Nov 2010 -- Even our Stroller has Christmas Lights! New 12/22 Lessons Learned #222

[Marshay]

I think your girls are gonna be tall if they keep this up.

Absolutely!!

But they have no choice... with Jerry at 6'6" and me right at 6'!!

 

[kaoden39]

Absolutely!!

But they have no choice... with Jerry at 6'6" and me right at 6'!!

No kidding!!

 

[Marshay]

So now you have to know one thing about each of our mornings -- I'm the one setting the alarm and getting us out of bed to get our day started. Well, our alarm is really the girls coming in our room to wake us up BEFORE my alarm goes off. Anyway, today is our last day at WDW. And OMG Jerry sets his alarm and gets up around 7am and starts packing!

WTH?? WTH?? WTH??? He's done this the past 2 trips at least, so why am I still surprised?

So after packing everything up (it was really nice not having to call Bell Services to take our luggage and just walk right out with it to our SUV), we head over to DTD. We check out the gift shop at T-Rex which was really cool and Rachel definitely wanted to make her own dinosaur (in the style of Build a Bear Workshop) but I figure we can do that another time. The restaurant looks cool and we may try to eat there on another trip.

We decide to eat at Pollo Campero which reminded me of Baja Fresh. I got a chicken ceasar wrap, Jerry got the 1/4 chicken and we got P&J for the girls. What was nice about the P&J is that everything was separate so we actually used the extra P&J on bread from my sandwich to feed Elizabeth, too.

Then we went to Goofy's Candy Company and I got a caramel apple with milk choc, almonds and dark choc drizzle. Rachel got the 3 pretzels with milk chocolate, white and choc chips and milk choc drizzle. Jerry got a cupcake and Elizabeth got a Nemo cookie. Since we just had lunch and were full we decided to save them for the train. (Fast Forward, we forgot about them on the train and ended up eating them the next day).

Then we drive to the Autotrain Station in Sanford, arriving at 2:25pm which is considered late as 3pm is the last call.


Here is the train (actually in the Lorton Station in VA)

In July we just got coach seats to save money. This time we only had to pay about $200 more for the Family Car and thought we would try it out.

The Family Rooms take up the entire width of the train.

Here is Rachel sitting at one end of our train room.

The sofa is to Rachel's right and you can see the two chairs at the window. There was also a table to pull out under the window.

I couldn't resist this picture!!

And here is the other side of the room and you can see the bunk bed above.

Hallways are narrow

To move from train car to train car, you either hit or kick the black plates on the door

We went to the lounge car for the Wine and Cheese Reception. Crackers, cheese, fruit, celery and carrots and some bar snack mix.

When we went to visit the Fairies in ToonTown, they gave us a cute little "make your own fairy house" to build. Well, Rachel had wanted to do it all trip and I kept telling her no. But now was the perfect time to do it. We actually got 2 of them and gave the 2nd one away to another little girl we met on the train.

Elie and Jerry being cute

So Rae and I had to, too!

Then we went back to our room and played some drawing games, stretched out relaxing, etc until it was dinner time. Let me tell you this was REALLY, REALLY nice! We had room to move around, stretch out and privacy. We didn't have to worry about the girls wandering off or pesting other passengers in the car. We didn't have to entertain the girls, as looking out the windown, playing on the table, etc kept them busy.

And then soon we heard the call for our 5pm dinner sevice.

Here is the dining car. Our meal was wonderful again. Jerry and I both got the steak and it was actually better than our steak at the Turf Club!!! Very tender. It came with potato, veggies, rolls, ice tea, wine and dessert.

After dinner we walked around the train. We went as far forward as we could and then as far backward, traveling the whole distance of the train, except for the employee areas.

Then Jerry stayed in the room with Elizabeth to put her to bed and Rachel and I went to the lounge car to watch the movie. It was Miley Cyrus' Last Song, which I had really wanted to see. Rachel wasn't that interested so she colored. We ate chocolate chip cookies and had hot chocolate!

The train was completely empty!!! There were only 4 tables occupied in the lounge car and walking to it we pasted at least 20 empty rooms. I know when we take the train again, we will certainly be spoiled by having the whole train practically to ourselves!

Bedtime! Here is the room made up for sleeping. Sorry for the blurriness but the train was rockin' by this time!

Rachel slept on the little bed on the top. Now when we showed her the bed, she started freaking out.

"I'm going to fall out of bed"
"I'm going to hit my head"
"I'm not going to sleep here"
"I'll be awake all night"
"WaaaaaaaaaaaH"

Jerry and I look at each other in shock! We totally thought she would love this. How exciting! Something new! An adventure!!

Then Rachel yells out, "This is the Worst Bed Ever. Seriously!" And we actually start cracking up. Rachel didn't appreciate us laughing but this became the motto for the trip.

Sigh.

I told her that I am sleeping up here too. That she actually has a lot more room than I do and i'm not falling out or hitting my head or complaining.

Eventually we got her in bed, hooked up the harness so she wouldn't fall out. Jerry had also made a "nest" for both girls so they wouldn't rock around during the night. Elizabeth slept on the little bed on the bottom.

I started out sleeping in the longer upper bunk and then joined Jerry down below for a bit. About 5am, I woke up, went to the restroom and then climbed back up on the top bunk so Rachel would think I slept up there the whole time too!

Both of us woke up a few times during the night but quickly fell asleep. We were much better rested than in the coach seats.

When Rachel wakes up she is in a good mood and declares that sleeping in a train is the best! So the bed goes from worst to best in a mere overnight!

We change into new clothes and go to breakfast which is a simple affair of cereal, milk, OJ, bananas and muffins.

Then the train arrives early and we unload, but first a family picture -- Happy Thanksgiving Day!!

When we left Orlando it was 83 degrees. Temperatures in Virginia were in the low 40s.

A short wait for our truck in the waiting area

and then we arrive back home.

Another wonderful vacation -- certainly it had its ups and downs -- but we all agreed it was a great, little respite.

Jerry also declared that we should travel by Autotrain more often -- both ways, not just on the return. He really enjoyed being able to stretch out, get up and move around and the kids seemed to behave a lot better. But then again, so did we and who wouldn't want to have sofas, beds, tables and ability to walk around, eat, watch movies for 17 hours instead of being cramped in a SUV for 14 hours?

 

[kaoden39]

I love the picture of you and Rachel. She looks so much like you. A great trip report. I enjoyed it.

 

[Marshay]

I love the picture of you and Rachel. She looks so much like you. A great trip report. I enjoyed it.

Yeah, I was noticing in our "cute" photo that we are really starting to look a little more alike.

I'm glad you enjoyed the TR. It's always fun to relive our vacation and I get to share this with Rachel and my parents, too.

I still have my Lessons Learned to do but hopefully it'll be complete by tomorrow. We leave Friday for Pennsylvania.

 

[kaoden39]

Yeah, I was noticing in our "cute" photo that we are really starting to look a little more alike.

I'm glad you enjoyed the TR. It's always fun to relive our vacation and I get to share this with Rachel and my parents, too.

I still have my Lessons Learned to do but hopefully it'll be complete by tomorrow. We leave Friday for Pennsylvania.

Oh I do not envy you the traffic on Friday. I have a ton of shopping to do on Friday, therefor it is gonna be an easy dinner. I am thinking a deli tray with fancy breads and rolls.

 

[cm8]

Loved it!! The pictures were great too! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Trentmom]

The train looked great and nice and roomy

Glad Rachel relaxed and slept okay

Thanks for sharing your trip with us

Have a great Christmas and travel safe

When you return, shall we be looking for your May Pre Trip, No Pressure

 

[mousescrapper]

Interesting about Pinocchio. Maybe we just hit it at the wrong time...it was about 11:30am. And those CM weren't letting anyone by -- they were standing blocking the entrance 3 across!!!

hmm that still is weird...I can't remember off hand what time we arrived but couldn't have been around the same time. I do recall several CM's standing near that seating entrance but let us right through...oh well at least you go the IASW table...Matt and I joked too bad when didn't have a sign in the window saying please take my picture and email it...Naomi-Ruth loved waving at everyone and watching many wave back.

Julie -- forgot to mention that at Trail's End while waiting in the buffet line, there was a boy about 12 or so with pins on his lanyard. Well, Rachel goes right up to him and starts talking to him about his pins and where he got them etc.

You have definitely started something!! I'm going to blame you when I go crazy pin-trading!!

UH OH!


Matt and I enjoyed reading and looking at your last post...Matt really enjoys trains and hopes someday we can travel by it. As kids I have fond memories of travling from Chicago to Denver by train

the family room looks great and it was roomy for you "tall" people that must have been so nice...even w/ the "worst bed ever"

great end to the trip

 

[Marshay]

Oh I do not envy you the traffic on Friday. I have a ton of shopping to do on Friday, therefor it is gonna be an easy dinner. I am thinking a deli tray with fancy breads and rolls.

Yeah, I figure it'll be some traffic but maybe everyone went to PA for Thanksgiving and it won't be busy!

A simple dinner sounds good...esp before the big one!

Loved it!! The pictures were great too! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

The train looked great and nice and roomy

Glad Rachel relaxed and slept okay

Thanks for sharing your trip with us

Have a great Christmas and travel safe

When you return, shall we be looking for your May Pre Trip, No Pressure

Not sure if you remember, but when we saw the family room in early April timeframe at the Train Day at Union Station in DC, the family room looked dark, small and claustrophic...and I don't get claustrophic.

So I really had my doubts. But with the curtains open, there was lots of light and it really was roomy. There was a little 2-3' opening for the door, too, which I did not show you and Rachel and Elie both liked to play in that spot, too.

I'm glad you enjoyed the report.

Um ... so you really want to read another one? Not sick of all of us yet?

I probably will end up doing a May TR. We are trying a new DVC -- Kidani!! but this time it's a 2BR with my parents! And we do the train again.

hmm that still is weird...I can't remember off hand what time we arrived but couldn't have been around the same time. I do recall several CM's standing near that seating entrance but let us right through...oh well at least you go the IASW table...Matt and I joked too bad when didn't have a sign in the window saying please take my picture and email it...Naomi-Ruth loved waving at everyone and watching many wave back.

UH OH!

Matt and I enjoyed reading and looking at your last post...Matt really enjoys trains and hopes someday we can travel by it. As kids I have fond memories of travling from Chicago to Denver by train

the family room looks great and it was roomy for you "tall" people that must have been so nice...even w/ the "worst bed ever"

great end to the trip

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

The IASW table is now a requirement whenever we eat at Pinocchio House. I can't remember if I said it or not, but the first table we had was in the same room but not against the window. and I told Jerry, that if a table opens up, we are not switching. Then 2 tables open up and I was like, that's just too good to be true. and started switching tables.

Jerry was kind enough not to point out my "change of mind!"

Yes, being tall we definitely enjoyed the extra space. It was really nice to be in the lounge car and the dining room is casual but has a certain feel of elegance to it for some reason. But that is all in the "public"... so it was certainly refreshing to be able to go back in our own private room.

We are now completely spoiled! No more flying...no more driving, no more regular hotel rooms -- it's trains and DVC, baby!!

 

[kaoden39]

Oh you know you could be right about the traffic. I hope so.

I was thinking I would make a pretty tray with the cheese and meat. And buy the cute little Santa Claus plates. But, now I have to figure out an easy dessert.

 

[Native NYer]

The train looks like a fun, relaxing ride.
The family bedroom looks pretty spacious.
The only thing that holds us back is the length of the trip. We would have to drive the 4-5 hours to the train station and then ride the train for 17 hours. I think I'd lose my mind

 

[Marshay]

Oh you know you could be right about the traffic. I hope so.

I was thinking I would make a pretty tray with the cheese and meat. And buy the cute little Santa Claus plates. But, now I have to figure out an easy dessert.

cupcakes and then let everyone icing their own and decorate with candy sprinkles. Or do those pre-made just pop in the oven cookies! Serve warm cookies with ice cream and you are done!

The train looks like a fun, relaxing ride.
The family bedroom looks pretty spacious.
The only thing that holds us back is the length of the trip. We would have to drive the 4-5 hours to the train station and then ride the train for 17 hours. I think I'd lose my mind

You know, both trips, but esp this trip with the family bedroom, seemed to just fly by!! As I mentioned, we didn't even get around to eating our wonderful creations we made at Goofy's Candy Co. If we were driving home or even taking the plane, they would have been gone within the first hour!

There is really something mental (in a good way!) about being able to get up and walk around.

We priced out tickets for May for the plane and actually found a good deal ... but then said, but we could only take one suitcase per person and would still have to rent a car and ....

Anyway, the time on the train literally goes by so quickly. I was actually looking forward to some quiet time to read and only got about 20 minutes.

Even in coach, we had brought along all these toys and movies and things to do and hardly had any chance. Between exploring the train, having snacks in the lounge before dinner, then dinner and then movie and snacks in the lounge car again...it's already bedtime and breakfast is only served for like 1 hour so there really is no time the next day either.

You'll have to let me know if you give it a try!

 

[kaoden39]

I like how you think. Warm sugar cookies and peppermint ice cream. Yum. Thank you.

 

[Marshay]

I like how you think. Warm sugar cookies and peppermint ice cream. Yum. Thank you.

Oooh, can I have some now? I was going to suggest getting the peppermint ice cream, too!! that's one of my favorite and I always stock up in the after christmas sales.

 

[kaoden39]

Oooh, can I have some now? I was going to suggest getting the peppermint ice cream, too!! that's one of my favorite and I always stock up in the after christmas sales.

Something else that sounded good but may be a bit silly is pumpkin pie poptarts and vanilla ice cream.

 

[jelloarms]

I've never ridden in a train before, that looks so cool!

 

[cherbear]

oh I'm so sad it's over already!!

That room looked too cool. When I read the title of your update, I thought the beds ended up being horribly uncomfortable. Now I know better

So how were they on comfort anyway?

 

[Mindy5767]

Hey Marshay,

I knew you lived somewhere close to me, but do you live in Loudoun too? I went back to catch up on the beginning pages of your TR and saw you mention the furlough days we got that gave us the whole Thanksgiving week off. That's why we went to Disney for Thanksgiving week too. I too was at Saratoga Springs, but that's our Home Resort. We it! Its our favorite resort. We also used our AP's that we'd gotten in July. We first visited this year in March with DVC AP's from last year. We renewed in July, visited in August (out of points so stayed at Pop), then returned on our DVC points for Thanksgiving. We bought the TIW card for this trip and it saved us.... however, we couldn't use it for our Fantasmic meal at Mama Melrose, and couldn't use it at Chef Mickey on Thanksgiving day, so we didn't save as much as we could have given the same meals at another time. However, that said, if we hadn't bought the TIW card we wouldn't have eaten at San Angel Inn for lunch for instance, and a few other meals we did because... why Not we have TIW!

I loved reading about your auto train experience. I'd like to try that sometime instead of driving 900 miles each way in an old minivan with a non-functional gas gauge. Looks great! I can't wait to show the pics to DH. Thanks

 

[Marshay]

I've never ridden in a train before, that looks so cool!

It was! I really liked it. We will definitely travel again via train ... in fact we booked the train again for our May vacation.

oh I'm so sad it's over already!!

That room looked too cool. When I read the title of your update, I thought the beds ended up being horribly uncomfortable. Now I know better

So how were they on comfort anyway?

Thanks for joining! I was really surprised about the room. I only remembered it being dark and small and small and small! I really did not expect to like it at all. So maybe that is why we ended up loving it! The room totally met our needs and surpassed our expectations.

As for the bed -- the mattress is only about 2' thick. I know others on the AT thread have complained about it. But I am a heavy sleeper so it takes a lot to make me uncomfortable.

Sure, the bed was not like my Sleep Number Air bed at home! but I thought it was rather good. Both the upper bunk and the lower one was not lumpy or soft. They were just fine for me, so that probably means they were on the hard side.

Since we do have the Sleep Number bed, I know what "my number" is and it's generally 85 (out of 100 being the hardest). So if you like nice soft, pillowy beds, then these were not it!

Something else that sounded good but may be a bit silly is pumpkin pie poptarts and vanilla ice cream.

Oh, that is very creative and a quick solution when you don't have time to make anything. I haven't tried the pumpkin pie ones.

Hey Marshay,

I knew you lived somewhere close to me, but do you live in Loudoun too? I went back to catch up on the beginning pages of your TR and saw you mention the furlough days we got that gave us the whole Thanksgiving week off. That's why we went to Disney for Thanksgiving week too. I too was at Saratoga Springs, but that's our Home Resort. We it! Its our favorite resort. We also used our AP's that we'd gotten in July. We first visited this year in March with DVC AP's from last year. We renewed in July, visited in August (out of points so stayed at Pop), then returned on our DVC points for Thanksgiving. We bought the TIW card for this trip and it saved us.... however, we couldn't use it for our Fantasmic meal at Mama Melrose, and couldn't use it at Chef Mickey on Thanksgiving day, so we didn't save as much as we could have given the same meals at another time. However, that said, if we hadn't bought the TIW card we wouldn't have eaten at San Angel Inn for lunch for instance, and a few other meals we did because... why Not we have TIW!

I loved reading about your auto train experience. I'd like to try that sometime instead of driving 900 miles each way in an old minivan with a non-functional gas gauge. Looks great! I can't wait to show the pics to DH. Thanks

Yes, I'm in Loudoun. We are probably neighbors and don't even know it! I'll send you a PM.

We own SSR, too but bought it site unseen. We had really wanted AKV but they hadn't begun selling it yet, so we bought SSR and then added on 2x to AKV.

I am so glad we stayed at SSR. I admit it's not my favorite resort b/c I really like BLT and BCV for the theming and location, location, location ... but we also enjoyed SSR. Now I think having a car is a must for that resort or else you are walking a lot.

And once the Hyperion Wharf is up and running, I think SSR is going to be a wonderful place to stay.

I will always probably try to get another DVC when it's available, but if we end up at SSR again, we will have a great time!

TIW saved us about another $60 or so for this trip. I didn't actually calculate it and at our meal at the Turf Club, I totally forgot that they charge us 18% tip and went ahead and put on 18%. Duh! Oh well, hopefully our waitress really needed that extra money for something and I could be her "angel".

If you have any other questions about the train, please ask. We've only driven down to FL twice now, flown about 10 times and taken the train twice too. But it really makes it nice, esp if you have small children or like to pack a lot of stuff.

And it just makes it much nicer to get there all refreshed.

Please check out my July TR in my siggie so you can see and read more about the Autotrain, particularly coach seating.

I'd highly suggest giving it a try one time. That way you'll know whether you like it or not. We found it very convenient and cheaper than driving when you factor in all the variables (hotel, wear and tear, restaurants). Of course, it helps if you get a good rate!