All about the Autotrain

[bdcp]

I am on the same train! We arrived at 11:15, checked in, then headed out for lunch & a little shopping at a local mall. Just leaving Lorton now, and happily ensconced in coach on the lower level; it is surprisingly roomy and calm down here. Husband & I just cracked open some adult beverages, and the kids are enjoying their cool reclining seats and extendable tray tables. Am very excited for this trip!

That's a pretty quick turnaround. Fortunately, there is a lot less commercial/freight traffic on the weekends, so you might make it in on time tomorrow. Our experience is that we travel on the weekends when we can because it really does make a difference.

 

[Disneyholic]

Wilson, NC. Dinner at 10:15pm.

 

[princessklw]

Just crossed the Florida state line! I was pretty uncomfortable all night, but my family is still sleeping so that's a good sign.

 

[princessklw]

We crossed the Florida state line about 10 minutes ago. I had a pretty uncomfortable night despite having 2 seats to myself -- one kid & my husband slept on the floor -- but my family is still sleeping despite some movement from other passengers in our car, so I'm hoping that's a good sign.

 

[Marshay]

We just got back. We managed to have no problem snagging tables. The kids and DH went in right away, however, our section still had to be connected so some people already in there, and they got table )round one).
then, after our 7 pm dinner, they went back and went to the downstairs booth lounge and got a booth one. this was during movie time, so wasn't sure if they would, but they did.

Hey, this is great news!

Hoping we can get a lounge car too when we go this fall!

 

[jwboucher]

We crossed the Florida state line about 10 minutes ago. I had a pretty uncomfortable night despite having 2 seats to myself -- one kid & my husband slept on the floor -- but my family is still sleeping despite some movement from other passengers in our car, so I'm hoping that's a good sign.

I had the same problem last year, 2 seats but still uncomfortable. You can't expect to sleep in coach, just take naps. We were so happy when our train back had a 4 hr delay which meant I could cancel and get a full refund. We are trying it again this year but have a roomette. Hoping its better.

 

[Marshay]

We've done both coach and rooms (family room and roomette). I agree with PP. In coach, you just basically take quick naps.

In rooms, I've found we either take long naps, or actually get a little bit of sleep. Even though we can sleep through anything or sleep anywhere at home, the train is different. Don't expect a "good night's sleep" but you will get some sleep and be more relaxed than in coach. It's still bumpy and you will still feel the stop and start, slow down and speed up.

We try not to plan anything for arrival day, not even ADRs just because of train delays and also because we are tired from traveling in general.

67 more days!!

 

[Disneyholic]

Sitting in Sanford station waiting for our car. Over 200 today. Made up time overnight.

 

[Marshay]

Just got email that the last checkin time for my October trip is now 2:30pm, instead of 3pm. Guess they want a head start in loading vehicles.

 

[jwboucher]

Just got email that the last checkin time for my October trip is now 2:30pm, instead of 3pm. Guess they want a head start in loading vehicles.

Yeah it starts 9/1. I am going in 2 weeks!!

 

[Wynnebee]

I got our confirmation for our trip on 9/12. A question for folks who have done this before, are their any toll roads between Sanford and Disney? I wasn't prepared when I drove down last I year.

 

[tommyvr]

I got our confirmation for our trip on 9/12. A question for folks who have done this before, are their any toll roads between Sanford and Disney? I wasn't prepared when I drove down last I year.

No tolls as long as you stay on I-4 the whole way.

 

[shafke]

Currently waiting to leave Sanford. There was a problem with one of the coach cars. Supposedly they had to swap out a car that was due go a 90 day servicing. Turn out they should have checked to see if the replacement worked.

We should be leaving in about 10 minutes at 5:30.

 

[Marshay]

Currently waiting to leave Sanford. There was a problem with one of the coach cars. Supposedly they had to swap out a car that was due go a 90 day servicing. Turn out they should have checked to see if the replacement worked. We should be leaving in about 10 minutes at 5:30.

Wow, seems like a lot more delays reported lately due to equipment failure...

Hope everything went smoothly after that!

 

[shafke]

Wow, seems like a lot more delays reported lately due to equipment failure... Hope everything went smoothly after that!

Train made up some time overnight. Pulled in to Lorton at 9

 

[jwboucher]

Train made up some time overnight. Pulled in to Lorton at 9

How did dinner go?

 

[shafke]

How did dinner go?

The coach dinners were about 15 minutes late and the sleepers ran about 5 minutes late. Not too bad.

 

[jwboucher]

The coach dinners were about 15 minutes late and the sleepers ran about 5 minutes late. Not too bad.

No not bad at all.

 

[bdcp]

We got the email today about the change to check in time to 2:30 for vehicles. We're going in Feb. It's never been an issue as we are always checked in prior to noon (unless the train is delayed) so we can pick our dining time. We bring our laptops and kindles so we can read or surf the internet while we wait to board. Feb will be our 6th round trip and as I posted previously we have roomettes both ways which we used points for.

 

[jwboucher]

Left our house at 4 am. Heading for Lorton.