Gault Family - June 2004

Date of Trip: Friday, June 11- Saturday June 12, 2004


Cast of Characters: Doug (42), Sandi (39), Grandma (67), Brad (14), Florica (9)


Day 1:

Since I knew we would be driving through the night and we were really at slow a work I decided to take off work at noon today. I went home took some Tylenol PM and slept from 1:00pm until 4:00pm, when Flori got home. Brad had a baseball game at 6:15 so at 4:00 we headed to McDonald's for a quick dinner, then to the game (hurry up let's hit and run - get the game over with we want to leave). It was a very warm evening but we set our lawn chairs up on the hill in the shade and had a cool breeze. Finally, the game is over by 8:30 we get Grandma's luggage in to the car and head home. Transfer her luggage to the van, pack the cooler and we are off by 9:30pm. Doug starts out driving but after 1 hour he is done for. I take over. The rest of the drive is smooth and cool (the air works in this van unlike our last trip in Aug). I took a Jet Alert tablet with some Diet Coke around 2:30 there's no stopping me now. We stop a few times for fuel and breaks then at 6:30 am we stop for breakfast just south of Atlanta. We are back on the road, Doug drives another hour (just pass Perry where he fell asleep at the wheel 2 years ago and ran a cop off the road) and can't do any more so I am back in the saddle, good thing I went home for that nap the day before. We arrive at AKL 2:30 on Saturday, June 12 (pretty good 17 hours from St. Louis to Orlando). The parking lot is a maze and we end up parking pretty far away. We get checked in with no waiting, find our rooms which are within 3 doors away from each other (priority) but unfortunately there are no bunk beds. We did find a play pen in the closet and made a pallet on the floor for DD (I felt bad but she loved it and asked every night if she could sleep there). Our Savannah View is awesome and grandma is upgraded from a standard room to pool view. (She didn't want to pay the extra for the savannah view but we figure you only live once I want animals in my yard). The first stop after unpacking and settling in is to get our refillable mugs at The Mara and check out the pool, by now it is almost 4:00 so we tell the kids we can swim later we want to head to DTD for some shopping (I want Pal Mickey and a few Tinkerbell items not much). We wait about 20 min for the bus that seems to be taking the long way around but we soon realize he cut through OKW and we are able to catch a glimpse of Saratoga Springs (very nice) and arrive at DTD without all the Main Street traffic (good job). We walk around a little just window shopping since we have PS for Planet Hollywood and we don't want to carry our bags around we decide we will shop afterward. Doug decides we are taking to long and will never make it to the other side for dinner so we start heading over and it becomes clear that Doug and Brad are tired of having to wait for Grandma and Grandma is having knee and breathing trouble trying to keep up. I decide for this trip we probably will need to split up since Flori is also apt to wander and melt down if pushed to hard. We arrive at 5:15 after all that fussing, we check in and are seated right away, there is already a line halfway down the stairs for standby seating. Grandma has the steak, which turns out to be her favorite meal of the week, Doug just has a burger and the kids and I split a couple of appetizers (One hint here if you buy the GC from Hotwire don't expect to use any other discount - I have an AP supposed to be 10% off - not, OK well I also have a $5.00 off coupon - nope again) We get that straighten out no biggie but it would have been nice to know when I told the server before we ordered. It is now raining lightly, the umbrella is back in the van but we really didn't need it. Doug decided to go back to the room (he had hurt his hand 2 days before and had 3 stitches, pain meds and antibiotics). We hit World of Disney since we had an idea of what we wanted and we get that AP 10% discount here. I come out after a couple of hours, 2 big bags, and $225.00 later we decide we are done and the kids want to swim. We wait a little while for the bus, it is still raining after all, when we get to AKL we find the pool is closed. So we check out the shop and on our way we stop for a mug refill, thank goodness they have caffine free diet coke. Back at the room we get everyone settled but I still can't sleep so I take a couple of pills and try to relax. I had just fallen asleep when there is banging on the door. I am half asleep on the bed on the far side of the room. I drop my glasses and flash light while I am feeling for them, the room is pitch dark, I decide to stumble to the door, more banging I tell them hold on don't wake everyone else, but they don't hear me. I can't get the door open still half asleep and rushing I can't find the lock to unlock it. I need light now I can't find the light switch but I did find the wall when I ran into it, more banging I now know it is my mother and I run back to the door to try again (still in the dark). Finally, success! When I open the door and find the light switch she is asking what is wrong with her eye. It is all red and she is seeing like a black fiber in it, but she can't see it without her glasses and really needs a magnifying mirror. I look no broken blood vessel but yes it is pretty red. We decide she would try to sleep and if we need to she can call the Doctor in the morning. I turn around after another round of good nights and find my whole family has slept through my whole comedy act.


Day 2:

We plan to spend the day in Epcot. I am an early riser at home so we don't set the alarm, sure enough I am up at 6:00am. Doug is already gone along with our mugs. I get up get dressed and am ready to head down to find him when he shows up with my mother who has a breakfast tray. I invite her in to eat on the patio and watch the animals, since they have just been by to feed them. I enjoy my coffee while Grandma eats and Doug who can't sit still is off exploring. I had brought a bunch of food with us and after my coffee I have a bowl of cereal and decide it is time to get the kids up. Both of them are very good sleepers and it is taking them a while. Doug doesn't want to wait any longer, Epcot is his favorite park so I tell him to go without us, since we were planning on staying to see Illuminations I am in no hurry to get there and when we arrive I will call him and we can meet. (We just switced wireless plans for this trip so that we can call each other and not worry about roaming charges.)

We finally arrive after 10:00 am due to a 45 minute wait for the bus. My mother did not realize that Spaceship Earth was a ride until she saw the huge line, I told her to wait we will catch it on the way out and have no waiting. We call Doug and find out he is just entering The Living Seas, so off we go. The display outside is very nice and I really love the Little Nemo theme it is great for kids, while the rest of us explore and discuss how we miss the moving cars and how you used to be able to walk further around the tank, Flori is busy playing one of the interactive computers. We are in time to see them feed all the animals except the sharks since they are feed every other day and today is not there day. The manatees are a lot of fun to watch. I want to get FP for TT but since we are on the other side of the park we decide we can do that later. (I would like to try MS but I am clausterphobic and worried I would not have a good experience, Doug said he had already ridden it and it was just OK, I doubt that he really had the time and he won't even do the tea cups but whatever maybe next time I can convince myself to try it). Next we hit The Land, get right on, and really enjoy seeing the Mickey cucumbers and watermelon. Upon exiting I vote for Imagination to see Figment since we always seem to forget that one, again we get right on. Grandma wants to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience (not my favorite but OK I will go). Whoops sorry they are closed for technical difficulties. Now can we check out TT, as we are walking over they are just taking down the ropes for Ice Station Cool, we love the German Coke. When we finally get our fill we decide that Brad and Doug will run ahead to get the FP and meet up with us in Mouse Gear. (While we were there we found the Soccer Mickey antenna ball we need a few of those but let's get them on the way out.) Our FP comes out with a free surprize FP for Honey I Shrunk the Audience to be used at any time. We'll save those since it isn't running now.

It seems like we are done here and head into the WS, we ride El Rio del Tiempo again no waiting. When we get off Flori sees the KidCot and wants a mask, the boys have found the glass shop so we let Flori start decorating. Next, we hit Maelstrom, only 5 min waiting, but only Flori and I want to ride, the rest can wait for us. From there we hit China for the next stamp. Brad wants a Diablo but conveniently forgot to bring his money, to bad. We get Flori's stamp in Germany and Grandma wants some candy but we realize it is almost time for our PS at LeCellier and the boat is there waiting at the Lagoon. We realize it is probably a little shorter to hop the bus and walk around that way, plus we will have an air condition break on the boat. We are still a little early so Flori and I run into the shops to get her stamp. It is now time for our 2:20 PS and the food is great. (I had tried for over 3 months to explain to Doug about these VKL vouchers so we would be ready to use them to their full advantage, I even printed off every place to use them and highlighted the good deals). Here is our waiter I ask if we can get slushies (no problem) we order drinks. Doug has a fit because we are ready to order and he doesn't understand how these stupid vouchers work. (Can you see me pulling my hair out). After he has the cheesecake he is in a better mood. Brad decides he really wants that Diablo and promises to pay me back, then he wants to return to the hotel to swim. He doesn't even want to do TT now (one of his favorite rides). The rest of us head over to use are FP but we are held up a little by some VIP, we don't recognize anyone in the group. Then, Doug, decides to take off, he will stop at Mouse Gear to get the antenna balls and a Mickey Tie that Brad was looking at (he will need a couple of ties for school this year). So the girls decide to finish shopping are way around the world. Starting on the right we get stamps at United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, USA, and finally Italy. Grandma also gets desert to go in France, I need to try the Poky in Japan, we are in time for The American Adventure in USA (I am sure I saw this before but it has either changed or I have never seen it - we really enjoyed it). After we stock up on candy in Germany we decide to take the boat across the Lagoon again and head out. Flori really wants to swim not hang around for Illuminations (We can come back if we want). On the way out I take them on Spaceship Earth (as predicted no wait now).

Back at the hotel Doug and Brad are now starving so we head to The Mara to try the Q&C vouchers here again more fussing but they are a deal. They bring the food out to the pool and we allow the kids to swim. The pool it is open but I am leary of letting them in due to the lightening every once in a while. We decide the lifeguards know better and the kids swim until 10:00. Back in the room Flori decides she is hungry now and finishes Brad's salad and a back of cheese and crackers. Finally, time for bed. Tomorrow I want to get going earlier for some reason I scheduled us to be at AK on an EE day - what was I thinking oh well no one cares so we will try going there.


Day 3:

Again I am up early, I go get my coffee and run into my mother she invites me to her room for breakfast. Meanwhile, the phone rings a dozen times while Doug tries to wake the kids at 7:00, finally he gives up and answers with the loud speaker but no one else hears Mickey. An hour later I get the kids up and moving finally, we have cereal in the room and are finally ready to leave at 9:00. My main goal this trip is to see a couple of the parades, I have only seen one out of the 10 or so times we have been to WDW, so everyone knows right now. We love Kilimanjaro Safaris so we send Brad ahead to get FP for it. When we get there the wait time is only 15 min so we decide to ride right now. Then it is time for FP, let's go again, boy was it worth the second trip. The first time around the elephants were still up in the rocks and hard to see. On the second safari the baby elephant was in the water playing just like my 2 year old nephew, running, splashing and having a grand time. We were only able to stop a minute but it was the highlight of the morning. Floirca and I want to walk through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and the others decide to wait for us. When we exit Doug is fussing about us taking so long (see a pattern here). Brad is mopping but won't tell me what is wrong so I decide we need to stop for an early lunch to regroup. We stop at Pizzafari at 10:50 am and purchase the lunch vouchers and our meals then make plans that will hopefully make everyone happy. We head for FP to Kali River Rapids, then take in Flights of Wonder, everyone decides to do the Maharajah Jungle Trek they rush us but we get through that and it is time of the River. Doug doesn't want to go, he claims it is because of his stitches, but he really doesn't like these kind of water rides. The line moves quickly and as we sit down we are discussing how wet we usually get with the other family in our raft. Flori and I are always the wettest at the end. The little girl next to me tells me she never gets very wet. I told her "You will this time since you are by me." The ride starts out we come to the first down hill and it appears the other side of the boat will be the ones to get it. Darn we hit that wheel that sends us spinning and Flori and I hit the water first, we are promptly doused down our backs. "See I told you." We come around to the small series of rapids a only a little water sloshes in. We get to the next hill and guess who gets the wall of water again you guessed it, we are now wet on both sides and Brad is mad that he only has about 5 drops. He, finally, is hit by the spitting elephants and Doug gets a good picture of us. We decide it is time for our ice cream that comes with the vouchers. We are even lucky enough to find a spot in the shade to eat it. We still have plenty of time so we head over to Dinoland for FP to Primeval Whirl one of my favorites. On the way over we start to hear thunder and we realize we can catch Tarzan, Grandma waits at the top of the hill by the entrance, I find the end of the line and wait while Doug and the kids get the FP, some of that powdered candy and play a couple of games. The line starts to move so I grab my phone let's go guys. We pick up Grandma and are in the front row of the top section. While we are enjoying the show we notice rain is now pouring off the ends of the building. When Turk comes up into the audience she sees Flori and I chair dancing away and joins us but then wags her finger at Grandma who is just sitting and watching. Flori was so excited to be singled out. We are so lucky, by the time the show is over the rain has also stopped. We start down the hill and walk over to Dinosaur the wait is 60 min we decide we would rather just wait the 25 min for our next FP. We all stop for the water also included with the vouchers. Doug and Brad want to go shopping, Grandma finds a seat in the shade and I realize Tricera Top Spin only has a 15 minute wait time so Flori and I ride that. Now it is time for our FP we all really enjoy this little coaster and we had enough weight to have it going wildly out of control at the end until we were jarred to a stop. Doug and Flori were in the middle and both hit there stomach and chest on the bar. After that Brad and Flori want to go back and swim but I want to see the parade. Doug decides to take the kids back, he will return later for dinner at Rainforest. Mom and I stay, we planned on heading over to see the Festival of the Lion King but we get side tracked at Island Mercantile, when we come out we realize that people are lining up for the parade. Mom found a spot on the rock wall and I decide to stand over on the side until a CM comes by and tells me I wont be able to stand there. So I find a spot on the ground, but the girl next to my mom moves her bag for me. Thank you so much. We are noticing that the clouds are getting darker again and I think I hear thunder. It starts to rain a little but we have our ponchos. OK now it is raining harder some people are running for cover and others like us are sitting and waiting but it is really raining and blowing. Suddenly I feel my back side getting really wet and about that time a CM comes by to tell us that the parade has been cancelled. When I get up I notice that the rock wall we were sitting on was a plant box that was filling up with water and running over. We run for cover to wait out the monsoon. We strike up a conversation with the people around us as we are waiting for almost an hour. One little girl is crying that she is hungry and her dad refuses to go into the store and stand in line for candy, I remember I have a pack of peanut butter crackers in my bag and would she like them, her mom is so relieved and Dad is willing to pay me for them. "No" I just want to spread some Pixie Dust. The rain slows and picks up a few times but now we only have about an hour before our PS so there is not much point in leaving. I call Doug and of course the pool was closed they were playing video games. I asked him to bring some jackets back for dinner as we are now soaked and I am always cold in RF. There is a small clearing so we decide to make a run for Bug's Life which is showing only a 5 min wait. We track around the Tree of Life dodging the rain. Once we get inside it is freezing and we really have a 15 minute wait but we are out of the rain. More people are entering, move together people I need the body heat. It seems that this show has also changed a little since I saw it 4 years ago. We decide to slowly head out of the park we know we will probably be early but the way Doug has been pushing us I bet he will be early too. We only have to wait a few minutes and we check in early. The wait for the table was the longest line so far. Dinner was great, the server was very nice and we were able to use 1 adult and 1 child VKL voucher for a real bargain. $146.27 worth of food and service for only $43.75 Saved a whopping 102.52. We headed back to the Lodge after dinner although the park was still open another hour. The kids went swimming while Grandma and Mom went for a relaxing dip in the hot tub. When the lifeguards left we made the kids get out and get to bed. We had PS for The Princess Storybook Breakfast at 8:30 in the morning, which meant up early to catch the bus by 7:00.


Day 4:

Mickey calls at 6:30 am, I make sure Flori can here him this time. Then I remind her she gets to wear her Cinderella Dress for breakfast. She is up and dressing in no time after a few minutes of discussion I break down and let her wear her "glass slippers" (Jelly like sandals that she has wore before but not for this long) I knew I shouldn't have even brought them but I did. Brad decides he would rather sleep in and Doug didn't want to go in the first place, so we head down the hall to collect Grandma. The bus arrives promptly at 7:15 and we are on our way. Once we arrive we get through the check points and decide to walk around instead of wait in line for the shuttle (golf cart). As we pass the CM on the way in they smile, bow, wave and respond with a "Good Morning Princess". She was on cloud nine and last year at school she had learned to curtsy so she had fun perfecting that here. By the time we get to Norway her feet are hurting her (I knew it). We really enjoy the whole breakfast and have seconds of the potatoes and sausage. Flori is unable to walk back so I carry her and act like her horse which really amused some of the CM we had seen coming in. We stopped at Mouse Gear to look for a shirt I had seen earlier in the week and had been unable to find again. They didn't have my size so I opt for Sorcerer Mickey instead of Tinkerbell (this is now my quest to find this shirt). When we leave the store my back is hurting to bad so I tell Flori to take her shoes off and walk barefoot, if anyone says any thing she can put them back on. On the way to the bus we had one CM ask her "where she lost her shoe" we just responded that "we need to get her back before the bus turns into a pumpkin" and kept right on walking.

After changing and checking in with the boys (they are out running around somewhere) we will meet up with them at 5:00 for dinner at Boma. The girls decide to head to MK. We start out around noon grabbing a FP for Buzz, we enjoy TTA and the CP, then Flori and I wait the hour for the Speedway while Mom shops. When we get off I run up the hill to get another FP for Mickey's Philharmonic (excellent) then we catch Belle's storytime, another first for us. After watching M'sP we look around Fantasyland and realize all the lines are long and it is getting really hot so we head back to AKL for some pool time, we make a pit stop for some Ice Cream on Main Street and Grandma is taking her time looking in the shops. We realize the parade will be starting soon thanks to Pal Mickey and there are still spots on the shady side of the street so we watch the parade then head back. We meet the guys for dinner at Boma. My new favorite place to eat (See review). The girls head back out for MK at 7:00. Just DD and I, as mom is to tired and the boys are to meet up with some soccer friends in Orlando. When we arrive we hop the train to Frontierland since we never made it over there earlier. We grab a FP for SM and head around the corner to Pirates and walk right on, then to Jungle Cruise with a 15 min wait. DD decides she is hungry again so we walk back through the walkway to get a pretzel and realize they are getting ready for Spectromagic so we decide to wait and boy are we glad. DD said that was the best parade ever, we really enjoyed watching it and I had never seen it before either. As soon as the parade was over we cut back to Adventureland and rode the carpets with no wait. Finally it was time for our FP we rode SM and headed straight for BTM with only a 5 min wait. I had wanted to be in front of the castle for our first time watching Wishes but by the time we got off BTM it was starting. We watched from around the Hall of Pres (again Wonderful and DD truely loved it - she usually hates fireworks) and then we caught the last train of the evening back to the front just as the second showing of Spectro was headed down the street. We were able to get out of the park and on the bus back to AKL in no time. I have to say I think this evening with my DD was probably one of my favorite.


Day 5:

Today is our planned day to sleep in of course I am up at 5:00 any way but oh well. I spend the morning just enjoying the Lodge. At 10:00 I get DD up so we can get to GF for our scheduled facials. (The boys are off running all over - I don't find out until my Bday July 16 what they were up to. They bus, train and monorail hopped to all of the previous hotels we had stayed at and picked up those dangle charms for each resort for me. How sweet and a total surprise.) We make it to the spa and really enjoy the facials (this was my big splurge for this trip I really doubt I will do it again but it was fun.) Then we head back to AKL so Flori can swim and participate in some of the activities where you get beads.

Tonight is dinner at Beaches and Cream so we plan to meet the guys at the DTD bus stop around 5:00 since they don't take PS and I have heard there is quite a wait the later you get there. Mom and I decide to go a little early and shop. When the guys finally arrive it is 5:45 (I guess we will just have to wait for table) we have a fun time trying to find it (because I left my map at AKL). We arrive around 6:30 and are seated right away. OK this now my second favorite place to eat. We all leave stuffed! As we are walking out Doug says we should take the boat or walkway to Epcot then the bus to AKL it will be much faster he says. But Mom only has 2 days left on her Park Hopper and we don't want to waste one just walking through Epcot to the buses. I insist that taking the first bus to what ever park and then a bus to AKL will be faster. Can you see what's comming - - - the race is on. The girls head to the bus stop and the boys are off to the boat. Good luck guys! We are so glad that the first bus arrives within 3-5 minutes of us getting to the stop and it is for AK. Since it is now around 8:00 the driver says "AK is closed are we headed to RFC". "No not really, but we need to get somewhere to catch a bus to AKL" we reply. "Well it is just as easy for me to take you there first." the driver counters. As we leave the bus we thank him for helping us win the race!

The rest of the night is spent enjoying the pool, arcade and the lodge.


Day 6:

Today we are headed to MGM now this park is OK but really not one of my favorites (I consider it a half day park). We have PS for the Fantasmic dinner at Hollywood and Vine. Fantasmic is really one of the few reasons I go here. We decide we would get there whenever since we knew we would be there late. DD finally get up around 10:00 and we arrive around 11:00 the guys decide to sleep a little later and will meet us later to get FP for RRR so we head to Little Mermaid only 15 min wait, upon exiting we find that Lilo and Stich will be in special autograph area in just a few minutes so we wait, then hop next door to the Animation Tour (just not the same with out the artists there). Next, we stop at ABC for a quick lunch, and then on to Indiana Jones Show they are letting in right now. On the way over to B&theB we stop on the GMR and are in luck as Cinderella (DD's favorite) has just come out. I get in line and she gets Mr. Penguin's autograph, after the wonder B&theB show we decide to head over to check out Catastrophe Canyon since it was changed (we really don't like it as much) but the new set they are building looks cool. Doug calls and we tell him we should be done soon we are just waiting for the tram but then it breaks down and we have to wait 30 min for repairs. After 4 more calls and the guys getting upset that we were taking so long we finally meet at the hat. They already rode RRR and don't want to go again so to bad I missed my chance unless I want to ride by myself. So I decide I want to stay now and see the parade and they take off again, Mom finds a bench in the shade and waits for us there. After the parade I take Flori to get a picture with Mike and Sully then to stand in line for Minnie's autograph. There are only us and one little girl in front of us when they say Minnie is done no more autographs and she will not be back today. How Rude! So we notice the line for Sorcerer Mickey isn't to bad and go ahead over there but now DD "doesn't like Minnie any more". On the way back they are practically paying people to see Millionaire but we don't have time we have to go back and get Mom and meet the guys for dinner. Dinner at H&V is good but DS is not hungry since they didn't eat lunch until 2:00 and it is only 6:30 now. DS and Mom decide they are tired and don't want to stay for Fantasmic so now I get upset since this is the one thing that I love and I even have some of those light up necklaces and glasses from the $1.00 store. After I pout awhile they say they will stay and that they want to try Millionaire so off we go. One of the guys the host of the show is a friend of mine from elementary school but we are in the back row and of course he probably wouldn't remember me anyway. I am glad to see he is doing well. After that we take our time and head over to garage entrance at 8:30 to see Fantasmic. It is wonderful and everyone, especially Grandma who has never seen this show, is really glad they stayed. The guys rush out to catch the bus back but Mom, Flori and I take our time and visit the shops. There are only a couple of people waiting for the bus and it arrives quickly.


Day 7:

Today is our free day we have PS for dinner in the castle (one of last night traditions). We can go anywhere but they all want MK. We don't get there until after 10:00 but the crowds are not to bad. We take the train again like last time to get FP for SM even though it is not running we will be able to use them any time later per CM. We girls head over to Adventureland and hit all the stuff Mom had missed from Tuesday. We hit Jungle Cruise, Pirates, quick lunch at Pecos Bills, watch the Bears, ride the Haunted Mansion, get FP for Peter Pan, catch Goofy's new show (a lot of fun). When I come out I have a voice message on my phone that is 15 minutes of noise, yelling and talking. While we are on line for Peter Pan we see the guys pass by so I give them a call to find out where they had just come from, Space Mountain so that's what I was listening to (Remind them to lock their phone). Then we head back to Futureland for FP for Buzz, we again hit TTA and CP now Space Mountain is only showing a 20 min wait so Flori and I decide we have enough time before our Buzz mission but an hour and a half later we finally land and find mom. After Buzz we are making our way up to the castle to meet the guys at 7:00. We check in and are treated to a visit by Cinderella, Flori is mad that I have forgotten to bring her dress to dinner but is quickly smiling and talking to Cinderella. Dinner was just as good as it is every trip even though we didn't get a window seat. After dinner every one is ready to leave even though I try to talk them into staying for Wishes. As we are heading out Spectro is getting ready to start and we just make it out before they close the street. What a great last day, we let the kids stay up and swim since we are not in a great rush to get up and leave tomorrow.


Day 8:

We get up around 9:00 and finish packing. We have breakfast at Rainforest and are on the road by 11:30. The ride home was uneventful and we arrive around 2:30 am Sunday morning. I was able to rest a litttle more on the way home and so we went ahead and drove straight through to St. Louis. On the way home we have to slow down for a truck and trailer that has over turned on the side of the highway. (Boy do I feel bad for them). DH and Grandma are watching the road and miss the by pass in Atlanta so we have to go through downtown -this is only a slight slow down since it is Sunday. We stop just after that for dinner at Applebee's (I can't remember the town but there is a lot there and we were lucky to find a SAM's club there that pumps gas which saved us .10 a gallon). I take over driving and we don't run into any problems at all. We are home by 2:30 in the morning.

Now I am ready to start planning our next trip. Since we have AP and have always wanted to be in WDW for Christmas I am now making plans for Dec 18 - 26.