The DisFort's Chit Chat Cafe

[Teamubr]

Ian looks like he could keep up your pace of travel for another 2 weeks.

Hope the DLP strikes do not affect your stay

Haha.

Ian is less than half our age. It looks like we may avoid the strikes. They have been consist with scheduling them and sticking to it.

We are in our room now. There has been a lot of complaining about Sequoia Lodge from first timers. One this week posted "nothing about the resort is up to Disney standards". No pics in his post, just complaints about it being dirty and run down and "a Motel 6" is much better.

Well, here are some pics. It is nicer than AllStar Sports, but not as nice as Old Key West. I've only stayed at 1 Moderate at WDW (CBR) and I would put it nicer than that. It has a WL feel, but the rooms aren't as nicely outfitted.



The one consistent thing is the lack of outlets. There are 3 in the entire room and none are near the bed or nightstand.

This one has a lamp plugged into.


This one is on the floor by the front door.


And this one is under the TV recessed in the cabinet.


I had read to bring an extension cord. I brought 2.

Overall, it is a nice Moderate level resort and is priced as such. There is some wear and tear on the furniture, but the room is clean and overall is nicer than half the places we just stayed at while on this trip. Old Key West was due to be remodeled when we stayed there and it was in similar shape.

j

 

[jbrostek]

I think a lot of people who comment also have rarely if ever traveled outside the US. I read the same, but those with photos the complaints do not match as much. Europe is defintely different when it comes to what is expected in a room. I recall travels for work and noticing the differences and rolling with it.

 

[MrsPAHunter]

Garneska - breezed through your Yellowstone pics and just sighed. Some day. Maybe with RV, maybe not. In retirement? Daydreaming and wishing for a crystal ball with clarity. Anyone? Mine shattered several years ago; the glue I used to repair it messed with the image and let go several months ago.

TeamUBR - I just took the whirlwind European tour through your pictures...amazing and beautiful; I do appreciate architecture and history. I agree with Ian - just like Epcot! Never personally dreamed of a European vacation or international Disney parks, but your photo-journal has me imagining...in my next life?

Meanwhile, I'm packing the RV for my own, much quieter in-state tour: 4-day-weekend in one PA park, then move campgrounds for 4 days working on the road. Reba is excited and keeping a close eye that her food gets packed, too! She's always ready soon as I fire up the RV. And I'm hoping for one trip with no glitches. Latest drama - slide lock failed, but luckily unlocked so can put slide in/out! I've heard a 2X4 wedged while driving is the insurance policy until can get it fixed. Assuming just the locking motor since it's a 2008 Winnebago and that lock motor has date stamp of 2015. I'm committed to the RV thru November 2024 DisMeet, but still reserving judgement on plans beyond then.

Have to get a few pics transferred from phone to laptop so can post my less-than-exciting travels. But it's keeping me busy.

 

[Teamubr]

We have been busy in the parks and visiting the other resorts. Overall, I like it here. It definitely has the Disney feel and contrary to other posts, it is certainly up to Disney standards. I'm surprised how much side Disneyland feels like MK. We were sitting in the hub waiting for the drone and fireworks shows to start and Donna looks around and says "We could be in Florida right now". There were 2 girls sitting next to us from Scotland who were at WDW last year and they agreed.
The Studios side is fun, but still a little scarce compared to a Florida park. I was expecting everything to be like California, but it is like a slightly smaller scale MK with HS attached.

The resorts are nice. At least the 2 others we checked out. Newport Bay Club is themed like Beach Club or Yacht Club. There is even a Yachtsman restaurant, although with a fish menu.



New York New York(Marvel Hotel) is very modern. Nothing at WDW to compare to. It is the newest and nice, but not our style.




The resorts seem like Moderate level versions of WL and Beach Club.

I really like the parks. We didn't get to check out everything. Donna's feet are not doing well after 16 days walking around, but we still hit almost everything I wanted. Ian and I took off a couple of times while Donna rested her feet.


The drone and fireworks (2 different shows back to back) were great. Some version of the drone show definitely needs to come to Florida.

Pics on next post.

j

 

[Teamubr]

The Drone show had a great sound track and was about 10 minutes. It is themed for the 30th anniversary, but will be changing up in the next month or so.



Fireworks are much more low key due to noise restrictions. Nearly all except those fired from the buildings were air canon fired and didn't get as high. The show is about 20 minutes and has a similar theme to HEA. They used projection mapping and water curtains to fill in for the lack of as many fireworks. I thought it was a nice show. Not HEA, but still nice.

I didn't take as many pics of the fireworks as I wanted to watch everything. Donna and Ian have many more. I'll add some of theirs when I can transfer them over.



Mickey was up in the train station waving au revoir to everyone as we were leaving.



Overall a fantastic trip. We head home in the morning. 1115 flight. That's 0415 STL time. I'm off work Monday to catch up. After a long layover in Chicago, we won't get to STL until 9pm, STL time. That 4am Paris time.

I hope you enjoyed this. I'll have plenty more pics and stories to share at the Midwest DIS Meet in 2 weeks.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Great trip updates, Jim. Thanks for putting in the effort. Hope you recover easily after you get home. Ed

 

[2goofycampers]

Safe travels and thank you for taking us on your adventures.

 

[Teamubr]

We are back in the states. Currently sitting in O'Hare waiting for our flight to STL. It was a great trip. Something we soon won't forget. Many, many things I loved about Europe in general. The history, architecture, people and culture are so cool. I think our next long distance trip will likely be to the British Isles, but a riverboat cruise down the Rhine looked great. That was one of the many highlights this trip. We were only on a cruise for about 2 hours, but we saw several Viking riverboats and they looked very nice.

j

 

[FtW Mike]

Jim glad you are home in the USA. Hopefully you will make it safely out of O'Hare.

 

[bama_ed]

Been laying low for the last week but we've been VERY busy with out-of-town overnight family guests, Father's Day, and preparing for the camping trip we are on now. We are about an hour outside of Pittsburgh all set up in the Aliner and we LOVED waking up to 50sF degree temps this morning.

We are up in Pennsylvania for a reason I will explain in a few days. But while we're up here, I'm going to cram in a bunch of fun activities - many of which will be all too familiar for those that have met me.

Today was the day for a Major League Baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs. I liked that game today because it was a 1230pm weekday game and my brother, who lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, was able to attend and drive. Didn't know much about either team but it was a beautiful day to be with 22,000 like minded fans.



Our seats were down the 1st base line between 1st and the right field corner in row 3. The Pirates had come into today with an 8-game losing streak but I didn't care. I listened on my transistor radio to KDKA and the Pirates network and learned a lot about both teams.



The Pirates are a young team with a lot of .220-.270 hitters (and that's being generous). But hey, it was my first time here.



The game moved relatively quickly through the first 6 innings (Pirates had only 1 hit for the longest time) but then Pittsburgh started doing mid-inning pitching substitutions which slowed the pace down but we finished in about 2hr 40min.

I took a selfie with the Roberto Clemente statue (he was a favorite of my dad when we lived in Ohio) and also the Pirate "Big Boy" (it HAS to be the same model that Shoney's restaurants used for decades).



I wore my Cleveland Indians jersey but there were many Cubs fans at the ballpark (who ended up winning the game 8-3). Looking forward, I am, to Spring Training in Arizona next February for the Tribe (rescheduled from this year).

More fun coming up the next two days. One place we've been to before about 20 years ago - the other will be brand new and thus I'm more excited about that one. Weather may be wet up here the next several days but we can still pull off all the plans I have for us.

Bama Ed

PS - @Teamubr , I heard on the game broadcast today that the Cubs were leaving Pittsburgh after the game and flying to London, UK to play your St. Louis Cardinals over there on Saturday and Sunday. Wonder if those will be on American network tv? Would be cool to watch.

PPS - @4077, hope you are reading along.

 

[Stratman50th]

Falcon 9 Launch at Kennedy space center. Great Father's day gift spending the day there!
Sorry the picture is so small but I was watching the launch for a bit before I took it.

 

[4077]

PPS - @4077, hope you are reading along.

I am I am…. I am waiting to see what is on the agenda. To quote a frequent “@bama_ed” sentiment…

 

[Teamubr]

The Pirates had come into today with an 8-game losing streak but I didn't care.

PS - @Teamubr , I heard on the game broadcast today that the Cubs were leaving Pittsburgh after the game and flying to London, UK to play your St. Louis Cardinals over there on Saturday and Sunday. Wonder if those will be on American network tv? Would be cool to watch.

Pittsburg has quickly tumbled from the top of the NL Central and is battling the basement spot with the Cards. Although the Cards seem pretty determined to keep it. One of our sports people said who would have predicted at the beginning of the season that Cincinnati would be at the top and the Cards at the bottom of the NL Central?

I'd say Cleveland has been doing well. Close to the top of AL Central, but that whole division is under .500.

I saw the Cubs/Cards in London matchup as soon as it was announced over the winter. It's a shame it is a week after I came home from Europe. We briefly considered extending the trip, but couldn't justify the expense or the time off work. I'm pretty sure the game will be on Fox. The regular over the air station on Saturday (1210 CDT). Sunday should be on ESPN. (0910 CDT).

j

 

[bama_ed]

We are up here for a rally (campout) of the Aliner Owners Club. There are about 120 Aliners here (with a few non-A's mixed in) and almost 200 people. More on this later.

Today was a day to ride behind a steam locomotive at the East Broad Top Railway (EBT) which is a narrow gauge line in Rockhill Furnace, PA. We had ridden this train before 20 years ago. It was a narrow gauge line in the hills of PA that transported coal and freight up to the main Pennsylvania Railroad line at Mount Union. Its steam roster includes 6 Mikados (2-8-2 wheel arrangement) only one of which is currently operational. Wikipedia has an up-to-date entry for EBT but it ran tourist service on a 4-mile, 1hr ride from 1960 until 2011 when it closed. It was sold and bought by retired executives of various modern railroads in 2020 with the new owners investing serious money to bring it back and help it run again. Wikipedia EBT Link

Tourist operations started again last year and we rode today in a cool, cloudy, misty rain day. Here is the main depot.



Over to the left across the streets are the shops and the round house where the 6 Mikados still are. But ol' #16 was backed out onto the turntable and steaming up for service today.



She backed out of the switch area in a hiss of white steam before coming down to hitch up to her consist of passenger cars.



And today's Train #1 rolled into the station at 1045am for us to board for our 11am run.



Our consist today was two open, covered gondola cars and one uncovered open gondola car (no one in them because of today's weather), 4 modern coach cars, and one genuine caboose that was nearly 70 years old. All lined up at the station and ready to carry our small crowd.











The ride is a slow bumpy ramble about 20 minutes straight down the lines along pastures, fields, woods, and streams. There is a turn-around Y that we backed into and around so we could have the engine pull us back along the same line to the station. Great chance to get a picture of the loco.



I love the smell of smoke and cinders!

It was a 2-hr commute each way but well worth the time and I am glad to see the EBT running again with strong finances and a future in front of it. The conductor said that plans are to rehab engines #14 and #15 (which are nearly identical twins) and bring them back into service. So the future looks bright for EBT.

Another train ride tomorrow but it will be new-to-us ......

Ed

 

[bama_ed]

PS - after we rode the EBT 20 years ago I purchased a G-scale loco, tender, and passenger cars in the EBT line from the Bachman brand. It's not historically accurate (not a Mikado loco) but still it's part of my collection.


And I found a picture of all those old locos still sleeping in the roundhouse (showing us the back of their tenders):



And the noses of a few locos inside.

 

[Teamubr]

That's great. It's still a good size locomotive for narrow gauge. I'm guessing it is still coal fired from the black smoke? Or has it been converted?

j

 

[bama_ed]

That's great. It's still a good size locomotive for narrow gauge. I'm guessing it is still coal fired from the black smoke? Or has it been converted?

j

Coal fired. The hills of Pennsylvania still have a lot of coal in them.

 

[FtW Mike]

Ed, Sorry about the weather but the rain over the past few days is desperately needed. Just to let you know SCRAPPLE is a Staple in most of Pa

 

[Stratman50th]

Very cool Ed, thanks for posting. On my bucket list to ride more steam. I've only done the Western MD RR, Strasburg RR, C&O museum and of course Disney.

 

[jbrostek]

@bama_ed LOVE East Broadtop RR. Sadly it was in question of survival for a few years, yet thankfully its come back to life and so much restoration work. I watch their page and the Friends of EBT and the transformation to get the locos running again and make the entire property safe and more useful has been amazing. We havenot made it up to Bunth Cabins since they started offering rides again, but its on the short list to revisit soon.