All about the Autotrain

[spima3]

First the longer you wait the higher the price. Also the autotrain runs 7 days a week 365 a year. Some days are cheaper than others and for some reason the trip back costs more than the trip down.

Yes, unfortunately, we were waiting for Wizarding World to open before committing to a vacation. I didn't realize we could get a full refund. It literally went up almost $100 from one day to the next when I checked.
However, it's still cheaper than flying and renting a car, and in the mean time a friend has offered her time share to us, so I'm saving a couple of hundred on our stay.

ETA: in looks like you are only about 5 hours away by this route.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...163,-75.311279&spn=5.585491,11.634521&t=h&z=7

Wow, this is perfect, thanks for the link. I didn't know I could even do that, see the actual exits I need.
That is my biggest concern, as DH almost took the wrong exit last time, and he is semi familiar w/ the area; he's been there through work a few times.

 

[Marshay]

We plan to drive down to WDW (1st time) and take the train back (1st time). Since we always fly, this will give us a chance to see which we like better -- flying, driving or train.

We were lucky to see the Autotrain at Union Station's Train Day in DC a few weeks ago and it all looks pretty decent.

==

For those of you going from WDW to Sanford, how long should you allow for driving to Sanford? Mapquest shows 43 miles/54 minutes...is this pretty accurate?

 

[NJ&SSR]

We plan to drive down to WDW (1st time) and take the train back (1st time). Since we always fly, this will give us a chance to see which we like better -- flying, driving or train.

We were lucky to see the Autotrain at Union Station's Train Day in DC a few weeks ago and it all looks pretty decent.

==

For those of you going from WDW to Sanford, how long should you allow for driving to Sanford? Mapquest shows 43 miles/54 minutes...is this pretty accurate?

Yes that distance/time is accurate from my past experience.

 

[Marshay]

Yes that distance/time is accurate from my past experience.

Thanks much!!

I have some questions for you Amtrak A/T veterans. We're still trying to figure out when we want to leave Disney. I know we're supposed to be at the station 3 hours in advance (we have an oversized vehicle) but what in the world are we supposed to do for 3 hours prior?

Does the Sanford station have a snack shop or restaurant or food court? Is there a playground or arcade?

When does boarding actually begin?

 

[chartle]

Thanks much!!

I have some questions for you Amtrak A/T veterans. We're still trying to figure out when we want to leave Disney. I know we're supposed to be at the station 3 hours in advance (we have an oversized vehicle) but what in the world are we supposed to do for 3 hours prior?

Does the Sanford station have a snack shop or restaurant or food court? Is there a playground or arcade?

When does boarding actually begin?

Our plan was Breakfast at Boma, visit my sister on the way and then get to the station maybe at 2-2:30.

Well Topical Storm Fay killed those plans. The train we would have taken back didn't come in until 7:00Pm that night. So we get a call on the way to Boma that the train was cancelled. We went to breakfast, refunded our tickets and then started home.

 

[Marshay]

Our plan was Breakfast at Boma, visit my sister on the way and then get to the station maybe at 2-2:30.

Well Topical Storm Fay killed those plans. The train we would have taken back didn't come in until 7:00Pm that night. So we get a call on the way to Boma that the train was cancelled. We went to breakfast, refunded our tickets and then started home.

Uh-Oh!

Wow, so they cancelled the train altogether! That's a big change -- now you're driving home!!

Do they even give you an option to take the train the next day (assuming it runs the next day and there is availability)?

 

[chartle]

Uh-Oh!

Wow, so they cancelled the train altogether! That's a big change -- now you're driving home!!

Do they even give you an option to take the train the next day (assuming it runs the next day and there is availability)?

I think so. This was Saturday morning and my sons had to be back for the first day of school Monday.

What happened was instead of the storm going straight thru the area it kind of took a circular route around WDW. It dumped a ton of debris on the tracks.

At the time Amtrak couldn't tell us when the next train would be leaving. When I told this story someone reported that there sister was also supposed to be on this train, they waited and couldn't get a train back until Monday or Tuesday.

We are now thinking wait do we now have to go to the airport and get tickets? Just then you realize that due to very restrictive carry-on and luggage limits that you can't take your car on the plane.

 

[shadowryter]

Hi everyone. I just booked the Auto Train this morning. We're headed to the World this December and since I don't fly and it's hard on DH's back to drive we thought we'd try something new. We have a bedroom on the way down and coach on the way back, but I might try to upgrade (coach)a little later if possible. Oh..and by the way...I remember Fay. We were there in August 08 and she dumped a deluge of torrential rain and on my birthday. I've never been so soaked in my life. Ended up sick for 3 weeks after all that. Hopefully no hurricanes or tropical storms in Dec. Yeah!

 

[chartle]

Hi everyone. I just booked the Auto Train this morning. We're headed to the World this December and since I don't fly and it's hard on DH's back to drive we thought we'd try something new. We have a bedroom on the way down and coach on the way back, but I might try to upgrade (coach)a little later if possible. Oh..and by the way...I remember Fay. We were there in August 08 and she dumped a deluge of torrential rain and on my birthday. I've never been so soaked in my life. Ended up sick for 3 weeks after all that. Hopefully no hurricanes or tropical storms in Dec. Yeah!

After we drove back we realized that its not that bad driving and may drive both ways next May.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We were also there during Tropical storm Fay. We had the Thursday train that was cancelled. At the beginning of the wk we were all watching the track of the storm. They had cancelled Wednesday train on Tuesday. Tuesday night I started planning "Plan B". DH and I thought for a mere second about driving home but decided disney would be much more fun! I spoke w/ Amtrak about what would be the next available train leaving in the event our Thursday train was cancelled. ( they already cancelled Tuesday's train). She had spaces avail on Friday train but no car space. Saturday -- car space - no people space. Finally found us space on the monday train. (we are a family of 6). The amtrak rep said that they should know by Wed midday if Thursday train would cancel. If it did we could hop over to Kissimmee and exchange tickets, If not the txts would just expire. I then got on the phone w/ CRO since DVC MS was closed (after 6 pm). The CRO rep was GREAT!! First they offered us a grand villa at SSR for $1500 a night!! She was then able to get us a room at CR. She said that they would waive the cancellation policy if we were able to make it out.

Wednesday late morning I called Amtrak- they had just made the announcement that service was cancelled. The storm was tracking to go out over Daytona and come back in over Jacksonville. We headed out to Kissimmee. While we were leaving Amtrak called my cell to let us know that the train was cancelled. We were able to exchange our txts at the station.
I then had to pack the villa (2bdrm) up to move us to CR for the next 5 days. That was a challenge. I needed our stuff for the extended stay but also to have our train gear ready too! Poor DM sat there watching me - amazed at how I was able to pack it up. DM was able to fly out on Thursday w/o any problems.

We moved over to CR on Thursday - got a garden wing. It was soo nice. We kept doing the parks. Our AP's really came in handy too. Our ride home on the Autotrain was nice. The sleeper attendant mentioned to DH - good thing you didn't get Friday's train- it was delayed 17 hrs on the tracks!! That trip is one that is constantly remembered. We have never seen soo much rain bf at WDW! It was an absolutely great trip!

If the train is cancelled you are given the chance to refund the tickets or wait till the next train. My kids wanted to know why we couldn't fly home!! I told them the van doesn't fit on the plane.

As for what to do till the time you get to the station in Sanford.


We usually are still packing up the Villa till 10 ish. We generally go to DTD- I usually have a few items that I still need to pick up! We head towards Sanford. We have a Mcdonalds that we stop at for lunch and eat it in the car on the way to the station. Once at the station there isn't much to do. I do know last yr they were running a shuttle to downtown Sanford- they said they would get u back bf the train left. There was a playground to the left of the station-- not sure if it is still there with the construction of the new station. We usually just hang out and watch a video- kids play nitendo ds. Please we love people watching too! If everyone is loaded- they will leave early too!

Good note to remember-- give Amtrak your cellphone for your reservation. If we weren't keeping up with the weather and such and given our home phone number we would not have been called about the cancellation!

We head back in 79 days for our 6th trip on the Autotrain.

 

[NJ&SSR]

Thanks much!!

I have some questions for you Amtrak A/T veterans. We're still trying to figure out when we want to leave Disney. I know we're supposed to be at the station 3 hours in advance (we have an oversized vehicle) but what in the world are we supposed to do for 3 hours prior?

Does the Sanford station have a snack shop or restaurant or food court? Is there a playground or arcade?

When does boarding actually begin?

There is not a snack shop or any food available at the station. There was a play ground, but the station is being renovated and I am not sure it is still there. Our kids wind up sitting and playing games or reading while waiting for the train, not much else to do. With an oversized vehicle you have to be there by 2 and they start boarding by 3:30 ish if I remember correctly so it is only about 1.5 to 2 hours that you have to be waiting.

 

[nono]

Last time we took the train, there was shuttle service to/from the station into downtown Sanford. We were too tired to move, so we didn't try it.

 

[spima3]

We were also there during Tropical storm Fay. We had the Thursday train that was cancelled. .

Gee, and I was just telling my kids that the AT doesn't get delayed or cancelled like a flight would, just because of weather.

I imagine a cancellation due to weather is rare w/ the autotrain?

I am booking today for mid Sept. Now just have to make up my mind where we're going to stay. It would be so much easier if we just had unlimited funds!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

During Tropical Storm Fay-- all of Amtrak service was cancelled not just the autotrain. I remember watching the news and some parts of Sanford got over 30" of rain. People's were in waist deep water in their houses.

It is rare that service is cancelled. I do know they cancelled service for a while after Hurricane Charlie and a few others hit florida all in a row. I was on one of the first trains out (not knowing it) - it was delayed 9 hrs by the time it hit the Winter Haven station in FL. That was 9 hours from just Miami to winter haven( or maybe it was winter park).

I have traveled 6 times in 6 yrs and that one time was the only time we had any type of problem with the train cancelling.

 

[Marshay]

I think so. This was Saturday morning and my sons had to be back for the first day of school Monday.

We are now thinking wait do we now have to go to the airport and get tickets? Just then you realize that due to very restrictive carry-on and luggage limits that you can't take your car on the plane.

I'm sorry to hear this but thanks for the info. Guess a car doesn't fit in the carryon luggage area...

There is not a snack shop or any food available at the station. There was a play ground, but the station is being renovated and I am not sure it is still there. Our kids wind up sitting and playing games or reading while waiting for the train, not much else to do. With an oversized vehicle you have to be there by 2 and they start boarding by 3:30 ish if I remember correctly so it is only about 1.5 to 2 hours that you have to be waiting.

Thanks for the info! So we will definitely have to get food prior. I swear the attendant told me I had to be there 3 hours in advance b/c of the oversize vehicle. So if we really don't need to be there that early, we won't.

Last time we took the train, there was shuttle service to/from the station into downtown Sanford. We were too tired to move, so we didn't try it.

That does sound interesting to see Sanford, esp if they promise to get you back in time. We'll have to see how tired we are and when we arrive. Thanks!

 

[Marshay]

We were also there during Tropical storm Fay.

The sleeper attendant mentioned to DH - good thing you didn't get Friday's train- it was delayed 17 hrs on the tracks!! That trip is one that is constantly remembered. We have never seen soo much rain bf at WDW! It was an absolutely great trip!

to downtown Sanford- they said they would get u back bf the train left. There was a playground to the left of the station-- not sure if it is still there with the construction of the new station.

Good note to remember-- give Amtrak your cellphone for your reservation. If we weren't keeping up with the weather and such and given our home phone number we would not have been called about the cancellation!

Good info!!

Wow -- 17 hours delayed!!! That would be really pushing our limits. But of course, I'd much rather be delayed like that on the train than in a plane or a traffic jam in our SUV!

re: cell phone. Yep, I will call them to double-check that they have my cell phone, and my DH's.

 

[DC7800]

I swear the attendant told me I had to be there 3 hours in advance b/c of the oversize vehicle. So if we really don't need to be there that early, we won't.

The cut-off time to accept oversized vehicles is 2 p.m., or two hours prior to departure. Regular automobiles may arrive as late as 3 p.m., but if you're oversized, the three hour recommendation is a good idea since you never know when you'll be delayed.

 

[Marshay]

The cut-off time to accept oversized vehicles is 2 p.m., or two hours prior to departure. Regular automobiles may arrive as late as 3 p.m., but if you're oversized, the three hour recommendation is a good idea since you never know when you'll be delayed.

Got it! Thanks!

 

[spima3]

Thanks for the info! So we will definitely have to get food prior. I swear the attendant told me I had to be there 3 hours in advance b/c of the oversize vehicle. So if we really don't need to be there that early, we won't.

We were there 5 yrs ago, so memory is sketchy. But, I think DH, who didn't want to be late, left for the station very early. It was so early we ended up at a mall not too far from the station.???
We looked around for a while and the kids got some magazines to read on the train. Anyone know the name of this mall? or how far from the station? I won't be leaving as early as DH, but it might still be a good place to stop on the way.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

The Mall is Seminole Town Square is located on the same exit as the autotrain but is exit B where the autotrain is A. You drive along side the mall while exiting the highway. We have never stopped in but tempted!

They have a website here

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?id=122

There is also a BJ's Wholesale along the the road to the mall and a McDonald's