Amtrak/Autotrain Cancellation :(

[julirina]

Just got a call from Amtrak that they've cancelled the Autotrain for our travel date and the two days after. They said there's bridgework being done that weekend and the train will not be running. We tentatively rescheduled for the date prior, but I'm sure the train will be packed (we had to give up lower level coach seats as there were none available for the new date, only regular coach) and it will mean an extra hotel night, as our rental house won't be available till the following day. So now we're thinking about driving. Definitely not my first choice -- my 3yo does not ride well -- but I can't see paying the cost of the train if it's not adding any convenience.

So bummed -- we were really looking forward to it! I guess I'm off to check for "long drive with uncooperative children" threads.

 

[chartle]

Just got a call from Amtrak that they've cancelled the Autotrain for our travel date and the two days after. They said there's bridgework being done that weekend and the train will not be running. We tentatively rescheduled for the date prior, but I'm sure the train will be packed (we had to give up lower level coach seats as there were none available for the new date, only regular coach) and it will mean an extra hotel night, as our rental house won't be available till the following day. So now we're thinking about driving. Definitely not my first choice -- my 3yo does not ride well -- but I can't see paying the cost of the train if it's not adding any convenience.

So bummed -- we were really looking forward to it! I guess I'm off to check for "long drive with uncooperative children" threads.

It not certain that the earlier train will be packed. Very few people can just start a vacation a day earlier.

But on the way down we where on a totally full train and I'm not sure if its a big enough issue to cancel. Maybe just taking a few more minutes to unload the cars. Also others have posted that they don't see a huge advantage to the lower level. As for the extra night in a hotel, unless you planned on driving straight through, you have to stay somewhere. Would you rather stay somewhere along I-95 or in Orlando.

We also had a AT trip canceled and we only found out at 10:30 that morning when in Fl. TS Fay came through and littered up the track. After we realized that flying was not an option since our car was neither a carry on or a checked baggage. We just started to drive north. We couldn't stay since school started in two days. We found out later that the track wasn't cleared for I think 4 days.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

I posted about this back on July 27 when we were first notified of the cancellation (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2965864) advising those with travel dates of Sept. 28-30 to contact Amtrak right away so they might have a better chance to make alternate plans that would work. I'm sorry you missed seeing my post. That was 2 weeks ago, so I don't know why there was an apparent delay for Amtrak to notify you.

We moved our AT Florida departure trip up by one day as soon as we were notified of the cancellation. Now we will have to catch the AT the same day we arrive back from our cruise which means hustling to get off the ship faster and the drive will be direct rather than leisurely with one more opportunity to stop at DTD or the Orlando outlets if we wanted, but we were able to book the exact same roomettes we had reserved on the train that was cancelled, so that part worked out for us. Its just DSis and me, so there are no children to plan for.

I agree with the PP; I wouldn't cancel the AT just because the seats will be upper level coach. I've made that long drive with small children and I live further south than you, OP (the AT at Lorton is only 1-2 miles from my house). The AT does have some conveniences for you. It will allow your child to get up and walk, rather than being strapped into a carseat for hours. You can interact with your child better during the trip because your attention will not be on the road. You will also have dinner served in the dining car, and snacks and a movie are available in the lounge car, rather than have to pull over somewhere during a drive.

Plus, although you will still need a room for one night when you arrive because your rental house won't be ready until the next day, perhaps you could use that extra day to do some shopping for the rental home, or just enjoy being in Florida a day early.

I can certainly understand your disappointment that the lower level coach seats were not available for you to rebook them for the rescheduled trip; I was in the same boat and I would have been disappointed, too. And I didn't particularly want to come home a day early. But, I still believe taking the AT is a much better alternative to driving, with or without children.

 

[julirina]

I'm sorry I missed the post, too -- although I really don't frequent this board much because I was confident we had our arrangements made. I do wonder about the delay on Amtrak's end but I suppose I was at the end of their alphabetical list or something.

My hope for lower level was less about me and more about consideration for others -- we're traveling with a 15mo for whom we did not purchase a seat, and my 3yo can be challenging at times. I figured in a lower level car (with our party of 8) there were, at most, 5 other people who would have to put up with us, instead of a whole full upper-level coach car having to listen to my kids.

I'm waiting for input from my inlaws, who will be traveling with us -- we'll see what they have to say before we make our decision.