What do you mean we’re DRIVING from CA to WDW??? With 4 kids!!!!

[ladylyons]

Welcome to those of you I know and to those of you I don’t. In May 2014 my DH and I are going to be celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary. We were thinking let’s do it big since we went to WDW in May 2009 for our 5th Anniversary (where we got rained on almost every single day of our trip but still had a great time)!! We talked about going to Europe, Switzerland, Australia, Taking a 10+ day cruise on the Mediterranean, etc. You name it we probably thought about it.



Then we had a wrench thrown into those plans!!

We found out we were expecting baby #4!!! Due to join our family hopefully by January 31, 2014!! Well there went all those plans we talked about.



So then on September 14 (ten years and one day to the date that DH and I met) while driving home from dinner he suggested us going back to WDW!!! I was like what, wait a minute!! I didn’t think we’d ever get back since we are going to become a family of 6 and flying is just crazy expensive from California. Then he said but let’s rent a van and DRIVE!!!!! WHAT!!! Are you insane! We’re going to have 4 kids under the age of 7 (with one of them being 5 months old) and are going to DRIVE them cross country!! Ok let’s do it!!! So we are in the very beginning of the planning stages to making this trip work! I will take any and all suggestions from anyone who has embarked on this adventure.

So now let me introduce myself and my Disney Loving Family.

First up is me, I’m Sandra. I’m a stay at home mom to my 3 kiddos, Jeremy – 6, Sarah – 5, and James – 3. I’m the Disney lover in our family and I’m raising my kids to love Disney just as much as I do. My favorite rides would have to be any that I can ride with my kids! I actually have 2 favorite characters and they are Mickey and Cinderella.



Next up is Jeremy. He is 6 (will turn 7 in February). He is also a huge fan of anything Disney. His favorite character is Captain Hook and his favorite ride is the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness aka Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.



Then there is my 5 year old Princess Sarah. She is the princess lover in the family. Now don’t get me wrong both my husband and I don’t mind seeing the Princess’ but my daughter goes absolutely crazy when she gets to see them. Her favorite character of course is Princess Belle and her favorite ride is It’s a Small World.

(On Mary Poppins horse at Disneyland.)


Now there is my 3 year old baby boy James. His favorite characters would be Pooh and Mickey. He loves the Winnie the Pooh ride and It’s a Small World.



Last but not least is my DH Jeff. He isn’t as much of a Disney Lover as I am but knows he’s got to keep mommy happy so he gives into my obsession and he loves to spend the time with our kids. His favorite rides would be Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.



So there you have it. My crazy Disney Family. Since DH’s and my first trip together we’ve been to Disneyland 16 times, WDW once and Disneyland Paris once. My kids have been very lucky with being able to go at least once every year since they were 5 weeks old (Jeremy) or 3 months old (Sarah and James). The kids are very good traveler’s with all the drives we’ve done to both Oregon (visit family) and Disneyland. Both drives take us about 6 ½ hours to make with very minimal stops. So with all that being said…. On with the planning!!!

 

[ladylyons]

Let’s get to some of the important details. Our tentative dates right now are June 13 to June 25. Of course the first couple of days would be spent driving to WDW and the last couple days would be driving home. DH thinks we can do the drive in 2 days, I think 3. Our tentative dates in WDW are June 15 to June 23.

Where to stay? I really love the pictures I’ve seen of AOA and think the kids would really enjoy seeing all their friends as they put it. Since I’ll have 3 boys I’m leaning towards a Cars room. My poor princess won’t be happy with that but I’ll be sure to plan lots of Princess stuff for her throughout the trip!

The other place we’re considering is the Fort Wilderness Cabins. I love the idea of having a kitchen!! Even though I don’t want to cook on vacation!! This is supposed to be my special vacation too!! But then again I am a mom and the only time I get a break is when the kids are in school (but even then I still have one with me).

Up next…. Where should we eat?

 

[lovethattink]

Woohoo, I'm first! So excited that you are coming to my neck of the woods! Can't wait to see your plans develop and one day you and your family in person!

 

[ladylyons]

Woohoo, I'm first! So excited that you are coming to my neck of the woods! Can't wait to see your plans develop and one day you and your family in person!

I'm excited to also see how our plans develop!! I'm sure lots will change between now and then. I can't wait to one day get to meet you and your family too!! Also it's really hard for me to not mention anything to the kids right now because I know if I do all I'll hear is.... Is it time to go yet? How many sleeps until we leave? I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm here!!


You ladies should do the tea while boys do something else to make it up to her.

 

[ladylyons]

I'm here!!


You ladies should do the tea while boys do something else to make it up to her.

I'm already thinking BBB (thankfully I already have dresses she wear), CRT, BOG (her favorite princess is Belle and I know she'd love to say she ate at the Beast's Castle) and possibly the Princess dining in Epcot (too lazy to go look the restaurant's name up right now. lol) But I have to keep telling myself I do have a budget so can't go to crazy on it all. lol

 

[scdak]

All I can say is it has to be pregnancy hormones that have caused you to LOSE YOUR MIND! I can't wait to see how the trip plans fall in to place and where you decide to stay, I like the idea of the Ft Wilderness cabins .............this coming from a person that won't set foot on a campground No one says you have to cook It sounds like a great trip though, the kids are at a great age to enjoy it esp since they travel well.

 

[ladylyons]

Well food of course!! Since my DD is a big princess fan I know we’ll have to do CRT!! When we went to WDW in May 2009 I made sure we ate in the castle. DD was only 8 months old at the time so she of course doesn’t remember it. Heck forget about remembering it she slept right through it!!!

Meeting Cinderella..


Meeting Snow White…


Meeting Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty)….


Meeting Belle….. She asks me now when she see’s these why was I asleep Mommy. Well we had already had an early day and you were just a baby and were sleepy. Her response But Mommy Belle is my favorite!!! Uhhh sorry I didn’t know that when you were 8 months old!!!!



Belle was very taken with her and was our best interaction.


Look who finally woke up!! Meeting Jasmine..


More where to eat coming up….

 

[ladylyons]

All I can say is it has to be pregnancy hormones that have caused you to LOSE YOUR MIND! I can't wait to see how the trip plans fall in to place and where you decide to stay, I like the idea of the Ft Wilderness cabins .............this coming from a person that won't set foot on a campground No one says you have to cook It sounds like a great trip though, the kids are at a great age to enjoy it esp since they travel well.

Yeah I probably have but I also think if this is the only way to get us back to WDW I'm all for it. But then again if I've lost my mind so has my DH because he's the one who came up with this crazy idea!! I'm having fun thinking of all the things we can do in the car to keep them entertained. I'm hoping the baby will sleep most of the time and the other 3 will sleep too.

I like the idea of the cabins but at the same time I know having that kitchen right there is going to make my DH think I should be cooking instead of out enjoying our meals.

We are very lucky that they travel so well. Jeremy's first long trip was to DL at 5 weeks old, Sarah and James were both 3 months old. They tended to sleep more at that stage than they do now but as long as I have plenty of batteries for their leapsters and my Nintendo DS charged for Jeremy, I think we'll all survive the trip. I'm just afraid we'll get there and the drive would have been so bad that DH says book us a flight home, I can't do the drive again!!!

 

[ladylyons]

I’d also love to get us into BOG just because DD is such a Beauty and the Beast fan. She’s seen pictures and said she wants to go there but doesn’t want to meet the Beast. WHAT!!! No if we go you meet the Beast darn it!! But then we talk about it and I ask her didn’t the Beast end up being very nice and she says yes. So I tell her well that’s how the Beast is when he meets his guests at BOG. She’ll think about it for a minute or two and go OK I want to meet him. But a lot can change in the next 9 months so we’ll see what she thinks when the time comes.

Another place DH want’s to eat at is Biergarten. He got a little mad at me in 2009 when we didn’t eat here. When DH was in college he spent a semester in Europe. After his semester ended he spent another 8 months touring Europe, Gemany, Switzerland, etc. So this trip he wants to go there to kind of relive the memories he has from his previous travels without a wife and kids.



Another place I want to go to again just because of memories of my very first trip to WDW when I was 15 is to Sci Fi. I know it doesn’t get very high reviews but it’s in memory of my grandparent’s. We ate here in May 2009 with my parent’s (we talked them into going with us on that trip) and I cried. It was one of many things we did that trip that brought tears to my eyes and made me remember that special trip with my grandparent’s.



I would also like to do a special anniversary dinner again. This trip we won’t have my parent’s with us so we’ll probably be utilizing the kids club at least once. In 2009 we ate at California Grill and I’d like to do that one again. It was very nice because we timed it right to get to see the fireworks from there and it was nice just being the 2 of us.



I do have a few other places in mind but those will come next time…..

 

[LB1122]

Joining in for your fun adventure.

Love the cute sleeping Minnie photos at CRT.
We have eaten there as well and will again this holiday season, but I have heard that the Epcot Princess restaurant is actually better (an less expensive). I will let you know what I think after we return as we are doing both this coming trip.

Happy 10 years. (my hubby and I celebrate this in Novemeber this year)
I just came across a list of romantic restaurants at Disney World:
- Artist Pointe, California Grill, Victoria & Alberts, Narcoosee's, & Jiko all in top 5.

Looking forward to hearing more about your planning. Lots of great Disney printables on Pinterest for the car ride.

 

[scdak]

I don't know why some folks don't like Sci-fi, I thought it was very good last fall, first time I had eaten there and I will be back! I can relate to doing things that inspire memories of grandparents, I cherish the trip in the mid 80's when I took my grandfather to WDW for his first trip - at the age of 80+! It was just the two of us, my grandmother had died about 3 months before that and I was trying to help him realize that life would go on for him, just differently. I learned so much from him on that trip, he regaled me with stories of courting Grammie, his life as a firefighter, tales of the trials and tribulations of raising my father and aunt etc.
I think I have mentioned before that my maternal grandparents retired and lived in San Ramon for a number of years, I loved visiting them out there, its such a nice area. All my grandparents are gone now, but I have so many items around the house that belonged to each of them, I feel like they are with me every day. In fact, my maternal grandparents are literally "close to my heart" - as in I INHALED their ashes when scattering the ashes to fulfill their final request to be scattered near where they had raised their family! Sorry folks, it was funny at the time and even funnier now not matter how gross it sounds!

 

[stasijane]

You are in for one FUN roadtrip!! I cant wait to see how it goes.

 

[ladylyons]

Joining in for your fun adventure.

Love the cute sleeping Minnie photos at CRT.
We have eaten there as well and will again this holiday season, but I have heard that the Epcot Princess restaurant is actually better (an less expensive). I will let you know what I think after we return as we are doing both this coming trip.

Happy 10 years. (my hubby and I celebrate this in Novemeber this year)
I just came across a list of romantic restaurants at Disney World:
- Artist Pointe, California Grill, Victoria & Alberts, Narcoosee's, & Jiko all in top 5.

Looking forward to hearing more about your planning. Lots of great Disney printables on Pinterest for the car ride.

Thank you! We really enjoyed breakfast there but then again that was 5 years ago so I'm sure it's changed some since then. I mainly want to go for my DD. She is our only girl and I do like to spoil her whenever possible (plus she's a daddy's girl so he does it more than I do). But don't worry the boys are spoiled too!! Let me know what you think of the other one too as we may do that one too.

Happy 10 years to you guys too!! Our goal is to do something big and special every 5 years and well this is big!! I'd love to do Victoria & Albert's but it's just out of the budget right now. Plus I'd be bringing the new baby with us wherever we go. I'll probably talk to DH about it as we start getting things figured out and see what he thinks.

Thanks for the Pintrest idea. I'll have to make sure I print lots of them since it's going to be a very, very, very long car ride!!

I don't know why some folks don't like Sci-fi, I thought it was very good last fall, first time I had eaten there and I will be back! I can relate to doing things that inspire memories of grandparents, I cherish the trip in the mid 80's when I took my grandfather to WDW for his first trip - at the age of 80+! It was just the two of us, my grandmother had died about 3 months before that and I was trying to help him realize that life would go on for him, just differently. I learned so much from him on that trip, he regaled me with stories of courting Grammie, his life as a firefighter, tales of the trials and tribulations of raising my father and aunt etc.
I think I have mentioned before that my maternal grandparents retired and lived in San Ramon for a number of years, I loved visiting them out there, its such a nice area. All my grandparents are gone now, but I have so many items around the house that belonged to each of them, I feel like they are with me every day. In fact, my maternal grandparents are literally "close to my heart" - as in I INHALED their ashes when scattering the ashes to fulfill their final request to be scattered near where they had raised their family! Sorry folks, it was funny at the time and even funnier now not matter how gross it sounds!

Both times I've ate at Sci Fi I've actually liked it. Don't remember what I got 5 years ago but no one complained about their meals when we left.

That's great you were able to have that special one on one time with your grandpa. My grandparent's took us (me, my sister 13 at the time and cousin 8 at the time) on a 3 month tour of the US when I was 15. We made a lot of great memories. Some I think back on and cry because it's been 10 years ago this year that I lost both of them within 6 months of each other.

I remember something being said about your grandparent's living here at one time. I love looking at things that were my grandparent's at one time. It does make me feel closer to them at times. Ok I had to laugh at the ashes comment. I some how ended up down wind when they spread my grandpa's ashes and got covered in them. I'm sure some ended up in my mouth as well but oh well just makes us even closer!! I don't think it's gross at all (at the time maybe) but what could you do not much just take it all in good fun.

You are in for one FUN roadtrip!! I cant wait to see how it goes.

Thank you!! I can't wait to see how it goes either!! I'm keeping positive thoughts that everything is going to go very well!!!

 

[lovethattink]

You ladies should do the tea while boys do something else to make it up to her.

One day, once upon a time, I will get to the tea...

I'm already thinking BBB (thankfully I already have dresses she wear), CRT, BOG (her favorite princess is Belle and I know she'd love to say she ate at the Beast's Castle) and possibly the Princess dining in Epcot (too lazy to go look the restaurant's name up right now. lol) But I have to keep telling myself I do have a budget so can't go to crazy on it all. lol

I hear people preferring BBB in the castle over BBB at DTD.

I have mixed feelings about CRT.

I love, love, love BOG. We've eaten there 3 times. Twice for dinner and once for lunch. Lunch and dinner are completely different experiences. The West Wing scared JJ something aweful. We requested and waited longer for another dining room.

The only character at BOG is the Beast. He can be found in the study. Belle is busy over at Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Adorable pictures of your princess with the princesses.

We love the Biergarten! That's a good choice on your husband's behalf.

We love the atmosphere at the Sci-Fi. The food is mediocre, but the theming is awesome. Dh likes the picnic burger, hotdogs and burger all in one. We split it because it's huge. Very sweet memory and good reason to go there.

I've never eaten at the California Grill, but I always here great reviews. That would be a really good spot or an anniversary dinner. Then you'll have to return on your 15th too.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Congratulations on ten years and your beautiful family. Just a few things I thought of when reading your report. The cabins are nice but there is only one bathroom and they are set up in circles so depending where you are there may be a long walk to the bus stop. I know you will have a car but drive can be a pain. Also the pools there are not that convenient. I have not stayed at Aoa but had a friend who stayed in cars suite and loved. I have stayed at Pop so it is a similar setup. The pool at Aoa is zero entry which is good for little ones and the food court is real convenient. Also you will have a fridge and microwave. I would suggest you think about the lunch at Hollywood and Vine at Dhs as they have the Disney Jr crew and my grandson loved it. I personally think the breakfast buffets are expensive and prefer to do lunch or dinner. And Biergarten is great fun and your hubby and the kids will love it. Also I don't think the kids clubs will take infants but you could get an in room babysitter. Personally I never did that with my kids or grandkids, I enjoyed being together and left the adults only night out for when we got home. Anyway have a great time planning. Have you checked out Allears.net they have a lot of great info.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm already thinking BBB (thankfully I already have dresses she wear), CRT, BOG (her favorite princess is Belle and I know she'd love to say she ate at the Beast's Castle) and possibly the Princess dining in Epcot (too lazy to go look the restaurant's name up right now. lol) But I have to keep telling myself I do have a budget so can't go to crazy on it all. lol

Boy, I know all about that budget. I am sure there is something wonderful that you and she can do together.

One day, once upon a time, I will get to the tea...



I hear people preferring BBB in the castle over BBB at DTD.

I have mixed feelings about CRT.

I love, love, love BOG. We've eaten there 3 times. Twice for dinner and once for lunch. Lunch and dinner are completely different experiences. The West Wing scared JJ something aweful. We requested and waited longer for another dining room.

The only character at BOG is the Beast. He can be found in the study. Belle is busy over at Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Adorable pictures of your princess with the princesses.

We love the Biergarten! That's a good choice on your husband's behalf.

We love the atmosphere at the Sci-Fi. The food is mediocre, but the theming is awesome. Dh likes the picnic burger, hotdogs and burger all in one. We split it because it's huge. Very sweet memory and good reason to go there.

I've never eaten at the California Grill, but I always here great reviews. That would be a really good spot or an anniversary dinner. Then you'll have to return on your 15th too.

Well, if I ever make it back there we can ditch the boys and do the tea together!

 

[jpmom97]

Congrats on your new addition! We will be there the same time you will be! Love all your plans so far! I would love to stay at AOA one day, the Cars section looks awesome! I think all your kids will like it, even your little girl!

 

[lovethattink]

GrammyJudy brought up some great points. I think I'd lean towards AoA and the Cars section too.

Lunch at the Biergarten is significantly less expensive than dinner. I think menu choice is only a few items different.

You are right, the kids club only take potty trained children. There are several baby sitting services in Orlando that will come to the room. These services are not run by Disney. They are run by independent services. (Unless things have changed.)

What's an adult only night? Our last one was when dh's parents visited last Thanksgiving.

The breakfast buffets are very expensive. However, we REALLY enjoyed our late breakfast buffet at 1900 Park Fare. We ate at 11am, so that was practically lunch time. Then we skipped lunch and snacked. Then ate a counter service dinner. The characters a 1900 PF are Mad Hatter, Alice, Mary Poppins, Pooh, and Tigger. We asked the Mad Hatter if he knew Dr. Who. All kinds of madness ensued after. But Alice thought maybe the Cheshire Cat would know him.

Well, if I ever make it back there we can ditch the boys and do the tea together!

That would be so nice.

 

[ladylyons]

One day, once upon a time, I will get to the tea...

Once I really start figuring things out and find I can ditch the boys I'd love to do the tea with you!!

I hear people preferring BBB in the castle over BBB at DTD.

I have mixed feelings about CRT.

I love, love, love BOG. We've eaten there 3 times. Twice for dinner and once for lunch. Lunch and dinner are completely different experiences. The West Wing scared JJ something aweful. We requested and waited longer for another dining room.

The only character at BOG is the Beast. He can be found in the study. Belle is busy over at Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Adorable pictures of your princess with the princesses.

We love the Biergarten! That's a good choice on your husband's behalf.

We love the atmosphere at the Sci-Fi. The food is mediocre, but the theming is awesome. Dh likes the picnic burger, hotdogs and burger all in one. We split it because it's huge. Very sweet memory and good reason to go there.

I've never eaten at the California Grill, but I always here great reviews. That would be a really good spot or an anniversary dinner. Then you'll have to return on your 15th too.

I'm all for doing everything in the Castle. If I only have to make one stop I'll be happy!!

I think the main reason we'd do CRT again is because of it being in the castle. We don't have that luxury at DL.

Since Sarah is such a big Beauty and the Beast fan I can't not think about eating at BOG. Oh and I know we'll have to do Enchanted Tales at least once if not more!! That's a guarantee to at least see Belle!! Hopefully she gets picked for the story because then she'd get to meet her!!

We really enjoyed California Grill when we did it. It's actually one meal my DH has requested again so we'll see what happens.

Congratulations on ten years and your beautiful family. Just a few things I thought of when reading your report. The cabins are nice but there is only one bathroom and they are set up in circles so depending where you are there may be a long walk to the bus stop. I know you will have a car but drive can be a pain. Also the pools there are not that convenient. I have not stayed at Aoa but had a friend who stayed in cars suite and loved. I have stayed at Pop so it is a similar setup. The pool at Aoa is zero entry which is good for little ones and the food court is real convenient. Also you will have a fridge and microwave. I would suggest you think about the lunch at Hollywood and Vine at Dhs as they have the Disney Jr crew and my grandson loved it. I personally think the breakfast buffets are expensive and prefer to do lunch or dinner. And Biergarten is great fun and your hubby and the kids will love it. Also I don't think the kids clubs will take infants but you could get an in room babysitter. Personally I never did that with my kids or grandkids, I enjoyed being together and left the adults only night out for when we got home. Anyway have a great time planning. Have you checked out Allears.net they have a lot of great info.

Thank you! I'm leaning more towards AOA over the Cabins for the simple fact of I think the kids will like it more. We aren't big water people but I know we'd have to at least check out the pool once while we are there. I actually forgot about Hollywood and Vine. The kids do love the Disney Jr Characters!! I already figured the baby would go where I go. I nursed my other 3 until they were at least a year old (the youngest went until he was 18 months old) and all 3 refused a bottle no matter how early I introduced one. So it wouldn't be a full no kid dinner.

Boy, I know all about that budget. I am sure there is something wonderful that you and she can do together.




Well, if I ever make it back there we can ditch the boys and do the tea together!

We'll figure it out. Always do!! Thankfully I already get her princess dresses when they go on sale so she has Belle and Sofia. She's going to be Tinkerbelle for Halloween so I still have to get that one for her.

Let's plan for June 2014!! Then we can all go!!

Congrats on your new addition! We will be there the same time you will be! Love all your plans so far! I would love to stay at AOA one day, the Cars section looks awesome! I think all your kids will like it, even your little girl!

Thank you! We're pretty excited! It'll be a fun trip regardless of what we plan. If things work out we'd have to meet up!! Always fun to meet other people. I love the look of AOA. We are lucky that we get to go to DL quite often (at least once a year if not more) so we've been to Cars Land and wow it does feel like you are in the movie. I know the boys will for sure but DD just isn't that big of a fan of Cars or Lion King for that matter. We basically use the room to sleep and take a break in the middle of the day so we probably won't be in it all that much.

GrammyJudy brought up some great points. I think I'd lean towards AoA and the Cars section too.

Lunch at the Biergarten is significantly less expensive than dinner. I think menu choice is only a few items different.

You are right, the kids club only take potty trained children. There are several baby sitting services in Orlando that will come to the room. These services are not run by Disney. They are run by independent services. (Unless things have changed.)

What's an adult only night? Our last one was when dh's parents visited last Thanksgiving.

The breakfast buffets are very expensive. However, we REALLY enjoyed our late breakfast buffet at 1900 Park Fare. We ate at 11am, so that was practically lunch time. Then we skipped lunch and snacked. Then ate a counter service dinner. The characters a 1900 PF are Mad Hatter, Alice, Mary Poppins, Pooh, and Tigger. We asked the Mad Hatter if he knew Dr. Who. All kinds of madness ensued after. But Alice thought maybe the Cheshire Cat would know him.

I'm leaning towards AOA for sure more because of the theming over everything else.

We're talking about doing the dining plan so we'll have to see how that will work out for us. I haven't really looked to deep into yet.

I basically figured the baby would go where ever I went. I nursed all 3 of the kids until they were at least a year old (James went until he was 18 months old). I also tried to give them bottles but it didn't matter how early I introduced them they just flat out refused them. We very rarely go out at home with out the kids so Disney is no exception, it just would be nice. I think our last no kid night out was in May when we were on our cruise and all 3 kids were in the kids club having a blast!!

Right now we're throwing out restaurants we're wanting and will figure out from there what will make it and what won't. I'm not a big breakfast person anyways so I'd want lunch for most places anyways if possible.