QueenGoblin
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2006
Hi All-
Just wanted to post our experiences with the Auto Train since I know I came here to search through threads for information when we were making our transportation decisions, so I want help out future auto-train-ers!
The biggest change: There are now electrical outlets at every seat! YAY!
We departed from Lorton, VA on January 6th, arrived in Sanford the 7th and then returned the 14th, arriving the 15th. We left on time and got in EARLY both ways. 90 minutes early on the 7th. So early that we actually had to wait for the staff at the station to get in place to detrain us. On the return trip we were about 30-45minutes early. We took the auto train in September of 06, and we were early both ways that time too. I know there are people who have had bad experiences with the auto train being late, but so far we have been really lucky, and given the snow storms that were present on the east coast when we were traveling, I am glad we took the train and avoid flight delays and cancelations.
The trip down was full! It is so true that the "snowbirds" are the primary customers of this train line and they were out in force returning to Flordia after the Holidays on the 6th. We noticed that the fare for the trip down to Florida was much higher than for the return trip too, so the fares really do reflect the "demand" and we noticed they did get higher as the date approached. The return trip we almost had the train to ourselves.
We went coach, traveling with 2 kids, and we were fine. We took extra pillows, snacks, coloring books, games and movies for the kids. They liked the fact that they weren't strapped into a carseat for 16 hours and seemed to enjoy taking trips to the dining car for meals and the lounge car for snacks. The meals were fine...we are vegetarian so our choices were somewhat limited, but the people around us seemed to be enjoying their selections. The movies they showed were too adult for our kids, but they were recent mainstream movies.
The attendants were all very cheerful and pleasant. The train and the stations were very well maintained (although the Sanford station seems very outdated next to the new Lorton station).
We were nearly the LAST car getting off the train in Florida, which was a bummer, because as I said, the train was full. Note: the myth that the vans/SUVs get off first is just that, a MYTH! We traveled with a van this time, a standard sized station wagon last year, both times we were almost last. The experienced travelers around us seemed to agree that it is just random. They seemed to even have extra people working to get the cars off, but 300+ cars are gonna take awhile and we just had bad luck. Even with that, however, we were at Pop Century by 11am. The drive to WDW from Sanford is very easy and takes less than an hour on I-4.
Overall, it was another positive experience for us. I know it is not for everyone, but for us, it allowed us the more of the control and flexibility of driving our own car, without the kids being confined to a carseat for hours, or DH and I beginning our vacation road weary. Plus it is fun to watch the sun go down over mid-atlantic forests and rise over palm trees!
Feel free to respond or PM me with specific questions. Happy Travels!
Just wanted to post our experiences with the Auto Train since I know I came here to search through threads for information when we were making our transportation decisions, so I want help out future auto-train-ers!
The biggest change: There are now electrical outlets at every seat! YAY!
We departed from Lorton, VA on January 6th, arrived in Sanford the 7th and then returned the 14th, arriving the 15th. We left on time and got in EARLY both ways. 90 minutes early on the 7th. So early that we actually had to wait for the staff at the station to get in place to detrain us. On the return trip we were about 30-45minutes early. We took the auto train in September of 06, and we were early both ways that time too. I know there are people who have had bad experiences with the auto train being late, but so far we have been really lucky, and given the snow storms that were present on the east coast when we were traveling, I am glad we took the train and avoid flight delays and cancelations.
The trip down was full! It is so true that the "snowbirds" are the primary customers of this train line and they were out in force returning to Flordia after the Holidays on the 6th. We noticed that the fare for the trip down to Florida was much higher than for the return trip too, so the fares really do reflect the "demand" and we noticed they did get higher as the date approached. The return trip we almost had the train to ourselves.
We went coach, traveling with 2 kids, and we were fine. We took extra pillows, snacks, coloring books, games and movies for the kids. They liked the fact that they weren't strapped into a carseat for 16 hours and seemed to enjoy taking trips to the dining car for meals and the lounge car for snacks. The meals were fine...we are vegetarian so our choices were somewhat limited, but the people around us seemed to be enjoying their selections. The movies they showed were too adult for our kids, but they were recent mainstream movies.
The attendants were all very cheerful and pleasant. The train and the stations were very well maintained (although the Sanford station seems very outdated next to the new Lorton station).
We were nearly the LAST car getting off the train in Florida, which was a bummer, because as I said, the train was full. Note: the myth that the vans/SUVs get off first is just that, a MYTH! We traveled with a van this time, a standard sized station wagon last year, both times we were almost last. The experienced travelers around us seemed to agree that it is just random. They seemed to even have extra people working to get the cars off, but 300+ cars are gonna take awhile and we just had bad luck. Even with that, however, we were at Pop Century by 11am. The drive to WDW from Sanford is very easy and takes less than an hour on I-4.
Overall, it was another positive experience for us. I know it is not for everyone, but for us, it allowed us the more of the control and flexibility of driving our own car, without the kids being confined to a carseat for hours, or DH and I beginning our vacation road weary. Plus it is fun to watch the sun go down over mid-atlantic forests and rise over palm trees!
Feel free to respond or PM me with specific questions. Happy Travels!
). And yep - most of the train were snowbirds! My car was probably around half way through. I was at Disney by 10:30ish. 
