We are HERE!!

[nepean]

Left early Saturday morning from Ottawa, stopped in Ogdensburg for my mail and headed south. Roads were great until Harrisburg PA when it started to snow. Maryland was horrible and West Va was worse. We headed into VA and turned on to 66 and then it was really bad. We were in a group of 5 cars and two transports all from Ontario and Quebec. We were the only ones that turned. Arrived at I-95 and it was two lanes instead of six and really rough. Shortly after we caught up with major snowplows and the road was much better. Near Ashland, north of Richmond, the road was just wet and clear sailing. We seen a lot of cars in ditches and many plows stuck. Living in a snow area I was somewhat surprised that the snowplows were basically blades on the front of dump trucks and they did not have their blades down low enough so they were making the road a mess. We stopped in Weldon, NC at 11:30 for the night. This is the first time in many years that we have not driven straight through. The stress was tiring.

We stopped in St. Augusting for a few days and arrived here on Tuesday. We are at the new Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista and it is absolutely beautiful. The hotels are not full and many of them have amazing prices listed outside. Hotels that were charging $100 a night two years ago are asking $32.95 (I stayed there two years ago). Tomorrow we are going to Epcot and I will let you know how crowded it really is.

The weather was quite cool but it is warming up and the girls plan to swim on Christmas day instead of building a snowman.

Linda

 

[brighteyes]

Glad you all made it safe and sound. That is great that your girls will be swimming on Christmas Day instead of a snowman! I think snow is highly over rated.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[hcoker1]

Glad you made it down safely, hopefully the drive back will be easier.
Wow, those hotel prices are crazy! Hopefully that means the parks won't be as busy for you. Enjoy Christmas at WDW, it is truly magical.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Glad you arrived safe and sound.Sounds awesome.
Hope you have a great time.
I want to go during the holidays to see the decorations.

 

[nepean]

Spent Christmas Eve at Epcot. It was quiet. We got in the Candlelight Processional on stand by. We only waited 30 minutes. Ride wait times were as good as we have seen in mid January. We spent this morning at the pool.The family is already talking about next Christmas at the world.

Merry Christmas

Linda

 

[wannago2disney]

Hope you are having a wonderful day! sounds like a stressful ride down but you made it safely and that's what counts I wish I were swimming on Christmas Day!

 

[monkeyknuckler]

That sounds like a crazy drive. Must be an even longer (and sad) drive back up. (Yay Nepean!)

 

[nepean]

We had diner at Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness. The food was excellent and our server was terrific. We took the boat to MK and toured the hotels on the monorail. I was shocked to see empty tables at Chef Mickey's at 5:45 pm and no line up. MK closed to capacity but by 6 was letting people in. It rained a little today and then cooled off. The girls swam this morning and I think it was a relaxing Christmas. My sister on the other hand said it didn't seem like Christmas. With all the decorations etc. here I can't imagine what she is thinking. But, then I guess I do. Nothing ever satisfies her. This trip is my gift to her and her family and even then everything is a problem. Negativity is her motto and her kids have it too. Tomorrow I am planning to hit the outlets and shop, shop, shop. We have two more weeks and will take our times at the parks.

Nepean

 

[mommylo]

Have a great time!! We just came back from 2 weeks (land 6 days, cruise 3 days and 2 more days at Cape Caneveral). We flew out of Buffalo and luckily missed all the bad weather! I would spend Christmas at WDW anytime.

 

[wannago2disney]

We had diner at Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness. The food was excellent and our server was terrific. We took the boat to MK and toured the hotels on the monorail. I was shocked to see empty tables at Chef Mickey's at 5:45 pm and no line up. MK closed to capacity but by 6 was letting people in. It rained a little today and then cooled off. The girls swam this morning and I think it was a relaxing Christmas. My sister on the other hand said it didn't seem like Christmas. With all the decorations etc. here I can't imagine what she is thinking. But, then I guess I do. Nothing ever satisfies her. This trip is my gift to her and her family and even then everything is a problem. Negativity is her motto and her kids have it too. Tomorrow I am planning to hit the outlets and shop, shop, shop. We have two more weeks and will take our times at the parks.

Nepean

sorry to hear about the negativity. But even a "green" christmas at Disney is better than the weather we were getting here in SW Ontario. It was not fun to have to drive in the freezing rain and crazy wind on Christmas day. The last couple of days here in Sarnia have been beautiful (DH took advantage by taking the lights down yesterday...the only chance he would have before we left anyway) I hope you shopped your little heart out And remember, its your vacation too!