Am I missing something with the Autotrain?

[Tiger926]

My DH (our baby would be free) and I just priced out the Autotrain online for travel at the end of April/beginning of May. The price is quite high in our opinion - the rail fare seems reasonable, but the accommodations price (which includes storing our minivan) seems very high.

My DH wanted to drive so that way we would have our van, and mostly because he's worried about how our daughter will do on her first flight. We may possibly be going with another couple, but they aren't sure at the moment, so it might just be DH and myself. Anyway, this is why we checked into the Autotrain, but the pricing is quite high. We did click on AAA discount, but already from yesterday, the price has gone up by an additional $50. Despite the fact that our Canadian dollar is doing very well, it's still quite high in our opinion for what you get. That being said, maybe we are missing something, so I have questions:

1. Does everyone have to purchase sleeping accommodations? Could we just get a compartment for myself and baby, and DH sleeps in coach?

2. Are there any promos by Amtrak (besides AAA and 5% online booking bonus) such as rail sales during the year?

3. Do they provide car seats for infants/toddlers?

Any help that anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated as we are having a heck of a time making the arrangements for getting to Orlando! My DH and I just realized how easy it's been the past 5 years when travelling to Orlando ourselves.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[Luvdisney]

Not sure how they handle car seats. The seats don't have seatbelts to strap the car seat in with. No not everyone needs to buy a sleeper room. Last trip we almost upgraded 2 of my coach fare for a sleeper because my daughter wasn't feeling very well and thought it would be better for her. My wife at the last mnute decided against it but it was an option. I have used the Autotran several times and found the earlier you can book it the better the fare is. Don't wait to book because is just going to get more expensive.

 

[zurgswife]

After a number of years of looking for a deal on the auto train....this year was the first time ever it was reasonable; usually it was always more then flying for my family....

I booked in Dec 2002 for Dec 2003 and for 6 people 2 adults and 4 kids under 12 the cost including the van was $1100...with no sleeper......Then I was able to find airfare by chance that was $787 for us...So, I changed my mind....

the auto train will take almost 17+ hours...If I were you I'd find a place 3/4 of the way to orlando and stay over night and just drive the entire trip your self....well unless you want to fly...(which is always my favorite.. )

 

[cherylp3]

There are other sales such as ebay and railsale.

Part of the problem is that both your Van and the sleeper add on to the price..

1. Does everyone have to purchase sleeping accommodations? Could we just get a compartment for myself and baby, and DH sleeps in coach?

Yes but you would probably need to arrange this on the phone, I'm not sure this could be worked out on the web

2. Are there any promos by Amtrak (besides AAA and 5% online booking bonus) such as rail sales during the year?

Yes there are railsales during the year based on how full the train is also Amtrak sells tickets on ebay.

3. Do they provide car seats for infants/toddlers?
I don't know.

 

[disneywith6kids]

They don't provide car seats but we took ours and we were glad we did. I strapped it to the seat with one of those tie down winches you use for luggage on th top of the car. Not the best seat belt, but it was better than none at all. You could also put the seat on the floor between your seat and the one in front of you since there seems to be enough room. We allowed my then 2 yr old to get out of the seat often but it was very helpful when I needed a break and for sleeping. We are taking the train again this time and the kids are very excitied. We make the train part as much of the experience as the vacation itself. Just remember to pack lots of water, snacks and lysol if you do chose the train.

 

[Disneyholic]

As for booking coach for DH and a sleeper for you and baby, you will not see DH for the whole trip. Coach is coach and sleeper is first class. You may be able to go back to coach to visit him if it is not full in his car, but meals for coach and first class are 2 seperate cars. You could probably visit eachother in the viewing cars or movie areas, but some of these areas allow smoking so you may not want your baby there.

We have gone on the autotrain round trip once and 1 way once. Both times we had a deluxe sleeper with the bathroom right in the room. Yes it is more expensive than air, but consider that you have your own car so you don't have to rent one. You have a place to sleep, so one less hotel room to pay for on each end of the trip. The experience is one that I always enjoy, especially not having all the hassles that you have at the airport with security, transfers and such.
We took the regular train from Philly for our first trip and went coach. I hope I never have to do coach again, but will if it is the only way I can afford to get to Disney.
This past summer we booked the trip back to PA 2 days before our date to leave FL. We got our Deluxe sleeper cheaper than coach or regular sleeper and cheaper than what I had seen online 2 weeks before we left for vacation. We had driven down and I decided to see if we could get a ride back because I didn't look forward to driving that distance home. We had the time to drive if we had to, so if nothing had been available, we would have had 3 days to get home.

If you look at the train ride as an adventure and a part of your vacation it doesn't seem as expensive. Yes you do lose a day at each end so if you don't have the time it doesn't seem worth it, but if you are going to drive all the way you will be tired when you get there and tired when you get home. With the train, you will be well rested so you can enjoy your vacation.

Whatever you decide, I know you will have a wonderful vacation, because you are going to Disney. Wish it was us.