All about the Autotrain

[Mickey's Sister]

We've been considering doing the autotrain for our return trip in December & the roomettes & bedrooms are just way out of my budget (I'd rather spend that money at Disney, LOL) However, you really make coach sound do-able. I have 2 questions though.

I've been hearing many bad things about the rocking, rolling & bumping getting worse due to track maintainance. My son & I both suffer from motion sickness so this is really a concern. How bad is it?

Also, what kind of food do they serve for dinner?

Thank you again for all the information. Many of my ancestors on my dad's side - including my dad - were railroaders - so I think at least once in my life I should travel by train. My parents even met on the train so I guess you could say I wouldn't even be here except for trains, LOL.

Thanks again!

Jessica

 

[erinch]

my DD takes dramamine and has never had "hot tummy" problems, which she always does in cars. I find the swaying much worse on the lower floor. It's never bothered me. I'd bring something for motion sickness, just in case.

Dinner, the last time I was on the train, was salad, rolls, a choice of entree: pot roast, chicken or veggie lasagna. Chicken fingers/fries for kids.

dessert was cheesecake or ice cream with chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce or plain. (One time there was a lemon cake to die for.)

We never minded coach. I found that by booking early we could get the roomettes for the same price as coach, booking later. It definitely helps to have a AAA discount.

Feel free to ask any more questions.

Erin

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Hi Erin,

Thanks for replying. Of course, now I have even more questions.

The dramamine is not a possibility for my son - he's allergic & breaks out in itchey hives But maybe there is something else I can find. Someone else on the DIS mentioned a new thing she tried that even allowed her to ride Mission Space Now if I can just find that thread again...

I was on the Amtrak web site & they state that meals are only included with 1st class seats - does that mean roomettes & bedrooms, can't find any other seats actually listed as first class. If so, what do meals cost in the dining car? Just curious... (Others have commented on that lemon cake! )

Also, how early can you check in? Once you check in do they take your car right away & load it? Or do you have to stay there with it? The reason I'm asking is that my youngest sister lives in Florida. So we could check in early and then have the whole day in the resort or DTD or whatever & she could drive us to the station when it was time to leave. Don't know if this is possible...But it would really stretch out our Disney time.

I just received my local AAA newsletter in the mail today & they've extended the kids free promotion with a paying adult, so it sounds even more do-able!

Thank you again for all your help!

Jessica

 

[erinch]

on way out door, but answer to meals from amtrak site:

This sure beats rest stop food
The price of your Auto Train ticket includes your meals, no matter which class you travel in. In the evening, our expert chef will serve up a freshly prepared dinner including regional wines, vegetarian dishes and special dinners for the kids. And in the morning, enjoy a continental breakfast in the Dining Car before you begin your day.

 

[Henlady]

Jessica
I believe they start taking cars for the AutoTrain at around 11:00am. Regular size cars need to be there before 3:00 and I believe vans/oversized vehicles must be there before 2:00. The AutoTrain starts boarding at about 3:00pm and leaves at about 4:00pm. I really don't think it would be feasible to drop your car off and go back to Disney as it can take 45 minutes to an hour each way. If you dropped off the car at 11:00 you'd get back to WDW at around 12:00 and have to leave again by 1:30/2:00 to be sure you were back in time. IMHO it would not be worth the hassle & stress of getting back on time to return to WDW for just an hour or so. If you are not there on time, the train will leave without you.

The meals on the AutoTrain are included for all passangers - Coach and 1st Class. And as erinch stated consist of 3 or 4 entree choices, wine and dessert. I do not recall getting a salad as a coach passanger on the last couple of trips, but there is enough food served to fill you up. They also have snacks available during the evening - munchies, fruit and cookies have been available in the past.

We are traveling by AutoTrain again in late October and will be using a roomette for the first time. We have always travelled by coach in the past so this will be something new.

Kris


109 days till we leave for our 30th Anniversary 4-Day Wonder Cruise and a few days at PO-R

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Thank you both for the information!

No, if they don't take cars till 11:00 that wouldn't leave enough time. I thought if they started earlier it might be worth my while. Oh well... But I guess if the incoming train gets there in early in the A.M. they wouldn't be able to.

I don't know how I missed the food info. I clicked on 'dining car' in the reservation section and there it states that meals are included with first class tickets Maybe it's something older that they didn't change.

Thank you both again for your time! Happy 4th!!!

Jessica

 

[AnnetteF]

erinch, Thanks for the list of great tips for the Auto Train! If you get a chance when you get home from your trip, let us know how it went. Have a great time!

 

[erinch]

you also need to be aware that check-in can really be a zoo. Folks from the builder generation who are anxious about getting the dinner reservation they want start to line up as early as 8 am. (yes. really.) My impression is they often start accepting cars sooner than 11:30. (We're the folks arriving from PA with the grim-jawed hubby who got away an hour late from the house, and are pushing it to make it before 2 so I can't testify for sure.) I would call the Sanford station and ask what time they are currently accepting cars. I myself wouldn't dream of trying to make it down to Disney and back. If you aren't on board, the train will leave. Even if you have assigned seats (which you will) people's stuff starts to fill the train. What we do leaving Disney is have a nice breakfast at a resort, maybe go to downtown disney, and plan to arrive at the station at noon after a filling brunch.

Here is a VERY helpful collection of tips on a railfan site which I just found:
be sure to read it:

http://on-track-on-line.com/autotrain-tips.shtml

 

[HoyaMom]

Hello. I've been lurking for a few weeks, because my family is taking the Autotrain this summer. Thank you so much for all of the information.

I wanted to let you know that the VA Dept of Transportation (VDOT) is advising drivers to avoid the Wilson Bridge project, which is heavily traveled and is on I-495 (the "Beltway") a few miles off of I-95. I live near DC, and VDOT has a big advertising (public service?) campaign on the radio advising drivers to avoid the bridge because of construction delays, lane closures, etc. According the ads, a new phase of that multi-year construction project is starting now, hence the new lane closures, etc. Even with all of the construction delays in the last few years, I haven't seen any other traffic warnings advertised like this, which is why I'm taking it seriously. Anyone driving on I-495 (the "Beltway") to the Lorton station may want to plan accordingly.

Thanks again!

Amy

 

[erinch]

We leave Tuesday, from PA, to drive to Lorton, with a tight time frame.

And just exactly what route do they WANT us to take?

Anyway to find that out?

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

We are doing the same thing,
Mechanicsberg Pa

24. Turn RIGHT onto US-15 S. Drive for 58.2 miles. 25. US-15 S becomes US-40 E. Drive for 0.3 miles. 26. Go STRAIGHT on I-270 S. Drive for 23.3 miles. 27. Keep SLIGHT RIGHT at the fork towards I-270 LOCAL S. Drive for 5.7 miles. 28. Go STRAIGHT on I-270 S. Drive for 0.9 miles. 29. Keep SLIGHT LEFT at the fork towards I-270 HOV LANE S. Drive for 0.6 miles. 30. Go STRAIGHT on I-270-SPUR S. Drive for 1.4 miles. 31. Go STRAIGHT on I-495 S. Drive for 16.6 miles. 32. Take exit number 57A to get on I-95 S towards RICHMOND. Drive for 7.5 miles. 33. Take exit number 163 towards VA-642 / LORTON. Drive for 0.4 miles.


IS this going to be a problem

How much time should I allow 2, 3 4 hours?

Thanks

 

[HoyaMom]

I've never driven down from PA, so I'm not familiar with the alternative routes from there. The beltway is a circle, but I have no idea how much further driving counterclockwise around the circle would make your trip, versus clockwise which takes you through the Wilson bridge. It might help you to check out this website, wilsonbridge [dot com - the board won't let me post an actual url]. The website has warnings about the worst days, etc. and might provide alternatives.

Hope this helps! Glad I could give you a heads up -

Amy

 

[HoyaMom]

Forgot to mention in my last message also that on weekends, the bridge may open between 10am and 2 pm, depending on boat traffic. During the week it isn't as big a deal because they do it at night/early morning (like 8 or 9 pm to 5 am).

Hope it doesn't seem like I'm being an alarmist - but everyone here has a Wilson Bridge delay story (or a Springfield Mixing Bowl story - the area where 495 and 95 meet, which is in the midst of an 8 year (?!) construction project. That's 5 or 6 miles north of the Lorton exit off of 95). I've lived just a few miles from Lorton for 8 years, and deal with related traffic hassles daily. Now I know how strict the timing is for the Autotrain, and how much planning goes into what time you'll arrive, I'd hate for one of you to have a Wilson Bridge story about missing the train.

Amy

 

[erinch]

Thanks, Amy,

We made the mistake of getting off one time in Springfield to eat at a Bob Evans. I never thought we'd find our way back to the interstate, or get there on time.

Any recommendations on a place south of DC to stop for lunch without major hassles getting back on?

 

[HoyaMom]

It might be best to exit at Lorton and eat close to the station, if you aren’t picky. When you exit (#163), if you turn left on Lorton Road you go towards the station, then make an immediate left into the station. If you keep going straight on Lorton Rd instead of taking the immediate left into the station, about a mile from the exit, Lorton Road curves to the right a little, and puts you right at the corner of Lorton Road and Richmond Highway. There on your immediate right, there is a shopping center with about 15 merchants, including a Food Lion, McDonalds (in the shopping center parking lot), I think a small Chinese restaurant, and a place popular with seniors, the Polo Grill (also in the parking lot, 100 yards from McDonald’s). If when you exit at 163 and you instead turn right when you exit, about 250 yards up is a tiny shopping center with a Burger King, a convenience store/deli, an Italian pizza/casual place, and a Chinese place. To be candid, I’d play it safe and eat at Burger King or McDonald’s because of the reputation for iffy quality of some of the other restaurants.

 

[Henlady]

For those of you who have traveled in room/roomette accommodations, are towels & washcloths provided for washing up?
We have always traveled coach in the past but in Oct have a roomette. I always took along a washcloth & hand towel to make it easier/more comfortable to wash up in the morning.

Kris

 

[erinch]

We just rode the autotrain last night.

We did go the beltway from western PA, which was a big mistake. We had allowed 2 extra hours and needed them. What a traffic mess.

They do place a hand towel & washcloth in the roommettes, and fullsize bath towels are available down by the shower.

Traveling as a family, they placed us in 2 roommettes on the lower level, even though I had requested upper level. (All the family bedrooms are on the lower level, and I suspect family grouping to contain kids in certain areas was going on.

I immediately went back tothe counter to tell them I get deathly ill on the lower level (the motion that close to the wheels combined with the chemical smell from the bathrooms does a number on me). They moved us--one of the agents was very gracious, and the other acted quite put upon.

 

[dsnycrzy]

erinch,
What time did you leave home? I live right In Wilmington,DE and was going to leave by 9a.m. Tuesday morning. Is that good enough? I am hoping to miss DC traffic by the time I get that far. Was traffic still that bad at around 11a.m.?
Thanks

 

[bdcp]

Traffic is always fairly heavy on the DC beltway. The WW bridge construction as well as the Springfield construction are causing delays with closed lanes. Check the web for I-95 info.

 

[erinch]

We left home at 7:45 (intending 7 am, but you know how it goes); made very good time and reached beltway aroun 11 am. Got through it, finally, and to Lorton at 1:10 pm. There was an hour backup on 495 due to a group of road guys blocking a right lane to do something right off the road. It looked like an idiotic thing to be doing on a weekday, from our vehicle. (don't know if it was essential). We also saw a number of fender-benders being cleared away. And observed a number of people driving like maniacs.