I am now on my way home (finally) from our loooooong Disney vacation! It included a trip to both coasts and oceans, and a stop in between at the happiest place on earth! For a few days of it, we had a party of 11 that included myself, my husband, and our boys, my parents and sister, and my mom's brother, his wife, and their two kids. They were Disney newbs before this trip. Traveling with that many people (and some of them being newbies, and not liking rides in general) proved to be challenging at some points, but I think everyone had a pretty good time! So now it is time to start the trip report!!!
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Party of 11!....wait, what were we thinking??
- Thread starter meganw1985
- Start date
TheMouseFan
Well-Known Member
Can't wait to hear about it! There are 11 of us going on a cruise and to WDW next June and I am kind of apprehensive about it!
Ok. I'm going to have to start out slowly, because 1) I'm going to be writing about 3 separate trips essentially (3 different families!) and 2) I'm still waiting on pictures from the other 2 parties.
The vacation(s) began on Monday, July 1, with my uncle (Brad), aunt (Sandra), and cousins (Austin-15) & (Mia-8) leaving to get things going. I think they left town around noon-ish. I was over there around 10 to check on their excitement level, and Mia was wearing her princess shirt my mom got her for like the 10th day in a row and doing cartwheels around the living room. Brad said it was going to be awkward with her trying to do them in the van on the way down
They drove to around Valdosta area (it is a 14+ hr drive for us to Orlando) and Priceline-d a room at a Residence Inn somewhere. Continued on to Orlando on Tuesday, where they stayed somewhere out by the airport and did some outlet shopping, and also ate at a local Colombian restaurant (my aunt in Colombian). Wednesday (Austin's 15th birthday!) was spent at Sea World, and checking in "down at the Riiiiiveeeeersiiiiiiiiide!" (if you have eaten breakfast at the Riverside Mill, you know what that means!)
Here are a few of their Sea World pictures:
As much as she ended up loving Disney, Sea World was officially named Mia's "best park". She LOVED the dolphins, and, after all, it was her first theme park experience!
On Tuesday morning, I woke up to this:
YAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! The day was spent cleaning, and packing, and doing all of those last minute vacation things. Lots of extenuating circumstances surrounded this trip, kind of shrouding it in a black cloud of unhappiness. But I was soon to be in my happy place, so I was still excited!
Bitty baby suitcase:
"I'm ready mom!"
And my toes were ready!
But somebody was NOT ready to take her bath...
The vacation(s) began on Monday, July 1, with my uncle (Brad), aunt (Sandra), and cousins (Austin-15) & (Mia-8) leaving to get things going. I think they left town around noon-ish. I was over there around 10 to check on their excitement level, and Mia was wearing her princess shirt my mom got her for like the 10th day in a row and doing cartwheels around the living room. Brad said it was going to be awkward with her trying to do them in the van on the way down
They drove to around Valdosta area (it is a 14+ hr drive for us to Orlando) and Priceline-d a room at a Residence Inn somewhere. Continued on to Orlando on Tuesday, where they stayed somewhere out by the airport and did some outlet shopping, and also ate at a local Colombian restaurant (my aunt in Colombian). Wednesday (Austin's 15th birthday!) was spent at Sea World, and checking in "down at the Riiiiiveeeeersiiiiiiiiide!" (if you have eaten breakfast at the Riverside Mill, you know what that means!)
Here are a few of their Sea World pictures:
As much as she ended up loving Disney, Sea World was officially named Mia's "best park". She LOVED the dolphins, and, after all, it was her first theme park experience!
On Tuesday morning, I woke up to this:
YAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! The day was spent cleaning, and packing, and doing all of those last minute vacation things. Lots of extenuating circumstances surrounded this trip, kind of shrouding it in a black cloud of unhappiness. But I was soon to be in my happy place, so I was still excited!
Bitty baby suitcase:
"I'm ready mom!"
And my toes were ready!
But somebody was NOT ready to take her bath...
wishing_upon_a_dstar
Active Member
Aww your dog is so cute,
We hit the road around 6pm:
She knew something was up!
We dropped Ms. Lucie off at my bff Steph's house for the week. Her dog (Mickey) and Lucie became fast friends! (thankfully, as she was SURE I was abandoning her when I left). It was raining cats and dogs when we left Marion. About 30 min down the road, it cleared up, and shortly after, we stopped in Paducah, KY to fill up (gas is absurdly cheaper in every state than Illinois) and grab some dinner.
I figured my lil man would be asleep in no time. But he made it until after we stopped in Clarksville, TN for a potty stop! Yay! 2 states down!
I kept driving until somewhere about 50ish miles north of Chattanooga. About 1am, we stopped for gas outside Atlanta, and I heard "buh buh?"
Lol. Brett had laid down in the backseat the best he could, and Luke could not figure out where he was! At this point I'm thinking "great, he will never go back to sleep and I'm going to have a massive freak out on my hands." He did stay awake for a while, but he just jabbered himself back to sleep.\
This is the way to drive through the ATL!
Just slightly different than our return trip during rush hour
I believe that Ian drove until between Macon and Valdosta, where I took over and drove the sun up!
And FINALLY through this beauty!!!
The point for me to drive was so he could sleep. Which he did not. Which would bite us all in the butt later.
PS I apologize for the blurriness of my pictures
I am not a very good iPhoneographer
She knew something was up!
We dropped Ms. Lucie off at my bff Steph's house for the week. Her dog (Mickey) and Lucie became fast friends! (thankfully, as she was SURE I was abandoning her when I left). It was raining cats and dogs when we left Marion. About 30 min down the road, it cleared up, and shortly after, we stopped in Paducah, KY to fill up (gas is absurdly cheaper in every state than Illinois) and grab some dinner.
I figured my lil man would be asleep in no time. But he made it until after we stopped in Clarksville, TN for a potty stop! Yay! 2 states down!
I kept driving until somewhere about 50ish miles north of Chattanooga. About 1am, we stopped for gas outside Atlanta, and I heard "buh buh?"
Lol. Brett had laid down in the backseat the best he could, and Luke could not figure out where he was! At this point I'm thinking "great, he will never go back to sleep and I'm going to have a massive freak out on my hands." He did stay awake for a while, but he just jabbered himself back to sleep.\
This is the way to drive through the ATL!
Just slightly different than our return trip during rush hour
I believe that Ian drove until between Macon and Valdosta, where I took over and drove the sun up!
And FINALLY through this beauty!!!
The point for me to drive was so he could sleep. Which he did not. Which would bite us all in the butt later.
PS I apologize for the blurriness of my pictures
I am not a very good iPhoneographer
LeCellier.Lover
Well-Known Member
AH I love reading other fellow Illinois-ians TRs and yours is no exception! 
It's so funny because I just got back about 2 weeks ago from a road trip to Disney and its making me smile reliving the driving memories because we stopped at just about all the same cities that you guys did! 
I don't think I've ever seen ATL that deserted, good for you guys! Haha can't wait to read more!
It's so funny because I just got back about 2 weeks ago from a road trip to Disney and its making me smile reliving the driving memories because we stopped at just about all the same cities that you guys did! I don't think I've ever seen ATL that deserted, good for you guys! Haha can't wait to read more!
I don't really know what time we "cruised" through the FGL (get it? haha) but I do know it was too early for free OJ at the welcome center. WAHHHHH!I dozed off again, and woke up when my hubby was pulling into a parking lot for.......
HOOOORAH!!!! I seriously HEART DD. I am not a Starbucks girl. Give me a cup o' DD joe and an everything bagel with cream cheese please!
We stopped at a rest area shortly thereafter outside of Tampa area to get changed into our beach baby gear!
Tampa skyline!
Cruisin' across the causeway:
And then we were there! This picture sums up my feelings exactly!
Uh, is that not the cutest beach bum EVER?! Lol. We stopped at Clearwater Beach, which was a PUUUUUURFECT first beach for little man. Very calm water (see the jetty in the back?), not too crowded, lots of families and generally nice people! Not to mention that we were literally 50 feet away from a group (pod?) of dolphins! Seriously. So close that it made me nervous and I backed up. They went up to some lady sitting on her paddle board and nudged it wanting to play. My whole life I had wanted to see dolphins, and I was literally thisclose to them! I didn't get a picture (since all I had on my was my phone) but I did get a video of them later (after they had gone out a ways, and I was on shore). I'm going to pose it 2 different ways, in hopes that one will work. I apologize if it doesn't
They had been up just on the other side of that post, and we were on the opposite side. It was craaaaaazy! (That's Brett there kneeling in the sand)
HOOOORAH!!!! I seriously HEART DD. I am not a Starbucks girl. Give me a cup o' DD joe and an everything bagel with cream cheese please!
We stopped at a rest area shortly thereafter outside of Tampa area to get changed into our beach baby gear!
Tampa skyline!
Cruisin' across the causeway:
And then we were there! This picture sums up my feelings exactly!
Uh, is that not the cutest beach bum EVER?! Lol. We stopped at Clearwater Beach, which was a PUUUUUURFECT first beach for little man. Very calm water (see the jetty in the back?), not too crowded, lots of families and generally nice people! Not to mention that we were literally 50 feet away from a group (pod?) of dolphins! Seriously. So close that it made me nervous and I backed up. They went up to some lady sitting on her paddle board and nudged it wanting to play. My whole life I had wanted to see dolphins, and I was literally thisclose to them! I didn't get a picture (since all I had on my was my phone) but I did get a video of them later (after they had gone out a ways, and I was on shore). I'm going to pose it 2 different ways, in hopes that one will work. I apologize if it doesn't
They had been up just on the other side of that post, and we were on the opposite side. It was craaaaaazy! (That's Brett there kneeling in the sand)
As long as everyone has an idea of what they want to do, and not afraid to split up if needed, it should be fine! The cruise sounds fun! Jealous!!!
That's kind of how ours was. 7 most of the time, but 11 part of the time. But it overall was a good trip! Everyone made it home in one piece at least! LOL
I can't lie and say it was easy
And New Years?! Are you INSANE??? haha! But I guess with Disney, its the more, the merrier! Right??
Thanks
I missed her terribly, and wished we had taken her, especially since the BFPC was literally right across the street from POR. But I'm sure she had a much better time where she was!AH I love reading other fellow Illinois-ians TRs and yours is no exception!
The drive is SOOOOOOOO long! But flights are just ridiculous! And gas is so much cheaper in every state but IL! So we just bit the bullet and drove. Plus it allowed for some flexibility (visiting both coasts) and we drove to dinner a few times with the baby. Disney transportation with a baby and stroller is No. Fun.
TheMouseFan
Well-Known Member
That is the cutest beach bum ever!!! Can't wait to read more!
Oh yeah! I totally forgot this part! (And wish I had gotten a pic!) As we were getting all of our gear out of the car to head to the beach, I heard this horrible crash! hiss! and looked up to see the palm tree in front of me shaking! Some purple-haired chick in an Audi went up on the curb (for about 40 feet mind you) and ran smack dab into a palm tree! I mean HELLOOOOOO???? I know, I know, those palm trees. Jump out of nowhere The airbag deployed, which is what I assume the hiss was. They had the girl laying on the ground and she totally didn't look like she was with it at all. Idk if it was from the crash? Or maybe a lil somethin-somethin that caused her to crash head on into a palm tree in a 10mph zone? I do not even know how that happens. Cuz you could tell where she had gone up on the curb, and it was a ways back! Craziness.
Anyhoo. We stayed at the beach for about an hour, then showered off to head down the coast some to some of the areas my hubby used to hang out at. I said "Ok guys, I will get the baby. YOU GUYS GET THE BOOGIE BOARDS" Remember that phrase. You will need it for later in the story
We drove down Gulf Blvd, he showed me where he used to live, and where Sandra Bullock's house was. He totally could have been pulling my leg, but I don't think he was. He worked for the electric co down there and had to change out all the meters in the county. He said it was the only star's home he remembered for some reason, except Hulk Hogan's, which is on an island in the bay and we didn't go by. Some of those houses on Gulf Blvd are insane. I wish I had taken pics, but since we were in such traffic it was difficult and I was in awe of these monstrosities people build!
We made it down to John's Pass, which is a pier-ish area down close to St. Pete. We ate lunch at this beach bar called Gator's.
We tried to sit outside, but it was too blasting hot for the baby, and they wouldn't let us sit under one of the umbrellas, because that section was closed. So we went inside and continued to wait 1,000,000 years for someone to wait on us. It was ridic.
It was too hot to eat something heavy, so I got peel n eat shrimp
Ian's Cuban
Brett's wings, and Luke's "mac and cheese" aka Huge Pasta Dish in the middle
It was really good. But not worth the wait sadly. And also sadly, this is one of the only food pics from the trip! The rest of the time I was too busy trying to feed a screaming baby who believes that if he is in a highchair, there should be food in his mouth.
We headed farther south to St. Pete and I got to see this beauty:
The Don Cesar aka "The Pink Palace". I have wanted to stay here since Samantha did on Great Hotels. Being up close to it though, wasn't such a grand experience as I imagined. Maybe from the beach side? Idk. It just was like BOOM there it is crammed in between two small places and sharing a parking lot with a place across the street? I expected it to be a little more removed and secluded I guess?
Anyways, we went just a few blocks farther to a public beach in Pass A Grille, and were unloading the car, and.....wait. Where are the boogie boards?
"Well you had them when we went off the beach!"
"Yes, but you also had the baby, and then I took him to the car and told you to get them"
"Well I didn't hear you and didn't think I was responsible for them since you had them!"
"Yes well IIIIIIIIIIII had the BAAAAABBBBBBBYYYYYYY so i COOOOOUUUULLLLLDDDDDN'T get them now COOOOOUUUULLLLLLDDDDDDD IIIIIIIIII??? Those aren't even our boogie boards! Now we have to buy new ones to replace them!"
"Well if all you're going to do is complain about it then we aren't staying!"
"Fine."
"Fine."
It got worse. Way worse. We hadn't slept, and we had been cooped up in a car together for far too long. It was a good thing we didn't stay anyway, because it soon came a monsoon. I suggested that we go back to Clearwater to see if someone turned them in. Highly unlikely, I know. So 45 min later, we get back, and lo-and-behold they were still there! Laying on the bench where I left them. So glad we went back! Sadly, it didn't stop the arguing completely
The airbag deployed, which is what I assume the hiss was. They had the girl laying on the ground and she totally didn't look like she was with it at all. Idk if it was from the crash? Or maybe a lil somethin-somethin that caused her to crash head on into a palm tree in a 10mph zone? I do not even know how that happens. Cuz you could tell where she had gone up on the curb, and it was a ways back! Craziness.Anyhoo. We stayed at the beach for about an hour, then showered off to head down the coast some to some of the areas my hubby used to hang out at. I said "Ok guys, I will get the baby. YOU GUYS GET THE BOOGIE BOARDS" Remember that phrase. You will need it for later in the story
We drove down Gulf Blvd, he showed me where he used to live, and where Sandra Bullock's house was. He totally could have been pulling my leg, but I don't think he was. He worked for the electric co down there and had to change out all the meters in the county. He said it was the only star's home he remembered for some reason, except Hulk Hogan's, which is on an island in the bay and we didn't go by. Some of those houses on Gulf Blvd are insane. I wish I had taken pics, but since we were in such traffic it was difficult and I was in awe of these monstrosities people build!
We made it down to John's Pass, which is a pier-ish area down close to St. Pete. We ate lunch at this beach bar called Gator's.
We tried to sit outside, but it was too blasting hot for the baby, and they wouldn't let us sit under one of the umbrellas, because that section was closed. So we went inside and continued to wait 1,000,000 years for someone to wait on us. It was ridic.
It was too hot to eat something heavy, so I got peel n eat shrimp
Ian's Cuban
Brett's wings, and Luke's "mac and cheese" aka Huge Pasta Dish in the middle
It was really good. But not worth the wait sadly. And also sadly, this is one of the only food pics from the trip! The rest of the time I was too busy trying to feed a screaming baby who believes that if he is in a highchair, there should be food in his mouth.
We headed farther south to St. Pete and I got to see this beauty:
The Don Cesar aka "The Pink Palace". I have wanted to stay here since Samantha did on Great Hotels. Being up close to it though, wasn't such a grand experience as I imagined. Maybe from the beach side? Idk. It just was like BOOM there it is crammed in between two small places and sharing a parking lot with a place across the street? I expected it to be a little more removed and secluded I guess?
Anyways, we went just a few blocks farther to a public beach in Pass A Grille, and were unloading the car, and.....wait. Where are the boogie boards?
"Well you had them when we went off the beach!"
"Yes, but you also had the baby, and then I took him to the car and told you to get them"
"Well I didn't hear you and didn't think I was responsible for them since you had them!"
"Yes well IIIIIIIIIIII had the BAAAAABBBBBBBYYYYYYY so i COOOOOUUUULLLLLDDDDDN'T get them now COOOOOUUUULLLLLLDDDDDDD IIIIIIIIII??? Those aren't even our boogie boards! Now we have to buy new ones to replace them!"
"Well if all you're going to do is complain about it then we aren't staying!"
"Fine."
"Fine."
It got worse. Way worse. We hadn't slept, and we had been cooped up in a car together for far too long. It was a good thing we didn't stay anyway, because it soon came a monsoon. I suggested that we go back to Clearwater to see if someone turned them in. Highly unlikely, I know. So 45 min later, we get back, and lo-and-behold they were still there! Laying on the bench where I left them. So glad we went back! Sadly, it didn't stop the arguing completely
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Waiting for more...