V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N we're gonna have a ball!

[debbie655]

Is anyone getting as excited as I am? I just realized we leave in three weeks and I can't wait! The weather here in NY is finally getting spring/summerlike and I think I have SPRING FEVER. I don't know what it is about going to Orlando, we've been going almost every year for the last 10 years and I'm still as excited as the first time. Each year, we have something new to experience. Last year, it was our stay at the RPR. The resort had opened a few weeks before and every day I would print out the reviews and sit outside with my coffee in the mornings and read them--over and over every day until we left..LOL. This year it will be the Gaylord Palms (and RP), I got a great rate thanks to someone on these boards. Oh, I just can't wait to go to Goodings on our first day (a yearly ritual) eat at Margaritaville, lounge by the pool, walk around the Disney marketplace, we may even visit HIFS and have a rootbeer float for old times sake..LOL..
Notice I didn't even mention the parks, I don't even have to go to Disney or Universal to have a good time, of course we will though. Oh, the only thing I am NOT excited about is the two day drive from NY...ugh..! So is anyone else excited????

 

[Rodrigo]

I'm going to Orlando on a Business / Vacations travel. I will be attending a conference in August, in the Gaylord Palms Hotel. Can you tell me what was the rate you obtained for this hotel (and how)? Thanks!

 

[debbie655]

The rate I got was $129 for July 4 and 5 which was posted by someone on the boards here. Not sure any specials in August but someone here may know.

 

[mjkwt]

Hey Debbie

I leave in 8 days from SE Pennsylvania. Leaving 6 pm sharp on the 20th and plan to arrive in Orlando by 10 am on Sat. We drive straight through all night and switch drivers. Taking no kids with us this time. Yes I feel alittle guilty, but we are going with friends who are disney nuts and have no kids. Plus we haven't had a vacation alone in about 6 years. We are staying 3 nights at Universal at the Radisson Maingate and 5 nights at PO Riverside. I am getting very excited, counting the hours. I hope you have a blast on your trip also!

 

[debbie655]

Hope you have a wonderful time! That is some drive isn't it? Ours is even longer because we're in NY AND hubby makes us stop a zillion times..ugh, I don't even wanna think about it. But yet, we do it every year (I am afraid to fly). Good for you being able to get away without kids, I don't see that happening for me in the near future. My kids range in age from 9-23, the oldest is now married and he's coming along with his new wife..LOL.

 

[mjkwt]

Yes, being away from the kids will be a nice break, now I just need to keep my wife off the cell phone for those 8 days so we dont ring up too high of bills. My kids are 9, 5, & 2. But we are planning on going either next year or the following with them. The 2 yr old will be aliitle bit easier to handle then without the diapers. Of course the stroller does serve its purpose carrying the water and snacks.

Well have a good time and Lets pray that it doesnt RAIN!!!! Please, I know that we are both tired of it.

 

[LisaRay]

We are getting excited too! We leave next friday the 19th! And we aren't even going to Disney!! I know it seems unbelievable and i still can't believe it's true. However, we did disney in the summer once before and my DH said never in the summer again! I agreed with him we just don't go for heat and crowds. And we hate to spend the $$ on the passes and not feel like we have maximized them like we do off season.

We just went to disney in Jan. for a week and we are going this time for a convention. We were planning on driving to Florida for a week at the beach this summer but when this came up we desided to combine the trips. So it will be 6 nights in orlando ( on the companys dollar!!) with lost of pool time, some very nice meals, downtown disney, resort hopping, outlet shopping, and the kids are asking for one day at sea world so maybe that.
Then its down to marco island for 5 days. with more swimming and eating!
Just typed out my packing list today.
And i'm thinking i need to start planning a real disney trip for Nov/Dec!!

 

[debbie655]

mjkwt- Isn't that the truth about the rain!!! This is been the strangest spring, it's only started getting warm here in the last few days though it's still cloudy and they're calling for rain today too. I hope we both have nice weather while on vacation. It usually does rain everyday but it's just the usual afternoon thundershowers then it clears back up.

LisaRay--I know what you mean about the heat. Last year I hate to say it but we had a most miserable time at the Magic Kingdom between the heat and crowds. I remember waiting for the fireworks by Cinderellas Castle and looking down mainstreet towards the exit, omg, all you saw were bodies..LOL. We just decided to leave then and caught the fireworks from the parking lot I think it was. This year we probably are just doing Universal, we're getting the 5 day passes so can just walk back to the resort by afternoon to get out of the heat and with 5 days we can take our time.

Hope you have a great time!
BTW I bought my 9 y/o all new clothes, bathing suits, etc. and they are already packed away. Plus I'm half packed too..

 

[LisaRay]

debbie655-- i wish i were that orgainized!
I love to plan plan plan and make lists and all that stuff but when it comes down to actually packing it all up i always wait till the last possible minute. I am always running around at 9pm the night before trying to find a certain suitcase and haven't got anything packed at all! This year my DD has a softball game the night before we leave at 7:30pm so i know i'll be doing the same thing.
And by the way the 5 day takeng it slow at universal plan was our "plan B". I have been going back and forth with that for 2 months but finally decided to do this one as dirt cheap as possible so maybe i can get a trip to disney late in the year............ we'll see!

Hope you have a great time too!