All about the Autotrain

[sif]

We're planning to take the Auto Train for our Nov. 4-12 WDW trip. Two adults (me, 40, DW 40) and 3 kids (DS 7, DS 5, DD 2). No question we will be getting sleeping accommodations. Any thoughts or opinions as to the Family Bedroom vs. the suite (2 connected Deluxe Bedrooms). The 2 bedrooms is obviously a bit more expensive, but it seems to have more room. Anyone have experience in either or both of these accommodations? Opinions welcome....... Thanks.

 

[Mickey]

We also took the train on Thanksgiving Day, but did coach. It was not crowded. There was three of us and once the train started moving, we claimed the seat behind us, so each of us had our own seating area. The food and service was good. We would do it again it a heartbeat.

 

[christinou]

Do they have connected bedrooms? I did not realize that, the family bedroom was quite roomy they were only 4 of us the girls were 7 and 9. My husband and I actually both slept on the bottom bed and had enough space, (and no we are not skinny little people).
I was looking at the prices and it seems that they went up quite a bit since last year.

 

[DVC Chris]

Some of the "Deluxe Bedrooms" (now called just 'bedrooms', I think) are connecting and have a wall that can be opened up to connect the two. You would have to reserve, and pay for, both rooms.

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

I just priced our trip this year, and am at a lost to understand why the price for the same time of year as last year is over $320 dollars more this year.


Has anyone heard why the big increase.

 

[DVC Chris]

The prices for Auto-Train tickets are similar to airfare, they price a certain number of seats/rooms each different price points. The cheaper ones sell first, then the next expensive, and so on. I have found out it's best to book as far in advance as possible. When all the seats/rooms at a particular price point are sold, the price increases to the next price point.

Also, fuel, and other utility costs are higher this year which will affect the ticket price. Of course, energy prices alone probably does not justify the additional $$'s you've been quoted.

 

[madhouserobey]

sif we had a family bedroom last nov. with me 38, dw36,ds7,dd5,ds4 it was small but enough room for five.we took a portable dvd player and the kid watched a moive or two. you can also go to the lounge car plenty of free veggies,crackers,cheeses and fruits.one thing is when the beds are down there is not much room so limit your carry ons.plus bring your own pillows the ones they supply are to small.the big couch folds down into a full side bed or a little bigger,me and my wife fit fine together on this an we not that skinny either. hope this helps.

 

[madhouserobey]

ct tiggerfan check back on amtraks website when i checked about two weeks ago it said my cost was $975 for an oct trip we paid $657 last year for family bedroom and suv in nov..checked back to amtraks website last week and price for this oct, trip was down to 694.75. now a thirty plus dollars raise is not that bad . but sure was not going to use autotrain at 975. but did book for 694.75 ,same setup as last year family bedroom and suv .so keep checking.

 

[sif]

Thanks madhouserobey for the info on the family bedroom. When I saw the prices continuing to rise, I went ahead and booked it. It's not saving me any money -- it ends up being about the same as 5 plane tix and renting a minivan for a week. But it will be an adventure, and my kids are excited about the idea.

 

[dtuleya]

Does anyone know if you can change dates on tickets. We're thinking of going to FL for 10-14 days and not sure when we'll be coming home since we're thinking of adding a beach stay to the end of our of WDW stay. Can we switch the return day of our trip as long as there is availability?

 

[madhouserobey]

what's up with amtrak booked on 1/29 for oct trip and paid 694.75 for auto train.should go back a little. checked around 1/6 and trip cost was 975 oneway and as you can see on 1/29 it was down to 694.75 .went back on yesterday and it's back to 975. i should mention . this for 2da,3dk and family bedroom .had talked wife into the return trip on the train.so went to book last night and it was 975 again what's up with that?

 

[ShellyMouse]

i stayed up til 1 am reading every post on this thread. it seems to me that the tracks might be better now than when this thread started a couple years ago?!

i'm a nervous nellie, and would like to know more about the swaying and bumping while riding. are the tracks alot better in you opinion? my dd (6) would love this so much! my dh would love not to drive the whole way. (we would drive 10 1/2 hours from michigan to lorton to get on the auto train)

i would love to relax, i called amtrak to see how fast the trains travels (see, worry wort ) and they said 60-70 mph. i'm concerned about the bumping and swaying......has this thing ever crashed or derailed?

thanks so much!

 

[cherylp3]

I think it crashed once when a truck ran the gates.

As for speed/swaying and bumping, I haven't taken the train in a few years but it can sway and bump.

Cheryl

 

[DVC Chris]

Shelly,

We've been taking the AutoTrain for the last 6 years and I do believe the tracks have gotten smoother each year, with my last trip (Dec, '05) being the smoothest. The train does travel 60-70 MPH over many portions. Speed feels different to different people and the 'swaying and bumping' can be felt at any speed - albeit a bit more when moving a top speed. Trains do have accidents and derail, so do planes and autos. There are MUCH, much, mush more auto accidents then trains and autos.

We really enjoy the AutoTrain and it allows us to 'wind down' into our vacation. The AutoTrain is among the best long-distance train in the US. There may be delays and there may be times when it arrives early - I've had both experiences.

All of the items that I describe above are typical of traveling on a train. If you've never travelled on a long-distance train before, the first trip might seem a bit weird and you might be inclined to feel less safe, etc because of the bumps, sways, various normal sounds - but after 1 or 2 trips, it all becomes second nature.

Hope this helps!!

 

[ShellyMouse]

i rode the "city of new orleans" train back in 1994 (from chicago to NO~ 18 hours). we were in a bedroom, last car on train, on upper level. i think those memories are what haunt me! i think the farther back you are the more swaying feeling you get? plus being on upper level didn't help either. i thought we were going over for sure the whole 18 hours!!

so on the auto train i would assume the vehicles are the back half of the train, so that might make it better. my dd and dh would love this, and we would have plenty of time just incase of delays. we would consider the train ride part of the vacation, not just the transportaion.

i just can't seem to get enough info on this, thanks for your replies!

 

[christinou]

We just came back from the auto train, we travelled with our 2 DD 8 and 10, we had a family sleeper, which is great, we have taken the train 4 times so far and have really enjoyed it, it is part of the vacation and not just transportation. We do like having our car with us, and not having to worry as much about packing. I always take a change of clothes with us, as we travel in winter and bring shorts and flip flop to chnage into when we wake up in the morning. I will be happy to answer any questions.
We arrived at 9:15 on the way down and back....

 

[DVC Chris]

Shelly,

The AutoTrain is considered "the longest passenger train in the US" becuase it is usually around 30-35 cars long. The passenger cars (about 14-15) are always in the front and the car carriers are behind them. Going southbound, the coach cars are closer to the engine, coming North the sleeper cars are closer to the engine. The AutoTrain uses two level Superliner cars which (according to Amtrak web site) is what is now used on the City of New Orleans.

If you were to get a family bedroom, these are located on the lower levels so they probably sway a bit less (I've never stayed in these). If going in coach, you can request lower-level seating. Each coach car has a small number of seats on the first (lower) level. They are usually 'reserved' for those who can't go up stairs, but can be reserved by anyone.

Hope this helps!

 

[TreslovesWDW]

Just want to say we took the train in Sept. 4 adults 4 kids . We had sleeper cars the way down and coach the way back. We all loved the train. Would do it again if not so expensive.

 

[ShellyMouse]

thanks for all the replies! i am going to bite the bullet and get on the auto train. i know my dh and dd will love it! and i'm sure i will be fine too. i will try to get a bedroom on lower level. i just wish i wasn't such a worry wort!

anyway, thanks again for all the info!

 

[bdcp]

As I said in an earlier post we took the auto train this past Nov to FL and back. We're going on another cruise this Nov and will once again take the train. I wasn't the least bit bothered by the movement and it defeinitely jumps, sways, and moves much less than the metroliners that go between DC and NY/Boston area. Yes, in some areas it's going 60+ mph, but not for all of the trip because of populated areas with multiple crossings, and the switching tracks means they have to go slower. Some areas have slower speed limits than others. We're probably going to get a sleeper for the trip down since we're getting on a cruise ship the day after we arrive in FL, but returning we'll just get coach seats. One, because we can drive 45 minutes home from Lorton and go to sleep and two, because the northbound trains in Nov aren't crowded and we can spread out and each have two seats. We probably got 5-6 hours of sleep total each night so we weren't too exhausted, but I'd like to be able to sleep more on the way down so I can party/stay up late on our cruise. So, enjoy. We saw all ages on our trip there and back and met some great people onboard.