Okay, here's the deal. I added the extra day at the front of our trip and here's what I have so far:
Friday - 12/19 - Hubby works the early AM shift, so we'll be able to come home from work, take a nap, and start driving around 10 PM. I think I'm becoming a bit manic about this whole thing b/c I'm trying to figure out an hour-by-hour driving plan to see where we'll need a hotel. In 2006, we drove out on Thursday night and stopped Friday night in Hardeeville, SC, but this year it's too far and we check in on a Sunday, so I think we'll have to rest roadside and drive through. 18.5 hours of stinky, tired people in a car with 2 very yappy Mini Schnauzers, fun, fun, fun!!!
OK - let me picture this: 18 1/2 hours in a car with 2 kids (one of whom will get car sick - at least once ...), two yapping dogs (each of whom will get car sick at least twice ...), and a man who carries a loaded gun for a living ...
Make sure you take before, during, and after pictures!!
[... and remember: be VERY nice to the DH - no jury will convict him ...
]
Saturday - 12/20 - Still Driving. Hopefully I see some Krispy Kremes with the Hot Donuts sign on. That would make me soooo happy!!! Any Southerners know where I can find a Krispy Kreme along the I-95? Hopefully we'll arrive on International Drive sometime at night. If that's the case, we can grab a cheap motel and just sleep until morning.
On a practical note, I usually average about 50 miles an hour (including breaks) when driving - pre-Christmas blizzads notwithstanding ...
Sunday - 12/21 - Wake up around 5 or 6, take showers, get dressed and head to the Caribbean Beach Resort to check-in. We are taking the dogs to the Epcot Kennel for the week, so we have to keep them with us until they open (1 hour before Epcot opens). We'll probably just grab some breakfast after checking in, say goodbye to our furbabies at the kennel and head off! My plan is to go to Hollywood Studios first and get there by at least 11:00 AM, check out the HSM Pep Rally, Indiana Jones, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania & Rock & Roller Coaster. This will be the 1st time I've riden the RRC as well as the kiddies. They weren't tall enough 2 years ago and I'm so excited!!!
After HS, I want to head back to the resort, take a nap, and start heading to
the Magic Kingdom around 7:00 PM. I have to make sure we can grab EMH bracelets and I want to eat a quick counter service meal. I think my plan for that night is to go on Space Mountain, Stitch's Great Escape, Buzz Lightyear, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise (I heard it's fun in the dark), see Wishes, SpectroMagic (I missed all fireworks and parades last time!!) and see what else we can get on because I PLAN to be there until 2 AM!!!
You will have the kids with you, right?!? - should we start a pool on how late you will actually make it at the MK?
Monday - 12/22 - Sleep until at least 9AM! Eat breakfast in the room (I plan on buying the cereal that comes in the individual plastic bowls, milk, pop tarts and juice to keep in the fridge). I want to head to Downtown Disney and do some shopping! Michael's big thing nowadays is
Lego so I KNOW he wants to do that. I showed hin the store online the other day and he got so excited and said he DEFINITELY wanted to go there. Hopefully they have some Indiana Jones Lego sets to get him on the sly for Christmas. I want to visit the Christmas Shop and buy our yearly ornament for the tree. BTW, I think I'll buy a 2 footer and put it in our room for the holidays! I know Bobbi will want to look for some Princess-ey things at World of Disney and DH and I love the Pooh characters! And who can pas up Mickey's Mart?? Great place to find inexpensive souvenirs. Hopefully we can go to Earl of Sandwich for lunch. I loved the All American last time and the kids love grilled PB&J!!
After shopping, I want to head to the Wilderness Lodge. I made an ADR at 5:05 PM for the Whispering Canyone Cafe. Anyone have any tips on how to get the servers into character for the kids? I think I might have that skillet for dinner. I love BBQ!!!!!!!!
After dinner, I want to find a good spot to watch the Electrical Water Pageant. Any suggestions??
All day shopping - even if it's DTD: your DH must REALLY love you!!
Looks pretty good so far - but I suspect the drive may take more out of you than you think. So be mentally prepared to maybe take it a little easier that 1st Sunday (I can see it now - your planned "nap" will turn into a 4-5 hour, drool-on-the-pillow, almost coma ... which, on the bright side, will get you well-rested for Monday ...)
Okay, that's all I have for now. Detailed PTR for 12/23 - 12/26 coming soon!
Please leave any comments or suggestions and tell me what you think!!
TTFN!!
ShaeLee