Dream Summer Road Trip

[kylelove]

Following your advice, we are going to stay on the Disney complex at the Dolphin hotel. We're lucky to have an expansive budget due to years of saving. Now we need to find a reason to stay in the Villa, as it would be a shame to not make use of it lol.

Is there much to see and do in San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle?

[Southwest Dave]

You will find plenty to do in each of those City's. I love San Fran, even though I am not a big fan of visiting City's. [I much prefer natures creativity] Some highlights would be China Town, Coit Tower, Pier 39 and a visit to Alcatraz Island should be part of any trip to the 'City by the sea' ! Here is the only place to buy ferry tickets direct without having to pay agents fees or book other tours. It's popular so booking in advance is recommended. If you like shopping then Union Square would be of interest.

I don't know anything of the other two, [for the reason mentioned] but here are a few recommendations from our resident member Donna on San Diego.

[DonnaR57]

Thanks, Dave, for mentioning me. Here's a full thread that I wrote awhile back, about San Diego. Hopefully you'll find something of interest for you here - with theme parks (3), beaches (lots), mountains (lots), history (lots), ships, San Diego can be a vacation destination. (No, I don't work for the tourist bureau. But I should get a commission for bringing people here, hah hah hah!)

As for San Francisco -- Golden Gate Park and Alcatraz Island come to mind, plus cable car rides, Ghirardelli Square (if you're a shopper) and Fisherman's Wharf (if you like seafood). I've seen all except Alcatraz. I'm not a big city person, but the rest was done when I had family in Oakland.

Seattle -- The Needle, Starbucks Flagship Store, but more importantly, its proximity to Mt Rainier NP and Mt St Helens. I'd rather do the latter than spend time in a city.

Donna

[Midwest Michael]

If I had access to a Villa on I-Drive, I certainly would not be staying at a Disney hotel.

That's not to say that Disney hotels aren't great (I've heard nothing but good things) and staying on Disney property does have some advantages, I don't think its worth it to go out of your way to stay there if you've got another place lined up, especially since you'll have a car. Plus, if you want to visit the other places in Orlando, like Universal, then you'd be leaving Disney anyway.

Of course there's plenty to see and do in those other cities, although, I don't know where they would fit into your schedule - especially Seattle which is a long way from any of your other destinations.

[RichardAJensen]

Following your advice, we are going to stay on the Disney complex at the Dolphin hotel.

A thought, recognizing that we're all wired a bit different... And I'm a happy resident of South Dakota (also known as "flyover country").... And I'm a firm believer that getting there should be half the fun.... So with those disclaimers out of the way......

Minimize the time in Orlando/Disney.

It's great, but it's not going to give you a sense of the length, breadth, size and variety of the US. And there are always vacation packages for off-season travel to Florida. It's not exactly easy to get an off-season vacation package that will let you cheaply drive the Great River Road, for instance.

[CAnative]

Hi,

Your initial goal was to " see some of America's well known states/landmarks and experience the party scene." So yes you''ll want to spend time in San Francisco bay area.

[glc]

If you are going to go to Alcatraz, try to book the evening tour.

[kylelove]

Hi everyone!!

Thank you for the information, we have put it to good use. Here is our revised route:

Miami – 4 nights – The Palms hotel
Disney World - 5 nights
Fri 17th aug (eve) – Disney animal kingdom lodge
- Snacks
Wed 22nd aug – (leave early morn) – Travelling 5hr driving shifts – 1100miles. 20hr+ drive.
NEW YORK – 3 nights -Hilton Hotel
TORONTO – 4 nights -
CHICAGO – 3 nights - The JAMES hotel
DENVER - 3 nights -Hotel
3 nights seeing the night between Denver & Grand Canyon (Denver to Grand Cayon 12hrs 682miles)
GRAND CANYON - 2 nights
LAS VEGAS – 2 nights - Bellagio Hotel
HAWAII – Oahu 3 nights -
HAWAII – Maui 3 nights – Fairmont Hotel
CALIFORNIA - 10 nights

[Midwest Michael]

I'm sorry, but you still are just not taking the driving here seriously.

You simply can not safely drive 1100 miles from Orlando to New York in a single shot. There's also no way you can do it in 20 hours. This is 2 full day drive, and about 24 hours total worth of driving, and it doesn't matter how many drivers you have, that's not something you can do in shifts.

Similarly, Chicago to Denver is also a 1000 mile drive and also requires 2 full days. For that matter, its a fantasy that you could drive the 700 miles between Denver and GC in 12 hours, but at least you are giving yourself more time here.

Your current plan is going to endanger your lives and the lives of others. If you want to just skip from place to place, like this, perhaps you should be flying. Of course, you've got plenty of time in your trip to make the drives, but you've got to start taking reality into consideration.

[glc]

It looks to me like with the exception of the Grand Canyon, all you want to see are cities and experience the party scene. This being the case, the only car you will need is from Denver to Las Vegas and for your 10 days in California at the end of the trip - you can use public/commercial transportation for everything else.