August 16, 2011, Disney Dream - Part 2

[kritter]

Same blown forecast here! Seriously, with all these computers, radar, "Doppler 10,000,000", no "meteorologist" here got this one right. As of last night, the snow wasn't supposed to start until this afternoon, then change to rain. Now it's snow, with a two hour break, and then more snow. Now they are calling for 12-15" of snow. And OMG we're having thunder & lightning with the snow right now!?!? They sit around to stare at a computer all day, do their "Oh this is the end of the world" forecast on the news, and they STILL have jobs. Seriously, they got it wrong a few hours before it began, and of course they'll say the storm "made an unexpected move due to the Tigris river overflowing onto the lands of East Bumblefu**."

Oh my gosh 12-15 inches. I think your getting what we were supposed to get now they are saying for us anywhere from 4-8 inches of snow.....They honestly do not know what they are talking about anymore...But Hanna,, still is sleeping with her pajamas inside out and a spoon under her pillow since the kids in her class told her that they did this on the last snow-storm and it made it a snow-day. So she is now convinced if she does that tonight then she will get a snow-day tomorrow!! Just too cute!! Hope,, on the other hand will not do it..

 

[hmansure]

What's the auto train? I would love to look into it?

Amtrak runs the Auto Train as an alternative to driving on I-95. There are only two stations - one in Lorton, VA (south of DC) and the other in Sanford, FL (north of Orlando). The train leaves in the late afternoon and travels overnight arriving in the morning (though delays are frequent due to sharing the tracks with freight trains). The train makes a stop in SC in the middle of the night, but not to receive or discharge passengers.

You pay a fare for each ticket plus a fare for your vehicle. You leave your luggage in the car and they load it onto a special vehicle car. When you arrive the next morning you wait for them to unload your car and off you go. If I recall, they photograph your car prior to loading in case there are any damage claims. Some larger vehicles (mini-vans) cost a bit extra.

There is a coach section with reclining seats or you can rent a sleeper car. The sleepers, in my opinion, are costly and make the trip more expensive than flying, etc. Dinner is included (nothing spectacular) as well as a continental breakfast. They throw out some snacks and show a movie during the trip as well. The cars are generally separated - families are generally kept in the same area.

On the Transportation board there are plenty of threads on the auto train where other DISers provider their opinions.

 

[hmansure]

Oh my gosh 12-15 inches. I think your getting what we were supposed to get now they are saying for us anywhere from 4-8 inches of snow.....They honestly do not know what they are talking about anymore...But Hanna,, still is sleeping with her pajamas inside out and a spoon under her pillow since the kids in her class told her that they did this on the last snow-storm and it made it a snow-day. So she is now convinced if she does that tonight then she will get a snow-day tomorrow!! Just too cute!! Hope,, on the other hand will not do it..

That's funny - that pajama & spoon theory is around here, too!!

 

[acomasdiaz]

Woke up to about 2-3" of snow on the ground. Dh shoveled and I drove both kids to school (took 1.5hrs...instead of 20min!) and there was another 3-4" when I got back home!

Thank goodness I worked from home today, dd's school is closing at 1pm and ds (daycare) is closing at 4pm. I'm just going to pick them both up at the same time so I won't be out on the roads too much.

And the worst part... this isn't even the "BIG" storm, that is going to hit during rush hour!

Thank goodness dh commutes to work in Philly by train. He walked to the station this morning so no more driving for us after I pick up the kids!

acomasdiaz...the AutoTrain runs from Lorton, VA (just south of Washington, DC) to Sanford, FL...and it will carry your vehicle as well as you!

Still mulling the AutoTrain. Since I originally allotted two days of travel each way (w/ a stop overnight I don't drive well at night so we don't want to go straight through) the train will actually save us a bunch of time, and possibly allow us to stay one extra night at the end of the trip.

Original plan was to leave first thing Saturday (8/13) drive as far as comfortable that day, stay overnight then drive the remainder on Sunday. I was estimating arriving late afternoon on Sunday. The AutoTrain would have us leaving at around the same time on Saturday, but arriving in Sanford at 9:30am on Sunday. We would probably drive down to Davenport and spend the day w/ the ILs (not in the original plans)...maybe even stay w/ them that night...hmmm that would save even more $$.

Post cruise we have reservations at WL for Sunday through Friday. Original plan was to leave after breakfast on Friday, stay somewhere along I95 that night and arrive home late evening Saturday. If we opt for the AutoTrain we could stay and play at WDW a little longer on Friday and then pop over to the ILs for Friday evening, stay over w/ them, spend more time there Saturday morning and then be in Sanford by 2pm to load the van up.

This would get us home early Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday night...but might be worth it to not hear grief from the ILs for not spending more time w/ them!

As I said...still mulling!

Amtrak runs the Auto Train as an alternative to driving on I-95. There are only two stations - one in Lorton, VA (south of DC) and the other in Sanford, FL (north of Orlando). The train leaves in the late afternoon and travels overnight arriving in the morning (though delays are frequent due to sharing the tracks with freight trains). The train makes a stop in SC in the middle of the night, but not to receive or discharge passengers.

You pay a fare for each ticket plus a fare for your vehicle. You leave your luggage in the car and they load it onto a special vehicle car. When you arrive the next morning you wait for them to unload your car and off you go. If I recall, they photograph your car prior to loading in case there are any damage claims. Some larger vehicles (mini-vans) cost a bit extra.

There is a coach section with reclining seats or you can rent a sleeper car. The sleepers, in my opinion, are costly and make the trip more expensive than flying, etc. Dinner is included (nothing spectacular) as well as a continental breakfast. They throw out some snacks and show a movie during the trip as well. The cars are generally separated - families are generally kept in the same area.

On the Transportation board there are plenty of threads on the auto train where other DISers provider their opinions.

Thanks for the info on the Auto Train. I had never heard of it. Will definitely need to research it further.

 

[acomasdiaz]

DH stayed in Princeton working this week instead of coming back with me on Monday. So, today he was to return and his flight was cancelled of course. He has another flight scheduled for tomorrow morning. Hopefully, that one doesn't get cancelled too because it looks like he wouldn't be able to get another flight out until Saturday.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Well, it is not snowing but it is sleeting. I wish it was snow instead of ice. We are supposed to be getting a wintry mix so the sleet will turn into snow. We will see.

 

[kritter]

That's funny - that pajama & spoon theory is around here, too!!

Lets hope it works tonight......!!!

 

[gfolchick]

Want pictures of anything specific??

Kristen,
Can you ask your friend if this guy is still onboard? His name is Kadir and he is from Turkey. We met him on our 2003 cruise and have seen him every cruise since. He always greets us as "My Family!!" Here's a picture of him and Jim (from 2003). They both have lost some hair, but otherwise look the same

All Jim cares about is what kind of beer is onboard and if he'll see Kadir again.

Thanks,
Gina

 

[hmansure]

DH stayed in Princeton working this week instead of coming back with me on Monday. So, today he was to return and his flight was cancelled of course. He has another flight scheduled for tomorrow morning. Hopefully, that one doesn't get cancelled too because it looks like he wouldn't be able to get another flight out until Saturday.

We are just a few miles south of Princeton. Tomorrow morning is looking bleak. Right now we have some sort of freezing rain/sleet thing going on.

 

[gfolchick]

Remind me again where you are in CT??

I'm in Trumbull and my brother (DaveTut) is in Stratford.

 

[hmansure]

Platinum Castaway Club DCL site has some Navigators and some pics of the menus up.

 

[Goofy3g]

Just wanted to introduce myself we will be cruising with you all and wanted to get on the list for the fish extender. I am unable to pm so DisneyWhirled will send jen a message with all of my info. look forward to sailing with you all.

 

[hmansure]

Just wanted to introduce myself we will be cruising with you all and wanted to get on the list for the fish extender. I am unable to pm so DisneyWhirled will send jen a message with all of my info. look forward to sailing with you all.

Welcome aboard & welcome to the DIS!

 

[Maryrn11168]

That's funny - that pajama & spoon theory is around here, too!!

That is around here too, but tonight they added that they had to flush 3 ice cubes down the toilet! I don't know what that is for, but they heard it from a friend at school!

Just got a call that the kids have a 2 hour delay for tomorrow...Will get a call at 5am if it's closed! (can't they wait to call until 7 LOL!!!)

 

[BigDogHU75]

Just wanted to introduce myself we will be cruising with you all and wanted to get on the list for the fish extender. I am unable to pm so DisneyWhirled will send jen a message with all of my info. look forward to sailing with you all.

 

[hmansure]

That is around here too, but tonight they added that they had to flush 3 ice cubes down the toilet! I don't know what that is for, but they heard it from a friend at school!

Just got a call that the kids have a 2 hour delay for tomorrow...Will get a call at 5am if it's closed! (can't they wait to call until 7 LOL!!!)

Gotta love that 5AM phone call!

Did you see the story where someone set up calls to the school board in response?!

 

[kritter]

Kristen,
Can you ask your friend if this guy is still onboard? His name is Kadir and he is from Turkey. We met him on our 2003 cruise and have seen him every cruise since. He always greets us as "My Family!!" Here's a picture of him and Jim (from 2003). They both have lost some hair, but otherwise look the same

All Jim cares about is what kind of beer is onboard and if he'll see Kadir again.

Thanks,
Gina

Gina,

I will ask her actually I can send her an email tonight and ask her. Sometimes, it takes her a few days to get back to me when they are out sailing!! I'll let ya know what she says!!

 

[kritter]

Platinum Castaway Club DCL site has some Navigators and some pics of the menus up.

 

[kritter]

Just wanted to introduce myself we will be cruising with you all and wanted to get on the list for the fish extender. I am unable to pm so DisneyWhirled will send jen a message with all of my info. look forward to sailing with you all.

WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kritter]

That is around here too, but tonight they added that they had to flush 3 ice cubes down the toilet! I don't know what that is for, but they heard it from a friend at school!

Just got a call that the kids have a 2 hour delay for tomorrow...Will get a call at 5am if it's closed! (can't they wait to call until 7 LOL!!!)

The ice-cube thing is too cute, I will have to tell Hanna and Hope that one. Looks, like your kids will get their wish with at least a 2-Hour Delay!! I am hoping we get at least that if not a closure!! Maybe, I will go and flush three ice-cubes down the toliet before I head to bed!!