8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report COMPLETED - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report COMPLETED
8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report
COMPLETED TRIP REPORT
This was the trip of a lifetime for the wife and me. At the end of July we celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. We had not had much time alone since our firstborn came along 8 years ago. The wife finally caved and agreed to a “Mommy and Daddy Only Trip” to celebrate.
If you decide to tag along on this trip you will get to read and see our adventures as we enjoy 8-nights together at Walt Disney World. Lots of fun, food and wondering what the kiddos are doing “right now.” Plus tons of pics.
The Cast:
Me (Heath) – I am 37 and a middle school business teacher as well as a Southern Baptist pastor. I am the "Disney nut" in the family. I am also the extreme planner. I chose all the details and made ALL the decisions - well most anyway . That works for us. I doubt she knows the Passporter Discussion Boards even exists; can you imagine such a person?
My Wife (Candi) – She is also 37 and is a full-time mommy to our three little loves, Jaron (8) , Clayton (5) and Ella (3). Jaron is our know-it-all, Clayton is the superhero complete with self-included sound effects and Ella is daddy's little princess. Candi does love Disney, but she loves to be surprised and is very flexible. She also trusts me with the planning based on previous experiences. She seems to think there are more important things to use your extra time for besides planning a trip - lol. She is in on some of the big decisions like plane tickets and some limited dining, but for the most part -- every day will be a surprise for her. She will not know where we are headed or what we will do each day.
Trip Details:
Date: June 8-16, 2014
Resort: Saratoga Springs & All Star Music
Pre-Trip Report: Concessions of a Disney Addict
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This day did not start under the best of circumstances. Yesterday (Thursday) we had a freak wind storm with 70-80 mph winds. When I got home from school there was a tree laying across our fence, where it will stay until we return unless someone from somewhere comes and cuts it up-let's cross our fingers and pray. That also means that our last night of packing was done with no electricity. Also, as of this morning, our van is still in the shop having repairs made so we can leave.
June 6 - Well, this morning I got up and went to school. Seemed a waste of time. We bused kids to school, handed out report cards and put them back on the bus by 8:30 am to go home for the last day of school. Teachers were able to leave just after them, so I got back home by 9:00 am to pack up. Candi was getting the kids dressed, so I walked up to the service station in town to check on the van. He did not have it fixed, but said the problem would be okay until we returned home. That was the case, as long as we kept the speed under 75 mph we had no real problems.
So I drove the van home and we started to get things packed. This was interesting, as there was still no electricity in my town. We just made the best of it and finally got on the road about 10:30 am. Today we would be headed to Marseilles, Illinois where the kids would stay with their grandparents for the next week. This is a 9-hour trip, so we were well stocked with pillows and technology devices
We stopped in about an 45 minutes for the first bathroom break, and also had lunch. Of course we had McDonald's. What else do you have on a long road trip.
Once back on the road the kids were well entertained with games and movies. Candi was reading something she downloaded on her phone. I think is was one of books in the “Mortal Instruments” series, but I am not sure. It was a long book and kept her occupied throughout the trip. She loves those “teen” books, and refused to tell me the name. Her exact words were, “I don’t need you blabbing to the whole world what I was reading.” Oh well. I had headphones in listening to Disney Podcast after podcast. Who knows which of the 15 podcasts I listened to. If you followed by PTR (CLICK HERE FOR PTR) you will remember that is all I listen to in the car, so it could have been the DisUnplugged, PassPorter Moms, Be Our Guest -- but who knows?
We did stop at a family bakery in southern Missouri for a fun treat. Everything was yummy, and provided a needed bathroom break.
Most of the rest of the trip up to Mimi & Bumpa’s house was uneventful. The kids were okay, but that is as much as you can ask for on a 9-hour trip, right? We did have Taco Bell for dinner somewhere in Illinois. We ordered the family pack of crunchy tacos and bean burritos. A favorite of my kids.
We spent the night with the grandparents (in-laws). My kids do not get to see them, or their Aunt Tara very often. So this would be a good week for them.
As a side note here, so you do not think we are terrible parents. This would be a vacation for our kids too. Though I will not talk much about their adventures, as we were not there, they would have a good time. They visited Lego Discovery Center and the Brookfield Zoo, both located near Chicago. They also went to a Children’s Museum in Bloomington, a carnival, and lots of parks in the area. They did have a good time. We are also planning a short “Family” vacation later in the summer - maybe to Branson, Missouri and Silver Dollar City, which is a family favorite.
Back to the trip report - My inlaws do have a small house, especially when you add five people. So we stretched out wherever we could find a place. Bed for me and my baby Ella would be an air mattress in the living room.
June 7 - Sleep was as good as could be expected. We tried to sleep in a little that morning. It was a pretty lazy day watching tv and just hanging out. We would spend this time with the kids before the in laws took us to our hotel in Chicago. I did not get a chance to get a haircut prior to leaving, so I did have to run to the local Wal-Mart and get one. I know, sounds strange, but the Smart Style in the Ottawa, Illinois Wal-Mart did a pretty good job.
About 4:00 pm Candi’s parents drove us to our hotel for the night. It was a Super 8 at the Chicago O’hare Airport. Our original plan was to go up early this morning with the kids and swim in the hotel pool with the kids, then they would come back with their grandparents. But we decided that might be too dramatic of a departure. We didn't want to leave anyone starting the week with tears. I think it was a good decision.
I hate big city traffic, and Chicago is awful. Even on a Saturday afternoon it was a crawl, and we spent a fortune in tolls getting to the hotel. The room turned out to be pretty nice. I booked it for only $53 on Priceline. They had a free shuttle to the airport in the morning, so we would not have to worry about parking -- or even knowing how to get to the airport for that matter. This too was a good decision.
We ordered in pizza and wings for dinner from Sharpino's Pizza. It was yummy. So with bellies full, we turned in about 10 pm, as we had an early 6:00 am flight in the morning. The airport shuttle would pick us up at 4:45 am, ouch! Candi seemed to be in sleepy land in just a few minutes. I on the other hand was hyped up on anticipation. I do not think I slept more than two-hours all night.
Up Next: PART 1 - Fight & Saratoga Springs Resort
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What a great start! 8 adult days alone with the spouse? Sounds heavenly! Can't wait to read more!
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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sounds like fun for everyone. waiting to hear more. (I'm with you on the big city traffic. when we drive to WDW we have to avoid as many cities as possible)
sounds like fun for everyone. waiting to hear more. (I'm with you on the big city traffic. when we drive to WDW we have to avoid as many cities as possible)
When we go back to WDW next summer with the 3 kids and aunt in tow, we will drive. I hope we can miss as much traffice as possible,
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. That works for us. I doubt she knows the Passporter Discussion Boards even exists; can you imagine such a person?
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