Amtrak train info w/pics!All Aboard-Choo-choo!UPDATED

[js]

All:
I will have a roomette by myself
Even though it would be tight, am I allowed to bring onboard, into the roomette, my ds's rolling baseball bag? I will have expensive baseball equipment in it and my dh and I don't want to check it for his flight/my train ride.

Thanks.

 

[pepe of ohio]

All:
I will have a roomette by myself
Even though it would be tight, am I allowed to bring onboard, into the roomette, my ds's rolling baseball bag? I will have expensive baseball equipment in it and my dh and I don't want to check it for his flight/my train ride.

Thanks.

Shouldn't be a problem but there is a size limit and weight limit on bags ....check their web site on luggage.... They are picky at the larger stations...

Not slot of room in the roomette, small storage hole in upper bunk area or on upper bunk itself... As for expensive baseball gear? We've checked our luggage with expensive stuff for many trips for many years with no problems....also, the corridor in the sleep car between roomette is very narrow, 2 people can't pass, one has to duck into an empty roomette.... So size can and will be an issue. Good luck!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

We are looking forward to our first trip on Amtrak! We are booked on the Silver Meteor leaving Philadelphia on March 29 arriving in Kissimmee on March 30th. It's a one way trip only as I was able to purchase $49 flights on Frontier flying back from Orlando to Trenton.

We've talked in the past about taking the train, or perhaps the auto train; however, the fares were more expensive than flying and I was having a hard time justifying the extra expense.

I've been checking the Amtrak website for about 2-3 weeks and the fare was jumping between $169 & $221. Occassionally, I would find a sale fare for $130, but it was only available to purchase 1 ticket. Jump forward to this past Sunday, when all of sudden, I was able to get the sale fare for all 4 tickets. With the AAA discount, the total was $406.25.

We intended to convert American Express Membership Rewards points into Amtrak Gift Certificates; however, the certificates have to be sent via mail (no e-certificates) and they have to be redeemed in person at an amtrak ticket office. Since AmEx indicated it would take 7 days to receive the certificates, I was sure that the sale fare would be gone by the time I received the certificates. So I called Amtrak and spoke to a very nice agent who informed me that they could hold the reservation for "a couple of weeks". How convenient! Turns out, I have until February 10th to go to the ticket office and pay for the reservation. Needless to say, I was very happy and immediately ordered the certificates.

DS6 & DS16 are thrilled about taking the train. In fact, DS16, who has been Disneyed-out, is actually looking forward to this trip primarily because of the train!

I've read a lot of reports online and it seems that people either love the train or hate it. I'm hoping we have a positive experience. Since I'm a glass half-full type of person, I'm sure we'll be good. If nothing else, I'm sure it will be an adventure!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Buzz's Buddy.... You are so right some either like it but there are others that hate it.... It's not a fast way to travel. If you nervous and fidgety, can't sit still type. It's a long trip...

But if you can sit back, recline the seat and read a great book or watch the country side toll by type, it can be a great adventure...it's all in how you travel... We bring food, snacks and drinks....items to occupy ourselves with... iPods, portable DVD players, books, cards etc....and a blanket .... Sit back and enjoy, trains can lose time and do arrive late but we're in no hurry.. Enjoy the time with your family while actually seeing the USA from the ground..

 

[lisa-upnorth]

barkaloungers....
haven't heard that word in a while Pepe!

 

[aprilgail2]

..... quite a personal private space and when they dim the lights at 10pm, sleep cones easy ... no reason to be uncomfortable ...

We pack food sbd drinks, have are own blankets and stuff to amuse us, iPods, reading material portable DVD player etc...for the price it's hard to beat and we never use a car while on Disney property....
...

My only issue with not having a roomette was I can not sleep at all if someone is snoring and there was plenty of that in coach. In the roomette I set up a white noise machine by my head so I didn't hear anything other than that- I would bring earplugs if I was going to try to sleep in coach. The other problem I had was the family next to me that broke out their sandwiches they had packed- tuna fish, salami and any other horribly stinky food you can imagine they brought with them LOL.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

We only have coach seats for our trip, so I'll definitely be packing ear plugs. And I hope those around me pack theirs too.

I have a question about the dining car. We are scheduled to board the train in Philly at 5:00pm. What are our chances of getting a table for dinner? What time do they start serving? Will the conductor be asking if we want reservations or do we need to ask him?

I suppose we could easily bring something onboard, but I was looking forward to eating dinner on the train.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We only have coach seats for our trip, so I'll definitely be packing ear plugs. And I hope those around me pack theirs too.

I have a question about the dining car. We are scheduled to board the train in Philly at 5:00pm. What are our chances of getting a table for dinner? What time do they start serving? Will the conductor be asking if we want reservations or do we need to ask him?

I suppose we could easily bring something onboard, but I was looking forward to eating dinner on the train.

They do come around and ask who's interested in dinner and I believe they offer 3 seating times...

We prefer to pack lunches, and eat at our coach seats... We have some stuff with us we rather not leave unattended in coach and too much to take to the dining car.... Anything of value I wouldn't leave unattended....

Mind you trains do run late so you're boarding maybe later.... You never know

 

[buckirj1]

They do come around and ask who's interested in dinner and I believe they offer 3 seating times...

We prefer to pack lunches, and eat at our coach seats... We have some stuff with us we rather not leave unattended in coach and too much to take to the dining car.... Anything of value I wouldn't leave unattended....

Mind you trains do run late so you're boarding maybe later.... You never know

I would probably do this going from DC to KIS (eating at my coach seat), but what do you do about coming back? Do you buy food/snacks at the resort or ask your car service to make a stop on the way back to the KIS Amtrak station? I'd rather not eat in the dining car, and I'm not sure if long-distance trains even have cafe cars where you can get hot dogs, etc.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I would probably do this going from DC to KIS (eating at my coach seat), but what do you do about coming back? Do you buy food/snacks at the resort or ask your car service to make a stop on the way back to the KIS Amtrak station? I'd rather not eat in the dining car, and I'm not sure if long-distance trains even have cafe cars where you can get hot dogs, etc.

Being that its my wife and I, she does the running to the club car... Club car has mini pizzas, hamburgers,soups and snacks so it isn't too back returning home and you can always pick up something at the resort to take along... The only time we actually done in the dining car is if we have a sleeper, which is rare ( we usually ask on board if any are available).... Dining car food is rather good but very pricey....

 

[buckirj1]

Being that its my wife and I, she does the running to the club car... Club car has mini pizzas, hamburgers,soups and snacks so it isn't too back returning home and you can always pick up something at the resort to take along... The only time we actually done in the dining car is if we have a sleeper, which is rare ( we usually ask on board if any are available).... Dining car food is rather good but very pricey....

Thanks very much for the info. I know most regional trains I take have a Club Car, but I wasn't sure about long distance trains. The train schedules back to DC are such that a big breakfast or big lunch (depending on which of the Silvers you take) will get you most of the way, and the Club Car can fill in the cracks. I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thanks very much for the info. I know most regional trains I take have a Club Car, but I wasn't sure about long distance trains. The train schedules back to DC are such that a big breakfast or big lunch (depending on which of the Silvers you take) will get you most of the way, and the Club Car can fill in the cracks. I love it when a plan comes together.

Glad to help... You have a great and safe trip!

 

[GetGlowing]

Stupid track work ... I could be boarding the train for Miami shortly but noooo I gotta fly. Ugh. I'm trying to cram a 5-nt cruise worth of items in an airline approved carry-on and a "personal item." I don't want to risk lost baggage, not to mention pay an extra $50 on top of the $450 I've already paid for one plane ticket. Sure wish I could take the train!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using DISBoards

 

[choppee]

Don't let a lot of those posts say you must do sleepers.... There's nothing wrong with going coach ..... We do it all most every trip.... The pair if seats are like barkaloungers..... Recline way back , leg rest rises, personal reading lights, seats very high backed... You can't see the Kepler on front of you at all...plenty of leg room ..... quite a personal private space and when they dim the lights at 10pm, sleep cones easy ... no reason to be uncomfortable ...

We pack food sbd drinks, have are own blankets and stuff to amuse us, iPods, reading material portable DVD player etc...for the price it's hard to beat and we never use a car while on Disney property....

Go for it, you'll never know if you'll like it unless you do it... Take a day trip from your town to the next and back... It's cheap, gives you a taste of the train and its so easy....just remember to keep your children in toe and all electronics require headphones...

you know, i think you're right man. i'm gonna go for it. from north carolina, it's about the same amount of driving time with kids with a heck of a lot less stress (close cramped quarters-even in a mini van, constant bathroom stops, the 'are we there yet?' questions, gas $, over night stay money, food, etc). seems like a deal to me. thinking also about doing what you suggested--take an overnight trip to a nearby area. may go to d.c. and see the sights, come back and call it a day. yeah....sounds like a plan!!!!

oh, and by the way-my hubby and i are old fashioned about parenting...our kids are pretty well behaved! being school teachers, you know, i can't STAND misbehaving kids with parents who ignore their bad behavior!!! and in close quarters??? the biggest problem i see happening is me getting so irked about someone else's kids and start using "teacher voice" with them asking them to behave. chatty kathys on the train late at night may or may not be an issue, depends on their noise levels...well, i'll bring earplugs and we will see. not gonna worry about it.

 

[pepe of ohio]

you know, i think you're right man. i'm gonna go for it. from north carolina, it's about the same amount of driving time with kids with a heck of a lot less stress (close cramped quarters-even in a mini van, constant bathroom stops, the 'are we there yet?' questions, gas $, over night stay money, food, etc). seems like a deal to me. thinking also about doing what you suggested--take an overnight trip to a nearby area. may go to d.c. and see the sights, come back and call it a day. yeah....sounds like a plan!!!!

oh, and by the way-my hubby and i are old fashioned about parenting...our kids are pretty well behaved! being school teachers, you know, i can't STAND misbehaving kids with parents who ignore their bad behavior!!! and in close quarters??? the biggest problem i see happening is me getting so irked about someone else's kids and start using "teacher voice" with them asking them to behave. chatty kathys on the train late at night may or may not be an issue, depends on their noise levels...well, i'll bring earplugs and we will see. not gonna worry about it.

Taking the train for a short night date is great, depends when it boards in your area, get dinner or breakfast aboard.... It's different and dining on board is a great way to do the rails...

DC is an excellent station to visit.... Big as a mall, tons of shopping and places to eat.... Take a double decker bus tour around too and then train home ,,,, best of both worlds .... Trying an Amtrak train and seeing DC.... Glad you want to go.... See and enjoy... We do!

 

[nicole83]

I'm pretty bummed out right now. Amtrak called to tell me there will be railwork being done on the day I'm due to arrive in Kissimmee, SO now we have to get off in Jacksonville which is 2 hours from Orlanda and I have no idea how I'm going to get from Jacksonville to my hotel. A taxi will cost over $100 which insane, every car service I've checked is about $200. My only option it seems is to take a taxi to the greyhound bus station which is 13 minutes away from the Amtrak station, then riding to orlando and taking a taxi to my hotel,or to the airport if we could hop on the monorail or something, I don't know. I HOPE things change but I don't know how Amtrak "rail work" works.. GAH

 

[js]

I'm pretty bummed out right now. Amtrak called to tell me there will be railwork being done on the day I'm due to arrive in Kissimmee, SO now we have to get off in Jacksonville which is 2 hours from Orlanda and I have no idea how I'm going to get from Jacksonville to my hotel. A taxi will cost over $100 which insane, every car service I've checked is about $200. My only option it seems is to take a taxi to the greyhound bus station which is 13 minutes away from the Amtrak station, then riding to orlando and taking a taxi to my hotel,or to the airport if we could hop on the monorail or something, I don't know. I HOPE things change but I don't know how Amtrak "rail work" works.. GAH

Hi. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I arrive in Orlando on Amtrak from NJ on March 22. Are you saying that this is Amtraks "fault" and they are not supplying you/passengers with a bus to your original station?
Thanks.

 

[GetGlowing]

I'm pretty bummed out right now. Amtrak called to tell me there will be railwork being done on the day I'm due to arrive in Kissimmee, SO now we have to get off in Jacksonville which is 2 hours from Orlanda and I have no idea how I'm going to get from Jacksonville to my hotel. A taxi will cost over $100 which insane, every car service I've checked is about $200. My only option it seems is to take a taxi to the greyhound bus station which is 13 minutes away from the Amtrak station, then riding to orlando and taking a taxi to my hotel,or to the airport if we could hop on the monorail or something, I don't know. I HOPE things change but I don't know how Amtrak "rail work" works.. GAH

They should still be getting you to your original destination by bus. Call Amtrak and they'll tell you what you need to know.

When i was shopping for my Miami trip a few weeks ago, I could book all the way through to Miami, but the schedule said I'd be on a bus from JAX-MIA. No thanks (especially if it includes the TPA leg instead of going straight down I95, yikes).

Sent from my Nexus 7 using DISBoards

 

[jmenjes]

I'm pretty bummed out right now. Amtrak called to tell me there will be railwork being done on the day I'm due to arrive in Kissimmee, SO now we have to get off in Jacksonville which is 2 hours from Orlanda and I have no idea how I'm going to get from Jacksonville to my hotel. A taxi will cost over $100 which insane, every car service I've checked is about $200. My only option it seems is to take a taxi to the greyhound bus station which is 13 minutes away from the Amtrak station, then riding to orlando and taking a taxi to my hotel,or to the airport if we could hop on the monorail or something, I don't know. I HOPE things change but I don't know how Amtrak "rail work" works.. GAH

Here's Amtrak's Service Disruptions page; click on the "Silver Star Trains 91 and 92 and Silver Meteor Trains 97 and 98" link for more info on Amtrak busing passengers south of Jacksonville.

 

[nicole83]

Hi. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I arrive in Orlando on Amtrak from NJ on March 22. Are you saying that this is Amtraks "fault" and they are not supplying you/passengers with a bus to your original station?
Thanks.

Oh no I don't blame amtrak, all their thruway buses were sold out but I checked the website today and there were two seats open on a thruway bus to Kissimmee so I called amtrak and grabbed them! Woohoo