All about the Autotrain

[loveysbydesign]

put passenger info in and hit go button. select your vehicle type and continue to passenger information screen

got it Thanks..was right, will save us $34.30 Now gotta find out how much a membership is in my area.

 

[Marshay]

Also really not sure if we should choose lower or upper level??? Thinking lower level would be better in case ds has to use the potty at night...are there any other perks to upper or lower? I can't find the part in this thread that discussed it before! Is the lower level quieter? Prefer less going on so hopefully my kids will sleep better!

yes, go ahead and book the AT now, if you can. Prices will most likely only go up from there. If they do go down, you can call Amtrak and have them put the cheaper price on your tickets.

Yes, they are refundable up until either one week or day of ... I keep forgetting which, but it should be on-line or someone else on here will let you know.

We were in DC the other day and gas was $5.35/gallon Around here it is $4-$4.10/gallon (or Costco/Sam's Club under $4). Another reason to purchase your tickets now, in case AT decides to raise their prices to cover future rising gas costs.

You can see a whole lot more from the upper level and that is where the lounge car and dining cars are. The upper level feels more open (IMO) and if there are other kids it's great for your kids to play together. At 9pm the train lights will dim and it's generally accepted that voices are quieter as everyone knows the kids are trying to sleep. People will walk through your car more, but that also provides more "entertainment" along the way - hehe.

Lower level is mostly elderly or people w/o kids or older kids. View is not as good but it's generally quieter -- except for old people shouting b/c they can't hear each other . It doesn't seat as many so less people. You can spend your time in the lounge car/dining car looking out anyway at the upper level, so it's not like you can't see everything on the upper level at all on your trip.

We do the family rooms which are on the lower level but seem to spend most of our time in the lounge car and dining car anyway b/c we enjoy the view more up on top.

 

[loveysbydesign]

yes, go ahead and book the AT now, if you can. Prices will most likely only go up from there. If they do go down, you can call Amtrak and have them put the cheaper price on your tickets.

Yes, they are refundable up until either one week or day of ... I keep forgetting which, but it should be on-line or someone else on here will let you know.

We were in DC the other day and gas was $5.35/gallon Around here it is $4-$4.10/gallon (or Costco/Sam's Club under $4). Another reason to purchase your tickets now, in case AT decides to raise their prices to cover future rising gas costs.

You can see a whole lot more from the upper level and that is where the lounge car and dining cars are. The upper level feels more open (IMO) and if there are other kids it's great for your kids to play together. At 9pm the train lights will dim and it's generally accepted that voices are quieter as everyone knows the kids are trying to sleep. People will walk through your car more, but that also provides more "entertainment" along the way - hehe.

Lower level is mostly elderly or people w/o kids or older kids. View is not as good but it's generally quieter -- except for old people shouting b/c they can't hear each other . It doesn't seat as many so less people. You can spend your time in the lounge car/dining car looking out anyway at the upper level, so it's not like you can't see everything on the upper level at all on your trip.

We do the family rooms which are on the lower level but seem to spend most of our time in the lounge car and dining car anyway b/c we enjoy the view more up on top.

Thank you for all this info! Maybe I will just book lower level...then it can be an adventure to go up to the upper level. I didn't realize there was a lounge car that anyone could go up to, sit at and look out. Plus it will kill some time having to go back and forth between the levels! My kids don't do well with alot of noise and such when they try to sleep and they are all early to bed type kids so if we're on the upper level and there are other little ones crying and such I fear it may bother them. They'll be 13, 10 and 5 when we travel.
UGH..decisions, decisions!

 

[NJBILL]

Thank you for all this info! Maybe I will just book lower level...then it can be an adventure to go up to the upper level. I didn't realize there was a lounge car that anyone could go up to, sit at and look out. My kids don't do well with alot of noise and such when they try to sleep and they are all early to bed type kids so if we're on the upper level and there are other little ones crying and such I fear it may bother them. They'll be 13, 10 and 5 when we travel.
UGH..decisions, decisions!

I don't remember actually 'selecting" upper or lower. I thought they were assigned at the station. I could be wrong as it has been a few years.
Also if the train is crowded and you have 5 people (like us) someone will sit next to a stranger, so I usually get the pleasure..

 

[loveysbydesign]

I don't remember actually 'selecting" upper or lower. I thought they were assigned at the station. I could be wrong as it has been a few years.
Also if the train is crowded and you have 5 people (like us) someone will sit next to a stranger, so I usually get the pleasure..

It lets me choose either option when I do a mockbooking online

 

[NJBILL]

You can take regular Amtrak From Philly to Orlando for $793 RT

 

[loveysbydesign]

Woo-Hoo! Talked dh into the AT and AAA! Bought the $49 membership from AAA then saved 10% with Amtrak($34)! Then when when book our room for the drive down to FL I will use AAA again and I will have already gotten our $'s worth out of it!
Booked the AT to go home on 10/28!

 

[kittylady1972]

Woo-Hoo! Talked dh into the AT and AAA! Bought the $49 membership from AAA then saved 10% with Amtrak($34)! Then when when book our room for the drive down to FL I will use AAA again and I will have already gotten our $'s worth out of it!
Booked the AT to go home on 10/28!

Just an FYI there is no AAA discount on the rooms at all, only the coach fare.

 

[pwdebbie]

Woo-Hoo! Talked dh into the AT and AAA! Bought the $49 membership from AAA then saved 10% with Amtrak($34)! Then when when book our room for the drive down to FL I will use AAA again and I will have already gotten our $'s worth out of it!
Booked the AT to go home on 10/28!

I don't know if you have a discount on your room at WDW. If you don't, you may be able to get a 10% AAA discount on your room. It's better than no discount at all.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We didn't book any rooms on the AT, just coach! There are 5 of us and it's too much $$ for us to do the rooms, figure for our 1st time we'll be ok!
We are actually staying off-site as we are sharing a rental pool home with my in-laws but it'll still be good to use the AAA to get a discount on the hotel we stay out in NC for the drive down to FL

 

[disneymarie]

We didn't book any rooms on the AT, just coach! There are 5 of us and it's too much $$ for us to do the rooms, figure for our 1st time we'll be ok!
We are actually staying off-site as we are sharing a rental pool home with my in-laws but it'll still be good to use the AAA to get a discount on the hotel we stay out in NC for the drive down to FL

There are a lot of onsite food and purchase discount offer the AAA card by habit so you don't forget.

 

[disneymarie]

got it Thanks..was right, will save us $34.30 Now gotta find out how much a membership is in my area.

Not sure your dates but there is a special link for kids $25 for coach until May 24th. On the Autotran site, then click the "specials" tab for the link that applies the discount. Not sure, but I think it is summer travel.
Then apply the AAA discount. When you make the ressies get your rewards numbers for everyone for future travel discounts.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Not sure your dates but there is a special link for kids $25 for coach until May 24th. On the Autotran site, then click the "specials" tab for the link that applies the discount. Not sure, but I think it is summer travel.
Then apply the AAA discount. When you make the ressies get your rewards numbers for everyone for future travel discounts.

I dont believe it lets you double dip. I was trying to apply the $25 promo for the kids and that use the AAA for the adult and the extra kids the promo didnt cover and it took away the $25 promo. Seemed like it was one or the other.

 

[pwdebbie]

How long is the drive from Sanford to WDW? Lots of traffic?

 

[labdogs42]

How long is the drive from Sanford to WDW? Lots of traffic?

About 30-40 minutes, not a lot of traffic. There are a couple of different routes you can take if you want to pay tolls or skip them. Just google maps it.

 

[jking6]

We are doing Autotrain first time Aug 6 Lorton to Samford with AAA dscounts as well. I can tell you I have had AAA for a long time now and it usually pays for it's self plus some! At Downtown Disney you can use your AAA card for discounts at someplaces too!

 

[nyfinfan]

August 7th here...so close

 

[disneymarie]

How long is the drive from Sanford to WDW? Lots of traffic?

The time is waiting for the car to unload, that can take awhile. I thiink my son arrived at noon when he came down, Auto train to POR.

 

[kittylady1972]

I dont believe it lets you double dip. I was trying to apply the $25 promo for the kids and that use the AAA for the adult and the extra kids the promo didnt cover and it took away the $25 promo. Seemed like it was one or the other.

Correct...you can do one or the other but not both.

 

[jking6]

I read on the web site that you should shut off the alarm on your car or you may have a dead battery. Not sure how to do this! Is this a must?
Does everyone do this!