In general Fest issues, THIS story out of the Los Angeles area is very good news, as it decreases some limitations we had with every other Gold Line train previously ending in Pasadena where they did before. If our schedule gets out of kilter (a little earlier or later), we won't have a long wait on one end or be dumped in Pasadena to wait for the next train as many will now go through to Azusa.
I thank Mark for his information on the ORCA card. This weekend after adjusting the itinerary I will work on a costs page for Seattle.
Unless we have plenty of time to kill, having arrived into Seattle early or on time on the Empire Builder, I cannot foresee there being enough time to take in any more of LINK or ride Sounder. Sounder's return trips are limited to the rush hour, and during the rush hour we need to be having dinner. While the primary reason for any Fest is to ride trains, we've done those already and what's new takes priority over what's done. Personally, if I am to be able to function the rest of our time on this journey, I still need to get to my hotel at a reasonable hour so I can have time to wash my clothes to have something available to wear the rest of the week. (Remember Amtrak's updated carry-on baggage limitations.) LINK might be possible during the afternoon with a short-turn, as I know that the new segments of LINK we will be riding are all underground and thus offer no new outside scenery.
I understand we will want to come up to the surface at UW-Husky Stadium, and I'll program about 20 minutes for that, which I think would be sufficient to see the surrounding area.