disneymom2one
All our dreams can come true, if we have the coura
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2001
- Messages
- 832
We (family of three) took Amtrak to Orlando for the day on Saturday. We are PAP holders as well as frequent WDW visitors and DVC members. We just returned about six weeks ago from a long Christmas week trip. All times are approximate.
10:00 - We arrived at the Orlando Amtrak station via the Silver Star and took a cab straight to the TTC. The cab ride was what we expected - about $50. At the TTC we noticed huge crowds arriving so we headed to the resort monorail at the Poly. TIP : Our cab driver was to be charged the parking fee at the TTC (which we would have had to pay) but our PAP waived this charge. I wasn't sure but since we get free parking we asked and were waved through. Anyway, we quickly boarded a not crowded resort monorail for the short trip to the MK, our first stop.
11:00 After storing our pack and changing clothes we headed to ride Buzz. That was followed by Pooh and then Peter Pan. For our family, these are the three we never miss. We hopped back on the resort monorail and rode over the Contemporary (we could have walked but it was going to be a long day). From there we caught a bus over to the Animal Kingdom.
1:00 - We had lunch at Flame Tree. They wouldn't take Disney Dining because we got two meal deals. Not a big deal because the meal deals are great but this was news to me. Anyway, dh had the ribs, I had the chicken, and the kiddo had a hot dog meal. The food was excellent. We made our way over the safari and rode that. It was great safari since the weather was so nice. Next stop was the long way around to see the progress on Expedition Everest. My daughter loves the design of roller coasters so this is always a treat for her. We headed to Dinoland and she played the same game she plays each time, winning a stuffed animal as she has every time and putting a smile on her face. After cashing in the ice cream and drink coupons we headed via bus straight to Epcot.
4:00 - We rode Spaceship Earth and JIY both with no waits. We shopped a little and then wandered around Innoventions. We then headed out via the monorails to the MK (actually we took the ferry to the MK). We changed back into warmer clothes and had a sub-par snack supper at Casey's. We're just not counter service people unfortunately. Everything was fine but it's just not my thing.
By 7:00 we were on our way back to Amtrak for the ride back. It was a good day. We did what we most wanted to do and got away from real life for a day.
Notes : Crowds were up but after Christmas crowds it really wasn't bad at all. BUT the new passes are causing the lines at the turnstiles to move slower. Disney has tried with new signs and lights but people are having trouble with the finger scans. I'm not sure what the solution is but it was definitely backing things up and castmembers looked a little harried at both the AK and MK.
10:00 - We arrived at the Orlando Amtrak station via the Silver Star and took a cab straight to the TTC. The cab ride was what we expected - about $50. At the TTC we noticed huge crowds arriving so we headed to the resort monorail at the Poly. TIP : Our cab driver was to be charged the parking fee at the TTC (which we would have had to pay) but our PAP waived this charge. I wasn't sure but since we get free parking we asked and were waved through. Anyway, we quickly boarded a not crowded resort monorail for the short trip to the MK, our first stop.
11:00 After storing our pack and changing clothes we headed to ride Buzz. That was followed by Pooh and then Peter Pan. For our family, these are the three we never miss. We hopped back on the resort monorail and rode over the Contemporary (we could have walked but it was going to be a long day). From there we caught a bus over to the Animal Kingdom.
1:00 - We had lunch at Flame Tree. They wouldn't take Disney Dining because we got two meal deals. Not a big deal because the meal deals are great but this was news to me. Anyway, dh had the ribs, I had the chicken, and the kiddo had a hot dog meal. The food was excellent. We made our way over the safari and rode that. It was great safari since the weather was so nice. Next stop was the long way around to see the progress on Expedition Everest. My daughter loves the design of roller coasters so this is always a treat for her. We headed to Dinoland and she played the same game she plays each time, winning a stuffed animal as she has every time and putting a smile on her face. After cashing in the ice cream and drink coupons we headed via bus straight to Epcot.
4:00 - We rode Spaceship Earth and JIY both with no waits. We shopped a little and then wandered around Innoventions. We then headed out via the monorails to the MK (actually we took the ferry to the MK). We changed back into warmer clothes and had a sub-par snack supper at Casey's. We're just not counter service people unfortunately. Everything was fine but it's just not my thing.
By 7:00 we were on our way back to Amtrak for the ride back. It was a good day. We did what we most wanted to do and got away from real life for a day.
Notes : Crowds were up but after Christmas crowds it really wasn't bad at all. BUT the new passes are causing the lines at the turnstiles to move slower. Disney has tried with new signs and lights but people are having trouble with the finger scans. I'm not sure what the solution is but it was definitely backing things up and castmembers looked a little harried at both the AK and MK.
