Amtrak from NY to Orlando

[cheesekate2005]

I have been looking into Amtrak for our August WDW trip. Right now, it is about $900 from upstate NY to Orlando. That price is for 2 adults and 4 kids with a AAA discount. Will there be deals that come out? I am hoping it gets a little bit cheaper. They sometimes run a kids ride free promo, right?

Also, if I book a trip with Amtrak and a better deal comes out with them, is there a penalty for changing plans or rates? Thanks.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Hello fellow ny'er!I travel from Albany to WDW and have seen deals come in Feb and March.I will say that if you can afford it the rooms make a big difference as far as everyone being rested and fed and happy for the 24+ hrs.It is more expensive but if you can swing it you should.I started(and sadly never finished) my last trip report But you can view what I had done since it was reagarding the train.Feel free to ask me anything

 

[cheesekate2005]

Thank you. We will likely be leaving from Hudson. I notice that we cannot check baggage until the NYC leg of the trip. What do you do about that? Do you just bring carry on luggage?

I will try to pull up your trip report later on. I notice that there is a 20% discount with the Orlando Magic Card, but I am hesitant to book it until I know for sure if I am getting free dining and until I am sure of my dates. Have you ever changed your plans/rates with Amtrak? If so, how are they about it.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

do not worry about the baggage issue!I was quite worried about this since we were 4 people going on vaca for 2 weeks!We had 2 large suitcases on wheels and 2 smaller suitcases.We also had 2 tote bags we carried.I had each child pull the small suitcases onto the train and my hubby and I handled the bigger ones.Your friend will have the baby to carry so she needs to plan around that.There are esculators to get down to the trains and you need to get your family and luggage onto them yourself(unless you want to pay a 'redcap').We had a small crisis at the top of the 1st one when I panicked because I was heading down first with the big suitcase and my little 4 year old was behind me and I couldn't hold onto her.She was scared and had never been on one.I froze at the top and jumped off(holding up the mass of people rushing at us and the attendant at the top said to take my child down and she would put the suitcases on behind me-which she did.Small panic for a second!!As for the no checked bags rule-that is correct-somewhat!The trains heading into Penn do not check bags-you are on your own for all items.They have an area in the back of most cars that has large open area and that is where people stack their luggage and stroller and such.We put our pile there and sat nearby.Once we arrived at Penn we loaded up and headed onto the next train where we had our luggage with us in our rooms.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I did change my plans last year by adding 2 more days to our trip thus bumbing back our return.There was no 'changing' fee but the return train was a wee bit more money since it was more popular I guess(different travel days are more I believe)

 

[cheesekate2005]

Great. I am happy to hear about the luggage on the train thing. I guess all I have to do is find a good deal at this point! We don't really have babies going, the kids will range from 7 to 13, so they will be pulling their own bags!

Thanks for all the help!

Also, do you know if there were ample outlets to plug things in (without getting a bedroom)?

 

[lisa-upnorth]

There are outlets all throughout the train.I just found my stubs and it looks like it was $126 one way from Albany in the summer 2009

 

[Mommytobree]

Sometimes they come out with promotions like free kids fare with adult purchase (usually comes in some type of DVD) I know the last one came in the Thomas and Friends DVD. Check the Amtrak website periodically.

 

[Poohbeck]

do not worry about the baggage issue!I was quite worried about this since we were 4 people going on vaca for 2 weeks!We had 2 large suitcases on wheels and 2 smaller suitcases.We also had 2 tote bags we carried.I had each child pull the small suitcases onto the train and my hubby and I handled the bigger ones.Your friend will have the baby to carry so she needs to plan around that.There are esculators to get down to the trains and you need to get your family and luggage onto them yourself(unless you want to pay a 'redcap').We had a small crisis at the top of the 1st one when I panicked because I was heading down first with the big suitcase and my little 4 year old was behind me and I couldn't hold onto her.She was scared and had never been on one.I froze at the top and jumped off(holding up the mass of people rushing at us and the attendant at the top said to take my child down and she would put the suitcases on behind me-which she did.Small panic for a second!!As for the no checked bags rule-that is correct-somewhat!The trains heading into Penn do not check bags-you are on your own for all items.They have an area in the back of most cars that has large open area and that is where people stack their luggage and stroller and such.We put our pile there and sat nearby.Once we arrived at Penn we loaded up and headed onto the next train where we had our luggage with us in our rooms.

Soo...you check your own luggage?
I know for our trip - the first train there is not checked luggage, CT to Penn Station. I figured we would just bring it on and manuever it with us.

But, I thought from Penn Station to FL there was checked luggage. I just assumed that meant they would take it from us and then give it back when we got to Orlando? Do you mean we need to put it with us again? That is fine, I just want to make sure I know what to expect.

My current plan if for 2 LARGE suitcases, 2 smaller ones, each boy will also have a backpack, my husband will have a backpack and a lunch bag, I'll have a bag too. thanks.

 

[DC7800]

I thought from Penn Station to FL there was checked luggage. I just assumed that meant they would take it from us and then give it back when we got to Orlando?

You have it correct. There is checked baggage from New York Penn Station to Orlando/Kissimmee. Check your bags (everything you won't need during the trip) ded into the baggage car, to be returned to you in Florida.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

that is correct!you may check your bags when you board at Penn.We checked the 2larger suitcases and had the 2 smaller ones and our 2 totes with us in the roomette since we wanted to have them.Plan to have a change of clothes with you in a tote bag(at least a new pair of socks and a shirt-maybe undies and bra too!) to put on the next morning when you wake on the train.Makes you feel much better! If you have the roomette, you will have space for totes and small suitcase up top opposite the top bunk.