All about the Autotrain

[pwdebbie]

Hi everyone!

For those of you who have bid up from roomette to bedroom, would you share (in relative terms or percentages, if you don't want to post exact dollar amounts) how much you paid for the upgrade?

I don't remember what I paid, but I bid the minimum amount and was accepted.

Trying to collect data points for my trip this summer where my 3 early-20's DDs will be in 2 roomettes and whether they might want to bid to upgrade. Downside is that we then almost certainly wouldn't all be in the same car, but it might be worth it.

Read the reviews of people who have slept in the top bunk. Even if you upgrade, one of them will have to sleep in the top bunk. I'd rather have a third roomette than a bedroom.

Also, I read something recently about people putting locks on roomettes from the outside. Is this a thing!? We've taken the AT probably 8 times and I've never seen that. Though, I wasn't looking for it, either. But I do always feel slightly anxious going to dinner with my stuff in the bedroom/roomette. I know all about not bringing valuables on board, taking wallet/phone/etc. with me, closing the curtains, etc. but I still would prefer if I could actually lock it. So this intrigues me, and I wanted to ask if any here have done it. Then again, I'm not sure it's allowed, and I can see why in terms of safety hazard (what if someone gets locked inside accidentally? What if the key gets lost or the combination glitches? Amtrak isn't going to have bolt-cutters....). Anyone care to comment??

I read that somewhere too but can't find it now. I was uncomfortable leaving my items behind but figured that the Porter had a job to do and making sure the rooms are secure is part of his responsibility. Still, it's hard for me trust. I put my laptop under my coat.

 

[bdcp]

Hi everyone!

For those of you who have bid up from roomette to bedroom, would you share (in relative terms or percentages, if you don't want to post exact dollar amounts) how much you paid for the upgrade?

Has anyone who bid to upgrade NOT had it accepted?

Trying to collect data points for my trip this summer where my 3 early-20's DDs will be in 2 roomettes and whether they might want to bid to upgrade. Downside is that we then almost certainly wouldn't all be in the same car, but it might be worth it.

Also, I read something recently about people putting locks on roomettes from the outside. Is this a thing!? We've taken the AT probably 8 times and I've never seen that. Though, I wasn't looking for it, either. But I do always feel slightly anxious going to dinner with my stuff in the bedroom/roomette. I know all about not bringing valuables on board, taking wallet/phone/etc. with me, closing the curtains, etc. but I still would prefer if I could actually lock it. So this intrigues me, and I wanted to ask if any here have done it. Then again, I'm not sure it's allowed, and I can see why in terms of safety hazard (what if someone gets locked inside accidentally? What if the key gets lost or the combination glitches? Amtrak isn't going to have bolt-cutters....). Anyone care to comment??

I'm not even sure how you'd put a lock on a roomette door. We've never had an issue in over a dozen round trips. We're going again on Monday, in a bedroom. I do always take my valuables with me (wallet, passports-we cruise, cash) but never worry about laptops, kindles, etc. We used to do the same in coach and roomettes with zero problems. I'd be willing to bet that putting a lock on a roomette, if it's even possible is against Amtrak policy.

 

[erinch]

No external locks allowed. If you close the door and the curtains to your roommate, someone would have to be extremely bold to brazenly open up your room and go in.

 

[lovin'fl]

We have had a bedroom like 4 times now and always leave our stuff without an issue. I just hide things away so someone would really have to dig through to find.

Last time we won a bid to go from roomette to bedroom. Bid the lowest amount. Got an extra tight bedroom like none we had before where the bathroom was near the front door, in a corner like and was a pain to get in and out of. Rhe other times we had a bathroom near the back with a connecting door to the next bedroom....this up bid one did not have a connecting door and was tighter for some reason. For that, we may not bid again. We have a roomette in April and will probably stick with it.

 

[erinch]

Lovin'fl, you got the infamous A bedroom, which is smaller than the other 4. I've seen reports that it is often the one most available for bid ups.

 

[lovin'fl]

Lovingly, you got the infamous A bedroom, which is smaller than the other 4. I've seen reports that it is often the one most available for bid ups.

Yes, it was A.

Our next trip is train 5246 roomette 10.

 

[bdcp]

We just got into FL today on the AT. We were in bedroom B. The train wasn't completely full. We left Lorton on time yesterday and arrived in Sanford about 845. We were in our car before 930 as we had priority offload. There were only 18 priority vehicles. Going to dinner with my husbands cousin and aunt in a bit (Lakeland area) before getting a good nights sleep and heading to Canaveral tomorrow before our upcoming cruises. We made great time and got to Florence around 1130.

 

[teeeera]

I’ll be taking the auto train from Lorton to Sanford this summer. I’d like to check in in the morning and leave with my car, then check my car later around 2.

How early can I check in at the desk just to get the tickets and dinner reservations? Are they open at 9am?

 

[erinch]

We will be on the AT again in June!
If the train is running on time, they will open the gate at 11:30. People will start to line up up to an hour ahead of time. If you want to go in and get your boarding pass, and if riding in a sleeper, make your dinner reservation time, you will want to get there by 11 am to get in line, to get your preferred dinner time. If the train is full, there will be 3 seatings. 5, 7 and 9. For us, 5 is too early. 9 is too late , and 7 is Goldilocks Just right.

When you go through, tell the gate check-in person that you are going to go in to get your boarding pass, and you will be directed to a small lot on your left.

After you get your boarding pass, and your dining reservation, you can go back out for lunch. All vehicles must checkin by 2:30, and we generally get back by 2 so as to get seating in the waiting room.

There will be little luggage carts to pile your stuff on. We bring pillows, a lightweight big shoulder wrap that can drape my shoulders or legs if chilly. We bring a bottle of wine, cheese, crackers, grapes for our own happy hour. Bring cash to tip the dining car servers and your room attendant. We tip 10 for dinner, 5 for breakfast and 20 for the SCA (sleeping car attendant).

The reason you can’t check in earlier is that those who have arrived from Sanford have to detain and get their cars. So check the train status on the Amtrak app to see if they will be opening at 11 am.

Have fun! It is always the start of our vacation!

 

[teeeera]

We will be on the AT again in June!
If the train is running on time, they will open the gate at 11:30. People will start to line up up to an hour ahead of time. If you want to go in and get your boarding pass, and if riding in a sleeper, make your dinner reservation time, you will want to get there by 11 am to get in line, to get your preferred dinner time. If the train is full, there will be 3 seatings. 5, 7 and 9. For us, 5 is too early. 9 is too late , and 7 is Goldilocks Just right.

When you go through, tell the gate check-in person that you are going to go in to get your boarding pass, and you will be directed to a small lot on your left.

After you get your boarding pass, and your dining reservation, you can go back out for lunch. All vehicles must checkin by 2:30, and we generally get back by 2 so as to get seating in the waiting room.

There will be little luggage carts to pile your stuff on. We bring pillows, a lightweight big shoulder wrap that can drape my shoulders or legs if chilly. We bring a bottle of wine, cheese, crackers, grapes for our own happy hour. Bring cash to tip the dining car servers and your room attendant. We tip 10 for dinner, 5 for breakfast and 20 for the SCA (sleeping car attendant).

The reason you can’t check in earlier is that those who have arrived from Sanford have to detain and get their cars. So check the train status on the Amtrak app to see if they will be opening at 11 am.

Have fun! It is always the start of our vacation!

That’s super helpful, thank you!

 

[pwdebbie]

Planning a trip with my son and his family. One of his boys is terrified about flying so I am considering options. If he happens to absolutely refuse to fly back, I'm wondering about renting a car and taking the train back with him. Would rental agencies allow this? And would AutoTrain allow a rental car?

 

[erionm]

Planning a trip with my son and his family. One of his boys is terrified about flying so I am considering options. If he happens to absolutely refuse to fly back, I'm wondering about renting a car and taking the train back with him. Would rental agencies allow this? And would AutoTrain allow a rental car?

They have no way of knowing it's a rental car when you arrive at the train station (except for the tag on the keys which they would not see until they go to load the car onto the train. Not sure they would care.).

As for the car rental itself, you would need to specify if you are returning the vehicle to the same location or a different one.

 

[bdcp]

We just returned from a month away in FL and cruising. We were on the AT SB on 10 March which was on time leaving and arrived something like 1 hour late. We returned yesterday morning on the NB train that left Sanford on 09 April. The train had arrived 1.5 hours late from Lorton but even at 1230 when we arrived, knowing it had been delayed, we had to leave for a bit (traffic was backed up onto 1st St and they were making people leave because they were blocking the traffic lane. We returned at 130 and still had to wait about 25 min in line to get to the gate. The check in line in the terminal went all the way back to the doors near the bathroom. We did leave on time and got to Lorton about 830, so 1/2 hour early. Train was booking all the way back. Lots of snowbirds returning north.

 

[bdcp]

Planning a trip with my son and his family. One of his boys is terrified about flying so I am considering options. If he happens to absolutely refuse to fly back, I'm wondering about renting a car and taking the train back with him. Would rental agencies allow this? And would AutoTrain allow a rental car?

You would not be the first to do this. Amtrak seriously does not care. Rental agency probably won't either as long as you return it at the other end lol.

 

[E2ME2]

No external locks allowed. If you close the door and the curtains to your roommate, someone would have to be extremely bold to brazenly open up your room and go in.

....extremely bold, or simply slightly disoriented We had someone open the door to our bedroom on our last trip, thinking he had reached his cabin. Appeared to be a legitimate mistake, but gave me cause for pause concerning leaving stuff in the room when going to dinner, or to play cards in the lounge car. I understand the no-lock policy, but there should be a better way to protect your valuables and privacy while en-route. ???
Has anyone come up with a better way ???

 

[E2ME2]

We just returned from a month away in FL and cruising. We were on the AT SB on 10 March which was on time leaving and arrived something like 1 hour late. We returned yesterday morning on the NB train that left Sanford on 09 April. The train had arrived 1.5 hours late from Lorton but even at 1230 when we arrived, knowing it had been delayed, we had to leave for a bit (traffic was backed up onto 1st St and they were making people leave because they were blocking the traffic lane. We returned at 130 and still had to wait about 25 min in line to get to the gate. The check in line in the terminal went all the way back to the doors near the bathroom. We did leave on time and got to Lorton about 830, so 1/2 hour early. Train was booking all the way back. Lots of snowbirds returning north.

we have been using the AutoTrain for our DVC-SnowBirding. It has its Pros & Cons, for sure. I just don't like 12-16 hours of driving any more. I must be getting older but it seems like drivers, in general, are getting worse. Too many drivers are one-hand-on-wheel-one-hand-holding-cell-phone-up-to-their-face. I'd rather take my time on the train, enjoy food and sleep, and reach my destination in a better state, mentally & physically.
I'm curious as to what percentage of DVC-ers from the Northeast are using the Autotrain?

 

[Kim&Chris]

we have been using the AutoTrain for our DVC-SnowBirding. It has its Pros & Cons, for sure. I just don't like 12-16 hours of driving any more. I must be getting older but it seems like drivers, in general, are getting worse. Too many drivers are one-hand-on-wheel-one-hand-holding-cell-phone-up-to-their-face. I'd rather take my time on the train, enjoy food and sleep, and reach my destination in a better state, mentally & physically.
I'm curious as to what percentage of DVC-ers from the Northeast are using the Autotrain?

We are!! We're DVC members coming from the Philly area. We were originally planning on driving, but the thought of driving on I95 is just something we don't want to do anymore. I totally agree, drivers are getting worse. Tired of the drivers weaving in and out of lanes while looking at their phones (or worse, texting). We're too old for that crap anymore.

I'm fully prepared for the AT to arrive late into Sanford, then again into Lorton. It's OK. It still beats driving.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

We are!! We're DVC members coming from the Philly area. We were originally planning on driving, but the thought of driving on I95 is just something we don't want to do anymore. I totally agree, drivers are getting worse. Tired of the drivers weaving in and out of lanes while looking at their phones (or worse, texting). We're too old for that crap anymore.

I'm fully prepared for the AT to arrive late into Sanford, then again into Lorton. It's OK. It still beats driving.

We are also from Philly and in our 60's and have driven down & back now for more than a decade. We used to stop over in Fayetteville but now take it much slower and and stay 2 nights along the way. We have considered a 1BR unit on the train but have yet to pull the trigger. What are some of your pros and cons of the train vs. driving?

 

[E2ME2]

We are!! We're DVC members coming from the Philly area. We were originally planning on driving, but the thought of driving on I95 is just something we don't want to do anymore. I totally agree, drivers are getting worse. Tired of the drivers weaving in and out of lanes while looking at their phones (or worse, texting). We're too old for that crap anymore.

I'm fully prepared for the AT to arrive late into Sanford, then again into Lorton. It's OK. It still beats driving.

My People !
How long does it take you to get to Lorton?

 

[E2ME2]

We are also from Philly and in our 60's and have driven down & back now for more than a decade. We used to stop over in Fayetteville but now take it much slower and and stay 2 nights along the way. We have considered a 1BR unit on the train but have yet to pull the trigger. What are some of your pros and cons of the train vs. driving?

We took a hard look at the AutoTrain when I retired, as we knew we'd be spending more time in WDW. Coincidentally, we were also looking for ways to avoid air travel, as DW has major issues with flying. The drive becomes a hassle after the first couple hours and we, too, started extending the layovers at hotels along the way which adds to the cost and takes calendar days away from being in Orlando. The DW's travel issues also push us to getting a Bedroom onboard, so as to have a private bathroom 24/7. It can be a bit pricey, especially when compared to Coach fares, but traveling Coach is a lot noisier, less comfortable sleeping, and not eligible for the free dining. We watch the rates diligently, and can usually find a reduced fare in each direction, if we can slide our dates left or right a few days..... We also use the Amtrak Guest rewards credit card, and put as many recurring expenses as possible on it, to keep our points accumulating.
As an example - for our next trip we booked the Southbound in a Bedrooom for just over $1000, and were able to book our return Northbound trip in a Bedroom, totally on points ! So roundtrip in a private sleeping car, meals included, for ~ $1000.
Bonus for us; we only live about 45 miles from Lorton.