Way Way Off Site

[Schminston-Mo]

My IL's have a park model trailer about an hour (according to MapQuest) from Disney. Due to declining health, they are unable to return to FL and need to sell it. DH and I talked about going down there and collecting what is left of their personal belongings for them and then going to Disney. I'm guessing that we need to go down there this spring/summer so we can get it on the market ASAP.

I was thinking along the lines of spending a day or two there "working" and then staying near Disney for our vacation portion. DH was thinking that we could stay there and commute the hour there and back to Disney each day so we wouldn't have to pay for lodging. (I guess since he commutes 45 + minutes to work it doesn't seem a big deal.)

I'm all for saving money, but am I being unreasonable to think this is a bad idea? We have 2 kids ages 10 and 8.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Big V]

After spending all day at the parks, I'd say driving an hour to get back to your place wouldn't be much fun!

 

[CarolA]

I have done this and I don't think it's that bad. (My Dad has a park model in Lake Wales)

A few thoughts, you are probably putting the park model on the market a little late. Basically as you know those are purchased by Seniors and a lot of them head home after Easter. Get it as close to perfect as you can "fixer uppers" don't do well. The "fixer uppers" in my Dad's complex don't seem to move, every time I go to visit they are still on the market.


If this is Senior restricted community make sure your ILs let them know what's going on. The neighbors in these places tend to be nosy and will start raising a stink if they think "young folks" are moving in. (Or if they think you are trying to rob the place, My stepmom's niece had the cops called bacause she was "stealing" when she was in the unit overnight without my dad and stepmom!)

 

[BlakeNJ]

I can only vouch for one day at the park and a night of driving. I admit, by 9pm we were really tired. We had an 1 hr. 45 min. drive back so almost twice as much. I would say it's doable for a day or two. If it will be more than two nights of driving, maybe try to splurge on night at a value or off site. Maybe work it out so the "late" night at Wishes or Fantasmic you can be at a motel.

 

[ducklite]

What town is it in? What "looks" like an hour on Mapquest can often be closer to two with traffic from some areas.

Also I know someone interested in buying such a place, and a fixer-upper is fine, let me know the details...

Anne

 

[Schminston-Mo]

Thank you for the feedback all.

It is unfortunate on the timing of the sale of the home. To a certain degree, my IL's were in denial and wishfully thinking that they would be able to return. (Very understandably so.) They have just signed paperwork to go into assisted living a day or so ago. Though they know they need to get the place on the market I don't know how hard we want to push it with all the changes they are dealing with.

It is in Lady Lake which was hit by the recent tornados, but thankfully their complex was missed and so their friends that were down there and everyone's trailer made out ok. I don't think their home was a fixer upper when they got it and they have made improvements since purchasing it.

Also, thank you for the reminder about the senior complex. I admit this was also a slight disadvantage I was thinking of too. "Come on kids, lets go to the pool and try not to be too loud to annoy the other residents"

Wow, this has kind of turned into a Debbie Downer post! I'm sorry....Lets turn this around....DISNEY DISNEY DISNEY.....Schminston-Mo wants to spend money like it is growing on trees...DISNEY DISNEY DISNEY.

 

[spiceycat]

if you only want to go to the parks and stay (not go back for a rest period and return) then I think you will be fine.

are you kids capability of going to the parks when it opens to end it closes?

then great stay there. If not - tell your husband he gets to explain to the kids why they can't go rest someplace.....

 

[runwad]

For a free place to stay I'd do this in a heart beat

 

[shelemm]

Saving money is important, and the drive back for your husband will be a piece of cake. My kids are the same ages, and they would just fall asleep in the back of the car or zone out after all the excitement.

 

[Schminston-Mo]

Well, Gee! Don't you guys know the basic message board etiquette that says "No matter what I post, you are supposed to wholeheartedly agree with me and say my DH is horribly, horribly wrong?!"


Seriously, Thank you all for the input. Our last 2 trips we stayed in Ft Wilderness so I was really spoiled, plus the hard core on-siters make it sound like once you cross the gate you immediately lose the magic. I'm glad to hear it can be done...I may try to swing that night or two in a resort that BlakeNJ suggested as a compromise. In either case, if it gets me to Disney this year, who am I to argue any of it!

 

[spiceycat]

sorry!!!

the hour getting there will drive you and the kids crazy. hey maybe enough to convince your husband to stay onsite after that.....

I won't be concern about the hour going back. as had been say your husband won't have a problem with it.

 

[tednvon]

Hi, if you give it a try the new 429 toll should save you at least 15 minutes off the old 27 route...

Take 441/27 south to Turnpike south, exit Turnpike onto new 429 and get off 429 at Western Way which is new Disney exit off 429...pretty slick...

tolls will be about 8-10 dollars round trip...

good luck...Ted