All about the Autotrain

[Christymarie222]

I am so excited and my husband is not understanding what a big deal this is...lol! So, yesterday I booked 5 coach seats and a oversized vehicle on the autotrain for August. The more I started thinking about it, I REALLY wanted a sleeper car for us (me, DH, DD11, DD4 and DD2). Looking at the prices I didn't think it was going to happen because we were already paying 1400 dollars just for coach seats and the car
Soooo...today I figured I would just call Amtrak just to see what they could offer me. The lady was super nice and said she could get us 2 roomettes both ways for only 200 more!!! I was like?????? I confirmed it was okay to have 1 adult and 1 child in one room and 1 adult and 2 small children in the other. She said it was fine.
So when I got the confirmation email...all looked good. The five of us are on the confirmation and we have the 2 roomettes both ways. BUT then I noticed there is NO mention of my oversized vehicle...crap. I wasn't going to call...but I decided better to be safe than sorry. Good I did because the lady I spoke with said, it was a mistake and it was going to be $400 MORE!!!!
I asked if there was anything Amtrak could do since it was not my mistake (in fact I caught a mistake they made) and could they stand by the price I was quoted. I got put on hold forever, but it was worth it because they stood by the offer. So I got 2 roomettes both ways for only 200 extra!!!! Awesome right???

 

[loveysbydesign]

I am so excited and my husband is not understanding what a big deal this is...lol! So, yesterday I booked 5 coach seats and a oversized vehicle on the autotrain for August. The more I started thinking about it, I REALLY wanted a sleeper car for us (me, DH, DD11, DD4 and DD2). Looking at the prices I didn't think it was going to happen because we were already paying 1400 dollars just for coach seats and the car
Soooo...today I figured I would just call Amtrak just to see what they could offer me. The lady was super nice and said she could get us 2 roomettes both ways for only 200 more!!! I was like?????? I confirmed it was okay to have 1 adult and 1 child in one room and 1 adult and 2 small children in the other. She said it was fine.
So when I got the confirmation email...all looked good. The five of us are on the confirmation and we have the 2 roomettes both ways. BUT then I noticed there is NO mention of my oversized vehicle...crap. I wasn't going to call...but I decided better to be safe than sorry. Good I did because the lady I spoke with said, it was a mistake and it was going to be $400 MORE!!!!
I asked if there was anything Amtrak could do since it was not my mistake (in fact I caught a mistake they made) and could they stand by the price I was quoted. I got put on hold forever, but it was worth it because they stood by the offer. So I got 2 roomettes both ways for only 200 extra!!!! Awesome right???

That's awesome!
Maybe I should call to see if we can get 2 roomettes for cheap/

 

[Marshay]

I am so excited and my husband is not understanding what a big deal this is...lol! So, yesterday I booked 5 coach seats and a oversized vehicle on the autotrain for August. The more I started thinking about it, I REALLY wanted a sleeper car for us (me, DH, DD11, DD4 and DD2). Looking at the prices I didn't think it was going to happen because we were already paying 1400 dollars just for coach seats and the car
Soooo...today I figured I would just call Amtrak just to see what they could offer me. The lady was super nice and said she could get us 2 roomettes both ways for only 200 more!!! I was like?????? I confirmed it was okay to have 1 adult and 1 child in one room and 1 adult and 2 small children in the other. She said it was fine.
So when I got the confirmation email...all looked good. The five of us are on the confirmation and we have the 2 roomettes both ways. BUT then I noticed there is NO mention of my oversized vehicle...crap. I wasn't going to call...but I decided better to be safe than sorry. Good I did because the lady I spoke with said, it was a mistake and it was going to be $400 MORE!!!!
I asked if there was anything Amtrak could do since it was not my mistake (in fact I caught a mistake they made) and could they stand by the price I was quoted. I got put on hold forever, but it was worth it because they stood by the offer. So I got 2 roomettes both ways for only 200 extra!!!! Awesome right???

Good for you to ask them to stand by their quote. I'm glad they were willing to work with you.

But one word of warning -- once you do the Bedroom cars there is no going back to coach!

I'm reading everyone's postings about going on the auto train and it's getting me all giddy about planning our trip for next year. We loved the auto train, very relaxing and you don't have to drive 20 hours, you sit back and enjoy the country side Last year when we went I had originally booked coach seats, but once we got to Lorton, hubby decided to switch to a deluxe sleeper $$$$$, 600 extra, but he did it anyways and I'm so glad he did. Our sleeper was at the end of a car, lots of motion and noises, so coming back we switched to a deluxe sleeper in the middle of the car and it was sooooo much better. Be warned that if you get a sleeper at the end of a car the bathroom is kind of hard to get into and is shaped weird, if you get a room in the middle, then bathroom is more spacious. We would never had been able to sleep in a coach car, especially with our 4 year old. Coming back north we had a car attendant bring our meals to our room and that was more relaxing for dd. When we arrived in Lorton the day before (on our way down to Florida) we stayed at Comfort Inn and it was a very nice place. The only thing bad that I can say about it, was that the man taking care of the continental breakfast the next morning was scratching his arm with his gloved hand and then walking over and flipping the sausage patties
Enjoy your trips and remember the earlier you book the autotrain the cheaper it is

Oh, and we did decide that next year we'll get a family bedroom, so much more spacious then the sleepers. We met a family in Lorton (and the husband just happened to be an amtrak employee who drives the auto train) and thye got a family bedroom. Me and dd visited them during the trip ( their dd and my dd had become fast friends in the depot) and the room is large.

Yeah for upgrading to Family Bedrooms -- they really are so much more comfortable than coach.

I am trying a roomette for my first time for my daughter and myself in July so it'll be neat to compare that to the Family Room, too.

 

[jking6]

34 days until we take the Autotrain for the first time. I will definitely let you know how it was!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

todays - 7/3/12 southbound train was cancelled.

they were so far behind due to the storms last week. In order to catch up they cancelled the train. Last nights train did not leave till 1130 pm

Remember when you travel the AT it is part of the journey not just a mode of transportation. Remember to give them your cell phone number with your reservation so they can contact you for any reasons.

Hoping all those dis'ers that were impacted by the cancellation or the last few days of delays were able to reach WDW and still have a wonderful vacation!

I've downloaded the Amtak app on my iphone and been tracking their departure and arrival times.


We'll be onboard in 42 days!

 

[jking6]

Wow now I know I am glad I booked ours a day earlier than my resort reservation at Disney starts. I am planning on headig to the Daytona Beach and spend a night near the Ocean. Now I am glad I did just in case there is another cancelation. August 6th here we come!

 

[jking6]

20 days till we take our first train ride! I am so excited to be taking the Autotrain on August 6th. Anyone else on th Dis riding along?

 

[Marshay]

6 days until the Autotrain!!

It's funny b/c I am incredibly excited for being at WDW .. but I really and truly am looking forward to being on the train, too.

After 3 AT trips, the AT is now an integral part of our Disney vacation!

 

[loveysbydesign]

20 days till we take our first train ride! I am so excited to be taking the Autotrain on August 6th. Anyone else on th Dis riding along?

Have fun and be sure too report back for the rest of us 1st-timers! Looking forward to our trip in October

 

[busymama04]

20 days till we take our first train ride! I am so excited to be taking the Autotrain on August 6th. Anyone else on th Dis riding along?

So close we are on the train on August 5th.

 

[nyfinfan]

2 questions for the Autotrain experts:

1. we are traveling as 2 Adults 2 Kids...would you get seats across the aisle from each other or on the same side of the train?

2. I've read many posts that say you can bring a small cooler on board. I should probably call and ask them but how small of a cooler are we talking....size of a toaster or just one you can carry and not one with wheels?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We leave in 28 days!! Aug 14th!! This is our 8th WDW Autotrain trip. Last yr we also took the AT to vacation at the beach. We do consider the AT part of the vacation not just a mode of transportation. We are really excited for the trip to come but at the same time it is a signal of the end of summer. When we return on Aug 24th - we return to school 5 day later.

nyfinfan-When you check in they will assign your seats. IF you have a preference ask if they can accomadate it. We are a family of 6 and usually we are across and behind/infront. IF the car is not full you can stretch out on the untaken seats.

As for the cooler- I would think a small cooler would be fine. If you are in coach you will have it at your feet - not sure it will fit in the overhead area. We always bring snacks/drinks on board but just carry them in a tote. the AT ticket includes your meals. There is a snack bar on board. Definitely not w wheels. The staircase is very narrow to the upper level.

HTH

 

[vacationer1954]

I definitely recommend a soft-sided cooler, not a hard-sided cooler. You'll need the flexibility to carry it and fit it in the least obtrusive place.

 

[MsMulan]

Missing you guys by a couple of days. We are leaving on Aug 9th. There are six of us using lower level coach. We will see how this goes!!!

 

[BestDadEver]

Got really excited about the AT when the wife told me about it . But kind of disapointed with the price .

I would be traveling with my wife and 3yo son . Would they let me get the 2 person sleeper and a coach seat then we could s share the sleeper ?

Also anyone do coach with a 3yo did they sleep .

How much bigger are the coach seats from a plane I am 6'7" and dont realy fit in plane seat well (no leg room). I assume they are abit bigger . Should I request lower level.

 

[Marshay]

Got really excited about the AT when the wife told me about it . But kind of disapointed with the price .

I would be traveling with my wife and 3yo son . Would they let me get the 2 person sleeper and a coach seat then we could s share the sleeper ?

Also anyone do coach with a 3yo did they sleep .

How much bigger are the coach seats from a plane I am 6'7" and dont realy fit in plane seat well (no leg room). I assume they are abit bigger . Should I request lower level.

If you do coach and sleeper you will not be in the same area at all and the person in coach is not allowed to come back to the sleeper cars. Also, your meals will be separate as well, so 2 of you (wife and son?) would eat together and then you would eat with other people in a different dining car. Also, the snack car (snacks and movie) is separate as well.

You can get a roomette for the 3 of you...just call up Amtrak and tell them the 3rd is a 3yo and they should accommodate you (hopefully). I don't think you can do that on-line but can directly through the agents, or at least that's what someone else did in previous posts.

We did coach with my 1yo and we slept fitfully -- partly b/c it's coach and we are not used to sleeping sitting up and partly b/c she woke up in the middle of the night and crawled under our seat to the people behind us and then proceeded to cry b/c she didn't know where she was. I'm sure everyone in coach just LOVED that! Thankfully, she stopped as soon as I got her but it was scary that I didn't hear her get up that time (all the other times as soon as she moved it woke me up...guess I had finally fallen truly to sleep at that point).

So after that we did Family Bedrooms and loved it.

As for seats -- I am 6' tall and my DH is 6'6" tall and although the seats are much bigger than airline seats (esp if you are lucky enough and get 2 of them) and they also have knee and leg rests -- (I hate to say this) but you will not be comfortable.

The seats are not made for tall people. The knee and foot rests are made for the average height person, along with the head rest. You will find a LOT more leg room, which is nice. In general the seating is the same whether top or bottom. I recommend upper level if you have a kid with you -- he might find a friend to play with (as most non-kids go in the lower level) and there is a lot more to see from the upper level.

I highly recommend you upgrade to the roomette for the 3 of you if you can. The beds are still not made for us tall people but you can stretch out more and be more comfortable.

It is worth the price for the comfort, to enjoy your trip within a trip. If it helps with the price, consider the cost of arriving more rested, enjoying your family time together on the train and the sights along the way -- the look of excitement in your son's eyes on the train, along with the cost of the (free) meals, snacks, entertainment and always having a bathroom right there!

HTH!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I have been watching auto train videos on youtube. A few show the person taping walking through the various cars.

We've always been able to walk from coach to the sleeper cars and back when traveling from NYC to SC. (The train was going to FL). I had no idea this wasn't allowed on the auto train.

A few of the people in my group are thinking about purchasing 2 seats for the taller adults. That way they will have more space to spread out and won't have to spring for a sleeper.

 

[chartle]

1. I have been watching auto train videos on youtube. A few show the person taping walking through the various cars.

2. We've always been able to walk from coach to the sleeper cars and back when traveling from NYC to SC. (The train was going to FL). I had no idea this wasn't allowed on the auto train.

3. A few of the people in my group are thinking about purchasing 2 seats for the taller adults. That way they will have more space to spread out and won't have to spring for a sleeper.

1. Yes you can, in fact you have to since the two sets of Dining cars are towards the front and there are multiple coach and sleeper cars.

2. Yea the Autotrain is setup differently. On our train going down the train was set up something like this.

From the front:

• what I guess is a dorm car for the workers.
• kitchen
• 2 coach dining cars
• a lounge car
• coach cars
• maybe another dorm car
• kitchen
• First class dining cars
• a lounge car
• sleepers cars
• car carriers

So they are very much segregated.

3. They can, they just can't be with their group until you get off the train.

 

[Christymarie222]

Got really excited about the AT when the wife told me about it . But kind of disapointed with the price .

I would be traveling with my wife and 3yo son . Would they let me get the 2 person sleeper and a coach seat then we could s share the sleeper ?

Also anyone do coach with a 3yo did they sleep .

How much bigger are the coach seats from a plane I am 6'7" and dont realy fit in plane seat well (no leg room). I assume they are abit bigger . Should I request lower level.

My family is leaving this Aug on the auto train We are a family of five....me, DH, DD11, DD4 and DD2 (almost 3). We booked 2 roomettes and they said it was no problem having three people in a roomette, since the little one is so young. I couldn't book it that way online though...I had to call...hope that helps

 

[Jennifer S]

First time going on the auto train. We leave Aug 12th and come back Aug 25.

Doing Disney and Cocoa beach. So happy to have our car. This was much cheaper than flying and rent one.

My question is - how hot do our cars get? It will be packed and was worried if stuff would melt?

any pointers for us newbies?

do you guys bring pillows?