A Trip of Firsts! Sept 2011 PTR *UPDATE* 8/30 The Train is WHAT?!

[stephielela]

I did it! I booked our train tickets!

I don't know why that was so hard, but it took real courage to book it. I was so afriad it wasn't going to be the right choice but in the end I had to look at the refund/exchange policy and know that I could easily cancel it if necessary.

In the short time that I've been considering the Auto Train, I've been watching the price flucuate and I've already "missed out" on a lower price.

Ok, lesson learned: book early.

All is not lost, though!
From what I understand, I can easily rebook if the price drops, so I will be keeping an eye out (and my fingers crossed ) for that!

I opted to book 2, one-way trips instead of a round-trip ticket. And here's my (probably screwy) reasoning:

The Family Bedroom for the Southbound trip was a great price, $231. But for the Northbound trip it was $653 I cringe just typing that. I am HOPING that the Family Bedroom for the Northbound trip will miraculously drop in price and I will be there to rebook and save money.

HOWEVER!

What if in rebooking for the better Northbound bedroom I somehow lose out on the great Southbound price? I've never done this and that was my fear. I figured, with separate reservations for going South and going North, I could easily change one without fear of mucking up the other.

I think I tried to me-proof it.

D4D

I think you probably made the right choice. I mean, it's not like it could cost you extra this way, so good plan!!!! I can't wait to hear how it goes. It's not an option for us, but I am just interested to hear how the whole sleeping on a train experience is!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Hi there!

I'm joining in! I read and loved your TR with MEK, so I'm excited to see how this trip turns out, too! I am going to have to look into this AutoTrain thing since I hate to fly...where does it start and stop? Does it just go up and down the east coast?

Hi!

Like MEK said, the Auto Train runs from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL. It goes back and forth, every day, that's it! There's some neat history to it because it wasn't always owned/run by Amtrak.

Jen's DH really wants to drive. He thinks it will be fun. Fun? Really? Two kids, two adults, one car and a 16 hour drive. NOT.

In the end Jen will convince him to take the train. For educational purposes, if nothing else. I think its an awesome idea for the kiddos and if you guys hate it you never have to do it again.

I just don't understand why its so much more expensive for the return trip.

He's delusional! We're taking the train, he just doesn't know it yet. I need to let him think we'll change plans and let him reflect of how great a LONG car trip with two small kids will be... but we're taking the train; I'm taking the train, he can drive the kids!

I guess the AT has price levels and it starts at $ and as the train fills up it goes to $$ and as it comes close to selling out it goes to $$$ and then sold out. If there are more people booking family bedroom going northbound then I guess they get bumped to $$$ faster. It's a theory.

I remember those 19 hour drives to Orlando with 4 kids in the car!

Glad that I don't have to do that anymore, we always fly. However I wouldn't mind driving again. With just of the 2 of us it is sort of fun.

The train thing really interests me, I like train rides.

19 hours with *4* kids in the car???? It would take me 3 days to get there because I'd be ready to kill the family at 6 hour intervals and we'd be forced to stop.

The train does sound fun; I'm looking at it like part of the trip!

I think you probably made the right choice. I mean, it's not like it could cost you extra this way, so good plan!!!! I can't wait to hear how it goes. It's not an option for us, but I am just interested to hear how the whole sleeping on a train experience is!

Knowing I can get a refund for these tickets up to 7 days before travel helped me make the decision. I was glad that I checked to make sure two separate tickets wasn't going to somehow cost more than a roundtrip (ya never know where they'll hide fees). In the end, I think the AT is going to eliminate a lot of the headaches with flying - kids and security checkpoints - packing and unpacking the car - kid wrangling in general!

I think sleeping on the train is going to be easy for us, well for me anyway. I can sleep anywhere under any conditions. It's a skill

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Quick update and side note (and reason to bump the thread): Have you seen those Vinylmation figures? They are pretty cute and I think my boys might like them; wonder if I should get a few so they can collect/trade them while in WDW? My friend suggested pins but... small metal objects with pointy parts; I'm thinking that might be bad. AJ would be ok with it, he's old enough for pins, but Tomzilla would want to do whatever AJ does and so there you go.

Would be it completely irresponsible of me to have my boys pin trade? Or only a little? A little I think I can handle

Pins or Vinylmaiton?






Hey, we could do the Vinylmation pins!

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

As of right now, our park tickets are not Park Hoppers so I'm getting nervous about making ADR's in parks because it locks me into that park for the day. I might get parkstrophobic and need to add PH to out tickets just to make me feel better.

In the meantime I am focusing on buffets so Tomzilla will have a lot of food options (he eats for free!) and they're just plain good! Biergarten is one of DH's favorite - all the wurst he can eat! I also love the atmosphere. If you've never been inside, here's what it looks like:

And the show! I tried to make our ADR at a time that would allow us to see the show. Last time we were there, AJ loved the show, even though I impaled him . Yeah, I was sitting on the floor with him in my lap and I had my pin lanyard on. He was bouncing up and down and I was keeping him from rushing the stage. Somewhere along the line I noticed I was missing a pin and when he stood up he looked at his leg and there it was - completely impaled on his leg - to the hilt! He looked at it, I pulled it out, and he went on his way . Oops.

D4D

 

[eandesmom]

Cool on the train. I'm not sure if you've read any of Happydog's TR's but they've done the autotrain a few times and it seems like a wonderful option! I'd do it in a heartbeat if it was an option, WAY less hassle than flying, especially at those ages, not to mention you don't have to worry about how much luggage you are checking...you have a trunk! With all the extra gear little ones have, I think that would be marvelous!

Your resort choice looks wonderful and perfect for the kids.

Hmmn....pins at that age? My kids would have stuck them in their mouths. Not sure about the vinylmation though. For whatever reason those don't appeal to my kids at all but I honestly have no idea why.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Cool on the train. I'm not sure if you've read any of Happydog's TR's but they've done the autotrain a few times and it seems like a wonderful option! I'd do it in a heartbeat if it was an option, WAY less hassle than flying, especially at those ages, not to mention you don't have to worry about how much luggage you are checking...you have a trunk! With all the extra gear little ones have, I think that would be marvelous!

I know! It's an adventure unto itself! DH is pushing to which is making me so I have to do some creative convincing.

Your resort choice looks wonderful and perfect for the kids.

I agree, I am so happy that we are staying there! I wish there were queen size beds or a room with a queen and bunkbeds. I'd be happy if the rooms with a king size bed would accomodate 2 adults and 2 children! The pirate rooms look super cool but we won't be staying there with footboards on the beds - 6'7" DH would not sleep well in one of those. In spite of the bed issues I think it's going to be great.

Hmmn....pins at that age? My kids would have stuck them in their mouths. Not sure about the vinylmation though. For whatever reason those don't appeal to my kids at all but I honestly have no idea why.

AJ would be ok with pins but Tomzilla is another issue. If he doesn't get what his brother has there will be tension, that's for sure. But if he has the pins like his brother I don't think he'll do anything bad with them (he's out of that must-stick-everything-in-my-mouth phase). I was not interested in the Vinylmation figures when I was there in Sept but the more I look at them, the cuter they get! I also really like the Vinylmaiton pins, I think I might go that route for me and the boys.

I'm still stalking the Amtrak site for a cheaper Northbound room but if the chances are slim to none it looks like slim is leaving town...

D4D

 

[KatMark]

I'm not a fan of the Vinylmations, but I think that is a better choice than the pins with a 2-year old.

We LOVE Biergarten. We went this past September and saw the show for the first time in several years; we got a front table on the floor and they announced our 27th wedding anniversary and played a song for us. It was very cool.

We're leaving town, actually headed to Florida, on Saturday. I'm taking my laptop with me so I can keep up on my PTR and will be attempting to keep up on all of my subscribed threads, yours included, as well.

 

[stephielela]

We did Biergarten as our one OOP meal last year. I loved the food, and they were great to Jack (who also was free last year). The brought him a gingerbread cookie and made sure he had something to drink etc. He enjoyed the show as well. Great, now I want to go back again this year!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I'm not a fan of the Vinylmations, but I think that is a better choice than the pins with a 2-year old.

We LOVE Biergarten. We went this past September and saw the show for the first time in several years; we got a front table on the floor and they announced our 27th wedding anniversary and played a song for us. It was very cool.

We're leaving town, actually headed to Florida, on Saturday. I'm taking my laptop with me so I can keep up on my PTR and will be attempting to keep up on all of my subscribed threads, yours included, as well.

The Vinylmations are big and pricey, that's the issue there. And heaven-forbid we should get them different things! The one that got the pins would want the Vinylmation figures and vice versa. I may need to work on this a little longer. As to Biergarten, it's been a while since I ate there and I'm looking forward to it! I wonder if we'll get something nice for our anniversary? How cool would that be!

Have fun in Florida!

We did Biergarten as our one OOP meal last year. I loved the food, and they were great to Jack (who also was free last year). The brought him a gingerbread cookie and made sure he had something to drink etc. He enjoyed the show as well. Great, now I want to go back again this year!

Isn't that always the way? All of WDW is like that for me. There is so much to do there and I never get to do it all. I always try to do something new and that means I have to skip a few regular things. After a few trips, there's more new things to do, which means I have to skip more regular things, and pretty soon I've skipped what used to be my regular things so much that they feel new again!

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Here is another first for this trip: eating at Tusker House!

It's now a buffet and the menu looks yummy. I've walked past, and sat outside, this place a few dozen times and never eaten there.
Don't know how that happened, but this trip will take care of that.

AK closes at 5 and I made our ADR for 4:45, so we'll get to hang out a little in the park after closing. I wish there was an evening EMH for AK during our trip. I'll have to keep checking in case that changes. With a 4:45 ADR at a park, we'll need to leave the resort at say... 3 in order to get there in time. Without a PH that will be our AK day. We're gonna have to get there early - rope drop early - so we can get stuff done there before Tomzilla needs a nap. Hmm... I might need to rethink this reservation.

Follow the bouncing brain cell:
9:00 am - be at AK for rope drop.
11:00 am - start to head back for lunch/naptime for Tomzilla
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm - nap/lunch
3:00 pm - leave resort
4:00 pm - back in the park

Now let's be realistic.
9-ish am - at AK
11:00 am - we'll start heading back to the resort for lunch/nap
12:30-ish pm - actually get back to the resort, still without lunch
1:30 pm - lunch complete
2:00 pm - finally get Tomzilla to lay down (maybe)
4:00 pm - Tomzilla is up, rush to AK
4:30 pm - park and run to our ADR

That is a little closer to the truth. Which leaves a whopping 2 hours or so to enjoy AK.

I need a Plan B.

D4D

 

[stephielela]

Tusker House also has a yummy breakfast, and you can get and ADR for before the park opens, which positions you perfectly for Kilimanjaro Safari. AK is usually a half day for us. I would reccommend going early and doing whatever you want to get done and then leaving the park around 2 and doing a late nap. There are ways to spend extra time there, but it's a park that you can really hit the highlights and be out within 3-4 hours. I know others feel differently because they love AK, and I appreciate the details, but I'm just not an "animal person".

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Well, here's the thing--your ADR is only for 15 minutes before closing, so even if you didn't do it, you'd only get an extra 15 minutes. It's the nap that's the thing. I'm having the same problem with planning our AK day. I know we HAVE to have naps because that night we're doing MNSSHP, but that leaves us with no time (and no park hoppers) for AK. I guess we'll work fast.

 

[MEK]

Jen - what about doing your TH ADR at lunch time? Same food. It's really good, by the way. Denny and I ate their last September when we were on the DxDP and I couldn't get a breakfast ADR. Then you could have your park time, your meal, and TZ's nap. Do a late lunch. Did I remember to say, the food is really good!

When I used to do one park a day I would always plan DTD or something else on the evening of my AK day. Maybe you could go to DTD that evening and eat your CS. I'm assuming you are doing the dining plan, but I am actually not sure.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Tusker House also has a yummy breakfast, and you can get and ADR for before the park opens, which positions you perfectly for Kilimanjaro Safari. AK is usually a half day for us. I would reccommend going early and doing whatever you want to get done and then leaving the park around 2 and doing a late nap. There are ways to spend extra time there, but it's a park that you can really hit the highlights and be out within 3-4 hours. I know others feel differently because they love AK, and I appreciate the details, but I'm just not an "animal person".

We don't generally do TS for breakfast because no one eats that much for breakfast. I did think about that and book one though! I'm finding AK more and more interesting. The petting zoo with the train ride, the animals, and good stage shows are all going to be well received by the kids. I anticipate spending more time here than at DHS!

Well, here's the thing--your ADR is only for 15 minutes before closing, so even if you didn't do it, you'd only get an extra 15 minutes. It's the nap that's the thing. I'm having the same problem with planning our AK day. I know we HAVE to have naps because that night we're doing MNSSHP, but that leaves us with no time (and no park hoppers) for AK. I guess we'll work fast.

At this rate I'm wondering if Tomzilla will nap in the stroller? I'm trying to remember what AJ did when he was there at that age. Now that I think about it, how am I going to see any of the parades? A 3 o'clock parade is really bad timing for us. Great; one more thing to plan.

Jen - what about doing your TH ADR at lunch time? Same food. It's really good, by the way. Denny and I ate their last September when we were on the DxDP and I couldn't get a breakfast ADR. Then you could have your park time, your meal, and TZ's nap. Do a late lunch. Did I remember to say, the food is really good!

When I used to do one park a day I would always plan DTD or something else on the evening of my AK day. Maybe you could go to DTD that evening and eat your CS. I'm assuming you are doing the dining plan, but I am actually not sure.

Why didn't I think of that? DUH! That's a fabulous idea. LUNCH! It just goes to show you, it takes a village to plan a WDW trip I guess that means we won't see the AK parade (which I like) but that will have to wait for another trip. We'll do DTD for that evening or maybe some mini-golf, depending on how Tomzilla will fare with that. We could go see what's going on at other resorts like POR or back to the Boardwalk even.

I have such smart friends; that's why they're all here on the DIS!


D4D

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm here, I'm here!

What's wrong with this pic?

What SSR room is that?

D4D

What is RIGHT with that pic??? Nothing! That's pretty hilarious.

What if in rebooking for the better Northbound bedroom I somehow lose out on the great Southbound price? I've never done this and that was my fear. I figured, with separate reservations for going South and going North, I could easily change one without fear of mucking up the other.

I think I tried to me-proof it.

D4D

I think you are one SMART lady for doing it that way! Hopefully that price will go down for you!

even though I impaled him . Yeah, I was sitting on the floor with him in my lap and I had my pin lanyard on. He was bouncing up and down and I was keeping him from rushing the stage. Somewhere along the line I noticed I was missing a pin and when he stood up he looked at his leg and there it was - completely impaled on his leg - to the hilt! He looked at it, I pulled it out, and he went on his way . Oops.

D4D

Oh, being a Mom is always an adventure, isn't it??? LOVE Biergarten. Yummmmmm.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Sorry for the delay folks! Lots has been going on, some good, some bad, mostly bad or atleast unanticipated change in plans.

*sigh* First and foremost, I was not accepted into PA school. I have to say that I wasn't surprised based on how I felt my interview went, but I was (and still am) very saddened by that news. It puts a monkey wrench into my whole future.

Looking on the brighter side and trying to stay positive, what it has done is it allows me to move forward making decisions for what to do next. I am not all that thrilled with my current working situation and the lack of work there. You'd think that having a very light caseload would be a good thing, but I bore easily and find myself slacking on the one or two things I'm supposed to do just because I have no motivation to do them. I am definitely an adrenaline junkie and I work better under pressure so I've been looking for other places to go and an opportunity has presented itself that I am currently looking into. I'll let you know what happens!

Did I mention that we sold our DVC contracts in preparation for school and school loans? And now that I'm not going to school that was pretty much unnecessary? I'm a bit bummed about that, but what am I going to do with the DVC savings every month? I know! I'll have another kid! I "talked" DH into the idea and that's one more thing for me to try and plan in my life. If we're going to do this I need to have my prevention mechanism removed and then go straigh to the fertility doc - I'm not messing around this time! Maybe I'll get PG at WDW! Wait, we're sharing a room with the boys, um, on second thought... maybe not.

ON TO THE PLANNING!

I have been stalking the Amtrak page in the hopes that the price of a Family Bedroom would drop but that has not happened. What *has* happened however, is the price of a Superline Roommette has dropped and I can get 2 of those rooms for $401 cheaper than the Family Bedroom! It means we'll have to divide and conquer when it comes to the kids, but they'll be so Disney'd out that I don't think it will be a problem. If we have to we'll just hang out in the lounge car for as long as possible before going back to the rooms and settling the who sleeps with who arguement (both boys will want to stay with me, that's going to be the problem).

I'll take a look at my ADR's later and let you know what's coming up as well as some purchases I am thinking about for this trip and I'll need help with the debate raging in me head: which stroller to bring!

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

What is RIGHT with that pic??? Nothing! That's pretty hilarious.

Good! I thought I was the only one who thought that pic was all wrong.

I think you are one SMART lady for doing it that way! Hopefully that price will go down for you!

Doing this was probably obvious to everyone except for me; for me it was a stroke of genius! I just changed the bedroom from 1 family room to 2 roommettes and it was super easy!

Oh, being a Mom is always an adventure, isn't it??? LOVE Biergarten. Yummmmmm.

I couldn't believe I had done that. He was so distracted by what was going on that it wasn't a big deal. I pulled it out and he went right on dancing!

D4D

 

[KatMark]

Jen, I'm sorry the school plans didn't work out.

I understand you on the job. I would go crazy if I was not busy...I work best under pressure myself.

I like the idea of another baby...as long as it isn't me Seriously, I think it is a wonderful idea.

And congrats on the accomodations on the way back. I know that must be a relief to you.

 

[chloe770]

WOW! Talk about a dramatic change of plans. Another child sounds better that school to me. Best wishes to you on your new "plan" Who knows, maybe you could get pg at Disney

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Jen, I'm sorry the school plans didn't work out.

I understand you on the job. I would go crazy if I was not busy...I work best under pressure myself.

I like the idea of another baby...as long as it isn't me Seriously, I think it is a wonderful idea.

And congrats on the accomodations on the way back. I know that must be a relief to you.

Yeah, the school thing was a real bummer. Totally changes my plans but it's opened my eyes to what I really want, what I really can do, and everything will work out fine. The job thing is another matter. I'm really struggling with this decision. It's very difficult to imagine leaving everything I know and am comfortable with and embarking on something new. If I'm going to give that up the new job has to be the right one.

The baby thing is a whole crazy idea! I've been having this very strong draw to have another baby and it was all working out great it my head! Then DH said "ok" and I got cold feet all of a sudden. I think it's hormonal because AF showed up and that's what squashed it the feelings. I'll see if the feelings come back soon

WOW! Talk about a dramatic change of plans. Another child sounds better that school to me. Best wishes to you on your new "plan" Who knows, maybe you could get pg at Disney

The baby plan is a crazy one, that's for sure. I've never been sure if I'm done with kids, and I think it's one of those things where if you're not sure then you're not done! My sister is done, she holds a baby and enjoys giving it back. I hold a baby and I want to take it home! I think that speaks volumes. I have some time to think about and plan out how it will all play out and really get an idea of how that will affect life in general before we move forward. I thought about getting PG at WDW but sharing a hotel room with two small boys? I don't think that will happen! HEY! Maybe I can *find out* while in WDW! Boy, that's a whole new level of WDW planning!

D4D