On our way back to OKW

[tedhowe]

Posting live from the Auto Train southbound (just passed from VA into NC a short while back). I love cellular data plans...

We're on our way back for 5 nights at OKW - this trip is just "us" (me,DW and the 2 DDs) - this is not our usual mode of operation as we like to bring friends and family along.

Also different is that we are NOT going to the disney parks. We have a 6 night trip scheduled with my parents, my brother and DSIL and their 3 girls next January, so this is a Seaworld/Aquatica/Bush Gardens trip.

We are about to go over to the dining car... so I've got to pack it up.

If anyone has any questions on the auto train, or OKW feel free to post.

I'll probably be doing a daily trip report along the way this week.

Ted

 

[edk35]

Have a great trip there and of course AN EVEN BETTER TRIP WHILE AT OKW/WDW!!!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I would love to hear about your autotrain experience...how it all works bringing your car along. Sleeping accomodations? Travel from Sandford to OKW? I really want to try the autotrain, but Airtran at $54/one way trumps the train right now!

 

[bobbiwoz]

How exciting! I hope you have a pleasant experience on the train. We used to travel down to Hollywood Florida on the train, this was in the '60's and all I remember was that once we got into Florida, it was still a very long ride!

Bobbi

 

[DVC Mike]

Have a great trip!

 

[Silver Queen]

How exciting, a train ride and then Disney! I love trains. We took the California Zephyr to Oakland once. Wonderful scenic trip. I'd be interested in hearing about your OKW experience. We'll be staying there on the 24th and I'm concerned after reading the thread about the hard beds there. We'll be with DS and DDiL who will be 7 months pregnant and I'm concerned about her being uncomfortable. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[tedhowe]

Good morning from half an hour north of Sanford, FL

Dinner last night was very good... I had the NY Strip steak which was cooked just as I ordered. DW had sea bass with a crab sauce which looked and smelled yummy, and she said it was. The girls enjoyed their "Choo Choo Chewies" (chicken fingers and Mac & Cheese).

The sleeping car experience was much better this time than last (2 years ago).

The girls are older, which makes like easier at this point. And two roomettes worked better (me in the bottom bunk and DD2 in the top bunk of one, DW in the bottom bunk and DD1 in the top in the other - right across the aisle).

Once the girls were able to get to sleep everyone slept better. Plus, the 4 seats (facing 2 and 2) work better than the seat configuration of the family bedroom. As always the Auto Train staff have been GREAT... very attentive, helpful and courteous and great with the kids.

As I type this, we are about 1:15 ahead of schedule and will be getting in to Sanford. With any luck, we'll be getting our "Welcome Home" at OKW by 10 AM.

More later... off to enjoy relaxation in our favorite resort.

Ted

 

[AnnaS]

Have a safe/nice ride down. You are almost there. We took the autotrain once and Amtrak a few times. I would prefer this over flying and driving.

I just wish the restrooms were cleaned more often. When you have the sleepers (we did this once), they are not bad at all.

Enjoy your stay at WDW too.

Almost forgot. Is the Autotrain pretty full at this time? My friend took it down on Tuesday.

 

[tedhowe]

Quick update...

Arrived at OKW at about 10:10... room was ready (yay!)

We're in unit 3911 back on turtle pond... never stayed here before. The room itself is in pretty good shape, the outside of the building is showing its age, though someone has obviously gone through in the last few days to identify things to rehab... there are pieces of blue painters tape all over the outside indicating where work needs to be done.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to get the airport express to work as a travel router here with broadhop and we'll be all set... but that's for later today. Right now, off to Olivia's for lunch and then naps before we hit the pool.

 

[tedhowe]

We're back from lunch, grocery trip, stop by SSR for spa info and I've got the airport express up and running - more on that frustration later, but now it's all good.

I'm sitting on the patio at the table and typing this... now that all of the administrative things are done, the real vacationing can begin.

Off to the pool in a few minutes - dinner in the unit tonight and then to SeaWorld tomorrow.

 

[chepic]

We just got back and stayed in 3711. We drove down, so I am quite intrigued with the idea of the train for our next family trip. Have a great stay.