As dawn broke on August 24, 2024, the De Sousa Family kicked off an exhilarating journey that promised thrills and unforgettable memories! With bleary eyes but hearts brimming with excitement, we answered the call of adventure by hitting the road to Orlando, Florida at the crack of dawn. The meticulously packed car awaited our eager crew, and as the clock struck 5 AM, we set off on a voyage filled with promise, armed with a carefully crafted itinerary to guide our every step. The stage was set for an escapade like no other! Read on to discover more about our incredibly well manicured itinerary:
Disney Vacation - 10 Day Itinerary
Day 1: The Drive
Well, in our particular case, we live in Barrie, Ontario - so our road trip was an amazing 2136 km long! According to "Apple Maps," it estimated our road trip to be around 20 hours (not even counting rest stops). While some might shy away from the idea of embarking on such a long journey with a family and young children, for us, seasoned road trippers, this was a no-brainer! We see the road trip as an essential part of the adventure. We always give ourselves a generous buffer for travel time, allowing an extra 6-9 hours for stops. We also stopped and rested for a long sleep break in the late hours of the night just so we feel a little more refreshed on arrival. Another key to our successful trips is that my wife and I share the driving equally, keeping the vehicle always in motion! (Spoiler Alert: We left at 5 am on August 24, 2024, and we arrived in Orlando, Florida at 10 am on August 25, 2024 - 29 hours) Get ready for some thrilling upcoming blog posts where I'll share all the exciting details on how we make the most of our road trips!
Day 2: Arrival In Orlando, Florida
During this trip, we stayed "off-property" (Disney Resort Property) at the incredible The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando. Check-in time for the resort is typically 4:00 PM; however, they are flexible depending on the availability of your room. Having arrived in Orlando at 10 am, we planned to kill some time by heading to Costco for some exploration and grocery shopping to get all the essentials for our trip. After stocking up on the essentials, we made our way to the resort and arrived there around 1 pm. Lucky for us, we were able to check in early! We spent the rest of the day exploring the resort (which has many amenities to enjoy), made another quick stop at Walmart for some additional essentials, and then capped the day off with a quick evening swim before getting a much-needed good night's sleep. Stay tuned for some exciting future posts, all about the resort!
Day 3: Resort Day & Disney Springs
After a long 29-hour drive to Orlando, it's understandable that even the most ardent Disney enthusiast may feel a bit fatigued to embark on a 20 km walk around the bustling theme parks. Therefore, we wisely decided to allocate our first day for a well-deserved break at the resort. The resort itself is a treasure trove of relaxation and entertainment options, ensuring that we were kept engaged and content throughout the day. It was a refreshing change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the road trip.
Following a leisurely day under the warm Florida sun, we decided to extend our explorations to the vibrant and lively Disney Springs. This dining, shopping, and entertainment complex offered a myriad of experiences waiting to be discovered. From unique boutiques to delectable dining options, Disney Springs proved to be a delightful extension of our Disney adventure. Stay tuned for more detailed insights and experiences from our time at Disney Springs in upcoming posts!
Day 4: Disney's EPCOT
After taking a day to unwind, we decided to kick off our park visits by heading to Disney's EPCOT. Why EPCOT, you wonder? Being a bit smaller than the other parks on our list, we thought it would be a gentle introduction to the Disney Park atmosphere. While EPCOT wasn't our top choice traditionally, we didn't rush to be there for the opening. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a full day, and let me tell you - Disney has really upped its game with some fantastic attractions in the park. Everyone had an incredible time, and we stayed until the end to witness the spectacular fireworks show. Keep an eye out for more blog posts detailing our EPCOT adventure!
Day 5: Disney's Magic Kingdom
On Day #5 of our Disney vacation, we found ourselves fully immersed in the experience at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Opting for a Wednesday visit to avoid the usual crowds on Mondays and weekends, we quickly realized that every day at Disney is bustling with activity. Knowing that this park is expansive, we made sure to arrive early, taking into account the extra time needed to navigate from the parking lot, involving a tram and a Monorail ride. Although a single day at Magic Kingdom is considered ambitious, we embraced the challenge and stayed from opening until closing, marvelling once again at the spectacular fireworks show above the enchanting castle. As we made our way back to the parking lot, we chose to board the ferry, adding another exciting chapter to our adventure which will be shared in upcoming posts!
Day 6: Disney's Animal Kingdom
On the 6th day of our Disney vacation, we explored Animal Kingdom, which is another beloved destination for our family. It was quite ambitious to visit two large parks consecutively, and while we handled it well, this may not be a suitable plan for everyone. Despite that, we arrived early at the park to maximize our day since it closes earlier than the other Disney Parks. We stayed until closing time, experiencing most of the major attractions. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts for more details! We finished our day with an evening swim back at the resort we stayed at for an extra adventure.
Day 7: Disney's Hollywood Studios
On the 7th day of our trip, we planned a visit to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since this park is larger and stays open later, we decided to fit in a visit to the smaller Animal Kingdom in between two visits to larger parks that close later. While it's not ideal to visit 4 parks in 4 days, especially with children, some scheduling conflicts made it necessary, but we made the most of it. If you're a fitness enthusiast, I can assure you that by the end of the week, you'll have likely walked close to 80km (seriously!). Hollywood Studios is an incredible park, and we got there quite early, staying until late at night. Instead of watching the "Fantasmic" evening show, we chose to ride one of our favorite attractions again - Aerosmith's Rockin' Roller Coaster, taking advantage of short lines. We wrapped up our day with an adrenaline rush before heading back for some well-deserved rest. Stay tuned for a more detailed exploration of this park!
Day 8: Resort Day
Having completed visits to all 4 Disney parks over 4 days, we decided to dedicate our final day to enjoying the amenities at The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando. This choice allowed us to unwind on our last day in Orlando, ensuring we were refreshed for the journey back home. While many feel a sense of sadness when leaving Disney, we maintained a positive attitude by reminding ourselves that the vacation continues until we reach home, giving us something to look forward to during the road trip back. Although the return journey may not be as thrilling as the trip to Orlando, we still find it enjoyable and often take the opportunity for some last-minute shopping. Our day was spent wonderfully relaxing by the pool, while the kids, full of energy, had a blast at the water park and water slides to their hearts' content.
Day 9: Farewell Orlando, Florida - Our Road Trip Home Begins
Following an exciting and enchanting stay in Orlando, Florida, we departed from our resort (with a late check-out) and commenced our lengthy journey back home. Typically, we allocate an additional day for the return trip in case we feel fatigued and need to stay overnight in a hotel. However, on this occasion, we chose to push through and arrive home ahead of schedule. Sarah and I took turns driving at a relaxed pace, making stops along the route for shopping and sightseeing.
Day 10: Final Leg Of Our Road Trip
