Originally posted by kylie&haley'smom
how many people can fit in the cabins? it will be me,dh,dd7,dd10months,we are not sure if my stepds12 will be able to go quite yet. 
Just to avoid confusing those unfamiliar with train travel, Deedum and DisneyPoly are talking about two different types of sleeping cars/accomodations, on two different types of trains. Deedum is on either the
Silver Star or
Silver Meteor in a Viewliner sleeper (standard bedroom). DisneyPoly is referring to an upgrade on either
Auto-Train or the
Sunset Limited.
Viewliner sleepers have standard and deluxe bedrooms. The standard is designed for two people and includes a "restroom" (toilet). I can't imagine more than two people ever getting in one of these tiny rooms (perhaps one adult
might squeeze in with two
small pre-school children (emphasis on small), but there are only two seats/bunks). The Viewliner deluxe sleeper has a more-proper restroom facility in the room (with shower), and with its additional armchair could easily seat two adults and two children. But, here again there are only the two bunks (though slightly larger). Both rooms are really only intended for two persons in each room; the idea is four people (adults & kids) would need two rooms. To this end, each of the deluxe bedrooms can be combined into a bedroom suite (with a resulting four bunks). The catch is that each Viewliner sleeper only has two deluxe rooms per car (and just 2-3 Viewliners per train), and if even one of those rooms in each car is already reserved, a suite is impossible (book early). Such a suite is also quite expensive.
You can upgrade (at bargain prices) to any available (unsold)accomodation once you are onboard, but with so few deluxe rooms you are often unlikely to find one available for the duration of your trip. Upgrading from coach to standard room is more likely, though of course anything is possible, and there are some really good deals to be had if you care to take the chance. Just always board with the intention of spending the night (or part of the night) in coach, then hope for the best. Naturally, you stand the best chance of getting an upgrade during slow travel periods (beware the first few days of January, Independance Day & all summer, etc.) and by inquiring as early as possible upon boarding.
The Family bedroom is only found on Superliner sleepers (double-deck passenger cars), and is intended for two adults and two children (kylie&haley'smom would be fine here, too). There are four bunks (but, just two adult-sized bunks and then two child-sized bunks) and seating for four (with six in here, I'm imagining there must have been four young, small children sharing two seats). Superliners also have standard bedrooms similar to the Viewliner, and deluxe rooms. These may also be combined into a two-room suite. Both Viewliners and Superliners have accessible bedrooms (1 per car), and then the Superliner has the Family Bedroom.
