22 Days, 4 Resorts, and Deluxe Dining! My first PTR...

[cheshirefan]

It's wonderful having our own car while we're there. The prices, like airfare, fluctuate with the season as well as the day of the week. They do give AAA discounts, and some military and senior discounts as well. We save 15 percent with AAA. When we calculated airfare, baggage fees, seat fees, taxi to airport, and a rental car for 5 weeks, versus the cost of the train upgraded with the bedroom, we are actually saving over $200!! This year's train ride (round trip) with an "oversized vehicle" (which is a Ford F150 king cab with cap) cost us $ 1624.50. There were not deep discounts on rental cars this year. The prices were WAY high! The best I could find was with USAA through Budget for $1100. Yikes! To take just a regular sized car on the train, and sit in the coach seats, it only costs something like $690 round trip. They still serve you dinner, too.

P.S. - I saw you had tacos for turkey day! Hope you got your sleep you needed!

 

[cheshirefan]

Day two:

When we arrive in Sanford, Fla., we usually have to wait an hour or two for them to unload our car. This is when DH starts getting impatient. Once he's off the train, he just wants to get out of there. I'm the more patient one in our marriage.

We're going to drive to our house, which is about an hour away. North. The WRONG WAY from WDW!!! It's ok, We check into the GF on day three, so I guess ONE day at the house won't kill me.... Actually, it's a nice house, and I love it. Nothing like having a home away from home. I kind of lucked out and married into the house. DH and his Dad bought it back in 94. Yes,... I know what you're thinking....But I married him before I saw the house. For all I knew at the time it was a shed with a hole in the ground. Aren't I the lucky woman to actually be in love with him, too??? Back on topic...

There's a lot to do at the house when we get there, because it's been closed up since we were ther in April. Then we have to go shopping for essentials like coffee...etc.

Then we have to wake up early on DAY THREE because we CHECK IN THE GRAND FLORIDIAN!!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

It's wonderful having our own car while we're there. The prices, like airfare, fluctuate with the season as well as the day of the week. They do give AAA discounts, and some military and senior discounts as well. We save 15 percent with AAA. When we calculated airfare, baggage fees, seat fees, taxi to airport, and a rental car for 5 weeks, versus the cost of the train upgraded with the bedroom, we are actually saving over $200!! This year's train ride (round trip) with an "oversized vehicle" (which is a Ford F150 king cab with cap) cost us $ 1624.50. There were not deep discounts on rental cars this year. The prices were WAY high! The best I could find was with USAA through Budget for $1100. Yikes! To take just a regular sized car on the train, and sit in the coach seats, it only costs something like $690 round trip. They still serve you dinner, too.

P.S. - I saw you had tacos for turkey day! Hope you got your sleep you needed!

I did catch up. I need one more day of good rest and then it's back to work. Christmas is busy at the church...for obvious reasons.

Airfares haven't been cheap either. I guess they need to make up for the lack of people traveling with higher prices....

Traveling by train-it actually sounds like a lot of fun. I've done it for short trips....hmmm....

 

[cheshirefan]

DAY THREE: JANUARY 3, 2010

We're going to try to get to the GF around 7:30 to 8 am to check in. Then we want to head over to the MK. We will go on our faves first, because we miss them. ie: Phillharmagic, Small World, CoP, Buzz, Monsters Inc., etc, etc. We're planning on eating lunch early right around 11 am at COLUMBIA HARBOR HOUSE.

Then we're going to head back to the GF , check in our room, unload the truck and relax for an hour or so.

Then we're going to head over to EPCOT and do our faves in Future World.

We have dinner at TUTTO ITALIA at 5:25pm. We should finish eating when it's dark enough to see the Christmas lights just before they disappear for another year.

Then we have to go back to MK (extra magic hours from 11pm to 1 am) we'll try to get there by 9pm and catch the parade and wishes.

Then we'll fall into bed exhausted and dreaming of Main Street...

 

[tinacaplan]

I'm here and subscribing...always interested in what people are doing how travel without kids...

 

[cheshirefan]

I'm here and subscribing...always interested in what people are doing how travel without kids...

Hi , tinacaplan! Glad to have you here! Day four coming up later. Have to go to work today. Have a great day everyone!

 

[disneydusted]

ok all caught up! The train sounds like a fun adventure with the bonus of bringing whatever you want and not having to worry about suitcase weigh in's!! Somehow I always seem to go over the limit!!
Thanks for the info about the pin offer. I will try to figure out how to work on that.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry! I loved hearing about that! We come over to CM on it.
Nice that you will get to see the Christmas lights before they get taken down.. someday I will be there to see them.

 

[cheshirefan]

I did catch up. I need one more day of good rest and then it's back to work. Christmas is busy at the church...for obvious reasons.

Airfares haven't been cheap either. I guess they need to make up for the lack of people traveling with higher prices....

Traveling by train-it actually sounds like a lot of fun. I've done it for short trips....hmmm....

I really like taking the train. It's a very relaxing way to travel. Airfare this year seemed quite pricey to me. Spirit air out of ACY raised the prices for baggage AND seats. Paying for a seat on the plane after you already paid your fare seems rediculous to me! I mean what are your options? To sit on the wing???

ok all caught up! The train sounds like a fun adventure with the bonus of bringing whatever you want and not having to worry about suitcase weigh in's!! Somehow I always seem to go over the limit!!
Thanks for the info about the pin offer. I will try to figure out how to work on that.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry! I loved hearing about that! We come over to CM on it.
Nice that you will get to see the Christmas lights before they get taken down.. someday I will be there to see them.

Aye yae yae, I hear ya! On our way home in MCO, they weighed my bag and it was around 10 pounds over (souveniers) It cost us $75!!! I was so annoyed! We are cramming a lot into just the first few days that we're at the GF because the lights start coming down around the 4th. It's worth the running around, though. They're so breathtaking!

 

[cheshirefan]

DAY FOUR....

This day we plan on going to HS. MUST ride TSM!!! I totally LOVE doing the drawing class at Magic of Animation. DH indulges me by trying to draw and he does surprisingly well!

We're planning a late breakfast or early lunch at ABC Commissary. The food there is just OK in my opinion. The burgers suck, but the salad is pretty good. That's why we were hoping to catch breakfast right before they switch to the lunch menu. It's pretty hard to mess up breakfast food.

Then we're going to maybe go on a few more rides and then head back to the hotel to relax a little. This is the best part about going without the kids. NO PRESSURE!!!

We have an early dinner planned at 1900 Park Fare for 4:55 pm. I did this because we have to head back to HS to see the LAST night of Osbourne's Festival of Lights. This is a MUST SEE for DH! There's EMH at HS from 9 - 11 pm. Another late night for us. OK, maybe to you guys it's not that late, but DH wakes up EVERY DAY at 4:30 am to go run by 5 am. I wake up, too. Even on vacation. We're those freaky MORNING PEOPLE!!!! Although, it's a beautiful time of day to see the resort so quiet and peaceful. I'm looking forward to seeing the sunrise over Seven Seas.

 

[cheshirefan]

This is a pic of Isey at 1900 Park Fare in Jan. I'm gonna miss her this year...

And this is DH and me at the GF in Jan. :

I can't wait to be standing on those stairs again!!!!

 

[cheshirefan]

BTW, here's some pics of the auto train:

 

[disneydusted]

I'm so glad you are a fan of the animation drawing class. We all really enjoyed trying it out, we did it twice.
The train looks like the way to travel! Thanks for sharing your pictures!
Ah yes, the GF staircase.... so beautiful! You will be there before you know it!

 

[cheshirefan]

DAY FIVE:

We're going to EPCOT Future World in the morning. Our must do rides are Soarin, Nemo, Spaceship Earth, The Land, and me solo on Test Track. DH doesn't really like "thrill" rides. That's OK, though. I can move quick in the single rider line!


Here's my two favorite pics of Epcot:

Then we're planning on eating lunch at Sunshine Seasons. Yum yum! I love everything they have there!

Then we'll head back to the GF and take some time to explore the resort. I want to go down to the beach and walk the grounds. Later in the day, we'll walk to the Poly. We have ressies for 6:10 pm at Ohana. We've never eaten here. I've heard such mixed reviews, that I started getting a little nervous about it. But I think it's best for us to just try it and see. We may love it. Or not. But you never know unless you try, right???

After dinner we thought we'd stroll leisurely (and romanticly) along the beach back toward the GF and see the fireworks from the sandy shores. AHHHHHH.....

 

[cheshirefan]

DAY SIX:


This morning we're planning on going to MK. DH wants to head to Tom Sawyer Island first thing as it opens to try to find a paint brush! He read about it here on the DIS. I swear he turns into a 12 year old the minute he sets foot on WDW property! That's the best "magic" to me. To see him (and me) relax and have fun...We workso hard all year and we live pretty frugally. With the exception of WDW, that is. We save perpetually to spring for our trips! Every time I go to spend money on something, I think to myself, Hmmm...that could be one night at a resort.... It's definitely a way to curb your spending habits...

Any way, if he finds a paint brush, I'll be so happy for him! If I find one also, I plan on picking out a child and giving it to them. After our scavenger hunt, we'll eat lunch at Cosmic Ray's. I like the wraps, and DH loves the ribs/chicken meal.

Then we'll hop over to Epcot in the afternoon and do the World Showcase. We've never taken the time to see the shows in France, Canada, and America. I vaguely recall seeing the American Experience, but I can't remember much. I think the kids were fighting or something...

We have dinner ressies for 7:05 at the Garden Grill. Another place we've never eaten before. After dinner, we plan to stroll around the countries some more untill Illuminations. I LOVE Illuminations!!!! Such a great way to end the night....(sigh)...

 

[jordanyosh]

Thanks for the pix of the autotrain!

Lots of good eating planned

 

[cheshirefan]

Thanks for the pix of the autotrain!

Lots of good eating planned

You're welcome! Yes, the eating part of our trip is the best part to me. I've been dieting all year and I've managed to lose 35 pounds. I want to lose 5 more before we go. Shockingly, I didn't even over indulge for thanksgiving! I must REALLY want that sushi from Cali Grill!!!

Day 7 coming up soon. I've been SO busy. I'm opening a new salon on 3/3/10, while working at my present one. I want to get most of it done before we leave for Fla. Because we're not going to be back till Feb 7, and that doesn't leave a lot of time before opening!

 

[cheshirefan]

DAY SEVEN:

Check out day.

We're just going to stay in the hotel room and relax in the morning. We want to shop in some of the stores. Definitely MUST go to Basin! Love the bath bombs. We'll use up any left over snacks, too.

We'll leave around 11 am and drive back to our house. It takes about 1 hr 15 min to get there. Then we'll go to a fabulous Japanese restuarant right around the corner from our development.


Day 8, 9, and 10: movies, pool ,hot tub, shopping, maybe go to Ocala or St. Augustine. Haven't really planned on doing much while at the house. Mostly, we'll need to rest and recharge for our next jaunt at WDW.


DAY ELEVEN:

We check in at Fort Wilderness Villas!!!!!

We requested an upper floor, and it'll be a 1 BR.
For this trip we have DELUXE DINING!!!

We're going to check in early and head straight to MK, do some rides and take our time through the park. Then we'll head back to FW for lunch. Eating at WCC at 12:55!

If our room is ready, we'll just hang around the resort. If not, we'll go back to MK.

Tonight we have ressies for Artist Point at 7:45. Can't wait to eat there. Everybody I know who's eaten there says the food is amazing. Hope so!

 

[jpmom97]

Wow what an amazing trip you have planned. Can't wait to read more.

 

[cheshirefan]

DAY TWELVE:

Going to Hollywood Studios today. Can't get enough of TSM!!! DH and I are very competetive people. You should see us on the "scoring" rides like Buzz Lightyear and Men in Black at US.

We're eating at Sci - Fi at 12:10pm. I have heard SO many mixed reviews on this place. Hope it's OK for us...
That's sometimes a benefit of going in the off season. Service is usually very prompt. Short lines on rides. CMs are not so stressed and have time to chit chat. Usually we get into our rooms early, too.

Dinner this night is at Citricos at 7:45. I'm sure it'll be great. The menu here really appeals to both of us.

 

[jordanyosh]

I liked Artist Point!

Interested in your opinion of both sci-fi and citricos.