Amtrak from DC to Orlando?

[gregz]

We are planning our first family trip from Washington DC to WDW Orlando. I have 2 kids ages 4 and 8. My 8-year old is deathly afraid of flying. We've discussed the trip and the advantages of flying with her and it just gets her more upset. I don't consider it much of a vacation if I have to traumatize my child just to get her there. So, we're considering the train even though it looks to be MUCH more expensive (especially if we get any kind of sleeping accommodations) and of course will take much longer. I'm looking for comments or tips from any parents that have done the train trip from DC Union Station or thereabouts to Orlando. Thanks.

 

[Capt_BJ]

AMTRAC's autotrain from Lorton to Sanford might be for you ... offset some of the cost by having your own car....

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&cid=1081256321200&c=am2Route&ssid=134

search auto train here and find a ton of threads

 

[jodifla]

We are planning our first family trip from Washington DC to WDW Orlando. I have 2 kids ages 4 and 8. My 8-year old is deathly afraid of flying. We've discussed the trip and the advantages of flying with her and it just gets her more upset. I don't consider it much of a vacation if I have to traumatize my child just to get her there. So, we're considering the train even though it looks to be MUCH more expensive (especially if we get any kind of sleeping accommodations) and of course will take much longer. I'm looking for comments or tips from any parents that have done the train trip from DC Union Station or thereabouts to Orlando. Thanks.

I second the autotrain. It's really nice to have your car once you are in Orlando. Also, since it doesn't make any stops, you have a better shot at arriving on time.

If you do a search for Autotrain, you'll get a big long thread on the Transportation board.

We've done it twice, and DS was in heaven both times. He loves the train! It leaves around 4ish, and you're in Orlando first thing in the morning.

DS and I got one of the tiny sleepers. I'm not sure if two of those would be cheaper than one family sleeper, but you can check over at the Amtrak Website.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

we have gone by amtrak at least 9 or 10 times we just went this summer , just me and dh and got a sleeper. it was really good. also , the earlier you book the prices are much lower. the closer the trip, it can get really pricey. also, we use AAA discount, its like 10 percent off. also a few years back, amtrak had first person full price, second 1/2 price, third free,etc. a couple of summers ago, for each paying adult you could get 2 free children,up to age 15 free. so sometimes they do have good specials, other times we have paid ALOT. but i do not fly, so we sit on the train...........the sleeper def. makes it better. we have never done auto train with the car. that may be good for you guys. check out the amtrak.com, and see if you can get any specials. good luck.....if you go ,have fun. also it might sound strange, but we usually go in august and with the AC on, it gets really cold on board. we always have like jersey pants, long sweatshirt to put on or light jacket.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've used Amtrak exclusively the last 6-9 trips and our second leg is the DC to Kissimmee Amtrak. We board in northeast Ohio and get into DC usually around 3pm and wait for the north-south train. We take reserved coach for the first leg, we board at 3am then on to DC. If we reserve early enough and get a good rate we do the DC leg in a roomette. We sometimes use our reward points for this too and this last trip, sleeper rates were nuts so we just reserved coach and asked if any up grades were available after we boarded in DC and got a roomette for half price, real economical, meals are included and its only me and the wife and we like the little roomette. We board in DC around 3-4pm and usually have some dinner, ain't bad, nice dining car but meals are expensive if you have to pay out of pocket and when we return to our roomette, its made up for sleeping, upper and lower bunks. Breakfast in the am, newspaper and coffee in our room and when we finish breakfast our room is back to day time seating. If the train is running late we can grab the free lunch and arrive in Kissimmee around noon.

We like the train but lately its been so off schedule that they have taken us off and have us board cruise buses to make our connections, weird but ok. Alot of idle time on the run, for us, total train time is about 28 hours but I hate flying. Its comfortable and cozy on Amtrak, we take sandwiches and liabations, electronic games and a personal DVD player and novels. Another plus is a small blanket, the A/C can be down right cold in the evenings.

As for Auto-Train, too far for us to pick up, but long ago we did and found out the car was never needed in WDW, more of a big expense and hinderence. Disneys transportation is fine for the duration of the trip. Cab fare from the Kissimmee depot to WDW MK resorts is about 35-38 bucks one way plus tip, is less hectic, less people and closer to there then Orlando station.

 

[TapCat]

We took the regular Amtrak (not Autotrain) last December from the Northeast to Orlando and had a blast.
Tip for making it work:
-Have low expectations on levels of service, including porters, food and cleanliness. This isn't the train service from "White Christmas."
- Take maps and chart your progress.
- Expect to be late.
- Take duct tape (good for fixing a million problems!)
- Enjoy the adventure! It likely won't be around for much longer.
The best thing? Stretched our in a sleeping berth that runs the length of the picture window with the kids at 2 a.m., watching the stars and scenery with a full moon. What's the Mastercard commercial say? Priceless.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If I had an 8 year old deathly afraid of flying, I would be dealing with this issue asap.

 

[byoung]

You got to be crazey to take the train.

 

[goofyforlife]

You do know that if the child is that scared...You pediatrician may be able to give you something to calm him/her down in order to fly....

(We had to do that with my DD in order to get a blood sample from her. The first time we tried she screamed and it took four of us to hold her down. Mild sedative was far less traumatic the second time.)

 

[drgnfly30]

I took the Autotrain in 2002... went Coach instead of a sleeper & wouldn't do it again!!! It was so uncomfortable & took longer than driving. The sleeper cars were just too $$$$!

DS was 7 at the time & 9/11 was fresh in his memory so he was scared of flying and loved trains... until that trip!! We happily flew the next time!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

DS was 7 at the time & 9/11 was fresh in his memory so he was scared of flying and loved trains... until that trip!! We happily flew the next time!

Poor baby - I hope that train trip didn't scar him for life!

 

[EpcotMatt]

I took the Autotrain in 2002... went Coach instead of a sleeper & wouldn't do it again!!! It was so uncomfortable & took longer than driving.

I'm curious as to the cons of Coach? I've heard the seats are very comfortable & roomy. Although that is compared to normal public transportation like SEPTA here in Philly. I'm considering this though. Would love to hear from others as to pros & cons of taking the train.We'd be going from Philly to Kissimmee rather than driving{flying is not an option}. Thanks.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I'm curious as to the cons of Coach? I've heard the seats are very comfortable & roomy. Although that is compared to normal public transportation like SEPTA here in Philly. I'm considering this though. Would love to hear from others as to pros & cons of taking the train.We'd be going from Philly to Kissimmee rather than driving{flying is not an option}. Thanks.

Others have condemned the train system but we have no big problem with them. Yes, we've been delayed, late, put on buses to catch the next connections but not like flying or driving, the train is the only option open to us. We are not going to see the doc for drugs to fly, thats stupid, we figure the train as part of our vacation experience. what hurry, we all get to WDW, everyone to his travel media.

Our train picks us up in Alliance Ohio and goes to Washington DC, from here we get the south traveling train to Kissimmee. Doesn't matter if you board at Philly or DC its the same train. We usually get a roomette here, its just me and the wife, and the roomette is gotten with our reward train points, its comfy and private and comes with all meals incured in this leg of the trip. We've done coach the whole route with no problem, sleeping for one night in a barkerlounger type seat is no big deal. Plenty of room all around your 2 seats, seat goes back, foot rest comes up and there's a thigh rest that moves up also. Its not that big a deal that others have claimed. Its just for one night and in the am ,you're in WDW. Prices are great if you book early and its only what you bring to amuse yourself that makes or breaks the trip.

 

[kmvand1]

I just returned from our yearly trip to DW and just had to reply. We made the huge MISTAKE of taking the auto train last year and vowed never, ever to go that route again!!! If you enjoy having people cough over you, grab onto your hair and shoulders while they are walking throughout the train because it is shaking so badly or talk loudly the entire time, then go right ahead. Otherwise, forget about it! I too hate to fly, but now that is the only way we go to Disney. My son is 15 and my daughter is 11 and then there is my husband, and we are all tall people. Maybe if we had booked a sleeper cabin, then it would be a little more bearable. But I do not want to ever have an experience like that again.

 

[kmvand1]

Forgot to mention one more thing......if what I mentioned was not enough to convince you to not go this route, the final straw for me was when you could see cars on I95 Passing by us as if we were standing still.

 

[cherylp3]

one thing I want to mention if you choose the autotrain is a discount
( I got this from http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625507 )

V515 - 20% off Florida
Order a FREE Orlando Magicard and save 20% off rail fare to/from all Central Florida stations on Auto Train and the Silver Service. Cannot be booked via Amtrak.com. Must call 1-800-USA-RAIL to book. Some restrictions apply.
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/index.cfm?act=OffersInCategory&cid=12

 

[DC7800]

...the final straw for me was when you could see cars on I95 Passing by us as if we were standing still...

Those would be the people who took hours longer getting to WDW than you did - while they were stopped for the night at a roadside motel, the train continued moving. The tourtise and the hare phenomenon, just not quite so dramatic, and here the tourtise can sprint along pretty fast whenever the dispatcher will give it the chance....

If you enjoy having people cough over you, grab onto your hair and shoulders while they are walking throughout the train because it is shaking so badly or talk loudly the entire time, then go right ahead. Otherwise, forget about it! I too hate to fly, but now that is the only way we go to Disney.

With complete respect for your opinion (not everyone likes the same things, else there would be only one flavor of ice cream...), it seems like trains are often held to a higher standard than automobiles or airplanes (or maybe even buses). Time and time again I hear about one bad train trip (often years earlier) as the reason someone swears off train travel forever. But the same traveler can name several (maybe several dozen) recent bad experiences on the airlines, yet they keep flying. You may see traffic problems every day, but don't give up on driving. But let the train have problems just once and it's done forever!

Again, not everyone has to like train travel (though with all the hassles of flying anymore, the airlines keep sending "converts" to the rails...), but don't be suprised that many people prefer the very mode of transportation you so dislike. Indeed, the exact reasons you list above (coughing, etc.) for disliking the train could equally apply to any airplane, unless - like water - they have recently banned coughing, sneezing, delays, and turbulence.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Those would be the people who took hours longer getting to WDW than you did - while they were stopped for the night at a roadside motel, the train continued moving. The tourtise and the hare phenomenon, just not quite so dramatic, and here the tourtise can sprint along pretty fast whenever the dispatcher will give it the chance....




With complete respect for your opinion (not everyone likes the same things, else there would be only one flavor of ice cream...), it seems like trains are often held to a higher standard than automobiles or airplanes (or maybe even buses). Time and time again I hear about one bad train trip (often years earlier) as the reason someone swears off train travel forever. But the same traveler can name several (maybe several dozen) recent bad experiences on the airlines, yet they keep flying. You may see traffic problems every day, but don't give up on driving. But let the train have problems just once and it's done forever!

Again, not everyone has to like train travel (though with all the hassles of flying anymore, the airlines keep sending "converts" to the rails...), but don't be suprised that many people prefer the very mode of transportation you so dislike. Indeed, the exact reasons you list above (coughing, etc.) for disliking the train could equally apply to any airplane, unless - like water - they have recently banned coughing, sneezing, delays, and turbulence.

I agree, well spoken, we're Amtrak travelers and have had a bad time or two but nothing to stop us from taking a peaceful train ride to WDW.

 

[kmvand1]

Good grief - what happened to opinions???? i.e. the ice cream issue. You obviously work or are affiliated with someone who does have ties to Amtrak - more power to you! But believe me, there were more unhappy people on that train than happy people. As for me and my family - we will drive before we take the train again!!!

 

[kmvand1]

Oh - and one more thing I forgot to mention......flying IS faster, so if the people are coughing and grabbing onto the back of your seat or hair due to all of the "turbulence" while on the plane for two hours , it is certainly not as bad as dealing with all of that for 16-23 hours while on the Amtrak.