All about the Autotrain

[Marshay]

Hello All! We are home from our trip
I'll start out by saying that we enjoyed the auto train and will do it again!
First off, we decided to drive down the night before and OMG I am so glad we did. That traffic at Washington Spur was pure HELL! Thanks so much to the peeps on here who warned me If we would have driven down on Saturday we would never had gotten to the train on time. We ended up staying at Comfort Inn in Lorton ( right around the corner from the auto train) and it was a nice with free wi- fi in rooms! The only downfall with this place was the free continental breakfast. I get that it's "continental" but it should be better than flat flavorless egg disk and rubberized sausage patties . The biggest turnoff was the guy taking care of the food. He stood there leaning in the doorway scratching his hairy arm with his gloved hand and then walking over and turning the eggs and sausage with that same gloved hand Sooo, i grabbed a couple bananas and went to my room. We got to the station at 11:20, at 11:30 on the dot they started checking people in! We left to get some snacks and such for the train. Oh, by the way, DH had decided while in line to upgrade to deluxe sleeperSo $607 later we had a sleeper! Train left a few minutes late, there were a lot of people on board! We met a wonderful couple and their daughter while waiting to board. He works for amtrak and drives the auto train occasionally, so he put me at ease about some of my concerns.. The food on auto train is "ok" I think its precooked and then they just nuke it. DD had an episode at dinner because her new friend from the station wasn't there, so she cried and ended up throwing up. Too bad for our server, Linda, hehe...with her attitude she deserved that clean up I'll continue in a few!

Ewwwww~! Gross about the breakfast server at Comfort. I hope you either told management or left in your comments so they can help 'train' him.

Congrats on the upgrade to the sleeper! I hope you enjoyed it.

Oh, can't wait to hear about the Linda server. Generally everyone on the AT has been super nice to us, but there is this one lady (I don't remember her name) that just isn't very pleasant. I wonder if it's the same one...

 

[pepe of ohio]

Just curious ... why did you hate the roomette?

We did coach once and it was ok...then did a family bedroom and love it every since!

However, I'm trying to convince my parents to get a roomette since they tried coach and hated that.

Thanks!

Though we use regular Amtrak, and not the AT, roomettes ought to be the same....

At first we thought they were great, out of coach and in a private car....now after quite a few trips...wife still likes the roomette.....she always gets the upper, no way I'm getting up there.....but lately, the room has got to be claustrophobic for me...especially for sleeping...just too darn tight in there...also the narrow corridors traveling to the dining car gets my anxiety up....it's nice to lay down to sleep but last trip we did coach both ways and the area in the car is more what I like around me.....area/space wise.....also, roomettes pre-booked are too expensive, for my taste....we ask in route if any are available and usually get one about half off....anything bigger in the sleeper category is way more than I'm willing to pay for one night......

 

[lindap1]

So, after DD's episode of throwing up at dinner. We took her back to our sleeper, got her and myself calmed down and she napped for a couple hours. I've never rode on a train and I will tell you DO NOT get a sleeper at the end of the car, you feel EVERYTHING! I slept maybe 3 hours and DH was the same, DD slept fine. We arrived in Sanford 15 mins late, which isn't bad. We had our car attendant, Ron, (very nice man) bring us some muffins and such, didn't want another dinner scene I believe it took about 40 mins to get our vehicle. DH had already decided to upgrade to a sleeper again for the way back They told me at the counter that I can do it over the phone. On to the "world" we went and I believe it was a few days later that I upgraded to sleeper, only this time I requested to be put in the middle of the car..done!
After a stressful time at DTD on the day we were to leave Florida. We got back to the auto train around 1:30, got checked in and paid for our upgrade. Got loaded at 2:30 and train pulled out a few minutes before 4. There was no where near as many people going north as there was going south and they only had 5 and 7 o'clock dinner times, they didn't need the third time.
On our way down we were in sleeper room A and because of the way the bathroom was the room was cramped and we coulnd't move as well. On the way back north we had room E and it was so much better cut. We had more room and it just didn't feel as cramped. We had decided when upgrading that we would eat in our room, which worked out fine. DD was more relaxed and actually ate I was told by the guy at the check in counter that when your in a room at the end of a car, you feel all the motion and that it is better to get a room in the middle. Next time we ride the auto train I believe were going to try a family sleeper. As I said earlier I will post some pics as soon as I get them uploaded.

 

[lindap1]

Ewwwww~! Gross about the breakfast server at Comfort. I hope you either told management or left in your comments so they can help 'train' him.

Congrats on the upgrade to the sleeper! I hope you enjoyed it.

Oh, can't wait to hear about the Linda server. Generally everyone on the AT has been super nice to us, but there is this one lady (I don't remember her name) that just isn't very pleasant. I wonder if it's the same one...

I didn't think to say anything to management and I'm hoping they send me a "how did we do " questionnaire.
As for our server, if she is tall, african american and has her hair pulled back tight, then she is one and the same. Not a pleasant person!

 

[Marshay]

I didn't think to say anything to management and I'm hoping they send me a "how did we do " questionnaire.
As for our server, if she is tall, african american and has her hair pulled back tight, then she is one and the same. Not a pleasant person!

Nope, not the same. maybe she just had a really bad day...

Can't wait to see pics and thanks for your report!

 

[bdcp]

Just curious ... why did you hate the roomette?

We did coach once and it was ok...then did a family bedroom and love it every since!

However, I'm trying to convince my parents to get a roomette since they tried coach and hated that.

Thanks!

I was at work so I couldn't post til I got home. It was very tight once the beds are put down. The beds are small, narrow and it was just way too cramped. The upper bunk is a pain and with the beds down there is virtually NO room, you can barely stand with the door shut and when it's open you can stand in the hall. For one person, it could work, but for 2, not so much. There's also no real storage space so don't think you can easily bring even a small suitcase onboard. We prefer coach over roomettes so we'll see what we think of the bedroom this trip.

Oh, as for the food on Auto Train, I don't think it's "nuked". I remember reading somewhere how it's cooked onboard. There's no way the steak is precooked and nuked (chicken either) or it would be shoe leather and it's not. Considering it's on a train, the food is actually better than just "ok". Now, food in the snack cars on Amtrak is just ok, but the dining cars have gotten pretty good reviews over the years. Some of it may be precooked and re heated, but not all of it.

 

[Marshay]

I was at work so I couldn't post til I got home. It was very tight once the beds are put down. The beds are small, narrow and it was just way too cramped. The upper bunk is a pain and with the beds down there is virtually NO room, you can barely stand with the door shut and when it's open you can stand in the hall. For one person, it could work, but for 2, not so much. There's also no real storage space so don't think you can easily bring even a small suitcase onboard. We prefer coach over roomettes so we'll see what we think of the bedroom this trip.

Oh, as for the food on Auto Train, I don't think it's "nuked". I remember reading somewhere how it's cooked onboard. There's no way the steak is precooked and nuked (chicken either) or it would be shoe leather and it's not. Considering it's on a train, the food is actually better than just "ok". Now, food in the snack cars on Amtrak is just ok, but the dining cars have gotten pretty good reviews over the years. Some of it may be precooked and re heated, but not all of it.

Thanks -- with that description, I doubt my parents would like it either. My mom packed 3-4 bags just for her on the train! The family bedroom doesn't have a lot of room either once the beds are out. But it does have that little hallway which is nice. I guess the idea is that you are either sitting on the chairs or lying down in bed -- no alternative!

yeah, I agree with you. The food is actually quite tasty! Yeah, it's not fine dining but better than the alternative of fast food while driving down I-95! We've always gotten the steak and/or fish meal and have been quite pleased. I do admit we also fill up on the wine, cheese, crackers, fruit and veggies beforehand, so maybe that changes my perspective, too!

 

[DC7800]

Though we use regular Amtrak, and not the AT, roomettes ought to be the same....

They aren't, actually, though they are similar. Viewliner roomettes (more modern design) in single level cars have separate upper and lower berth windows and an unshielded commode in the room, both features lacking in bi-level Superliner cars (among other details).

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

the family bedrooms are located at the end of the car. Middle rooms are best. worse is being the sleeper car right behind the engine -- man the whistle blows alot!!

We love the AT!

 

[lindap1]

We'll definitely do the AT again! Thanks for the info about the family room being on the end of the car, we'll probably stick to the deluxe sleeper just because of the location. Yeah, the food is a "step" up from fast food, maybe it was just the chicken. It was dry and the roll was hard, but the baked potato and salad were good. DH's steak looked pretty tasty just to red for my liking. The wine was good also! lol

 

[lindap1]

Thanks -- with that description, I doubt my parents would like it either. My mom packed 3-4 bags just for her on the train! The family bedroom doesn't have a lot of room either once the beds are out. But it does have that little hallway which is nice. I guess the idea is that you are either sitting on the chairs or lying down in bed -- no alternative!

yeah, I agree with you. The food is actually quite tasty! Yeah, it's not fine dining but better than the alternative of fast food while driving down I-95! We've always gotten the steak and/or fish meal and have been quite pleased. I do admit we also fill up on the wine, cheese, crackers, fruit and veggies beforehand, so maybe that changes my perspective, too!

I didn't make it down to the car for the cheese, crackers and etc., Maybe next time I'll get a chance too!

 

[Marshay]

We'll definitely do the AT again! Thanks for the info about the family room being on the end of the car, we'll probably stick to the deluxe sleeper just because of the location. Yeah, the food is a "step" up from fast food, maybe it was just the chicken. It was dry and the roll was hard, but the baked potato and salad were good. DH's steak looked pretty tasty just to red for my liking. The wine was good also! lol

Ugh, if your meal was dry and hard, then you got a bummer meal! sorry to hear that.

I didn't make it down to the car for the cheese, crackers and etc., Maybe next time I'll get a chance too!

My girls think eating the snacks in the lounge car is the best part of the trip (only second to the bunk beds!). We try to go to the lounge pretty soon after boarding and bring a game or little activity to do. Then we sit, play, people-watch, my DD6 makes a new friend or two. And DH and I have 2-3 cups of wine (which really isn't a lot since it's those teeny tiny cups). It's so relaxing for us and helps reinforce that taking the train works for our family!

 

[bdcp]

Heading to Lorton in a couple of hours.

 

[MinnieGi]

Heading to Lorton in a couple of hours.

Wishing you a safe trip!!

 

[MinnieGi]

My girls think eating the snacks in the lounge car is the best part of the trip (only second to the bunk beds!). We try to go to the lounge pretty soon after boarding and bring a game or little activity to do. Then we sit, play, people-watch, my DD6 makes a new friend or two. And DH and I have 2-3 cups of wine (which really isn't a lot since it's those teeny tiny cups). It's so relaxing for us and helps reinforce that taking the train works for our family!

Same here...we board, drop our stuff in the room and head to the lounge. We all love it. My kids love the snacks, socializing, family time and DH and I enjoy the wine and stress-free travel of not having to be on the road. We love looking at the scenery going by and stay in the lounge for a while.

Our third AT coming trip coming up in Nov. and we are all looking forward to it!

 

[labdogs42]

We have only done coach seats so far, but I'm wondering if we did decide to book a room, can we add that later, or is it like the seats and it just keeps getting more expensive as the trip approaches?

 

[chartle]

We have only done coach seats so far, but I'm wondering if we did decide to book a room, can we add that later, or is it like the seats and it just keeps getting more expensive as the trip approaches?

I think if you want the cheapest price you wait until you check in and see if there are rooms available and how much they are discounting them. I think its standard supply and demand.

We could never think of rooms since the time we went we were pretty much a family of 4 adult size people and two rooms was way too much.

We now also drive since we can get a head start on Friday and be in WDW at 10 PMish Saturday so Sunday is a full park day. If we did the AT we would get into WDW Sunday late morning and not feel like going to a park.

 

[Marshay]

We have only done coach seats so far, but I'm wondering if we did decide to book a room, can we add that later, or is it like the seats and it just keeps getting more expensive as the trip approaches?

In general, the cheapest prices are at 11 months out. They can offer same day deals if they don't have a lot of travelers. But I've also seen the prices still $600+ for a Family room on the day of travel -- this was when the train was pretty full.

You can always check on-line to see if they rooms are selling out or not.

Best guaranteed room and cheap(er) rate is to book at 11 months.

I'd recommend trying a room at least one time to see if you love it or not. Some people find them too closed in and others value the privacy.

We now also drive since we can get a head start on Friday and be in WDW at 10 PMish Saturday so Sunday is a full park day. If we did the AT we would get into WDW Sunday late morning and not feel like going to a park.

Funny, b/c we now leave earlier (12 noon) on Friday to get the train so can be in the parks by noon-1pm-ish on Saturday, if train is on time/early. When we drove, DH would only leave after work on Friday, so didn't get to the parks until Sunday. So I look at it as getting to Disney earlier by taking the train!!

There's something about having a deadline decided for him. If Amtrak is leaving, then he'll make sure to take off work, pack and be on-time. If I'd say the same time, he'd linger at work, doing 'just one more thing' or still be packing.

I do dread the time that our kids will outgrow the Family Bedroom ... guess we'll either do coach, fly or drive. But I'll miss our Family Bedroom travels -- we have good family memories in them!

 

[Henlady]

We have only done coach seats so far, but I'm wondering if we did decide to book a room, can we add that later, or is it like the seats and it just keeps getting more expensive as the trip approaches?

The cost of the roomettes generally goes up just the same as the regular seating fare increases. When we made our ressies in April (for a mid November trip), our roomettes, were $190 for the trip south and $129 for northbound. Those prices are now $390 southbound and $260 northbound. The only time there are discounted rooms is if there are a lot left unreserved. On one trip, we didn't book a room for the northbound route, figured we'd try for a discount when we got to the station. They only had 4 rooms available and they were going for $793 each!!! I told the agent that was crazy, he agreed and said that he could guarantee that before the train left the station all 4 rooms would be gone.

 

[chartle]

Funny, b/c we now leave earlier (12 noon) on Friday to get the train so can be in the parks by noon-1pm-ish on Saturday, if train is on time/early. When we drove, DH would only leave after work on Friday, so didn't get to the parks until Sunday. So I look at it as getting to Disney earlier by taking the train!!

There's something about having a deadline decided for him. If Amtrak is leaving, then he'll make sure to take off work, pack and be on-time. If I'd say the same time, he'd linger at work, doing 'just one more thing' or still be packing.

When we went out only time we have to leave our house around 8:30 to get to Lorton with a cushion. My plan was to get there at 1:30 and we checked in at 1:34. We did stop to eat but brought a cooler. At the time it didn't look like we could check-in and then walk anywhere to eat.

We may never take the train again, if we leave at 8:30 from Pittsburgh and drove straight to WDW, even staying at a hotel, we would only get into WDW a few hours after the train. When you are 4 adults its easy to do a car trip of that length.