First-Timers Take on Disney World - Pictures!!! Multiple Updates - 10/10

[ddstratton]

great start, Darla. I'm anxious to find out about the train, too.

how do the fares compare to the flights?

Hmm.. I'm not really sure. I haven't priced any flights. To do a fair comparison, though, I'll try pricing some flights and rental cars. By taking the Auto Train, we'll have our car with us in Florida.

 

[ddstratton]

I did a bit of research. Taking the Auto Train could actually be cheaper than flying and renting a car. I did a quick search for plane tickets for the five of us, and the cheapest flight I found was $472 one way on Air Trans, coach. Add an average of $571 for car rental. We'll be there for ten days, and I searched on a full size SUV, to be comparable to our four-door truck we would have normally. So that gives you a rough total of $1,043.

Five coach seats and the over-size vehicle fee on the Auto Train is about $660.

Our price will be more on the Auto Train, because we are opting for private rooms rather than coach seats. That's not even an option on a plane. Sure, you can go for first class, but you're still stuck sleeping in your seats in a room full of other people. I think our total for five train tickets, two rooms and the over-size vehicle was right around $1,000. That is before we apply the 20% discount off the regular fare by using the Orlando Magic Card. That will knock the price down by about $80 (discount doesn't apply to the bedroom or vehicle charge, just the base ticket).

I think that just the experience of traveling by train will be worth the cost, though. It's most likely something we won't do again, but will really enjoy and remember. I'm hoping, anyway!!

 

[retiredkid]

wow!! thanks for the research. I think it would be worth it too.
Something for us to look at too. tfs.

 

[ddstratton]

Still planning here. There’s not a whole lot I can do until the beginning of April, though. I need to wait for them to put out October’s park hours before I can plan which parks to go to which days, and start planning for those ADR’s!

Also, I’m trying to decide whether or not to get tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (when they finally announce the dates). Opinions? Is it worth the extra cost? Too crowded? Also – Halloween is DH’s birthday. If we did do the MNSSHP, it most likely would not be actually on Halloween. We’d do something different for the birthday.

Another idea we are considering… Should we upgrade our tickets to Water Parks Fun and More? I had originally said no to them, but am now wondering ifwe would get use out of the Water Parks portion. Is it generally warm enough at the end of October to enjoy the water parks? We do enjoy water parks in general (as you can see below), but I am really not sure about the weather. Ideas, anyone?

 

[TyRy]

We loved MNSSHP - totally thought it was worth the extra cost..we've done it twice now. Our first time was on Halloween in 2004 a sold out night and we still did not wait for any rides...it was my DParents first time at WDW and I warned them it would not be like that when we came back during regular hours...and it wasn't!

We went again in 2006 and it actually seemed more crowded than when we were there on Halloween...not sure how that happened But it was still nice and much shorter waits...we plan on doing it again this year.

Ty

 

[ddstratton]

Uh, oh. I've been slacking. I haven't posted in over a month! Life has gotten a bit crazy around here, but I’m back again! So it looks like we may be changing our mode of transportation just a bit. We’re still planning on taking the AutoTrain down, but which “auto” is what may be changing. We had originally planned to take DH’s truck. It has a full back seat, so there would be enough room for five. We would be a tad cramped, but there would be plenty of room for luggage. It’s got those half-doors in the back on both sides. We’ve got a cap for it also, which isn’t in the picture.

After some consideration, we thought maybe my van would be a better choice. It is a bit easier for DH’s mom to get in and out of (not quite as high). We would be a bit more comfortable, but would not have quite as much room for luggage.

Now for something different. We had the opportunity to buy a different van for a very good price. It needs a bit of body work, but is in overall much better condition than my current van. This van also has full power and cruise – features my current van also lacks. This van has dual sliding doors, which will make getting in and out much easier for both Grandma's coming with us. Looks like we’ll be taking this one!

I have decided to do the MNSSHP, but am still undecided about the Water Parks and More option. Any experiences? Is the weather at the end of October really good enough to go to a water park?

 

[ddstratton]

I must say that I’m a bit nervous about taking “my” vehicle on vacation, as opposed to DH’s. We had a rather bad experience with my car on vacation last year. We spent a week in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area in May 2007. It was me, DH, DD and my mom. We rented a cabin just outside Pigeon Forge and had a wonderful time.

The cabin was private; we had our own hot tub out on the deck; there was a pool table, foosball table and air hockey table in the basement; and there were two bedrooms plus bunkbeds in the basement. More than enough room for all of us. We had a wonderful time while in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge.

After the week in the cabin, we were to travel west, past Nashville, to see Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. Apparently, my car had other ideas. Shortly before we got to the Ranch, DH noticed some fluid leaking from the car. From the transmission pan area. We decided to go ahead and try to get to Loretta Lynn’s, as we were planning to have lunch there, as well as tour the museums and house. By the time we got there, the fluid was just POURING out of the transmission. This was as close as we got to Loretta Lynn’s.

Close enough to take a picture, but none of us were in the mood to tour now. We were 800 miles away from home with a busted vehicle. DH is a mechanic (thankfully!!) and had packed some emergency-type vehicular supplies. He poured some fluid in the transmission and we limped back to the hotel I had reserved for the night. DH called several rental companies. No one would rent us a vehicle that could also tow our car. The only ones that would were the big box-type vans (like U-Haul). The only problem with those – they only seated two, MAYBE three people. We had four. Bummer. Well, if worse came to worse, we could always call DH’s workplace. They would come to meet us with a roll-back and taken the car home that way, and we’d have rented a car to drive us home in. (This was to become known as Plan B.) DD wanted to swim in the worst way, so me and my mom took her to the pool.

DH took a walk to the truck-stop/gas station across the street. He came back with a bottle of Lucas Oil Transmission Fix. For a motor the size of my car, you were supposed to use a half-bottle. DH poured the whole bottle in, and filled the fluid back up. We were going to cross our fingers, and go with Plan B. If the car broke down between there and home, we’d call for someone to come get us. We stopped at every rest area from Dickson, Tennessee to check the fluid. It was working!!!! The Lucas Oil Transmission Fix has stopped up the leak in the pan gasket. Good to go, right? Right???? WRONG!!!

Just outside of Columbus, Ohio, we lost power steering. The battery light came on. The air conditioner started blowing hot air. AAAAAHHHHH!!!! We babied the car two miles to the next exit, praying we wouldn’t have to stop at the top of the ramp. We were in luck and the light was green! DH pulled into a gas station just off the expressway and got out to look at the situation. Apparently a pulley for the serpentine belt seized up and the belt came off. Great. Now what? The guy in the gas station tried to be helpful, but had no clue where the nearest car parts store was. There was this little used-car lot across the street. DH went over there to ask about someplace to buy car parts. These nice guys in the dealership called the local Car Quest (five miles away!! would have been a bit of a walk!!). They had the part DH needed. IN STOCK. And they would DELIVER. Woooo hoooooo!!!! They also gave us the used-car dealers discount! THANK YOU!!!! After some cussing and fussing, DH got the car fixed and we were on our way again.

(Can you make out the gas prices on that sign? Cheapest was $3.49. We thought that was outrageously high. Yeah. Here we are about a year later and we'd think that was cheap! We're paying over $4.15/gallon for the cheap stuff now.)
We made it the rest of the way home without incident. We got home very late on Sunday night.

The following Thursday, I was on my way home from work. About two miles from home, I noticed that the car just didn’t seem to want to go over 50 mph. I stopped to get the mail. We have a rather long, slightly up-hill driveway. I had my foot to the floor just to get up the driveway. DH looked at the car that evening. DEAD. The cam-shaft is NOT supposed to be in two pieces, he said. (Or was that crank-shaft??? I don’t know my car parts. That’s DH’s job. Either way, the car wasn't moving. DH said it was only working on 2 of it's 6 cylinders.)

We just were not meant to be driving that car, I think. Hopefully, we do NOT have a repeat performance with our Disney trip in October!!!

 

[ddstratton]

Alrighty, I think I'll start posting my ADR's for review and comment. I was very lucky with making my ADR's -- I got everything I wanted, very close to the times I wanted. And there are a LOT of them. We're there for ten nights on the Deluxe Dining Plan. Most of our meals will be table-service meals. I needed to be sure that we did stop and rest during the day, and this was one way to do it.

Disney Day 1 -- Lunch at Garden Grill at 1:30. This was DD's request. She really wants to meet Pluto in the worst way. Supper at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at 6:30. I have heard great things about this place. The atmosphere can be rather, um, interesting??? This just happens to be my birthday

 

[ddstratton]

Disney Day 2 -- Breakfast at Donald's Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House in Animal Kingdom at 8:20. Lunch will be counter service today, most likely at Pizzafari. Supper at Raglan Road at 6:00.

Any comments so far?

 

[ddstratton]

Day 3 -- 8:20 Breakfast at Crystal Palace. Lunch at Cindy's Castle at 12:25. Supper at Capt Jacks at 5:55.

Day 4 -– Breakfast at Boma at 8:45. Tutto Italia at Epcot for Lunch at 1:00. Supper at Cape May Café Clam Bake at 6:55.

More to come!

 

[Jaelynnandmom]

Subbing Your pre-trip report is off to a great start!

After all of your car troubles I would be very apprehensive about driving , luckily DH is mechanically inclined. Thankfully you got home safely.

As for your ADR's so far they all sound quite tasty!

Great start!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Great pre-trippie!! I am in.

 

[Hedy]

I'm in!

 

[ddstratton]

Disney Day 5 -- 9:00 am breakfast at O'hana. Lunch whenever at the Pizza Planet in Hollywood Studios. 5:40 supper at Liberty Tree Tavern. We are planning on doing the MNSSHP this night.

Disney Day 6 -- Another 9:00 am breakfast. This time at Beach Club Breakfast Buffet at Cape May Cafe. Lunch at the resort, Old Port Royale food court. We have a 4:20 ressie at Mamma Melrose's (Fantasmic package).

 

[Williamandmom]

Good PTR!! Wow... If I had that much car trouble I think I would go crazy!! I hope this time everything with the car goes well!!

 

[Jaelynnandmom]

I can't wait to hear more soon

 

[ddstratton]

We took a trip to North Carolina! DH's brother is a new grandfather. We took DMIL down to visit with the family and new baby. DH's oldest sister also went with us. We were gone for a week, and had a great time. We took a day and went over into Gatlinburg, TN. I love that place. DH's sister had never been out of state before, so this was a real blast for her. I've included a few photos, of course.

DH's sister had a Funny Face pancake for breakfast. This was at the Hagerstown, MD, IHOP. (I'm getting in practice for taking food pictures at Disney World!)

We stopped at the Cherokee Bear Zoo in Cherokee, NC.

Newfound Gap, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She thinks she is much older than 9, I believe.

The Ripley's Mirror Maze in Gatlinburg, TN, was a whole lot of fun! How many times can you count the same person in this picture?

This is at the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, in Gatlinburg, TN. Check out the chips in the acrylic here. They weren't there last year...

All in all, we had a good time. But now I'm home again, and can get back to planning our Disney trip!

 

[ddstratton]

Silly me! I never included a picture of the new baby we went to visit! His name is Kayden and he was just a month old in these pictures.

 

[ddstratton]

Disney Day 7 -- 8:25 breakfast at Chef Mickey's. 1:40 lunch at Biergarten. 7:05 supper at Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

Disney Day 8 -- 8:30 breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe. 1:30 lunch at Rose & Crown. 8:00 supper at Coral Reef.

Two more days of ADR's to go. Then I'll start with my daily schedule. I'm still playing around with the idea of adding the Water Parks & More option. We'd end up visiting each of the water parks once... I'm wondering if we should, or if we should skip it and just enjoy the resort pool. The Caribbean Beach's new pool should be open by the time we go, and it's supposed to be really nice... I'm still playing with that one...

 

[ddstratton]

Disney Day 9 -- 8:30 breakfast at Akershus. 12:35 lunch at 50's Prime Time Cafe. 5:55 supper at Le Cellier.

Disney Day 10 -- 8:00 breakfast at Hollywood & Vine. 12:15 lunch at Sci Fi Dine In. First seating for Hoop De Doo Revue.

bonus -- Day of Departure -- 7:50 breakfast at Kona Cafe.