Too Early for a July Pre-Trip Report?

Hey Everyone! My goal was to wait until May to make a pre-trip report but I couldn't wait any longer! So here's the run down:

When: July 18th-23rd
Where: Pop Century Resort
Who:
Myself- This will be my 12th trip to Disney World. My First trip was in 1992 with my oldest DD and DH. I love the shows, parades, and character, not really a big rides person. Favorite Park-Magic Kingdom.
DH (Charlie)- The quiet Disney Lover. He isn't bursting with Disney Magic but if there is a Disney movie on, I will sometimes catch him watching it by himself. LOL. Absolutely loves Fantasmic! and all the big rides. Favorite Park- Epcot.
DD19 (Emily)- Probably the biggest Disney Lover out of all of us. Makes us go to every park opening, and is the "Disney Planner/Expert". Her Favorite movie is Beauty and The Beast. I couldn't name anything in WDW that she doesn't like! This will be her 12th trip. Her Favorite Park is EPCOT.
DD14 (Sammy)- Not a big princess fan but she loves movies like Lion King, Goofy Movies, Hunchback, and stuff like that. Oh and she is a HUGE Mulan Fan! She is a big rides fan! She will deal with the shows but they aren't a favorite for her. Her favorite park is DHS because of Rockin Roller Coaster. This will be Sammy's 7th trip to the world!
DD11 (Haley)- My little Princess! She loves everything Disney. I asked her what he least favorite and favorite disney movie was and she couldn't answer because she loves them all! Her Favorite Princess is Belle though. She is starting to like the rides more now and of course she loves meeting the characters! This will be Haley's 5th trip to the world! Her Favorite park is Magic Kingdom!

Now onto the main reason why I am writing this Pre-Trip Report so early. Well, It's a surprise trip! I am really trying not to tell the kids but they ask if we can go at least twice a day! I just know they are going to flip when they find out!

The game plan

Saturday, July 16th- We will be leaving from Massachusetts around 2am to start our drive. Because it is going to be hot, we want to do a lot of driving when the sun isn't out and then make more stops during the day. Our goal is to get to South Carolina/ Georgia by around 9pm. Seems possible as long as the traffic is n our side.

Sunday, July 17th- Waking up early in the morning to go to the grandparents house. This is where the kids think we are going! Their Aunt is due to have a baby in June and they think they are going to see their relatives and the new baby. We will be staying over that night and visiting relative. They live about 30 minutes from Orlando.

Monday July 18th- SURPRISE! We are going to get the kids up for around 7am and tell them we are going out to breakfast...The breakfast will be at Crystal Palace!!! My Eldest DD will probably get the hint early this day because she knows the Orlando roads really well. (Like I said, she's is our Disney go-to Girl) We will be spending the day at Magic Kingdom then checking into Pop Century

Tuesday July 19th- DHS, Lunch ADR at 50s, DD11 wanted to eat here last time so we made this one for her

Wednesday July 20th- EPCOT, ADR at Le Cellier Because DD19 has been begging to eat here!

Thursday July 21st- Magic Kingdom/EPCOT again!

Friday July 22nd- Animal Kingdom, going to try Yak and Yeti for lunch as DD14 and DH wanted to eat there last time and we just didn't have a chance.

Saturday July 23rd- Check out day, ADR at Chef Mickey for DD14, spending the day by the pool.


SO VERY EXCITED FOR THIS TRIP!!!:sohappy::sohappy:

 

[mickeysshoes]

Boy do I give you credit...I cant stand the drive from my house up north into your neck of the woods (7 hours)..much less starting up there driving past me then 13 more hours!!! I could not do it. Sounds like you have a great trip planed...and a surprise to boot..that will make it even more fun!!! Hope fum is had by all!!!

Do you all drive down 95 going south or do you go throught the moutains of PA???

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

Boy do I give you credit...I cant stand the drive from my house up north into your neck of the woods (7 hours)..much less starting up there driving past me then 13 more hours!!! I could not do it. Sounds like you have a great trip planed...and a surprise to boot..that will make it even more fun!!! Hope fum is had by all!!!

Do you all drive down 95 going south or do you go throught the moutains of PA???

We have done both! It normally depends on DH and what he wants to do ( I only take the wheel in the Carolinas) It ends up being an extra hour or so going on I-81 south But it beats getting stuck in the Washington traffic!

 

[mickeysshoes]

was wonder beacause we are looking into a now route to avoid The Toconic Parkway...and I hate going 95 and paying all the tolls. Our end point is Pittsfield.

 

[Bri1121]

Can't wait to do my pre trip report!! We are going at the end of July. So we still have 3 months! But we are driving too, from NJ! Yikes! With 2 small kids (6 & 3). Airfare is close to $400 right now so unless it drops dramatically we are driving! We usually drive to Hilton Head so this is only 5 or so more hours!

I didn't know there was away around DC, would definitely take tips here!! We are planning on leaving a little later so we are not so exhausted but are worried about traffic!

We are also surprising the kids. So we can not talk about with them around! We usually drive to Hilton Head so they are use to road trips. We are just telling them we are going on a road trip! Also my my mom their cousins are going too so that will be an added bonus! Can't wait!!

 

[mickeysshoes]

We have done both! It normally depends on DH and what he wants to do ( I only take the wheel in the Carolinas) It ends up being an extra hour or so going on I-81 south But it beats getting stuck in the Washington traffic!

I am sure 81 is a much better trip around Washington traffic...so going that way you dont go my house!! But the time of day you would be hitting DC - Northern VA its a very smart move!!

 

[mickeysshoes]

I didn't know there was away around DC, would definitely take tips here!! We are planning on leaving a little later so we are not so exhausted but are worried about traffic!

QUOTE]

If you dont mind the trip taking longer it might be worth going around DC if you can...I think you will spend the time either way...either sitting in traffic or driving around. Not sure how you come down...most likey right down 95. But if you can get over to 270 then to 495 over to 66 then onto 81....from there i dont where 81 lets you out. But it might be worth getting a map and check it out. I know that most weekend...for hours on end 95 in Northen VA traffic is bumper to bumper for over 20 miles. Good luck

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

Unless you are leaving early and will hit washington before 7, I would take 81. So much less traffic!

Yeah Airfare is pretty expensive, especially for a family of 5. DD19 also has a huge fear of flying. She hasn't been on a plane since before September 11th. She is going to school out in Boston and has taken the Subway and the Train a few times which I think will help her get on a plane again someday but right now, I know she would be a nervous reck the whole time. Not a good way to start a trip.:shrug:

 

[JohnnyDollaz89]

Boy do I give you credit...I cant stand the drive from my house up north into your neck of the woods (7 hours)..much less starting up there driving past me then 13 more hours!!! I could not do it. Sounds like you have a great trip planed...and a surprise to boot..that will make it even more fun!!! Hope fum is had by all!!!

Do you all drive down 95 going south or do you go throught the moutains of PA???

my family used to drive down for the 14 trips we made from Long Island NY and my dad would go straight through and we would get there in like 19 hours. This is the 1st time we arent driving down there i convinced my dad flying was much more convenient

 

[mickeysshoes]

my family used to drive down for the 14 trips we made from Long Island NY and my dad would go straight through and we would get there in like 19 hours. This is the 1st time we arent driving down there i convinced my dad flying was much more convenient

Good for you!!! It will make your trip seem so much longer..not having spent all that time on the road!!! The trip down was never a issue it the LONG SLOW trip home I hated the most!!!!

 

[beebs007]

Sounds like the best surprise ever! Good luck keeping it quiet for 3 more months! I know I couldn't. Le Cellier is really good!

We will be getting there July 19 and leaving July 26. It is my youngest step-daughter's first time and she is overly excited! We are flying this time, only because we got our tickets at $67 each.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I have eaten at both 50's and Le Cellier... While Le Cellier is my absolute favorite place to eat in WDW, 50's is a close second. The atmosphere is great! Try the pot roast. It's delicious! I'm leaving for the world in 18 days... Gee, guess I'd better post my pre-trip report soon then!!!! :sohappy:

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

Sounds like the best surprise ever! Good luck keeping it quiet for 3 more months! I know I couldn't. Le Cellier is really good!

We will be getting there July 19 and leaving July 26. It is my youngest step-daughter's first time and she is overly excited! We are flying this time, only because we got our tickets at $67 each.

It's driving me CRAZY! DH is having a fun time egging on the kids. When ever a commercial comes on he'll say something like "Remember last time when we went on TSMM?" which will lead to the kids begging to go.:lol: He's such an instigator

Your Step daughter will love it!!! First trips are always awesome!

I have eaten at both 50's and Le Cellier... While Le Cellier is my absolute favorite place to eat in WDW, 50's is a close second. The atmosphere is great! Try the pot roast. It's delicious! I'm leaving for the world in 18 days... Gee, guess I'd better post my pre-trip report soon then!!!! :sohappy:

Don't believe me ask the dishes? :lol: (had to bust into be our guest)

I'm so excited for these! My youngest DD doesn't eat like a kid. She likes stuff like pot roast and meatloaf and veggies. Which is part of the reason why she wanted to go there! She also knows her sisters don't eat veggies so she wants them to get called out on it

Le Cellier has been on my DD19's list for some time now. She has been going on and on about how she wants to chedder cheese soup and pretzel bread:slurp: Glad to hear both places are good!

 

[switts]

nothing beats the 24 hour drive from mass....done it plenty of times over the years. I would suggest hitting th road by midnight. I did this 2 years ago and it worked out great. If we didnt run into traffic in Virginia we could of almost made orlando 3 hours ahead of schedule.

 

[JohnnyDollaz89]

Good for you!!! It will make your trip seem so much longer..not having spent all that time on the road!!! The trip down was never a issue it the LONG SLOW trip home I hated the most!!!!

i did most of the drives when i was younger and driving back up to NY was the worst feeling in the world, cuz when your a kid do you really ever wanna leave the World?