The Boys are Staying Home & They're Not Upset-UPDATED 11/11 TO ADD CORN MAZE STORY :)

[disneyaddicted]

I love the idea of traveling by train. I always fly or drive, but wow a train, that sounds like so much fun.
You all will be heading out on my birthday.

 

[Swmr359]

Hi Maggie,

Thanks so much for your input. I haven't completely decided, but since we are used to riding in the car for 12 hours to get there we we will mostly be traveling in the dark, I am leaning heavily towards just getting us seats. It will triple the cost to get a roomette/sleeper. I would love to see your pictures and get your thoughts though, as I haven't purchased our tickets yet.

Also, thanks for the info about the transfers. Do you remember about how long it took you to get from the station to the hotel? And do you remember why you chose Kissimee instead of Orlando? One last question....how early did you need to be at the train station?

Sorry to hit you with a million questions! TIA!!

Mary-Margaret

We orginally were going to take a sleeper down and seats back, but my mom upgraded us at the last minute. DC to Kissimee is 18 hours and I have a bad back, so I couldn't have done seats for so long. The train does make stops through the night so you may not get much sleep in a seat if you are a light sleeper ( although you might be too excited to sleep anyway!). I thought it was nice that we didn't have to worry about having money for food when we had meals. Like Disney at each meal you get drinks and dessert also . And it was nice to only have to share a bathroom with my mom! Oh and at the bigger stations you get to wait in the VIP lounge, with free drinks and snacks, and when your train gets in the escort you to your car.
We choose Kissimee becuase we thought it would be less popular than Orlando, and easier to figure things out. We didn't call a cab ahead of time, so we had to wait about half and hour for the cab.
On the way to Flordia we got to the station hours early becuase we had a friend drop us off (and we we very excited!), on the way home maybe an hour and half early (we were nervous about missing the train, but it was late so it didn't matter!)
In the big sleeper car (w/ seperate shower/toliet area, sink and mirrors, sofa, and chair (but not in our car):

sink area

bunk set-up, two adults can fit on the bottom bunk if needed

the dinning car

The smaller sleeper car (has toliet and sink in room):

the black bag is sitting on the toliet and the mug is on the sink (it flips up)
I don't have pictures of the bunks for this car, but you probably wouldn't be able to fit two on one bed
The toliet thing isn't as bad as it sounds

Let me know if you have anymore quesions!

 

[desparatelydisney]

Thank you soooo much!! What did you think of the Kissimmee station? Would you feel safe there by yourself at night? Just wondering which station would be better for me & DD. On another thread, a couple thought Kissimmee is nicer even though it is smaller. I just want to be where I will feel the most comfortable, you know.

 

[TiggerAllie]

Wow this is a really quick trip down and back! I've only ever taken the train in Europe--but that looks pretty fun actually. MVMCP is so fun--and GF-- the Gingerbread house is AWESOME! Consider bringing home a miniature one for you!

I am also going to suggest (if you have the time) to check out some of the other resort's holiday decorations, too. I seem to remember the BW and BC have some really cool displays.

 

[Swmr359]

Thank you soooo much!! What did you think of the Kissimmee station? Would you feel safe there by yourself at night? Just wondering which station would be better for me & DD. On another thread, a couple thought Kissimmee is nicer even though it is smaller. I just want to be where I will feel the most comfortable, you know.

Kissimmee is the only station I've been too so I can't really compare. If the building is open at night I would feel safe. It is a nice little station, benches outside to wait for your train; inside the building there are more benches, bathrooms, and a vending machine. We felt relaxed there, nobody was running around trying to catch trains or cab. I would call for a cab before you get to the station though, so you don't have to wait as long for it to arrive.
Kissimme:

Orlando:

 

[desparatelydisney]

AYE, AYE, AYE!!!! THE BEST MADE PLANS......

Okay, so.....when I made plans to go in December I forgot one very important thing.....WE HAVE A BIG JOB STARTING THAT WEEK AND MY HUSBAND WILL BE OUT OF TOWN!!!!

So.....back to square one.....

It's possible that my husband could be out of town anytime after Thanksgiving so I can't very well leave DS (8) and DS (3) not knowing whether Dad will be around. So now we are going BEFORE Thanksgiving. And guess what else, the GRAND ISN'T AVAILABLE NOW!!!!

Now what do we do....

Plus, seeing all these pictures and talking to lots of people has convinced me that I want to get a roomette on the train so now our train cost has gone up from $150 to $400. So, to afford the sleeper, forget all that stuff I said about the Grand - we are now going to stay moderate.

The question is which moderate....

So as not to keep you guessing (and because I am too perplexed and stressed to keep you waiting), I will tell you now....POFQ.

However, since on top of everything else, my dog got bit by a poisonous snake yesterday and although he is going to be okay things are still pretty crazy around here, I'll leave the explanation for another post.

Have a great Sunday everybody!
MMM

 

[punkin413]

hi, mary-margaret! glad to see you're writing a TR! now i can actually get to know you other than through work.

April 2008 w/ Pirate & Princess Party - YC & WL

when did you go in april 2008? we were there from april 26 through may 3 and stayed at SSR. we went to the pirate & princess party on may 2nd. it was awesome!

I have the greatest part time job in the world - I get to help others plan It's kind of like being an alcoholic bartender

great way to describe it! and totally true!!!!

So as not to keep you guessing (and because I am too perplexed and stressed to keep you waiting), I will tell you now....POFQ.

i hear great things about POFQ. i think it would be my first choice of moderates. and no worries....IT'S STILL DISNEY WORLD!!!

However, since on top of everything else, my dog got bit by a poisonous snake yesterday and although he is going to be okay things are still pretty crazy around here, I'll leave the explanation for another post.

oh, no! i hope your doggie is okay. i'm a big dog lover so i know how hard it is to have a sick pooch.

 

[desparatelydisney]

when did you go in april 2008? we were there from april 26 through may 3 and stayed at SSR. we went to the pirate & princess party on may 2nd. it was awesome!

We were there the EXACT same time...4/26 to 5/3 and went to the party on 5/2! We did a split stay between YC & WL. Isn't that crazy!!! I was just thinking today about watching the fireworks in front of CP and how there was almost no one else around us. I hope MVMCP will be similar.

Catie did BBB that night, here she is as Jasmine

The Luke & Rhett dressed as pirates

...and so did I

 

[punkin413]

We were there the EXACT same time...4/26 to 5/3 and went to the party on 5/2! We did a split stay between YC & WL. Isn't that crazy!!! I was just thinking today about watching the fireworks in front of CP and how there was almost no one else around us. I hope MVMCP will be similar.

Catie did BBB that night, here she is as Jasmine

The Luke & Rhett dressed as pirates

...and so did I

so cool! i can't believe we were there at exactly the same time. i remember our schedule. look at it and see if i should go back and look through my pictures to see if you're in any of them!

saturday - arrival (no disney)
sunday - AK, dinner at kona cafe, MK
monday - DHS
tuesday - DTD, epcot, then dinner at narcoosee's
wednesday - MK all day
thursday - epcot
friday - MK, lunch at whispering canyon, then the party
saturday - departure (no disney)

here's the links to my pirate and princess party portion of the TR i did for that trip. my friend anna and her family joined us just for the party on their way to the beach. ray and i were actually there all week alone until that night.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26952150&postcount=1713
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27025849&postcount=1784
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27076127&postcount=1820
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27178828&postcount=1882
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27278970&postcount=1940

i like your pirate costume. it's cute! we saw some not-so-disney pirate wenches that night but yours is really cute.

we watched the fireworks on the left side of the hub near CP....i'm sure we saw you guys at some point!

 

[desparatelydisney]

LET'S GET THIS THING BACK ON TRACK....NOW WHERE WERE WE....OH YEAH....WHAT TO DO....

Since our hotel has changed our schedule has changed some. However, i can't complain because (1) the cost savings on the hotel more than pays for our MVMCP tickets, (2) I get to stay at a resort I have never stayed at before, and (3) DH would probably have very little interest POFQ so this is a good time to stay there.

So, our new schedule:

Wednesday
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Finish school for the week
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Make sure that DH and DSs are squared away
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Pack
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Leave for train station
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-Train leaves about 9:30pm (assuming it's on time)
-Plan out what rides DD definitely wants to do so we don't miss anything
-Sleep

Thursday
-Wake up on train
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-Eat
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-get to Orlando at 10:30am (hopefully)
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-Transfer to POFQ, check-in (hopefully by 11:30/12).
-Grab a bite to eat at the food court
-Change into bathing suits & hang out at the pool
-Hopefully get in to room a little early, change for party
-MVMCP (what else )

Friday
-Sleep a little late, not too much
-Check our bags with bell services for later
-Grab breakfast at food court
-Take bus to EPCOT for 11am ressie for Akershus (DD's pick)
-Make sure we do Living with the Land & Turtle Talk with Crush
-Take monorail back to MK for a few favorite rides
-Take bus back to POFQ
-Collect our belongings say goodbye to WDW, transfer back to train station --Board train & sleep

Saturday
-Wake up on train
-Eat
-Get in to station at 8:30am
-Hopefully be home before lunch - 2 tired but very happy girls

 

[Elevationist]

Saw your comment on another PTR that you're worried nobody will read yours. (Which I totally relate to, I'm having the same fear about my own PTR that I'm attempting! ) I'm here to subscribe, and can't wait to read more!

Your family is beautiful! And your trip sounds like a whirlwind escape to the Happiest Place on Earth, I love it! I'm sure your DD will have an amazing time.

4. I should also add that my friends have gotten so tired of hearing me talk about Disney that they suggested I become a Disney Travel Agent Well, they were joking but it started something....last October I joined a wonderful agency (which shall remain nameless) and I am now a home based travel agent specializing is Disney vacations! I have the greatest part time job in the world - I get to help others plan It's kind of like being an alcoholic bartender

OMG, I get the exact same thing from friends and family. Only difference is that I wouldn't even know where to begin in order to pursue a career like that! My background is even in travel in tourism, I worked in the airline industry for 4 years, and am presently working for a hotel. I have said for years how I would looooooove to be a Disney TA, but alas, I don't know where to start. Any advice?

 

[desparatelydisney]

OMG, I get the exact same thing from friends and family. Only difference is that I wouldn't even know where to begin in order to pursue a career like that! My background is even in travel in tourism, I worked in the airline industry for 4 years, and am presently working for a hotel. I have said for years how I would looooooove to be a Disney TA, but alas, I don't know where to start. Any advice?

I work for a great firm that specializes in Disney; punkin413 is a fellow agent too (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2035757). If you are interested, PM me. I think there are 40 or 50 of us now at our agency and I think he is bringing on new agents all the time.

 

[desparatelydisney]

When last you "read me", my dog had gotten bitten by a pit viper, we had moved our trip from December to November, and THE GRAND WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE I quit writing for a while because I was convinced I had jinxed the whole trip by starting this "1st ever pre-trip report"


Well, I am pleased to say that a Garden View Room opened up last week and WE ARE BACK AT THE GRAND!!!!



So...the official schedule is (and WILL NOT be changed )....

Wednesday 11/18
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Finish school for the week
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Make sure that DH and DSs are squared away
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Pack
-Answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World?"
-Leave for train station
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-Train leaves about 9:30pm (assuming it's on time)
-Plan out what rides DD definitely wants to do so we don't miss anything
-Sleep

Thursday 11/19
-Wake up on train
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-Eat
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-get to Orlando at 10:30am (hopefully)
-Answer the question "when are going to be there?"
-Meet Town Car service and ride to GF (hopefully by 11:30/12).
-Hang out at the Grand, shop, swim, etc.
-Hopefully get in to room a little early, change for party
-MVMCP (what else?????)
--Head straight to BBB for 4:25pm appt and......


......I made her this to wear....

SHE IS SOOOOO excited!! I can't wait to get a picture of her with Belle


Friday 11/20
-Sleep a little late, not too much
-Check our bags with bell services for later
-Take monorail to EPCOT for 12:10pm ressie for Akershus (DD's pick)
-Make sure we do Living with the Land & Turtle Talk with Crush
-Take monorail back to GF
-Have Afternoon Tea in the Tea Room
-Collect our belongings, say goodbye to WDW, and take the town car back to the train station
-Board train & sleep

Saturday 11/21
-Wake up on train
-Eat
-Get in to station at 8:30am
-Hopefully be home before lunch - 2 tired but very happy girls

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

YOU MADE THAT?!?! Oh my gosh it is AMAZING!! I'm glad a room finally opened up for you. Sorry I've been MIA, school has been crazy. Right now I am taking a break from doing a midterm (yes, on a Saturday night!!) to catch up on TR's. Looks like we will both me at MVMCP the same night!

 

[desparatelydisney]

Looks like we will both me at MVMCP the same night!

Neato!! If you see the girl in the dress, be sure to tell us hey

 

[punkin413]

hey, MM! i'm back! i'm kinda glad you took a break because that means i didn't miss much.

AWESOME about the GF having rooms now! i really want to stay there one day but i just don't know if it'll ever happen. maybe for 1 night like you guys!

and, again, i love the dress. i am VERY impressed with your sewing skills. she looks beautiful in it!

 

[TiggerAllie]

You are an amazing seamstress! That costume is absolutely beautiful! There are going to be a lot of admirers at MVMCP I'm sure!

 

[Beana9802]

Hi! I'm Kathleen from Long Island. I love that dress! I am pumped to live vicariously through your trip. I am jealous of GF! I have always dreamed of MVMCP! I wish I could go!

 

[Elevationist]

OMG! That dress is amazing! Absolutely gorgeous!

I wish I was crafty, but I can't make anything but trouble!

 

[desparatelydisney]

hey, MM! i'm back! i'm kinda glad you took a break because that means i didn't miss much.

AWESOME about the GF having rooms now! i really want to stay there one day but i just don't know if it'll ever happen. maybe for 1 night like you guys!

and, again, i love the dress. i am VERY impressed with your sewing skills. she looks beautiful in it!

Thanks, Dawn!! I can't wait Now I have to aspire to your PTR/TR skills

You are an amazing seamstress! That costume is absolutely beautiful! There are going to be a lot of admirers at MVMCP I'm sure!

Hi! I'm Kathleen from Long Island. I love that dress! I am pumped to live vicariously through your trip. I am jealous of GF! I have always dreamed of MVMCP! I wish I could go!

OMG! That dress is amazing! Absolutely gorgeous!

Thanks guys, I learned it all from DISers. My mom sewed when I was growing up, but, of course, I never cared to learn. Last winter the bug hit me!! I found the DISboutiquers here on the DISboards and they gave me the confidence to try. They are amazing women (and 1 man) who make beautiful stuff. I owe it all to them.

I wish I was crafty, but I can't make anything but trouble!

LOL!!!!