All about the Autotrain

[Yellowstonetim]

Thanks for the detailed info!

The following is a website with the car diagrams. It is the first time I've found a diagram for the special Auto Train only sleeper with all bedrooms upstairs that was described.

http://www.craigmashburn.com/amtrakcardiagrams.html

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I called Amtrak today and got my roomette for the trip down on the 30th of August changed to a downstairs roomette. I asked about the room going north, a deluxe bedroom, and whether or not they could tell me if the couch was forward facing. The lady said they would not know until the day-of because there could be changes to the consist at the last minute, and that I should ask again on that day.

Amtrak was very helpful and they seem to be one of the better phone services whenever I have called.

Counting the days! Never been on the Auto Train and never been on an overnight train with my wife!

 

[bb1955]

Any tips for a first time Auto Train user? Should I bring my own snacks? How easy it to get ice? How much and who do you tip? Anything else I need to know? Thank you in advance

 

[DJFan88]

Any tips for a first time Auto Train user? Should I bring my own snacks? How easy it to get ice? How much and who do you tip? Anything else I need to know? Thank you in advance

Bring some if you want, but you won't starve. They always had some in the lounge and varied on the way up and down. Something like fruit like apples, always there, maybe bananas, little hard chocolate cookies, and some sort of a trail mix or wasabi mix in like Dixie cups.

The restaurant car staff is great, the meal was filling and we always left them a tip after our meal. I was pleasantly surprised to find they served wine with the dinner, and will refill your carafe.

 

[bdcp]

Any tips for a first time Auto Train user? Should I bring my own snacks? How easy it to get ice? How much and who do you tip? Anything else I need to know? Thank you in advance

I always bring something like granola bars or pb and cheese crackers. One trip we were delayed and didnt' get to Sanford til about 11:30 am and I was starving and had to buy a tuna sandwich onboard, since we'd eaten breakfast at 6:30 or so. Otherwise, there is fruit available.

 

[DJFan88]

I always bring something like granola bars or pb and cheese crackers. One trip we were delayed and didnt' get to Sanford til about 11:30 am and I was starving and had to buy a tuna sandwich onboard, since we'd eaten breakfast at 6:30 or so. Otherwise, there is fruit available.

Yeah, I would agree with that. especially if you have kids, bring something, but you don't need to go crazy. I think my kids also had some "goodies" of their own.
Also, I think it was either when I left breakfast or on one of the lounge trips I grabbed an extra banana or you could grab a bagel from the breakfast for a little later if you think you may get hungry. That have like little trays and things in the lounge to carry back coffees and stuff from there. Some people at breakfast don't sit down and instead carry back. Me and the 2 kids on the way down went and sat down and then carried my husbands back (corn muffin, coffee, fruit).

 

[bdcp]

Yeah, I would agree with that. especially if you have kids, bring something, but you don't need to go crazy. I think my kids also had some "goodies" of their own.
Also, I think it was either when I left breakfast or on one of the lounge trips I grabbed an extra banana or you could grab a bagel from the breakfast for a little later if you think you may get hungry. That have like little trays and things in the lounge to carry back coffees and stuff from there. Some people at breakfast don't sit down and instead carry back. Me and the 2 kids on the way down went and sat down and then carried my husbands back (corn muffin, coffee, fruit).

The problem with breakfast is that it's "continental" and has almost no protein. Protein and fiber will carry you a lot longer than that carb filled meal. I usually grab a extra banana or apple or something, but a lot of people bring snacks. I also bring small bottles of wine.

 

[DJFan88]

The problem with breakfast is that it's "continental" and has almost no protein. Protein and fiber will carry you a lot longer than that carb filled meal. I usually grab a extra banana or apple or something, but a lot of people bring snacks. I also bring small bottles of wine.

I guess you could have the milk at breakfast. So, I'm guessing you're bringing protein bars not just straight granola bars. I suppose your pb crackers have it, but what else could you bring. Oh, maybe packets of Almonds would be good too. We were lucky and our train was not delayed. In fact, on the way down,we were ahead of schedule. The problem, however, was at the station waiting for the car, we are always (it seems) the last ones off! I wonder If that's because we get there fairly early when boarding because I want the 7:30 dinner.

 

[bdcp]

I guess you could have the milk at breakfast. So, I'm guessing you're bringing protein bars not just straight granola bars. I suppose your pb crackers have it, but what else could you bring. Oh, maybe packets of Almonds would be good too. We were lucky and our train was not delayed. In fact, on the way down,we were ahead of schedule. The problem, however, was at the station waiting for the car, we are always (it seems) the last ones off! I wonder If that's because we get there fairly early when boarding because I want the 7:30 dinner.

I don't drink milk as I dont' like it and never have. I wish they served yogurt.

I only bring a couple of things and almonds are definitely on our list. DH was diagnosed with type II diabetes a few months ago. He has since lost 25 lbs and his numbers are in normal ranges, but we still eat healthy snacks as much as possible.

We've done the roundtrip 4 times and have been early and late. You just never know. Our car has always been in the last half and once we were in the last 5 cards brought off.

We go early and request the 7:00 dinner (there is no 7:30). 5 is too early and 9 way too late.

 

[DJFan88]

I wish they served yogurt.

That would be great, that and string cheese.

 

[Ngwira]

Fares for roomettes dropped for the northbound train so now we have sleepers both ways. Paid 138 per roomette.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Fares for roomettes dropped for the northbound train so now we have sleepers both ways. Paid 138 per roomette.

Congrats!

 

[kinaaaaaa]

I have a huge problem. How do I get from Orlando Amtrak to WDW? There's not affordable shuttles?? I was told take the bus (takes about 2 hours) or pay $100 for cab.


There has to be other options.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I have a huge problem. How do I get from Orlando Amtrak to WDW? There's not affordable shuttles?? I was told take the bus (takes about 2 hours) or pay $100 for cab.

There has to be other options.

Car services run about 90-120.00 round trip and most include a 30 minute grocery stop...

Cabs usually run 50+ one way plus tip...

Not sure if Mears runs a shuttle bus or not...

We always got off at the Kissimmee station, closest to WDW, used a car service...100.00 r/t and grocery stop... Cab from there was 40.00 one way..

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Kissimmee is the better, closer stop. I agree with the other poster regarding prices. your best bet is probably a cab.

 

[labdogs42]

I have a huge problem. How do I get from Orlando Amtrak to WDW? There's not affordable shuttles?? I was told take the bus (takes about 2 hours) or pay $100 for cab.


There has to be other options.

This is the Autotrain thread. You would have your car with you on the Autotrain. If you are talking about taking the regular Amtrak train, that's on a different thread. You might find that thread more helpful.

 

[Disneyholic]

This is the Autotrain thread. You would have your car with you on the Autotrain. If you are talking about taking the regular Amtrak train, that's on a different thread. You might find that thread more helpful.

They said neither of them drive.

Here is a link to the regular train thread. Hope this helps answer your question.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2386340&highlight=train+from+philadelphia

 

[chartle]

I have a huge problem. How do I get from Orlando Amtrak to WDW? There's not affordable shuttles?? I was told take the bus (takes about 2 hours) or pay $100 for cab.


There has to be other options.

I think someone posted in the above posted thread that there is a mears shuttle its just not a scheduled one just a shared van. The main issue with a shuttle is that because its per person, once you get over 2 people a taxi is cheaper since its around $20 per person one way. In fact for 2 a taxi its not much more and a little less hassle since the van will pick up and drop off at various other places.

 

[bdcp]

Fares for roomettes dropped for the northbound train so now we have sleepers both ways. Paid 138 per roomette.

That's what we paid for our southbound roomette this Nov. The northbound still shows at $138. We are planning to wait and see if it's still that price when we return and we may upgrade then. It just depends on how we feel and if we like our roomette any better than we did the last time we had one.

 

[jwboucher]

Does anyone have pics of the roomette? What kind of bedding do they provide?