Cast of characters: Sandy (48), Judy (49), Seth (21), Sara (18), Elana (15)

Prologue

We left home on June 29 at 2:30 in the afternoon.  We didn't hit any traffic until Maryland, where we ran into traffic heading home from the Baltimore Orioles - Philadelphia Phillies game.  We were hoping to make it to Lorton for dinner, but because of the delay, we stopped in Laurel and had dinner at a IHOP.  We finally arrived at t he Fairfield Inn in Lorton, Virginia at 9:30pm.

We had breakfast in the hotel.   Most of the chains like the Fairfield, Comfort, Marriott, et al offer a small continental breakfast for guests.  We checked out of the hotel at 11:30 and headed over to the Potomac Mills Mall to pick up some last minute items and to have lunch.  After lunch we headed to the auto train to check in.  We upgraded our coach seats to two economy rooms, which may cost more, but is a nicer way to travel.  The train left on time and we were on our way to Orlando!

One thing about the auto train.  Judy doesn't fly, so we either drive to Florida or take the train.  With a station wagon and three grown children, asking them to sit in a car for two days would be tantamount to child abuse.  So the train, while not a cheaper alternative, is a saner alternative.  The rooms are comfortable to sit and to sleep and the food is far better than airplane food.  The dinner menu was recently updated offering Beef Tenderloin, Chicken, Poached Salmon and Vegetable Ravioli.  For dessert, there is a choice of cheesecake with strawberries or chocolate sauce, chocolate brownie with ice cream or ice cream with the same toppings as the cheesecake.

Arrival in Florida

We arrived on time at 9:00am.  We got our car by 10:00am and were on the road to WDW by 10:15am.   Traffic on I-4 was fine, but I didn't realize the exit numbers had been changed.  Most of the online maps of the Disney area still have the old exit numbers listed.  The exits to WDW are now 72 - 64.  We arrived at Coronado Springs at 11:30am and checked in.  We got the room we requested in Cabanas 8A, but the room was not yet ready.  While checking in, we paid for our E-Ride tickets for that night.

We decided to head over to EPCOT first, parked by Cabanas 8A and grabbed the bus from the bus stop nearby.  We didn't have to wait more than ten minutes for the bus.  Once we got to the park, we intended to get a Fast Pass for Test Track, but since the Spaceship Earth line was so short, we decided to go on it instead.  While standing in line, a guest asked a CM if there was a charge for the ride!  I hadn't heard that before and we laughed about it to ourselves.  Not long after, someone asked us the same question!  It just goes to show you how much we who research our trips or have been to WDW before take for granted.

After Spaceship Earth, we went to The Land and had lunch at Sunshine Season.  From there, we went into Food Rocks and then onto Living with the Land, for which we had to grab a Fast Pass before going into Food Rocks.  When we got out of The Land, I called to se if our room was ready and was told that we had room 8156.  We then walked over to Journey Into Your Imagination to see if the ride had improved since we were last there.  Happily, it had and we were glad to see Figment had come back.   

We went to see if Mission: Space was open, but today was media day, so there was no chance.  So we went next door to The Wonders of Life and road Body Wars.

After Body Wars, we went back to Coronado Springs to put our stuff away in the room and get ready for dinner.  We had a priority seating for Cape May Cafe at 6:00pm, so we drove to the Beach Club and parked there.  Usually, despite the fact that there are a lot of shell fish items and meat items, there are enough fish and non-meat items that the girls could eat.  But, today for some reason, even the vegetables had ham in them.  I asked the waitress if they could make the girls plain string beans and she said she would find out.  The chef came out and said he would be happy to accommodate them.  In a little while, the waitress came out with three huge plates of string beans!

After dinner, we drove back to Coronado Springs and grabbed a bus for the Magic Kingdom.  We stopped at City Hall to get our bracelets and then went to Tomorrowland.  First we waited on what was probably our longest wait of the night for the Tomorrowland Speedway (known forever in our family as the Grand Prix Speedway).  The wait was no more than 30 minutes, but it moves so quickly, you're hardly aware of it.  

Then we took a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority  (Calling Tom Morrow).  From there, we walked to Fantasyland and rode something we haven't done in years - the tea cups in the Mad Tea Party.  We then ducked into It's A Small World, right before it closed.

By the time we got out of IASW, the park was officially closed and open only to bracelet wearers for E-night.  We headed right for the Haunted Mansion and rode it two times.  I asked a CM to show me the engagement ring, which I had only heard about, but never saw.  

Elana is not the greatest fan of roller coasters, especially ones with big drops, but this time she decided she was going to do Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  We walked right onto the train and Elana sat with me.  For the whole ride, she had a death grip on my arm and I swear at one point she bit me!  Sara and I then did Splash Mountain.  We tried to convince Elana to try it, but she didn't like the drop.  We sat in the back and managed to avoid getting too wet.  It was already midnight and I was exhausted at this point, so I headed back to the room and they stayed to ride Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear, before meeting me back at the room.