You've got 3 hrs to plan/pack, 3 days at WDW & 50 hrs of driving...GO!

[MouseTriper]

Ohh I am so in on this one!! How exciting that you just did this on the spur of the moment. You guys ROCK!!!! I can't wait to read more!

 

[bunkkinsmom]

oooohhhhh, I am so IN!!!

 

[jenanderson]

I loved that you wrote all this down and kept track! I am such a numbers person and hate it sometimes (I'll subconsiously count towels as I'm folding them or crazy little things like that and it drives me nuts!). We kept track of our expenses driving across country from Oregon to Florida back in 1994 and I bring out this little journal from time to time to relive the trip. There's another reason in that it is sentimental to me since my husb died of a heart attack in the hotel room in Kissimmee and never got the chance to visit WDW but this little journal has his entries too so I always smile when I look at how we both loved to write down the small things (like "bought Hershey bar in gift shop at Tombstone...wonder if it's as old as the tombs cuz it was STALE!).

You have backed my oldest son's conclusion that it would cost so much less to drive down to WDW from VA than to fly for all of us but my theory is that we can arrive in 2 hours and would have to take 2 vehicles. But the money you spent on gas and food was so low! You really did a great job

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about DH... I am so glad that you have the journal to look at all his entries and bring back memories of the trip together.

We really did like how little it cost to get to FL by driving instead of flying. It is making me seriously consider driving when we go next summer.

Hi Jen I'm here too

we done this one time too ,found really cheap flights ,but we had over 24 hours to pack
Think we done more on that trip then any other

can't wait to read more and lots of photos please too

I will try to get all my photos uploaded soon. We actually did not take a huge amount of photos because we really just were so casual the whole trip that I did not think of it much.

WOW!!!!

I so totally love that you kept track of everything! I do that too when we drive out west every summer! I am also curious to know what kind of vehicle you were driving??

I do keep track of everything when we drive places. For me it is partially about having the data but it also is something that helps pass the time and keeps the ride interesting.

Our minivan is pretty old (bench seats and a side door only on one side). I purchased AAA while we were packing...just in case!

I cant wait to hear all about it. I am excited and so jealous. Although my husband loves Disney too, he would never just up and leave....! Sounds great!

I can't believe my DH agreed to the whole thing...it was so totally unlike him!

Lovin this report and I am so jealous! I tried to talk dh into driving down for a quick trip this past winter to avoid a snowstorm and he said "no" (

I would have definitely gone to avoid a snow storm!

I am really enjoying your report, and your sense of adventure!

Maria

Hey there Maria! Glad you are enjoying the report!

A spur of the moment trip sounds so cool. I wish I could do this, but DH would never agree. I can't wait to hear how the trip went.

As I said, this is not something I would ever imagine that DH would agree to. I almost fell over when he said that we should just go.

I was very close to doing this yesterday. Problem was kids started school today after break. I am out on FMLA till Monday couldn't see wasting valuable disney time. So you are living my dream.

There are so many days in my life when I really want to just run away to Disney...still am stunned that we actually did it!

Jen, I am afraid that Sean will see this TR and start packing!!!

Jude -

I should have called you and told you guys to just pack up and join us! If we would have left at about the same time, we could have vacationed together! That would have been a blast!

From another teacher who loves Disney, I'm in, too!

Hi! Always great to hear from other Disney-loving teachers!

 

[jenanderson]

Awesome TR! I am SO subbing. Can't tell you how many times I've thought "wouldn't it be cool to just go to Disney RIGHT NOW?" But alas, I've never been able to actually do it. Can't wait to see if it's a dream worth fulfilling.

Thanks! Glad you like the TR! I am hoping it inspires others to just one day try and do this too!

DH is excited to hear this one! I read your first post aloud to him! It would take us about 24 hours to drive there. We are thinking of doing it in the future to save on plane fare but right now an almost 10 year old and a 5 1/2 year old in the car that long might cause a very bad situation! Maybe in a few years. They do both have their own DVD player and both will have DSi's so maybe in another year.

Hey Tracey!

I am happy to hear that you read this to your DH and are enjoying the report! The amazing things was that the kids did incredible in the car. They had the portable DVD player, their iPods, the DS and other little things to entertain them. If we had actually planned the trip, I would have had some maps and journals for them. My DS LOVES maps and he would have had a blast mapping out our trip and keeping data (like mother, like son). It also helped that we have an old minivan. DD had the whole back seat (bench) to herself and DS had the whole front seat (bench) to himself...they did not have to be next to each other!

This is great! I've always wanted to just get up and go! WOW! I hope you post some pictures!

I need to figure out how to get some of the photos off my phone and then also get them all uploaded but I will post photos soon!

Sounds like a blast!!!

Totally a blast!

Ohh I am so in on this one!! How exciting that you just did this on the spur of the moment. You guys ROCK!!!! I can't wait to read more!

Glad to have you...stay tuned for more soon!

oooohhhhh, I am so IN!!!

Hi! Looks like I am getting a following going. I figured such a short, last minute trip might be interesting to people.

 

[jenanderson]

Okay everyone...I really wanted to do some writing tonight but there are other things I want to work on so I will try to keep you all holding on with a few little things.

First, here is a sneak peak of our arrival!

The kids are excited to see the gates...always one of our favorite parts of the trip!

DH driving us into WDW! It is amazing how alert he looks after driving 24 hours!

Hope the photos can keep you holding on until I get the next section written. I am really excited to have so many people interested in our trip!

Later,
Jen

 

[heaven2dc]

Cute pics! I think that's the first time I've seen the gates with no other cars driving through! Great job

 

[dellasgirl]

AH the gates love the picture and no cars!!!!!!!
Your kids have the biggest smiles love them
glad you made it

 

[bunkkinsmom]

You've inspired me! Makes me wanna get up and go RIGHT NOW!!

then i think about how hot it is and i decide to be patient.

Maybe a spur of the moment thanksgiving trip!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

LOVE the pics!! Yes I am very amazed at people who can drive like that! 24 hrs is A VERY LONG WAY!!! I think my hubby would cap out at about 16 or so! HE has sciatic issues! He loves to drive though! We plan on doing the drive to Disney in a year or so!

 

[floydfamily4]

I think about just taking off and driving to Disney but I'm too much a type A personality to do it. Yay for you all for taking the plunge! Looking forward to reading more

 

[gfolchick]

Hi Jen,
Just wanted to say hello and how fun for your family to take a spontaneous trip to Disney. We're still on for August 2011 Dream Cruise, just been lurking on the trip thread. Congratulations on the weight loss and the running. I must say I'm a bit jealous. Can't wait to read more!

Gina

 

[Lovedisney77]

How I would love to pick up and go to Disney. My husband would never go for this however. Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip

 

[jemgumby]

can't wait to read more!!!

 

[mikamah]

Love the pics. Your kids are adorable, and they look so excited.

 

[tinkerbell198530]

 

[I Believe In Magic]

Great start so far!! You guys are an awesome family! My daughter found this TR and we are both hooked now. We are thinking of driving from MI in June and you made her feel better about driving, she has read less than desirable ratings. lol
Can't wait to hear how the trip went!!

 

[uncw89]

We really did like how little it cost to get to FL by driving instead of flying. It is making me seriously consider driving when we go next summer.

I like to fly too, but it is cheaper to drive. It's only about a 10 hour drive for us and sometimes I think that is long. I couldn't imagine a 24 hour drive, we would have to stop and spend the night. I don't think we could go nonstop like you guys did! WOW!!! We did a spur of the moment 2 day trip last summer and it was fun. We had some other stuff to do in Fl, which is mainly why we went.

Our minivan is pretty old (bench seats and a side door only on one side). I purchased AAA while we were packing...just in case!

Can't go wrong with AAA, you never know when you could need it. I've never used mine, but it's nice to have!

I can't believe my DH agreed to the whole thing...it was so totally unlike him

Very cool!

I can't wait to here about your trip. It would have been funny if we had bumped into each other.

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Then, I went in to call WDW to see if there were even any rooms. Yep, there are rooms. Yep, I booked on at the Pop Century. Yep, we are going to go!

You will get to learn how much money it costs to fill up the tank of an old van over and over again, what you can eat when all you see is fast food and how DS brings tears to my eyes every time we go to WDW.

Thanks for joining in!
Jen

:

AWWW !!! Jen, this is the craziest yet sweetest thing I've read in years !!!!


How happy a family you are !!! and how lucky your kids are - having such wonderful parents !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your first photos are INSPIRING !!!!!

Can't wait to hear more !!!!


Driving for 25 hours is far away from my "way of life" - but , knowing YOU , I bet you all had FUN as well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( YOU inspired me to ... maybe shortly ... decide and drive that same morning to a PARK here in Italy !!! I should be saving-saving for our trip to Hawaii ..................... but your "quickly-decided trip" sounds so fun !!!)

Waiting for more !!!!!!!!! laura

 

[Belle_princess]

Can we have more. . . .PLEASE?????

 

[lindsayjs]

I'm typically a lurker but I have to chime in and say 'I'm in' your spur of the moment Disney trip is just so cool!