Amtrak, 1st timer ?'s

[MommieMommie!]

We (DH, myself, DD11, DD8, DD5,DD4,DFIL & DMIL) are looking into the practicality of taking Amtrak from Raleigh in late October, but I have a few questions for any train veterans-

Are car seats necessary?
How much leg room in reserved coach? (DH is 6'4" & DFIL is 6'2")
Can we bring snacks, a blanket & pillow?
How clean/dirty are they?
Thanks!

 

[DNBois]

We wouldn't consider ourselves Amtrak veterans but we have taken the train from MA to FL however crazy that seems. Last trip, we took business seats from here to DC then a sleeper to FL. The first time we got the reserved coach to NYC and we were miserable. There is not much leg room although it does provide more than the plane but the seats are very, very uncomfortable. We knew there was no way you could nap because we actually tried. You can most definitely bring on snacks, drinks, pillow and blankets. I honestly did notice a difference in how clean the bathrooms were between the coach and the business trains but neither were that bad. Even the sleeper wasn't that bad - we actually had great sleep on the way down. We are heading down this May via the autotrain so we'll have news to post when we return. Please let us know if you need any detailed information and we will do our best to help you out.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

we have been going the last 4 - 5 years by train out of Dedham Ma to Orl. we make sure that we wear long jersey pants or jeans, and long sleeve shirt. we bring either sweat shirts and or jackets because the AC gets really really chilly . we brought travel pillows and light blankets to. we did buy a blanker one year on the train, it was i think 10.00. like i said it can get very chilly.i also pack a small roll on suitcase with snacks, wheat thins, raisins,granola bars, etc. you can get snacks, tonic , tea, etc in the snack car and also you have the diner car. the diner car was actually decent. i also make sure in my bag we bring all our over night medicine, tylenol. etc stuff you might need. especially WET WIPES, or that sanitizing hand soap, i like to make sure we have our own. you can bring drinks, but we usually buy ours on the train so we dont have any more things to carry . lol. of courst my dd and friend always bring books, cds, tapes what ever will keep them busy. plus they always end up chatting with other girls on the train. its a long ride, but worth it when we getthere and see everything DISNEY!!

 

[MommieMommie!]

As we will only be on the train about 13 hours and will be checking into a Hampton Inn for 1 day prior to checking into the Grand Floridian, the lack of "good" sleep isn't too much of an issue for DH & I (we couldn't sleep at all if we were driving!).

Will the 2 little ones need a car seat? If not, then the issue is settled. It would be nice for them to be able to get up and move a little without our having to stop and lose driving time.

In checking Amtrak's rates, for the eight of us total fare is only 413.00 - that is not much more than just gas would be for our 2 vehicles!

Hey, I think we're gonna take the train to Disney World!

 

[MommieMommie!]

Anyone know what would be the best way to get from the Orlando station to a Hamton Inn and then to the GF? We will also need to get from GF back to the station. Guess I better figure that into the equation, too. I really don't see a need for having a van for the week as we will be staying within DW - unless rental for a week would be cheaper than the pick-ups?

 

[GaryWT]

I have a question or 2.

First to mommie, I do't think you would need car seats, I am guessing that there are no seatbelts but I could be wrong on the seatbelts.

Twin, we will be taking the train from Mass to Orlando in April. I am guessing that we will be getting it in Denham but no sure, we are boarding at the Route 128 station. If this is the same, how is the parking? Do you leave your car or get dropped off? We were told that we would not be able to check our bags until New York, have you ever had a problem getting everything on the train. Any help would be great.

Thanks

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

Mommie - How did you get that fare? When I check online, it is over $200 for one from Virginia Beach to Orlando. I would love to take the train. I hate flying and driving takes too long.

 

[MommieMommie!]

Sawyermaw1 - That fare is for travel late October, 2 AAA Adults, 2Srs., & 4 AAA children from Raleigh NC.

 

[TandyR]

You don't need car seats for your little ones and you can takeing them to walk around on the train if you want if they get restless.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

we usually get dropped off at the station in Dedham. i think i got a price last summer, which was pricy. but then i really didnt want to leave the car cause we usually go for 11 - 13 days. we usually get the hotel for 8 or 9 nts. we get to rest befored getting back on the TRAIN for the long ride home. lol...... WE never had a problem with luggage going to NY. last 2 summers we actually took the train right into Wash,dc which was there a couple of hours, we went over to the Capitol bldg, and had lunch. this summer thought the 6:30 AM train doesnt list Wash. though it says it goes to NY. so if we go we will have to take that train. just make sure you have a luggage tag on every suit case you have. Also i found, that ALOT of people try to put their stuff in someone else little spot--so if you get a seat and the space over is full, just ask whoever is around and they will move it. WE had that happen on the way home to Wash.

 

[NCfirefighter]

Well, not to come down on Amtrak to hard, but our 3/7 trip from Raleigh to Orlando was a nightmare. We boarded the train at 10:30 pm and at 12:50 stopped on the tracks outside of Hamlet, SC. We did not start moving again until 04:15am due to a frieght train broken down.

We had about 3 1/2 hours to spare with our original arrival time so this put us in a bind. We talked to the conductor and he suggested getting off in Jacksonville, Fla and arranging ground transportation to Port Canaveral, which we did thanks to cell phones and $450.00 later we were on our way to our Disney Cruise.

We do enjoy the train and our return trip home was much better and actually arrived 30 min ahead of time. I do believe that the service has gotten alittle worse due to cut-backs as compared to our first trip 7 years ago.

I hope this does not discourage anyone because if you have not been on the train it is a must for young and old.

Oh and Mommie you can take your snacks and drinks, we actually took sandwiches on the last trip rather than doing the dining car which is average.