All about the Autotrain

[Disneyholic]

Dumb question. Those do you who bring pillows and blankets, how do you bring them on the train? Do you stuff them in a suitcase? Or put them in a bag?

The snow is making me think of FL..April can't come soon enough!

Are you doing coach or sleeper car. Coach you need to bring. Sleeper car they are provided, but some people like their own, too.

I would roll them up in a small duffle bag or small rolling suitcase.

 

[monorailsilver]

Are you doing coach or sleeper car. Coach you need to bring. Sleeper car they are provided, but some people like their own, too.

I would roll them up in a small duffle bag or small rolling suitcase.

We are in my sleeper. My kids will probably bring their pillow pets but dh and I like our own pillows.

If we don't bring them, do we just get one pillow...ie a flat pillow or a few small ones? My kids can stuff their pillows in their back packs.

I assume I don't need to bring a blanket. The less I bring on the better!

I need to start making a packing list soon. So far my dd put a reminder on our phone calendar to remember boogie boards for them. Last year we forgot and they actually had to use their arms to swim!!

I have a list-gloves and a sheet and a step stool. We have a cargo carrier on the top of the van but we can remove it and fold down the seats-not stowing them thankfully-and it fits in the car. The sheet is to protect the seat from bugs, the gloves are to protect my hands from dead bugs and the step stool is because I am short and I might need it.

I am getting excited to go on this new adventure.

Earplugs need to go on my list. I though of them last night as my dh was snoring. I apologize in advance to anyone sleeping in a room next to him. I might not be next to him to kick him to stop!

 

[shafke]

If you're going this time of year, I get what you're saying.
I also get what your saying because you never know about accidents, or whatever and you don't want to miss it.

Speaking of accidents... our last trip to the auto train there was an overnight accident at the last toll booths in Delaware. I 95 was closed from Exit 1 south to the the MD border. All SB traffic had to get off a Exit 1.

Two things save us that trip... the traffic message signs indicating I95 closed at exit 1 and the back up starting just before the rest stop which was luckily between the north and south I95. We pulled in to the rest area pulled up the GPS and found an alternate route around the mess. I heard it took people over 1.5-2 hours to go the 2 miles to the exit.

Supposedly there were many AT people stuck in that mess. Around 1pm I heard someone mention the not even 1/2 the car had arrived.

 

[shafke]

We are in my sleeper. My kids will probably bring their pillow pets but dh and I like our own pillows.

There's a zoo of pillow pets brought on the train.

 

[monorailsilver]

Speaking of accidents... our last trip to the auto train there was an overnight accident at the last toll booths in Delaware. I 95 was closed from Exit 1 south to the the MD border. All SB traffic had to get off a Exit 1.

Two things save us that trip... the traffic message signs indicating I95 closed at exit 1 and the back up starting just before the rest stop which was luckily between the north and south I95. We pulled in to the rest area pulled up the GPS and found an alternate route around the mess. I heard it took people over 1.5-2 hours to go the 2 miles to the exit.

Supposedly there were many AT people stuck in that mess. Around 1pm I heard someone mention the not even 1/2 the car had arrived.

That stinks! We use the google maps and it is pretty good with the traffic. My dh is the driver and I am the co pilot/map reader so he is constantly telling me to check the traffic.

There's a zoo of pillow pets brought on the train.

My kids have 2 each. A regular animal and then the ones they got in Disney last year-Mickey, Minnie & Lady. I am sure they will bring those from Disney. People will think we are going to see the mouse.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

We are in my sleeper. My kids will probably bring their pillow pets but dh and I like our own pillows.

If we don't bring them, do we just get one pillow...ie a flat pillow or a few small ones? My kids can stuff their pillows in their back packs.

I assume I don't need to bring a blanket. The less I bring on the better!

I need to start making a packing list soon. So far my dd put a reminder on our phone calendar to remember boogie boards for them. Last year we forgot and they actually had to use their arms to swim!!

I have a list-gloves and a sheet and a step stool. We have a cargo carrier on the top of the van but we can remove it and fold down the seats-not stowing them thankfully-and it fits in the car. The sheet is to protect the seat from bugs, the gloves are to protect my hands from dead bugs and the step stool is because I am short and I might need it.

I am getting excited to go on this new adventure.

Earplugs need to go on my list. I though of them last night as my dh was snoring. I apologize in advance to anyone sleeping in a room next to him. I might not be next to him to kick him to stop!

In a sleeper you may be able to request additional pillows. My suggestion would be to bring a soft collapsible gym/duffel bag for items to use on the train. That way you can take them out and easily stow away the collapsed bag. Try to take only what you you need for the night and leave everything else in the car.

Towels, washcloths, soap, tissues are all provided in the bathrooms/showers.

If you are going to have electronics and phones (Who doesn't these days!), bring a small power strip to plug everything into.

Have fun!

 

[Marshay]

We take a collapsible hamper along and put any pillow pets, blankets, pillows, change of clothes, etc in it. When arriving/departing we use the free luggage carrier and take it right to our train/car, so it's easy to use the hamper. Since it folds flat when not filled, we slide it under the bed. Then at WDW, we use the hamper for dirty clothes (have W/D in our 1br). Works out well for us!

 

[Andythefox]

Long long long time lurker (more than 3 years), first time poster.

My wife and 2 children (12 and 10) have taken the auto train many many times and absolutely love it. In fact, we have two roomettes booked for the same trip down as you, monorail if anything, I'll wear a simsbury baseball hat so you can come find me in the waiting area to say hi. Please feel free to fire questions my way as I have ridden in every section of that train except the staff quarters. We even had the entire downstairs cabin to ourselves last spring.

Nice to finally introduce myself.

Andy

 

[tommyvr]

Traveling with a very active 2yr old. We have 2 adjoining bedrooms for 4 of us. DW, DS (10), and DS (2). Any tips or suggestions to help make the trip go smoothly. How much room is there to move around in the combined bedrooms? Thanks in advance

 

[dromio42]

Long long long time lurker (more than 3 years), first time poster.

My wife and 2 children (12 and 10) have taken the auto train many many times and absolutely love it. In fact, we have two roomettes booked for the same trip down as you, monorail if anything, I'll wear a simsbury baseball hat so you can come find me in the waiting area to say hi. Please feel free to fire questions my way as I have ridden in every section of that train except the staff quarters. We even had the entire downstairs cabin to ourselves last spring.

Nice to finally introduce myself.

Andy

Hi Andy!
We have taken the autotrain many times and love it! We will be in a roomette for the first time in April. How do you climb up to the top bunk? ....I think that will be me because I'm short...but I'm not young...or skinny....

 

[Marshay]

Hi Andy! We have taken the autotrain many times and love it! We will be in a roomette for the first time in April. How do you climb up to the top bunk? ....I think that will be me because I'm short...but I'm not young...or skinny....

You step up on the built in shelves/arm rests, flop your upper body on the bunk and then swing your legs up and over the bed ... And then wiggle and jiggle until you are completely in the bed. However, at this point you are laying on your belly and need to roll over on the bed in the approximately 6" of height they give you. It's good to be athletic and flexible... And have a sense of humor as your partner will be laughing at you the whole time.

Good luck!

Marsha

Ps ok, I'm joking a bit here (you actually get 8") but for your first time doing it, you will remember this post ... And laugh! My parents (late 60s, early 70s) tried it in Nov and decided they will not do it again since my mom couldn't get up at all on the upper bunk and my dad found it too claustrophobic on top bunk; and they can't afford two roomettes.

 

[Mommytink]

We are considering this option for Aug. we have 2 adults and 4 kids (12, 9, 6, 2). Getting a room is too expensive as we would need two. How many coach seats are together?. I worry about the kids sitting alone.

 

[DJFan88]

We are considering this option for Aug. we have 2 adults and 4 kids (12, 9, 6, 2). Getting a room is too expensive as we would need two. How many coach seats are together?. I worry about the kids sitting alone.

It's no problem, there are 2 seats on each side and an aisle in between. So you could sit all 4 kids across one row, and then the 2 adults could be in the row in front or behind with the strangers on the other side of the aisle.

 

[huggiebear23]

I just booked the auto train for august. Does the trip go fast?? I get Bored fast.. Lol

 

[karatemom2]

It goes by faster than you would think. Take your own pillow and blanket and a good book. They show movies in the club car and dinner will take a while. I'm always surprised how fast it goes by.

 

[DJFan88]

It goes by faster than you would think. Take your own pillow and blanket and a good book. They show movies in the club car and dinner will take a while. I'm always surprised how fast it goes by.

Definetly the dinner is nice. Kids like their electronics. Love the good book idea. I get good sleep too. Ours has always run ahead of schedule, which is nice.

 

[dromio42]

You step up on the built in shelves/arm rests, flop your upper body on the bunk and then swing your legs up and over the bed ... And then wiggle and jiggle until you are completely in the bed. However, at this point you are laying on your belly and need to roll over on the bed in the approximately 6" of height they give you. It's good to be athletic and flexible... And have a sense of humor as your partner will be laughing at you the whole time.

Good luck!

Marsha

Ps ok, I'm joking a bit here (you actually get 8") but for your first time doing it, you will remember this post ... And laugh! My parents (late 60s, early 70s) tried it in Nov and decided they will not do it again since my mom couldn't get up at all on the upper bunk and my dad found it too claustrophobic on top bunk; and they can't afford two roomettes.

Oh good Lord!....this is not gonna be pretty....

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

I just booked the auto train for august. Does the trip go fast?? I get Bored fast.. Lol

It does go by quick. A quick run down of the trip
Boarding usuasly starts at 230 pm
Train leaves by 4pm or sooner if all loaded
Cheese crackers and wine in sleeper lounge upon boarding ( I don't remember what is in couch lounge at that time)
Dinner starts at 5,7 or 9 pm. Make your selection when you check in.
Movie in both lounge car at 7 and 9 pm.
Lights out in coach at 9 pm- make sure you have your head sets for personal electronic devices
Breakfast starts at 6 am. Show up with entire party to be seated together.
Arrive in sanford by 9ish

It is a fairly quick trip though there could always be delays. We have been up to 5 hrs delayed on the tracks to a cancelled train. I have heard of 17 hours delayed too after a tropical storm in FL that cancelled our return trip. We always pack extra snacks and drinks for our kids.

We are heading back for our 10th AT trip on July 27th. At the moment we are coach but may get sleepers if they are not sold out.

I'd be happy to help with any questions. We are traveling with ds 15,13, 7 and dd 11.

 

[huggiebear23]

It does go by quick. A quick run down of the trip Boarding usuasly starts at 230 pm Train leaves by 4pm or sooner if all loaded Cheese crackers and wine in sleeper lounge upon boarding ( I don't remember what is in couch lounge at that time) Dinner starts at 5,7 or 9 pm. Make your selection when you check in. Movie in both lounge car at 7 and 9 pm. Lights out in coach at 9 pm- make sure you have your head sets for personal electronic devices Breakfast starts at 6 am. Show up with entire party to be seated together. Arrive in sanford by 9ish It is a fairly quick trip though there could always be delays. We have been up to 5 hrs delayed on the tracks to a cancelled train. I have heard of 17 hours delayed too after a tropical storm in FL that cancelled our return trip. We always pack extra snacks and drinks for our kids. We are heading back for our 10th AT trip on July 27th. At the moment we are coach but may get sleepers if they are not sold out. I'd be happy to help with any questions. We are traveling with ds 15,13, 7 and dd 11.

Thanks for all the information. The girls are excited they are 9& 10. I just hope the train isn't so packed?? Are they normally? I'm concerned about sleeping.. I don't like not sitting right by the girls. Wish dh was coming but he will be in Orlando before us

 

[karatemom2]

I travel with two kids. They put my son with me and my daughter across the isle. If the train is not full they leave the seat next to her empty. She has never had someone in that seat. She has lots of room to spread out and sleep. They sometimes sit together and watch a movie for a while.