amtrak and tenting

[dancer-603]

I live in New Hampshire and was considering camping at FW, my daughters dance teams are performing at MK in April, I wanted to stay a little longer than the rest of the team because we have never been to Disney as a family and staying at FW ,will allow us to do that, How ever we are coming in by Amtrak and we can not check our luggage for some portions of the trip. Has anyone ever taken a tent (we have a Coleman red canyon) on board? I have tried to get in touch with Amtrak but I haven't gotten any answers. I was just curious if anyone has ever done it. I have looked into the auto train which may be an option, if we don't travel with the team.
If not has anyone ever shipped their camping supplies to FW, I'm a little scared to do so, We do not need meal prep items since we have the meal plan.
Thanks
dancer-603

 

[clkelley]

I don't see why you couldn't take it onboard.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Hey there, we took Amtrak for our Sept FW trip but we checked all our camping equipment/luggage. I can tell you that a family in the car with us had (what appeared to be) all their luggage and carry-ons with them. Their seats were in the front of the car and about 10 minutes before their stop they gathered their things they had in their seats and went to stand by the exit door. At the stop the porter passed out all their luggage (this was stacked in the back by the exit door in open area behind the seats, it was a pretty large area). It looked like they maxed out their luggage allowance as he handed out many suitcases and smaller bags (there were 4 of them and as I said lots of luggage). The Amtrak employees were very accommodating so I don't think you'd have any trouble asking for and getting permission to do that.

Many people have posted here about mailing camping things in when they're flying in (I believe I've read that someone mailed in an air conditioner even). But stuff can happen so that's a more iffy route to take.

 

[dancer-603]

I want to thank you for being helpful. Actually, I finally got through to someone at Amtrak and they informed me that even if I couldn't bring it onboard, they have a shipping system so it would arrive by the time I got there

 

[CottontailCurl]

I want to thank you for being helpful. Actually, I finally got through to someone at Amtrak and they informed me that even if I couldn't bring it onboard, they have a shipping system so it would arrive by the time I got there

That's really good information to know. Did they say if there's an extra charge for that? What are the details (where and when do you drop off, etc.). We're thinking about going Amtrak again for our next trip but trying to come up with alternatives for taking the tent. Thanks

 

[dancer-603]

there is an additional charge and it is based on the weight of the package, by the sounds of it, it works just as if you were shipping via USPS or FEDEx