They both sound amazing so I'm sure it will be hard for you to choose!

The pictures of the Embassy Suites & the park look amazing! Make sure to take lots of pictures in Atlanta to post on your TR for us to see!

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!!!

Orlando is just over 20 hours for us too, that is such a looong time!

If we had more time (and little more cash ) I wanted to stop in several places, driving one way there and taking another route on the way home. There is so much to see between here and there!

World of Coke would be a different experience. We have an aquarium not far from us in Tulsa that we've been too, although it is not nearly as large or as nice as the one in Atlanta, and a few years ago we went to the one in Monterey. That was a really, really nice aquarium. I keep going back and forth in my mind as to which I'd rather do, I probably won't decide until we get there.

You know me, there will be lots of pictures!

Plus, I don't know about you, but if I only had a day or less in the parks, and obviously couldn't get "it all" done, I think I would rather simply stay at the resort, possibly head to another resort for dinner, or to DTD, and simply soak up the atmosphere and relax...you know, all the things you always want to do, but somehow never seem to find the time due to the call of the parks?

On another note - congrats to Justin! That is awesome!

And great way to justify a drive down with the Atlanta Braves game. Plus, Atlanta is such a great place to visit. I am sure you will have fun at either Coke or the Aquarium.

However....leaving before the game is over???? Are you crazy???!!!! I would love to see you try to drag Don and the boys out in the 3rd inning. However, I think you can still do an early departure. Just make Don swear that if you stay for the end of the game he promises to be up bright and early to hit the road the next morning. Plus, you could drive and let the boys sleep in the car. If you are anything like me, there is nothing like knowing you are heading to Disney to get the adrenaline rolling!

You know, you're right about the parks, I think with just one day, or a day & half, I'd leave feeling cheated And yes, I always wish we had spent more time at the resort at the end of a trip. This will be a perfect time to just enjoy a resort I've always wanted to stay at!

I've never been to Atlanta, well outside of the airport that is, so I'm really looking forward to seeing it!

Oh.my.gosh! NO WAY would I try to get them to leave in the 3rd inning! I was thinking more like after the 7th

Don isn't much of a morning person when on vacation, he's already not going to be happy about my early departure plans. I may have to drive and let him nap

Congratulations to Justin! That is fabulous that he hit a home run! I bet you took lots of pictures of that run around the bases!

Hmmm, I feel like I have been to some of those places. Both the World of Coke and the Aquarium are great -- it would be a hard decision which one to do. You guys will love going to a Braves game -- it's always a lot of fun doing the Tomahawk chop during the games. If Don is a big Braves fan, he will want to keep an eye out for the fence in the parking lot (where the old Braves stadium used to be) where Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run.

I wish I had pictures of the home run Jackie It was a 4:30 game and I had been at Jared's school most of the afternoon doing PTA stuff, we left straight from there up to Justin's game. I didn't even think to grab my camera when I left the house that day.

I thought you might recognize a few things in that update I was counting on you to tell me whether we should do the Aquarium or WoC though! Thanks for the tip about the fence, I put it in my notes, the boys will be impressed by that as well!

I think the Aquarium....
(Pepsi drinker here)

Awesome hit Jared! I know that had you on your feet!!!
Did anyone have it on tape? I'm sure he would love to see it!

Well, we are Coke drinkers in this house! Besides, Don hasn't had the pleasure of trying Beverly yet

Unfortunately noone had a camera, video or otherwise, at the game. It was a really early game and most people came straight from work.

Congrats on the homerun! Way to go!! Can't say I'm a big baseball fan but it's a sign of spring and that I definitely love!! And what a thrill it must be to hit a homerun! Of course if it were me, I'd be thrilled just to hit the ball!

Not sure I'm envious of a drive to WDW but I do think the stops you're incorporating sound great. I think I would vote for the acquarium over World of Coke but I'm not really sure what WoC is all about. Your boys are going to love the game!! I agree, getting them to leave the game early may be a challenge.

Yes, baseball is usually a sign of spring, but it sure didn't feel like spring yesterday while I was freezing my butt off at the ballpark for 8 hours!

We'll just have to wait and see how it goes at the Braves game, we've been to a few major league games and they can drag on forever! I haven't had trouble getting them to leave some of them early. Of course, none of those games involved my husband's favorite team