All about the Autotrain

[mykidslovesdisney]

Just remember the earlier you are the better chance u have of an early dinner if that matters to you
Dinner time is 5, 7 and 9. Not sure if there is still a 9 pm dinner slot. They were discussing eliminating that time slot and adding on an extra dining car.

enjoy your trip.

we are less than 80 days away!

 

[shadowryter]

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

Don't get me wrong it can be a pleasant drive but we usually stop at least 3 nights before Orlando. We get to take in the sights and visit a lot of places but we thought we might try something different this time. I've been wanting to take the Auto Train since our last 3 trips and finally I get my wish with DH's blessing and he's looking forward to it.We have an SUV and plan to be there in plenty of time but we are going to stay at a nearby hotel the night before so we won't have to worry if we'll make it from Central MA on time. We'll only be 6 miles away and won't feel rushed.

 

[CherylA]

Just remember the earlier you are the better chance u have of an early dinner if that matters to you
Dinner time is 5, 7 and 9. Not sure if there is still a 9 pm dinner slot. They were discussing eliminating that time slot and adding on an extra dining car.

enjoy your trip.

we are less than 80 days away!

As of February 2010 they still had a 9:00 seating. We got it, with two little kids! And I didn't think we checked in all that late!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

CherylA-- I feel your pain. We also had a 9pm seating on one of our earlier trips. My poor dc were falling asleep when waiting for dessert. The wait staff seemed upset that we waited that long with our dc to feed them. They said next time to speak with someone that the dc can't wait that long for food. DH works for Amtrak and we were told we were suppose to have the last seating. We were in sleepers for that trip.

On our trip last yr we again had a 7 pm seating. Our sleeping car attendant was able to bring us our food to our room a little after 6pm. It was soo nice. He placed a tablecloth on the table in the deluxe bedroom. We were served with china. Needless to say we tipped extremely well.

If you check in and they try to give you a later dinner I would try to stress that the kids are little and wouldn't make it that long for a meal. Sometimes I think they don't think about it like we do. One yr they put 4 of us -- 2 adults- 2 children in a handicap room that only slept 2!!!! I climbed up on the top bunk w/ ds 6 to sleep up there but there was no room. I have no clue how they thought all of us would sleep like that!! I was mad at DH for allowing it-- I told him next time keep a coach seat so one of us could sleep.
Another trip they tried putting 5 of us in a deluxe bedroom. Saying that the kids could all sleep on the lower bed!! DH hates to rock the boat! (or should I say train!)

 

[Marshay]

Thanks for the info re: dinner times. A 9pm dinner would be nearly impossible for our young girls (1 and 4) to eat.

Here are some hopefully not-too-silly questions:

1. Can you eat food or snacks in the coach cars? I assume so, but ...

2. Is it required or just common courtesy for kids/adults to have headphones when playing their games or dvd players?

3. Do cell phones work? Are there cellphone-free trains like on a commuter train?

4. Do most people try to be respectful of noise in the coach cars once the lights are dim? Do the attendants ask or suggest to "loud people" to use the lounge car or once you are in coach are we pretty much "fend for yourselves"?

It seems to me that for those in coach, your whole experience is dependent on who is in the car with you...

Thanks!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

No question is too silly. We all have ?"s we are not sure we want to ask but need to know.

1. Can you eat food or snacks in the coach cars? I assume so, but ...

yes you can eat foods and snacks in the coach car. we would never survive w/o snacks and drinks!

2. Is it required or just common courtesy for kids/adults to have headphones when playing their games or dvd players?

When the lights go off at 9 they do require headsets for games/dvd units. we required them regardless of the time. You can hear the dvd better w/o all the other conversations going around you.

3. Do cell phones work? Are there cellphone-free trains like on a commuter train?
Sometimes the cellphones work- depends where the train is. I know I have tried to contact DH (in a different sleeper than I ) and the phones are hit or miss. There are no cellphone- free areas on the AT

4. Do most people try to be respectful of noise in the coach cars once the lights are dim? Do the attendants ask or suggest to "loud people" to use the lounge car or once you are in coach are we pretty much "fend for yourselves"?

I think most do try to respectful. You always will run in to a few that think the rules dont' apply to them. They will make several announcements regarding when the lights go out (there is flr lighting for walking) and also about the head set requirement. I want to say your pretty much on your own. The coach car will have an attendant so I think if someone is being really loud you could approach the attendant and let them know.

Hope this helps

 

[Henlady]

We just got home early last evening from our trip utilizing the AutoTrain.
The trip down of Friday, May 14 was no problem at all. However, the trip home beginning on Sunday, May 23 was not fun. The train that was to arrive in Sanford at 9:30am on Sunday morning was delayed due to engine difficulties and it didn't arrive until 2:30pm We were not able to board the train till a little after 6:00pm. One note to all useing the AutoTrain. Only give them your Cell phone number. They had both my home and cell and they contacted our home phone (no one at home - we were on vacation) and left a message about a problem with the train service times. They did not call our Cell phone, so we had no forwarning of the problem until we reached the station at about noon time. We had our DGS 2 1/2 with us so they were kind enough to give us directions to a very nice park in Sanford where we spend a couple of hours. However on returning to the station, we found that the main part of the station was packed. There was additional seating in a large adjoining tent - but the air conditioning for that part was not working. It felt like 100 degrees in there. They finally got the air conditioning working at around 4:30/4:45pm. They were able to get us to Lorton at about 11:45am on Monday, so that was 2 1/2 hour late, not terribly bad. I just wish they had notified us by our cell number, because we could have spend a pleasant day elsewhere instead of baking at an open air park in 90+degree heat and hanging around the terminal roasting in their seating arrangement. They did offer some warm bottled water to help keep everyone hydrated.

On two previous trips, our Lorton to Sanford trips were cancelled both times due to impending storms. One in October 2005 - Hurricane Wilma and again in 2007 for another hurricane that didn't even come near causing any problems. CSX will cancel use of their tracks if there is any impending storm problem whether or not it actually happens.
I normally enjoy traveling by train, but at this point I am hesitant about scheduling any further travel on the AutoTrain.

 

[spima3]

We just got home early last evening from our trip utilizing the AutoTrain.
The trip down of Friday, May 14 was no problem at all. However, the trip home beginning on Sunday, May 23 was not fun. The train that was to arrive in Sanford at 9:30am on Sunday morning was delayed due to engine difficulties and it didn't arrive until 2:30pm We were not able to board the train till a little after 6:00pm. One note to all useing the AutoTrain. Only give them your Cell phone number. They had both my home and cell and they contacted our home phone (no one at home - we were on vacation) and left a message about a problem with the train service times. They did not call our Cell phone, so we had no forwarning of the problem until we reached the station at about noon time. We had our DGS 2 1/2 with us so they were kind enough to give us directions to a very nice park in Sanford where we spend a couple of hours. However on returning to the station, we found that the main part of the station was packed. There was additional seating in a large adjoining tent - but the air conditioning for that part was not working. It felt like 100 degrees in there. They finally got the air conditioning working at around 4:30/4:45pm. They were able to get us to Lorton at about 11:45am on Monday, so that was 2 1/2 hour late, not terribly bad. I just wish they had notified us by our cell number, because we could have spend a pleasant day elsewhere instead of baking at an open air park in 90+degree heat and hanging around the terminal roasting in their seating arrangement. They did offer some warm bottled water to help keep everyone hydrated.

On two previous trips, our Lorton to Sanford trips were cancelled both times due to impending storms. One in October 2005 - Hurricane Wilma and again in 2007 for another hurricane that didn't even come near causing any problems. CSX will cancel use of their tracks if there is any impending storm problem whether or not it actually happens.
I normally enjoy traveling by train, but at this point I am hesitant about scheduling any further travel on the AutoTrain.

Wow, you aren't very lucky are you, two different times, two different hurricanes. What a shame.

I know a lot of people advise against the train for that reason, yet you can have cancellations via air as well. Although, I would think it might be easier to reschedule a flight?

Since they cancelled, did you get a refund on your fare?

I thought if the train is cancelled for any reason, and we can't get a train anytime soon, we could just drive. The kids wouldn't like it, but doable. Ok by me, as long as I was refunded my train fare.

 

[Vickie1016]

Hi everyone! We took the autotrain round trip on May 3 returning May 12. We booked a sleeper room with the toilet/shower facility in room. The train down was great, departed on time, we got the 5:00 dinner seating (we have a 4 year old) food was good and we arrived in Sanford about 1/2 hr. early. There was no traffic on 4 to Orlando.

The return trip is a different story and I do know that what happened was not in the control of Amtrak & we are thankfully that noone was hurt. The day started off fine, arrived at train about 12:30, checked-in and went to get lunch, then arrived back about 2:30. Boarding the train went fine and the train departed on time. Dinner was better on this trip than on the way down. During the night, the train had to make a medical stop along the route as a worker was hurt (we were told that the worker was Ok). Then later during the night, the train hit a car that was stopped on the tracks. Luckily, the driver of the car was not in the car at the time of the accident. (We never felt a thing). The only down side was that after breakfast, you did not get any other food. We did have a cooler packed with drinks & snacks that tied us over till we could get lunch when we got to Lorton.

Needless to say, we arrived in Lorton on May 13 at about 1:00, got the car about 2:00, then started the drive home to NY. We did not get in the front door until 9:15 that night (had to stop for lunch, dinner, and bathroom breaks as well as heavy traffic).

I do not like to fly & we did the autotrain the same week last year & everything was fine. Things happen that are out of your control & you have to go with it. I would use the autotrain again.

 

[christinou]

Since they cancelled, did you get a refund on your fare?

I thought if the train is cancelled for any reason, and we can't get a train anytime soon, we could just drive. The kids wouldn't like it, but doable. Ok by me, as long as I was refunded my train fare.

W were scheduled on the auto train this past February and it got canceled because of the snow in Washington, they did refund our tickets for the way to Florida, we kept them for the way back. It was very easy.

 

[Marshay]

No question is too silly. We all have ?"s we are not sure we want to ask but need to know.

1. Can you eat food or snacks in the coach cars? I assume so, but ...

yes you can eat foods and snacks in the coach car. we would never survive w/o snacks and drinks!

2. Is it required or just common courtesy for kids/adults to have headphones when playing their games or dvd players?

When the lights go off at 9 they do require headsets for games/dvd units. we required them regardless of the time. You can hear the dvd better w/o all the other conversations going around you.

3. Do cell phones work? Are there cellphone-free trains like on a commuter train?
Sometimes the cellphones work- depends where the train is. I know I have tried to contact DH (in a different sleeper than I ) and the phones are hit or miss. There are no cellphone- free areas on the AT

4. Do most people try to be respectful of noise in the coach cars once the lights are dim? Do the attendants ask or suggest to "loud people" to use the lounge car or once you are in coach are we pretty much "fend for yourselves"?

I think most do try to respectful. You always will run in to a few that think the rules dont' apply to them. They will make several announcements regarding when the lights go out (there is flr lighting for walking) and also about the head set requirement. I want to say your pretty much on your own. The coach car will have an attendant so I think if someone is being really loud you could approach the attendant and let them know.

Hope this helps

Thanks for all your answers!!!

We just got home early last evening from our trip utilizing the AutoTrain.
The trip down of Friday, May 14 was no problem at all. However, the trip home beginning on Sunday, May 23 was not fun. The train that was to arrive in Sanford at 9:30am on Sunday morning was delayed due to engine difficulties and it didn't arrive until 2:30pm We were not able to board the train till a little after 6:00pm. One note to all useing the AutoTrain. Only give them your Cell phone number. They had both my home and cell and they contacted our home phone (no one at home - we were on vacation) and left a message about a problem with the train service times. They did not call our Cell phone, so we had no forwarning of the problem until we reached the station at about noon time. We had our DGS 2 1/2 with us so they were kind enough to give us directions to a very nice park in Sanford where we spend a couple of hours. However on returning to the station, we found that the main part of the station was packed. There was additional seating in a large adjoining tent - but the air conditioning for that part was not working. It felt like 100 degrees in there. They finally got the air conditioning working at around 4:30/4:45pm. They were able to get us to Lorton at about 11:45am on Monday, so that was 2 1/2 hour late, not terribly bad. I just wish they had notified us by our cell number, because we could have spend a pleasant day elsewhere instead of baking at an open air park in 90+degree heat and hanging around the terminal roasting in their seating arrangement. They did offer some warm bottled water to help keep everyone hydrated.

On two previous trips, our Lorton to Sanford trips were cancelled both times due to impending storms. One in October 2005 - Hurricane Wilma and again in 2007 for another hurricane that didn't even come near causing any problems. CSX will cancel use of their tracks if there is any impending storm problem whether or not it actually happens.
I normally enjoy traveling by train, but at this point I am hesitant about scheduling any further travel on the AutoTrain.

Thanks for sharing your story. It's a good reminder for me that things happen.

I need to call Amtrak tomorrow and request that they ONLY have my cell phone number and my DH's cell phone number. I think they currently have both and would definitely love to spend more time at Disney instead of sitting in the station!

Hi everyone! We took the autotrain round trip on May 3 returning May 12. We booked a sleeper room with the toilet/shower facility in room. The train down was great, departed on time, we got the 5:00 dinner seating (we have a 4 year old) food was good and we arrived in Sanford about 1/2 hr. early. There was no traffic on 4 to Orlando.

The return trip is a different story and I do know that what happened was not in the control of Amtrak & we are thankfully that noone was hurt. The day started off fine, arrived at train about 12:30, checked-in and went to get lunch, then arrived back about 2:30. Boarding the train went fine and the train departed on time. Dinner was better on this trip than on the way down. During the night, the train had to make a medical stop along the route as a worker was hurt (we were told that the worker was Ok). Then later during the night, the train hit a car that was stopped on the tracks. Luckily, the driver of the car was not in the car at the time of the accident. (We never felt a thing). The only down side was that after breakfast, you did not get any other food. We did have a cooler packed with drinks & snacks that tied us over till we could get lunch when we got to Lorton.

Needless to say, we arrived in Lorton on May 13 at about 1:00, got the car about 2:00, then started the drive home to NY. We did not get in the front door until 9:15 that night (had to stop for lunch, dinner, and bathroom breaks as well as heavy traffic).

I do not like to fly & we did the autotrain the same week last year & everything was fine. Things happen that are out of your control & you have to go with it. I would use the autotrain again.

Thanks for your info! I will add putting a small cooler on our "Train List".

Also, how does breakfast work? I know you don't get assigned seating, so you just show up. However, does it take long to get a seat? If the lounge car is full, can you just take the food back with you to your coach seat?

Has the terminal construction ended yet?

 

[danjfoley]

I'm looking to get the auto train for Thursday April 29th 2011 returning on Sunday May 8th 2011. With a sleeper each way.

First of all i can't get rates that far out, so i backed it up a week just see to see what the rates were.

The rates on the outgoing train (VA to FL) were good. $93. + 126 sleeper. The rate on the returning train was $228+383 a sleeper!!!!

How is this? Is this the LOWEST rate i'm going to get?

Last time i checked (3 months ago).. i pulled some random dates far out, and got $93+124 sleeper out and $116+126 sleeper back in.

How can the rates be $400 more for this? Even though im booking super earlier?

Does anyone have any tips on how i can get the rate i'm expecting?? I was expected to pay around $350 for rate + sleeper. I know the car costs extra, but that's a rate i can't do anything about.

If i call them will i get a lower rate for the return train?

Thanks for all your help in advance.

PS: I just read about the train being canceled at times due to hurricanes. So lets say it gets canceled on the thursday I depart. Do i get to get on the train the very next day? Or do i get screwed as other people have reservations that day?

I guess i am saying.. if I get a cancel on the way to disney. Am i just screwed and have to drive to disney?

 

[chartle]

I'm looking to get the auto train for Thursday April 29th 2011 returning on Sunday May 8th 2011. With a sleeper each way.

First of all i can't get rates that far out, so i backed it up a week just see to see what the rates were.

The rates on the outgoing train (VA to FL) were good. $93. + 126 sleeper. The rate on the returning train was $228+383 a sleeper!!!!

How is this? Is this the LOWEST rate i'm going to get?

Last time i checked (3 months ago).. i pulled some random dates far out, and got $93+124 sleeper out and $116+126 sleeper back in.

How can the rates be $400 more for this? Even though im booking super earlier?

Does anyone have any tips on how i can get the rate i'm expecting?? I was expected to pay around $350 for rate + sleeper. I know the car costs extra, but that's a rate i can't do anything about.

If i call them will i get a lower rate for the return train?

Thanks for all your help in advance.

PS: I just read about the train being canceled at times due to hurricanes. So lets say it gets canceled on the thursday I depart. Do i get to get on the train the very next day? Or do i get screwed as other people have reservations that day?

I guess i am saying.. if I get a cancel on the way to disney. Am i just screwed and have to drive to disney?

Every time I have priced the AT the trip back cost more than the down.

As for the cancelled trip, its just like a cancelled flight if there is room you can rebook but they aren't going to bump everyone back a day and they just can't add a train.
I don't even think they can add more cars.

When our trip was cancelled due to a Tropical storm we drove back because we had to get back for school. If a hurricane hits you have to expect a possible multiday problem.

 

[shadowryter]

I booked a little while ago for our trip leaving Dec 2 ~ returning Dec 15. I decided to do a bedroom down and coach back. Now DH wants to do the bedroom back and it jumped from $287 to a little over $400.In less than a month. It would have been the same down and back if I did it at that time. Must have something to do with the time of year???So since DH is putting in uber OT, I have to upgrade and learn from my experience I guess.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I booked a little while ago for our trip leaving Dec 2 ~ returning Dec 15. I decided to do a bedroom down and coach back. Now DH wants to do the bedroom back and it jumped from $287 to a little over $400.In less than a month. It would have been the same down and back if I did it at that time. Must have something to do with the time of year???So since DH is putting in uber OT, I have to upgrade and learn from my experience I guess.

The fill up it tiers so a few people must of booked since you last checked. I made the mistake of not booking a few months ago and now my dates are almost doubled.

 

[lbdpw1285]

I'm looking to get the auto train for Thursday April 29th 2011 returning on Sunday May 8th 2011. With a sleeper each way.

First of all i can't get rates that far out, so i backed it up a week just see to see what the rates were.

The rates on the outgoing train (VA to FL) were good. $93. + 126 sleeper. The rate on the returning train was $228+383 a sleeper!!!!

How is this? Is this the LOWEST rate i'm going to get?

Last time i checked (3 months ago).. i pulled some random dates far out, and got $93+124 sleeper out and $116+126 sleeper back in.

How can the rates be $400 more for this? Even though im booking super earlier?

Does anyone have any tips on how i can get the rate i'm expecting?? I was expected to pay around $350 for rate + sleeper. I know the car costs extra, but that's a rate i can't do anything about.

If i call them will i get a lower rate for the return train?

Thanks for all your help in advance.

PS: I just read about the train being canceled at times due to hurricanes. So lets say it gets canceled on the thursday I depart. Do i get to get on the train the very next day? Or do i get screwed as other people have reservations that day?

I guess i am saying.. if I get a cancel on the way to disney. Am i just screwed and have to drive to disney?

in the may timeframe, the trains southbound are typically 1/3 to 1/2 full. northbound is typically sold out with snow birds going north until the end of may.
in the late fall and early winter, southbound is sold out, northbound fairly empty.
supply and demand determines price

we were never affected by a hurricane, so perhaps someone else can help.

 

[chartle]

in the may timeframe, the trains southbound are typically 1/3 to 1/2 full. northbound is typically sold out with snow birds going north until the end of may.
in the late fall and early winter, southbound is sold out, northbound fairly empty.
supply and demand determines price

we were never affected by a hurricane, so perhaps someone else can help.

But i swear that for my late Aug trip the trip back still cost more.

Maybe it was the day of the week or college students.

 

[shadowryter]

When I made my reservations on May 22nd for mid-Dec it cost was the same down and back. I opted for a bedroom South bound and coach North. Last night I upgraded to a bedroom for the trip North and it went from $287 to $415.In just a litle more than 2 weeks! Oh well at least we get to travel in style.

 

[christinou]

Check the prices if they go down, you can rebook without penalty, that happened to us last year, and I got $300 back.

 

[shadowryter]

I didn't know that. I'll keep checking. Thanks for the tip, Christine.