All about the Autotrain

[Pooh2]

While you may not get a good night's its not like you have been in a car all night. When we took the AT down we went straight to DQ, ate lunch at EoS, my sons went back to DQ and my wife and I checked into our off site room and then went back.

I see no reason not to go to a park that afternoon. You could go directly to a park after checking in but the main issue is that, unless you have a sleeper car, you don't get a shower that day.

I agree! Our room was not available until 3pm, so we were not feeling much like going out without a shower!

We did not sleep great in coach so by the time we got to shower and go out to dinner, we were kind of tired so opted to get into bed early and get an early morning start.

 

[chartle]

I agree! Our room was not available until 3pm, so we were not feeling much like going out without a shower!

We did not sleep great in coach so by the time we got to shower and go out to dinner, we were kind of tired so opted to get into bed early and get an early morning start.

This got me thinking, It almost seems like from a getting to a park when you get there standpoint its better to drive two days and not take the train.

For us we left at 9:00 AM to get to Lorton at 1:35 (minutes later than expected), wait another 2 and a half hours to leave. We were in the Disney area around 11:30 and ate lunch at Cici's (nice, cheap, familiar) before hitting DQ sans shower.

If we had just driven to Fl from our house its actually a shorter route (17 hrs) so lets say we drive till 10 or later, sleep in a real bed, get up, SHOWER, eat quickly and leave we could get to WDW a little later but more rested and ready to go.

I never thought of the Autotrain as giving you less time or a later start to your vacation.

Of course we have at least 3 drivers, one that is a night owl so late night driving is not an issue.

 

[Pooh2]

This got me thinking, It almost seems like from a getting to a park when you get there standpoint its better to drive two days and not take the train.

For us we left at 9:00 AM to get to Lorton at 1:35 (minutes later than expected), wait another 2 and a half hours to leave. We were in the Disney area around 11:30 and ate lunch at Cici's (nice, cheap, familiar) before hitting DQ sans shower.

If we had just driven to Fl from our house its actually a shorter route (17 hrs) so lets say we drive till 10 or later, sleep in a real bed, get up, SHOWER, eat quickly and leave we could get to WDW a little later but more rested and ready to go.

I never thought of the Autotrain as giving you less time or a later start to your vacation.

Of course we have at least 3 drivers, one that is a night owl so late night driving is not an issue.

Our thoughts were leaning this way as well. We left NH early on a Sat, got to VA late afternoon. Stayed in a hotel overnight near Lorton, hung around the next day until the train left at 4pm. Monday was alot of just hanging around too.

I think our next trip drive all the way to FL on the way down with one overnight in a hotel.

But on the way back, we will get up on departure day, spend a couple of hours in the park, head to Sanford, sleep on the train and drive all the way home the next day.

 

[chartle]

Our thoughts were leaning this way as well. We left NH early on a Sat, got to VA late afternoon. Stayed in a hotel overnight near Lorton, hung around the next day until the train left at 4pm. Monday was alot of just hanging around too.

I think our next trip drive all the way to FL on the way down with one overnight in a hotel.

But on the way back, we will get up on departure day, spend a couple of hours in the park, head to Sanford, sleep on the train and drive all the way home the next day.

Pretty sure I have read in this thread people commenting that they were sitting in the Lorton station thinking "I could be on the road to WDW right now"

We have only taken the train once, down to WDW. The trip back was cancelled by Tropical Storm Fay so we drove back after a major dope slap realizing that there is no way to check a car as luggage on an airplane.

So we drove back and realized we have older kids (now "adults") and don't have any "he's touching me" issues. Last trip I had a driod, an unlimited data plan, turned into a mobile hotspot. If it wasn't for power issues they could have used their laptops all of the way.

 

[NJRRK]

Our thoughts were leaning this way as well. We left NH early on a Sat, got to VA late afternoon. Stayed in a hotel overnight near Lorton, hung around the next day until the train left at 4pm. Monday was alot of just hanging around too.

I think our next trip drive all the way to FL on the way down with one overnight in a hotel.

But on the way back, we will get up on departure day, spend a couple of hours in the park, head to Sanford, sleep on the train and drive all the way home the next day.

If the Autotrain requires you to go way out of your way, or you need (or choose) to spend the night in Lorton I agree it's not worth it timewise. For those of us who would be passing by the station about one or two anyway it saves wear and tear on the car and driver.

 

[la79al]

We always feel the same way about flying. 1.5 hours to the airport, get there 2 hours early, 2.5 hour flight, wait for luggage, wait for ME, ride to the resort. It's frustrating when we're at the airport, 3+ hours in and still not on our way to FL. I am looking at the AT as more of an adventure. It will take us about 24 hours from leaving home to arriving in FL as opposed to the 17 it would take if driving but we won't be stuck in a minivan with 2 small kids and no one has to worry about driving at night. Granted this will be our first AT trip but I think it's going to be FUN!!!!!!

 

[Marshay]

Perhaps having a room makes all the difference...

We definitely sleep better in a room than in coach ... but mind you, I am 6' tall and my DH is 6'6" tall so those coach seats, albeit very large, are just not made for tall people.

When we arrive in FL and have our vehicle, around 10-11am-ish, we go straight to McD's for some food to eat along the way. Then a quick stop at Walmart and we are at our hotel by 11:30am - 1pm at the absolute latest.

We go straight to our room and if it's ready, check in. If not, then we go into a park or explore our hotel, esp the pool and playgrounds.

I think our best was in Epcot by 12 noon!!

A night without a shower is no big deal, esp if you took one the day you boarded the train. Just brush your teeth and take a towel on your face. Use deodorant.

We are well-rested from the train ride down -- no worries about accidents, traffic, are-we-there-yets, unexpected bathroom breaks, where to stop for food, running low on gas, construction, thunderstorms/snow, kids fighting, cramped seats, seat belts restricting our movements, can't get up and stretch, wear and tear on car, other drivers who are driving sleepy or drunk when they should just get a hotel, etc.

We drove to FL twice ... arrived tired, cranky and worn out from it all. It was actually a bit better for the person driving ... the other person who had to help entertain and referee the kids was worse! Maybe if the kids were older and could easily entertain themselves and not get into arguments all the time, it would be different.

On the train, we can separate the girls when they need it. Or I can separate myself when I need it!

Oh, and stopping in some of the worse parts of Jacksonville, b/c our daughter had to pee ... even though we just stopped about 45 minutes earlier?! I thought for sure our SUV wasn't going to be in one piece anymore...

With the AT, we actually slept the night before... had a leisurely night in fact with a sit-down dinner, snacks, movie, wine. We go to sleep earlier than we normally would on the train and everyone gets a chance to sleep -- not just one driver for 4 hours.

Like PP said, it's part of the vacation -- an adventure and fun way to travel.

 

[vacationer1954]

We won't drive more than eight hours in a day, so that means three days from home to the resort and three days back so six of the nine days we have during vacation week would be spent driving if not for the AutoTrain. With the AutoTrain it's just four of nine days, and with a sleeper only three of nine days.

 

[pwdebbie]

I just checked AT prices for our trip home (I'm thinking may be I could talk dh into for the trip home by pointing out that we'd get home earlier than if we drove). But it was over $700 for the two of us in coach plus our van. That's more than it would cost us to drive down and back, including hotel two nights and meals on the road. So, I guess no AT for us.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I just checked AT prices for our trip home (I'm thinking may be I could talk dh into for the trip home by pointing out that we'd get home earlier than if we drove). But it was over $700 for the two of us in coach plus our van. That's more than it would cost us to drive down and back, including hotel two nights and meals on the road. So, I guess no AT for us.

Never could figure on AT's use... You pay thru the nose to take your car... Why not just rent one in Florida, use regular Amtrak from the closest location instead of driving to Lorton...seems to me the auto savings in taking your car via AT is negated by the cost... Sure you can rent a car at Orlando cheaper or really don't need one at WDW....

We use regular Amtrak from northeast Ohio, for many years, and RT for the 2 of us to Kissimmee and home ..450.00 but we use no car while at WDW...

 

[chartle]

Never could figure on AT's use... You pay thru the nose to take your car... Why not just rent one in Florida, use regular Amtrak from the closest location instead of driving to Lorton...seems to me the auto savings in taking your car via AT is negated by the cost... Sure you can rent a car at Orlando cheaper or really don't need one at WDW....

We use regular Amtrak from northeast Ohio, for many years, and RT for the 2 of us to Kissimmee and home ..450.00 but we use no car while at WDW...

The big thing for me is it's my own car, not a rental. I know how everything works and where stuff goes.

I HATE renting cars or really anything. First I have to get past the whole extra insurance issue (now know how to get through that) but I'm always worried that they will find some little scratch not noted on the form and charge me for it. The same scratch they charge e everyone

But anyway I liked that we could pack our car like we would for any trip and didn't have to rely on suitcases. We could shove bottles of water under the seat and carry our pool shoes in a tote bag or even a shopping bag.

We did the AT once and it was a neat adventure but I don't think we would do it again. Its just too easy to drive. Even easier with 3 soon to be 4 (not teenager) drivers.

Now years ago it was another story when we didn't have such a direct route and had to pick up I95 at DC. Then it would be another story. I do miss South of the Border though, saw if from the train last time.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Well we did NOT get to take the AT! Sadly they cancelled our trip from FL to PA at 1:30 on sunday and we had to drive home through Sandy! Kids were crying and disappointed as it was to be our 1st trip on the AT!

 

[chartle]

Well we did NOT get to take the AT! Sadly they cancelled our trip from FL to PA at 1:30 on sunday and we had to drive home through Sandy! Kids were crying and disappointed as it was to be our 1st trip on the AT!

Been there done that. We got the call around 10:00 the morning of the trip on our way to a last bit of Disney at Boma. Made for an anxious meal.

My wife insisted that we go to Kissimmee first to refund our tickets. So we got a late start.

 

[Henlady]

Well we did NOT get to take the AT! Sadly they cancelled our trip from FL to PA at 1:30 on sunday and we had to drive home through Sandy! Kids were crying and disappointed as it was to be our 1st trip on the AT!

We've also been there a couple of times. Never had it cancelled on the way home, but cancelled 3 times "going" on various vacations. Does not make for a fun trip, expecially if you weren't counting on the $200-$300 dollars in extra expense for gas, overnight hotel and food. Granted you get back what you paid for that portion of the trip, but many people may not have that much "extra" just laying around. It is FRUSTRATING.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Been there done that. We got the call around 10:00 the morning of the trip on our way to a last bit of Disney at Boma. Made for an anxious meal.

My wife insisted that we go to Kissimmee first to refund our tickets. So we got a late start.

I wish we would have found out in the morning(as we could have hit the road earlier in the morning) but we didn't find out til around 1:30 p.m. after some people had already been checked in. We were in the process of checking in when they got the call from CSX that they were shutting down the railways. So we drove from 2-11p.m. on Sunday and then from 8:30 am-7:30 pm on Monday through the hurricane...it was crazy! When we left the station it was madness as there were cars lined up everywhere waiting to check in. Thank Goodness we got there earlier then them or we would not have hit the road til later than 2pm.

 

[vacationer1954]

Yes, that damage nitpicking silliness is another reason to take your own car if you can.
http://travel.usatoday.com/news/sto...pick-scratches-dents-travelers-say/55693518/1

And given how many extra bags my wife likes to take with her, we win against excess baggage fees on the airlines, too.

 

[scm200]

I think being stuck on the Autotrain during the storm would have been much worse than the inconvience of them cancelling as late as they did. AMTRAK and airlines can not be blamed for the weather, sure maybe they could have cancelled a bit earlier, but that storm took days to head north and it was a HUGE storm. Glad you are all safe, thats the important part.

 

[Marshay]

And having your own car seats, too! And knowing they are strapped in properly.


Another reason for own vehicle is that we fit in it!! My DH and I are tall, so getting a regular sedan does not always work. We usually have to get a SUV for comfort, as well as luggage space for four, and even then the small SUVs are tight.

at least we are now out of the diaper stage, but just diapers and wipes for a week was a full suitcase. One time we tried mailing it down when we flew, and then BLT charged us to hold the package. Way too $$$ for UPS +BLT charges. Once we switched to AT, it worked great for all the baby gear -- we even took the baby walker for the room!

 

[Marshay]

And at least those who were canceled on the AT we're able to drive home. If they had flown, they may still be waiting for airports to open, days and days even...although being "stuck" in WDW might not be that bad...

 

[loveysbydesign]

And at least those who were canceled on the AT we're able to drive home. If they had flown, they may still be waiting for airports to open, days and days even...although being "stuck" in WDW might not be that bad...

I tried to talk dh into staying a couple more days but we agreed it was better to go home as we live in PA and we knew the storm could damage our home and stuff.