Amtrack Anyone done this with kids?

[princessh]

We are considering taking Amtrack from Baltimore to Orlando. The trip will be about 20 hours. It will cost us about half of what it would to fly. My kids and DH are really into trains and we thought this might be fun for them, however i am a little concearned about the long trip. We have never taken Amtrack. The website says that they have a lounge and a dining car. Does this mean, we will have the chance to get up and walk around a little? I am really worried about my four year old getting restless. We looked into getting a bedroom car, but that takes the price up higher than airfare. I was thinking, this might be a great way to relax, before and after our trip to WDW. Lord knows we are always on the go at the parks. Any thoughts would be appreicated. We do like to fly, but I can not seem to get a good rate this year. Driving is out of the question! Done that once and will not do it again!I would love some feedback about Amtrack. Thanks!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There are many, many threads here already regarding Amtrak which should answer all your questions. Just do a search for amtrak on this board.

 

[princessh]

Thanks I will check!

 

[karla63]

I took amtrak from Indiana to baltimore about a year ago with a girl scout troop for an 8-day trip along the eastern seaboard. It was really relaxing(train ride) and I personally was happy to not have to drive from Indiana (since we ended up renting a 10-pass van for our trips into DC, Philly, etc. Yes, it can be long ride, but was nice to see a different scenery and even had one of the guys on the train give us some sightseeing/history stuff while going thru Virginia. The only downside to taking the train, will be getting your transportation from amtrak to Disney. If you live in the northeast-you are used to the trains or subway. While we live in Indiana, we only see freight trains, so our girls thought this was kinda cool to do. Food is rather expensive, oh did I say expensive? Well, it is downright expensive. A can of pop was around $1.50 or $2 per can. Food not that great, so on our return home, we brought our own food(they allow this) and fixed our own meals, etc. good luck to whatever decision you make.

 

[Selket]

I had posted about this some time ago (maybe a year or so) and the things I read really made me decide not to do it. Folks said the autotrain is nice but the regular train is much more of a hassle. You are going to spend the night sleeping in a train car with lots of other people - folks said it was hard to sleep. The food is pricey as someone mentioned. The trip is long, etc. I agree to search around for some threads about people's experience with the train. Maybe it has gotten better but I would only consider it if I did the autotrain and/or did a sleeper car.

Have you looked at flying out of Dulles? Jet Blue had some good rates out of there - not sure when your trip is.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

To the OP: If you live in Maryland, the Amtrak AutoTrain is definitely an option. I would believe it would be more than the regular train, but I find it is very hassle-free and relaxing way to get to Disney! We take it on every trip, the last time was in February. My family are "train people" - we love just hanging out, watching the scenery pass by, and chat and read books and such. I take the AutoTrain on every trip, as I have never flown as an adult. Then you also have your own car, and all the luggage you could want to pack! The AutoTrain is different as everyone gets on in either Va/Fl, and gets off at the other end, as there are no stops inbetween!

The AutoTrain tends to have a "classier" clientele than the regular train. Many senior citizens use the Autotrain, as well as families. I gone in coach and it was do-able, especially if it's not crowded and you can spread out a bit (of course sleeper is a very nice way to go!). Well, good luck in whatever you decide - we see the train as part of the adventure to Disney!

The AutoTrain at the Sanford Train Station, Florida

 

[beachblanket]

To the OP: If you live in Maryland, the Amtrak AutoTrain is definitely an option. I would believe it would be more than the regular train, but I find it is very hassle-free and relaxing way to get to Disney! We take it on every trip, the last time was in February. My family are "train people" - we love just hanging out, watching the scenery pass by, and chat and read books and such. I take the AutoTrain on every trip, as I have never flown as an adult. Then you also have your own car, and all the luggage you could want to pack! The AutoTrain is different as everyone gets on in either Va/Fl, and gets off at the other end, as there are no stops inbetween!

The AutoTrain tends to have a "classier" clientele than the regular train. Many senior citizens use the Autotrain, as well as families. I gone in coach and it was do-able, especially if it's not crowded and you can spread out a bit (of course sleeper is a very nice way to go!). Well, good luck in whatever you decide - we see the train as part of the adventure to Disney!

The AutoTrain at the Sanford Train Station, Florida

The autotrain is a great option for those in the lower northeast and upper mid-Atlantic regions. The worst thing I can say about it is that it's the only Amtrak train that still allows smoking aboard.

 

[bumbershoot]

something to think about while pricing...

I'm not an expert on the east coast trains. but on the west coast, if you have a sleeping room, you are "first class", and your meals are *included*. On my trips, the meals have been quite nice, even when I was pregnant and VERY picky and tearful about food that smelled or tasted or just LOOKED weird (ask DH about my breakdown when the Mexican food was too cold and the cheese was hardening in my enchilada).

So it's definitely something to add into calculations, when considering a sleeper car (which would be an absolute for me to travel that far with DS).

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're traveling this summer, I just noticed they are having a promotion on the Autotrain where kids travel for free.

It goes on to say: "Meals are included in the price of all Auto Train tickets, no matter which travel class you purchase."

 

[PA Princess]

We traveled last September to FL via the auto train. Over all it was a good experience and one we are glad we did. The meals are included with the auto train (as well as snacks and a movie in the lounge) and that all makes a really nice atmosphere on the auto train.

Things to consider:

-You may be able to buy only passenger seats on the auto train without car ticket. We traveled with people doing this. I read repeatedly that the regular train is less nice because it makes SO many stops down the east coast. The car was the most expensive part of our fare and the kids were free last summer (like the promo for this summer).

-Something I totally did not think of until we traveled. Train was not full, and many people (if not most) moved to have two seats and be able to spread out. Well, I thought this was all fine (had read this would likely be the case), until I was sitting in the train and realized anyone could approach my children while I was sound alseep in another seat.

That thought really bothered me and especially as far as my youger kids (girls ages 1 and 5 at the time) and even some for the older 2 (boys just turned 11 and 12 the week before). In the end I slept next to the 5 year old and dad next to the 1 year old and the two boys sat across from us together. It was fine, but not as peaceful or as comfy as I had imagined. I should say that many others were not bothered by this and let their kids be alone (one girl my daughter befriended, her mom put on a mask and headphones and was totally out!).

-We did bring a car seat for our one year old, not for safety as much as so she would be easier to settle to sleep since she was used to being more confined. We were afraid she would not be able to settle in a regular seat (and she is not one to fall asleep in my arms like the others always did). This worked totally fine!

-Overall it was more relaxing than driving by far and a wonderful family memory!

 

[vacation dreamer]

We are considering taking Amtrack from Baltimore to Orlando. The trip will be about 20 hours. It will cost us about half of what it would to fly. My kids and DH are really into trains and we thought this might be fun for them, however i am a little concearned about the long trip. We have never taken Amtrack. The website says that they have a lounge and a dining car. Does this mean, we will have the chance to get up and walk around a little? I am really worried about my four year old getting restless. We looked into getting a bedroom car, but that takes the price up higher than airfare. I was thinking, this might be a great way to relax, before and after our trip to WDW. Lord knows we are always on the go at the parks. Any thoughts would be appreicated. We do like to fly, but I can not seem to get a good rate this year. Driving is out of the question! Done that once and will not do it again!I would love some feedback about Amtrack. Thanks!

LOL I took 20 children out of Baltimore to Savannah a few summers ago on Amtrak. Great experience but Amtrak was never on time either way. On the way back our train was about 8 hours late leaving Savannah and we were 12 hours late getting in. If you have the time then go by train. Yes, you can get up and walk around on the train. The dining car on our train was just for passengers in the bedroom cars so be sure to check with amtrak on this. The lounge car was always crowded and we could never get a table but you can take food back to your seats. They also allow you to carry on food. Good luck on your decision!!