Yikes, I need some advise

[lizanne]

As I've stated in other posts, my husband won't fly so we drive to WDW every year. We live in PA, so it's 1000 miles and he drives straight through. I don't like it, but I've learned to accept it.

Well, Sunday he said he was going to call to make our ressies and asked if the dates 10/13/08 thru 10/20/08 were ok with me. It included our 38th anniversary date, so I was happy (we have AP's that expire in Nov).

On Monday morning he called me from work before calling MS, just to verify that I was ok with the dates, then mentioned that we would be taking a side trip to OKLAHOMA for a wedding on 10/11/08 . Seems an old High School buddy got in touch with him and wants to invite us to his son's wedding. Some side trip.

We'll leave home on Thursday 10/9/08 and drive the 1300+ miles to OK, then leave early on 10/12/08 to drive the 1300+ miles to WDW, then leave early 10/20/08 to drive the 1100 miles back home.

Here's what I'm thinking, maybe we can use the points to book something through II. Does anyone have a suggestion as to a good place to vacation between OK and PA, using points. I'd love to go to the Grand Canyon, but that's 1000 miles from OK. My other thought was DL, where we went for our Honeymoon, but that's even further.

He did make the ressies at OKW, but I feel there must be a better alternative. I'm asking for suggestions so that I can make an intellegent argument. I'm really challenged when it comes to geography.

 

[Chuck S]

What kind of interests do you have? What type of get-away. There are 3 II exchange location near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. That is pretty much between Oklahoma and PA. There is the Dollywood theme park nearby. That might be a nice getaway. Very "country."

 

[lizanne]

That's a great idea. My DH loves theme parks and I'm a music/performer lover. Nashville could fit in too. DH is also a history buff, so maybe a few days in Washington DC. We've been to Virginia many times so I wouldn't want to do that again.

Thanks for the reply, I had myself in such a state I couldn't think. This gives me some hope.

 

[brack]

There are several great places to visit in OK and nearby. OK has a desert where you can rent dune buggies and there is always Branson, Missouri not too far out of the way!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I agree, Branson probably has the most to do, while being the least out of the way (for the way down.) You may want to try the Club Interwest in Destin, Fl on your leg between Oklahoma and Florida.

IMHO, you need to totally skip the trip to Oklahoma. Does dh realize how far he is going out of his way?

 

[CarolAnnC]

We'll leave home on Thursday 10/9/08 and drive the 1300+ miles to OK, then leave early on 10/12/08 to drive the 1300+ miles to WDW, then leave early 10/20/08 to drive the 1100 miles back home.

Yikes! You are going to need a vacation to rest up after all this driving! I would suggest anti anxiety meds and booking flights! Use the old argument - you are much safer in the air than on the roads...

 

[gkrykewy]

Are you prepared to borrow against your house for all that driving with gas at $4 a gallon?

 

[kimberh]

I was thinking about the Gas Price too. You could probably fly cheaper, why won't he fly? I missed your other post. We do love Gatlinburg. If you go there it is beautiful.

 

[lizziepooh]

Do you know this kid well enough to warrant that kind of travel in such a short time period? I think I would tell DH that you will fly and meet him at OKW. I seriously would not want to be in a car for that many hours in that time span, but then my back could not take it anyway. Good Luck.

 

[lizanne]

Yikes! You are going to need a vacation to rest up after all this driving! I would suggest anti anxiety meds and booking flights! Use the old argument - you are much safer in the air than on the roads...

My thoughts exactly.

As far as why he won't fly, it seems that everytime he flys (sometimes required for work) something goes wrong - the flight is delayed, trouble with baggage, turbulance - he just isn't a fan and when he has a choice he won't fly. I think the fact that he's not in control may have something to do with it too .

The first and only time I flew was in 1970 when we went to Disneyland for our Honeymoon. Actually in 2004 we were going on a Disney Cruise with friends and all of us talked him into flying. A major Hurricane hit Florida that day and all flights into FL were cancelled. We got the call from the airline in PA about cancellation, jumped in the car, picked up our friends and drove down in time to make the departure. Like I said, something always goes wrong.

I really like the Branson idea. I didn't realize that it isn't too far from OK. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Wish me luck.

 

[Dean]

There are a number of options. Branson and Lake Ozark in MO and Arkansas Locations of Ozarks and Hot Springs. There are a number of top resorts in those areas. Branson would be my first choice of the DVC options. My first choice overall would be Bluegreen's Big Cedar wilderness Club just outside Branson but you'd need to do a direct exchange with a DVC member.