"To Disney & Beyond" ~ Road Trip 2010 ~ Final Drive & Final Thoughts

[Spartangirl]

Sunday, August 1, 2010
On the road again...

"On the road again,
Just can't wait to get on the road again..."

Is the song stuck in your head yet?

We got up, packed up, and were headed to breakfast by around 7:30 a.m. Chris got the Bounty Breakfast which had eggs, a biscuit, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and a Mickey waffle. I had a ham and cheese omelet. Sounds pretty boring compared to his choice, huh? LOL! Up to this point in time, I had been doing so well with taking food pics, but I must have gotten completely wrapped up with packing because I forgot to bring my camera to breakfast.

After finishing up our meals, we headed back to our room to get our luggage so that we could check out and hit the road. But we couldn't leave before taking a couple more pictures of our pretty view.

Checking out was painless. It took about a minute and the CM said, "Make sure you come back and see us again real soon!" We both chimed in, "Don't worry, we will!"

Usually, I get really sad when it's time to leave WDW, but today was a little different. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't happy about leaving, but I had new adventures to look forward to because we still had a week left of our road trip.

We got in our car and pulled out of our resort around 8:45 a.m. We stopped for gas and grabbed a bite to eat around 11:30 and hit the Georgia border by noon. We continued our travels and made the South Carolina border just before 2:00 p.m.

At around 3:30, I put in a call to the T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station to see if our tour was going to happen in the next two days. I got an answering machine so I left a message. Chris and I were keeping our fingers crossed that enough people had booked the tour so that it would happen. At around 4:30 we got a call saying that our tour was a go! To say we were excited was an understatement!!!

Around 5:30 p.m. we pulled into the parking garage of the Hampton Inn and Suites in Myrtle Beach. This would be our home for the next few nights. We went up to our room on the 2nd floor and were pleased with what we saw.

Chris and I checked out our oceanview balcony and found the views to be gorgeous.

Then we decided to head down and take a quick look at the beach. We were really excited about having some down time after so much running around at WDW.

And here's a view of our hotel from the beach...

After our long day of travel, we were a bit hungry and headed out to Broadway at the Beach.

Our restaurant of choice was Margaritaville.

We were told the wait time was an hour and 45 minutes. Normally, we wouldn't have waited, but we were on vacation and there were tons of shops to browse at Broadway at the Beach.

As we were exploring, we did find comic relief in something we called the "Human Hamster Ball on Water." LOL! Check out this video clip...we couldn't stop laughing!!!


While waiting, we also enjoyed listening to singers at the bar outside of Margaritaville. Soon enough, it was time to head inside. We were happy and relieved!

We knew that we liked our server immediately upon meeting him...he easily could have fit into our circle of friends back home! Chris and I were able to joke around with him and have fun from the get-go! I ordered a strawberry margarita to start with!

Did I mention that our server also bartends? Well, he made my drink especially good!

We both decided to order burgers...I got the Cheeseburger in Paradise and Chris had the Backyard BBQ Burger.

Both were quite good and hit the spot! We ended up getting along so well with our server that he ended up sitting down and chatting with us a couple of times during our meal. Between our conversation and the fantastic cover band that was playing, this was turning into a fantastic night! But we had one more surprise yet to come...Chris had just ordered a coke with dinner, but near the end of the meal, our server stopped by with a beer. He explained that he had messed up someone's drink order and that he would have to "throw it away" if we didn't accept it "on the house." He promptly smiled, left it, and walked away!

At the end of our meal our server said he enjoyed meeting us and that it was an absolute pleasure to serve us. He then proceeded to give us his schedule for the rest of the week and said to come back and visit if we had the chance. He truly made our night and the LONG wait to get in the restaurant was overlooked and forgotten. Needless to say, he got a HUGE tip. We like to spread the magic too!

Up Next: Relaxation...FINALLY!

 

[Aburns8]

Hey Lynn!

I am finally back and am updated on your report! In your Epcot pictures it looked like no one was there! This past week it was crazy. On Saturday there was 44,000 people at Epcot and it was hard to walk around. Unlike your trip, I could use some relaxation after being at Disney World.

I love Margaritaville! We have been to the one in Vegas and New Orleans. They have a really good cheeseburger! Your room looked great as well! Can't wait to hear about your relaxation. I am glad that things are getting back to normal for you! And go Spartans (even though I didn't go there).

Andrea

 

[Charleston Princess]

Gorgeous view from your room! Gotta love an oceanview! Your server sounds amazing! What a great meal!

 

[Tracy161]

Sounds like your post-Disney experiences are going to be great as well! I LOVE Jimmy Buffett and was so happy to see that you went to Margaritaville, I've been to the one in Key West and LOVED it!!!

 

[Shannon84]

Im so sad you are done at WDW, but so excited you have more adventures! And Myrtle Beach is where I went to college, so it is fun to see pictures of familiar places like Broadway at the Beach!!! I LOVE Margartiaville there, I swear there is ALWAYS a long wait for that place but it looks like it was worth the wait for you guys!

Your hotel view looks amazing!! So excited to read more

 

[Jennifer48]

That has to be the best check-out-of-WDW-day I've ever heard! Cool!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I can see why you weren't so sad to leave Walt Disney World. Your next destination looked absolutely beautiful. Myrtle Beach looks gorgeous and I can't wait to see more pictures of it.

I can't believe the wait for dinner was almost two hours. Wow! But, it sounds like there were more than enough things to look at while passing the time.

 

[MeMom]

It took about a minute and the CM said, "Make sure you come back and see us again real soon!" We both chimed in, "Don't worry, we will!"

It's such a nice thought to know that even though you are leaving, you are also coming back again and again and again.

Usually, I get really sad when it's time to leave WDW, but today was a little different. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't happy about leaving, but I had new adventures to look forward to because we still had a week left of our road trip.

It would surely make it easier to go knowing you had more fun in store before getting completely back into the real world.

Then we decided to head down and take a quick look at the beach. We were really excited about having some down time after so much running around at WDW.

The relaxing part is a nice element of a Disney trip. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, and finally - rest.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Just back from our cruise, trying to catch up. I loved all your hats at Epcot! So fun! I'm glad you have another week of your trip, it's so fun to travel with you two! Myrtle Beach looks amazing. I was there as a tiny girl, but I only remember picking up shells Your pics make me want to visit there for sure! Sounds like a great night at Margaritaville!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Well if you have to leave WDW, heading directly to the beach is the way to do it!

I've seen those human hamster balls before, they've had races with them at half time of OU basketball games in the past - they are so stinkin' funny!

Your server sounds awesome! What a great way to finish the day!

 

[Spartangirl]

Hey Lynn!

Hey Andrea!

I am finally back and am updated on your report!

Thanks for continuing to read! Did you have a great trip?

In your Epcot pictures it looked like no one was there! This past week it was crazy. On Saturday there was 44,000 people at Epcot and it was hard to walk around.

It did feel as if no one was there...I couldn't believe it, but I definitely wasn't complaining. 44,000 people? Oh my gosh!

Unlike your trip, I could use some relaxation after being at Disney World.

I can only imagine!

I love Margaritaville! We have been to the one in Vegas and New Orleans. They have a really good cheeseburger!

I love Margaritaville too...we had been to the ones in Vegas and Orlando before checking the Myrtle Beach one out...they are so much fun! You're right...the cheeseburgers are fantastic!

Your room looked great as well! Can't wait to hear about your relaxation.

Our room was really great. The hotel was one of the newer ones and happened to be in a "quieter" section of the beach. That was so nice for us!

I am glad that things are getting back to normal for you!

Thank you...me too!

And go Spartans (even though I didn't go there).
Andrea

Awww...thanks! I hope they continue to play well this year! This is the best start that I can EVER remember them having!

Gorgeous view from your room! Gotta love an oceanview!

Thanks, Jackie! Isn't that the truth? It was so nice to grab a cup of coffee and sit out on the balcony each morning. Total relaxation...

Your server sounds amazing! What a great meal!

He was fantastic...totally upbeat and fun! I'm so glad we waited for that meal...

 

[Spartangirl]

Sounds like your post-Disney experiences are going to be great as well!

Yes! I definitely have some fun experiences still to share, Tracy!

I LOVE Jimmy Buffett and was so happy to see that you went to Margaritaville, I've been to the one in Key West and LOVED it!!!

We had a blast!!! We've been to the ones in Vegas and Orlando prior to this one..........oh, Key West! I definitely have that on my list of places to visit!!!

Im so sad you are done at WDW, but so excited you have more adventures!

I know...I guess it had to come to an end sometime...but I do have tons more to share!

And Myrtle Beach is where I went to college, so it is fun to see pictures of familiar places like Broadway at the Beach!!!

I didn't know you went to college there...very cool! Broadway at the Beach was pretty fun...we don't have anything like that around here, so it was a nice change of pace for us!

I LOVE Margartiaville there, I swear there is ALWAYS a long wait for that place but it looks like it was worth the wait for you guys!

I bet there is always a long line there...that was the most fun we've EVER had at a Margaritaville and we've loved every single one we've been too! It was well worth the wait!

Your hotel view looks amazing!! So excited to read more

It was pretty spectacular...I can't complain! It was so nice to wake up and see the ocean!

 

[Spartangirl]

That has to be the best check-out-of-WDW-day I've ever heard! Cool!

Awww...thanks, Jennifer! Usually I feel like I'm fighting back tears as we leave...this time I knew we had new adventures yet to come!

I can see why you weren't so sad to leave Walt Disney World. Your next destination looked absolutely beautiful. Myrtle Beach looks gorgeous and I can't wait to see more pictures of it.

Myrtle Beach was fantastic!!! The views from our hotel were so beautiful...I think that it helped that we were on more of a "quiet section" of the beach. That was fine with me!

I can't believe the wait for dinner was almost two hours. Wow! But, it sounds like there were more than enough things to look at while passing the time.

I know...2 hours is something that we NEVER usually do. There were shops galore at the boardwalk, singers to listen to, and fantastic people watching! So, the time went really fast! I really was glad we waited...our dining experience was so much fun!

It's such a nice thought to know that even though you are leaving, you are also coming back again and again and again.

I agree completely!!! We don't have anything on our calendar yet, but I'm hoping it won't be too long until WDW has found a home on it!

It would surely make it easier to go knowing you had more fun in store before getting completely back into the real world.

I think that's the only thing that made leaving a bit easier. Usually I'm fighting back tears, but knowing that we still had a portion of our trip left made it a lot easier.

The relaxing part is a nice element of a Disney trip. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, and finally - rest.

YES!

 

[Spartangirl]

Just back from our cruise, trying to catch up.

Glad you made it back safe and sound...did you have a nice trip?

I loved all your hats at Epcot! So fun!

Thanks...we do like to live it up!

I'm glad you have another week of your trip, it's so fun to travel with you two!

Awww...thanks, Tammie!

Myrtle Beach looks amazing. I was there as a tiny girl, but I only remember picking up shells Your pics make me want to visit there for sure!

It was very pretty...I really enjoyed the few days that we spent there!

Sounds like a great night at Margaritaville!

It was an absolute blast!

Well if you have to leave WDW, heading directly to the beach is the way to do it!

Exactly what we were thinking as we planned our trip!

I've seen those human hamster balls before, they've had races with them at half time of OU basketball games in the past - they are so stinkin' funny!

Oh my gosh...that was the first that either Chris or I had seen of them. The line was quite long in people wanting to try them...I can't imagine putting myself through that!

Your server sounds awesome! What a great way to finish the day!

He was so funny and upbeat! He truly made our night!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Monday, August 2, 2010
Relaxation...FINALLY!

Today was different than any other day...after being on vacation for just over a week, we finally slept in. We left the blinds open just a little for the potential of a sunrise picture over the ocean. With the cloud cover over the coast, it didn't happen. However, I was able to capture a couple of cool looking pictures before crawling back into bed.

We finally rolled out of bed just before 9:00 a.m. and shortly after, headed down to breakfast, which was included in our stay.

After eating, we wanted to hit the water. Our hotel had 4 pools and 2 lazy rivers, but being at Myrtle Beach, we wanted to hit the ocean. Here is the one picture we took before heading down.

Chris and I spent almost 3 hours in the surf and sun, splashing around and riding the waves. The water was a perfect temperature and the outside temperature was in the mid-80s. We couldn't have asked for any better!

When we returned to our room, we spent a good deal of time sitting in the rocking chairs on our balcony and people watching. It was so nice to finally have a chance to relax.

Soon, we showered, got dressed, and headed back to Broadway at the Beach to get some dinner. Here is a picture we took before heading out. Remember I mentioned that I normally wear my hair straight? I know you probably don't believe me with the pics you've seen in this report, but this is pre-humidity.

I know that I've mentioned my hair a couple of times in this TR...the fact is, Chris teased me about it our whole trip...it seems to take on a life of its own with the humid weather!!! Oh well, what can you do?

At Broadway at the Beach, we decided to eat at Senor Frogs.

We had found a coupon in one of the books from our hotel that offered a FREE "Chef's Nachos" with the purchase of an entree. Being that neither one of us had eaten at Senor Frogs before, we decided to check it out. Here are the nachos.

We decided to split steak and chicken fajitas as our entree.

The meal was pretty good and we were definitely full afterwards. The atmosphere in Senor Frogs is very loud and fun and we had a great time!

After our meal, we decided to walk around and soak up the atmosphere of Broadway at the Beach.

Then it was time to shop! As a woman, I LOVE shoes...but you might be surprised to hear that Chris likes shoes just about as much as I do (Of course he doesn't have nearly as many as I do. ). We both take a huge liking to sandals and flip flops...with as much as we wear them, you'd think that we live in a place that's warmer much longer during the year...not Michigan!

So, even being on vacation, what do we end up shopping for? Flip flops! We headed into Ron Jon's surf shop and Chris found some Sanuks.

We also checked out Tsunami where I found some Reefs.

Here are our new purchases...

We walked around for a little longer and then decided to head 9 miles up the road to do some more shopping! We were told that there were some good deals to be found at the Tanger Outlets. So we headed there and guess what we found?

A DISNEY outlet!!!

And it gets better...remember how we were trying to find something "Cars related" for our nephew? We hit the jackpot here! Chris and I found toddler sized swim trunks and a matching sun protection shirt on the CLEARANCE rack! Woo-hoo!

We were in great spirits already, but "that find" put us over the top! We browsed a few more stores and then I saw it...the COACH store! I think the lights were shining down from the Heavens...handbags are on par with shoes for me!

Yep, I bought something! We have Coach stores and an outlet not too far from us, but I never see deals anywhere close to what I paid. Here's my new purchase! I had Chris hold it up and he was "oh so thrilled!" However, I was on cloud nine!

We decided to call it a night early, because tomorrow was our big day with the animals.

Up Next: Experience of a Lifetime

 

[Tracy161]

Woohoo for your great shopping finds!!! Love the flip flops and the bag! I was wondering when the picture on the left side of your signature would pop up in the trip...

 

[SoonerGirl]

What a perfect day, lounging at the beach followed by my favorite pastime - shopping for shoes and purses!

I love Reef flip flops, I have two pair and they are ridiculously comfortable! And, I'm in with your bag. I have the same weakness as you I'm afraid...

Congrats on finding something Cars related for your nephew - who knew Myrtle Beach would have a better selection than WDW?!

 

[Shannon84]

Sounds like you guys had a blast at the beach and just relaxing in your room I LOVE the outlets there...isn't it funny though they are so hit or miss...I am glad you guys found some great deals. I had no clue there was a disney outlet there, that is AWESOME!! There used to be a disney store here in Richmond, I was so sad when that closed

 

[Aburns8]

Thanks for continuing to read! Did you have a great trip?

The trip was great! We might go in May for the D23 Destination D. We won't even go to the parks, just relax and go to the conference. I am going to start the trip report next weekend.

I loved the pictures of the palm trees! We don't have a lot of them down here. I love your Coach purchase! Once I get another 20% coupon in the mail I am heading up to the outlets in Williamsburg to buy a new purse. I really need one!

 

[Spartangirl]

Woohoo for your great shopping finds!!! Love the flip flops and the bag!

Thanks so much, Tracy!

I was wondering when the picture on the left side of your signature would pop up in the trip...

It FINALLY made an appearance!

What a perfect day, lounging at the beach followed by my favorite pastime - shopping for shoes and purses!

That was exactly my thinking too!

I love Reef flip flops, I have two pair and they are ridiculously comfortable! And, I'm in with your bag. I have the same weakness as you I'm afraid...

That was my 3rd pair of Reefs...they are great, aren't they? Have you ever tried Sanuks...they are nice too...especially the yoga mat ones....so comfy! It's definitely my downfall...whenever I start looking at purses, Chris tries to steer me in the other direction!

Congrats on finding something Cars related for your nephew - who knew Myrtle Beach would have a better selection than WDW?!

Thank you...I was SO excited! Who would have thought!?!?