All about the Autotrain

[KSL]

Hi everyone,
I thought of another question: how dark does it get in the family bedrooms? Should I bring a small night light for my kiddos (and frankly, for myself!)? I was thinking if it gets really dark and being on the bunks, etc. it might be good if there is a little ambient light. Anyone who has been in one, what do you think?
(I know I'm overthinking this, but I love to plan! )

 

[Marshay]

Hi everyone,
I thought of another question: how dark does it get in the family bedrooms? Should I bring a small night light for my kiddos (and frankly, for myself!)? I was thinking if it gets really dark and being on the bunks, etc. it might be good if there is a little ambient light. Anyone who has been in one, what do you think?
(I know I'm overthinking this, but I love to plan! )

There are different light settings for the room lights, so no need to bring a night light. One of them is Dim. You can also leave the curtains part way open to allow more light in close to morning. Then there are also lights in the bunks for reading that can be left on, too.

 

[KSL]

There are different light settings for the room lights, so no need to bring a night light. One of them is Dim. You can also leave the curtains part way open to allow more light in close to morning. Then there are also lights in the bunks for reading that can be left on, too.

Great, this is just what I wondered - thank you for the reply!

 

[lindap1]

I had bought my daughter a small flashlight and she used it in the deluxe bedroom ,but yes, there are little lights that dim.

 

[MaxsDad]

We are taking the autotrain for the first time in October. I read through a lot of this thread and got some good advice in making my decision.

On the way down we have a family bedroom and on the way back we have the bedroom with the bathroom. It was cheap enough for the way back that I thought this way we could try both and see which one we liked. We thought we definitely couldn't do coach because our daughter will be 2.5. In fact she is the reason we aren't flying, she gets a ton of ear infections and we know she will get one either just before we leave or when we get down there like she did last year, fortunately we drove for that trip.

So now my in-laws want to come and ride the train with us. They are going to do coach on the way down and a room on the way back because of the cost. I think I know the answer but wanted to double check if the dining cars are separate or if they will be able to eat with us on the way down. Also I told my FIL to select lower level coach because my MIL has some mobility issues, I believe this means she won't have to go upstairs to use the restroom but will have to go up to eat correct? Would they serve her at her seat?

Thanks for all the great tips, we are hoping it is a good trip. Actually really just hoping my daughters sleeps, she doesn't sleep well when we travel, she loves her crib.

 

[chartle]

We are taking the autotrain for the first time in October. I read through a lot of this thread and got some good advice in making my decision.

On the way down we have a family bedroom and on the way back we have the bedroom with the bathroom. It was cheap enough for the way back that I thought this way we could try both and see which one we liked. We thought we definitely couldn't do coach because our daughter will be 2.5. In fact she is the reason we aren't flying, she gets a ton of ear infections and we know she will get one either just before we leave or when we get down there like she did last year, fortunately we drove for that trip.

So now my in-laws want to come and ride the train with us. They are going to do coach on the way down and a room on the way back because of the cost. I think I know the answer but wanted to double check if the dining cars are separate or if they will be able to eat with us on the way down. Also I told my FIL to select lower level coach because my MIL has some mobility issues, I believe this means she won't have to go upstairs to use the restroom but will have to go up to eat correct? Would they serve her at her seat?

Thanks for all the great tips, we are hoping it is a good trip. Actually really just hoping my daughters sleeps, she doesn't sleep well when we travel, she loves her crib.

No there are separate cars and separate menus. In fact its really separate sections of train. Your inlaws probably can't even visit you.

 

[MaxsDad]

No there are separate cars and separate menus. In fact its really separate sections of train. Your inlaws probably can't even visit you.

I knew the cars were separate, wasn't sure about the dining.

Thanks. Considering we will be spending the whole week in a 1BR, being separated for the train ride may not be such a bad thing.

 

[NJRRK]

No there are separate cars and separate menus. In fact its really separate sections of train. Your inlaws probably can't even visit you.

Ok, it's been a couple of years, but we were able to walk from one end of the train to the other through lounge cars, dining cars, coach and sleepers without any problems.

 

[Disneyholic]

Ok, it's been a couple of years, but we were able to walk from one end of the train to the other through lounge cars, dining cars, coach and sleepers without any problems.

On the regular train you can do that, but you can't on the AutoTrain. The kitchens for the dining cars are between the sleeper section & the coach section on this train.

 

[NJRRK]

On the regular train you can do that, but you can't on the AutoTrain. The kitchens for the dining cars are between the sleeper section & the coach section on this train.

Like I said it's been a few years, so if this is true obviously it has changed. They must have changed the setup of the dining cars because in 2007 we had to walk through the dining car from our sleeper to get to the lounge car. And the kitchens were on the lower level of the dining car.

But things do change.

 

[shafke]

Like I said it's been a few years, so if this is true obviously it has changed. They must have changed the setup of the dining cars because in 2007 we had to walk through the dining car from our sleeper to get to the lounge car. And the kitchens were on the lower level of the dining car.

But things do change.

The kitchens are still on the lower level of the dining car.
I don't know how coach is set up but the sleepers are set something like 2 or 3 sleepers, lounge car, dining car, 3 sleepers.

 

[Aanna]

AUTO TRAIN consist:

----|---- —— Superliner Dorm
5245|5345 —— Superliner Sleeper
5243|5343 —— Superliner Sleeper
5241|5341 —— Superliner Sleeper Deluxe
----|---- —— Superliner Auto Train Lounge
----|---- —— Superliner Diner
5240|5340 —— Superliner Sleeper Deluxe
5242|5342 —— Superliner Sleeper
5244|5344 —— Superliner Sleeper
5210|5310 —— Superliner Coach
5211|5311 —— Superliner Coach
5212|5312 —— Superliner Coach
5213|5313 —— Superliner Coach
----|---- —— Superliner Auto Train Lounge
----|---- —— Superliner Diner
----|---- —— Superliner Diner (as table car)

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

When we (amtrak employees) stay in sleepers we are required to dine in coach dining car for dinner. Last August I believe we had to go basically the length of the train to get to coach dining. We were stopped as we tried to cross sleeper dining. Once we said we were employees they let us continue. There is a sign on the door going from coach to sleepers that says sleeper passengers only. Another trip DH and I split up with the DC. DH and 2 DC in a sleeper and DD and I in coach. DH and 2DC were able to join us in coach dining.

So to answer your question it is possible to walk btwn the sections it is not allowed.

 

[la79al]

Just back today. For anyone going very soon, the train has been running late for awhile (according to Amtrak employees at the station). When we left last week to go down, we left 30 minutes late but made it up. Yesterday we left an hour late and only made up about 15 minutes. Today there were 5 cars off the train after us. We got our car at 1:10. Also, we found the train super cold, especially overnight. I was wearing Crocs with socks (yes, I know), jeans, a tshirt and a sweatshirt and was too cold to sleep. There were men walking around with their arms stuck inside their shirts. If this isn't common knowledge, the blankets on the train are like large dryer sheets and pretty much useless, make sure you take your own!

 

[kaytieedid]

We're a family of 4 and reserved a roomette and a room with a toilet/shower in it. If we have sleeper cars, do we also get reserved seats outside of the room? Or do we just go to the lounge car? We don't want to be confined to the small room the whole time.
thanks!!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We're a family of 4 and reserved a roomette and a room with a toilet/shower in it. If we have sleeper cars, do we also get reserved seats outside of the room? Or do we just go to the lounge car? We don't want to be confined to the small room the whole time.
thanks!!

The room is your only place that is yours to hang out in. Lounge car is available but it is a first come first sit bases.-

 

[MarissaHershkowitz]

If any one has taken the auto train, is coach really bad. I know getting a room for a family of 4 would be best. But I think coach is better than driving home from a long tiring vacation. How far is Lorton from DC. Im driving to NY and wouldn't want to back track more than 10 minutes

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We have traveled on the autotrain 10+ trips. We are a family of six. We have done both sleepers and coaches. I prefer coach. I find it easier to sleep. Bring a pillow, blanket, something to amuse the kids and a few snacks and your all set.

The seats are large reclining seats. The footrest come up too.

As for how far from DC --maybe 15-20 mins depending on traffic on I-95. You would not have to back track to get to DC on your way to NY. We are from CT.

I'd rather autotrain home then have to drive the whole way.

Hope this helps

 

[MarissaHershkowitz]

We have traveled on the autotrain 10+ trips. We are a family of six. We have done both sleepers and coaches. I prefer coach. I find it easier to sleep. Bring a pillow, blanket, something to amuse the kids and a few snacks and your all set.

The seats are large reclining seats. The footrest come up too.

As for how far from DC --maybe 15-20 mins depending on traffic on I-95. You would not have to back track to get to DC on your way to NY. We are from CT.

I'd rather autotrain home then have to drive the whole way.

Hope this helps

Yes it defiantly helps. Yeah we've never done the auto train, but I am pretty much set on it. It will give me an extra full day and night at WDW and no anxiety about driving home. Plus it is a new experience for my family. Thank you

 

[vacationer1954]

If any one has taken the auto train, is coach really bad. I know getting a room for a family of 4 would be best. But I think coach is better than driving home from a long tiring vacation.

We found traveling in coach to be a poor experience. We couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep in the seats and so the drive home the next day was that much worse.