Amtrak?

[la79al]

Okay, so I have been trying to figure out ways to save ANY money on our Disney trip, only because saving it in one place will allow us to spend it in another. Since we are booking a package through AAA and getting the dining plan, there is not much I can do to save anything more on that. So I am focusing now on transportation. I considered driving, even put a thread up here, but then decided that me driving with a 6 year old and a 10 year old from PA would more than likely leave us all cranky and tired for less than $100 savings. So now I am considering Amtrak which will save us around $200. My questions are, is traveling about 20 hours and sleeping on a train with two kids a good idea? And if we meet DH at Orlando airport, can we all use ME? Me taking off work is not a problem and the kids will be out of school. The amount we save may allow us to do an extra day at DW!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Last big bunch of years, we only travel by Amtrak. From Ohio its about 27 total hours. We don't mind, we relax and when the kids were young, we used Amtrak. Lately, with our mile bonus we get a roomette for the Wash to Kiss leg. Its night time travel, only the 2 of us and we sleep and meals are included. We have traveled many times just using reserved coach, sleeping is ok and I like to read, do crossword puzzles, gameboy and we bought a personal DVD player and watch a couple of movies down and back and use the player at the resorts too, WDW TV channels are terrible.

I won't fly anymore and driving is no fun either. Did it a few trips back, waited too long to make train reservations nad they were all booked. Used to drive back in the 80's, but we were younger then and I think there was less traffic. That trip was a hassle for me and wife and coming back was worse, long trip and nothin on this end. Really prefer the train, might be slow, might be delayed but its always got us there and back. Good luck!

 

[padisneylover]

The train is the only way to go. Since you are from Pa also I would assume you would be getting on in Philadelphia at the 30th street station. The trip is about 21 hrs and is really nice. DH and I also always get a sleeper and find it much better since meals are included and we get a good nights sleep. I find taking the train that leaves at about 11:30 in the morning works the best. You get into Orlando about 10 something and have plenty of time to get to your resort before lunch and then some park time the first day. Also coming back we always take the train that leaves Orlando about noon since the later trains tend to run behind schedule more. You get back into Philadelphia about 8 a.m.
Parking at the station in Phila is very expensive so we stay down by the airport at either the Hilton or Hampton Inn and take a taxi over to the station. They have park and fly rates that are very reasonable and you can leave your car at the Hilton for 7 days and at the Hampton for 2 weeks without any charge other than the one nights stay. The taxi runs about $30 over to the station with tip and the nightly rate at the station is over $20/night the last I checked. So the room in Phil the night before pays for its self if you are staying any length of time in Florida.
My sister has taken coach with a 3yr old, 5yr old and nine year old and after her one trip that way now takes the sleeper. She found that the kids didn't get any rest in the coach section since people were usually moving about and talking and lights were on. If you take a sleeper though with your kids age you will have to either take a Deluxe or two standards. The advantage to the Deluxe is the bathroom is enclosed and has a shower not that you want to use it since it is quite a challange in a moving train. The bottom bunk folds down enough that you could sleep in it with either of your kids very comfortably and the other child could sleep in the top bunk. It will be pricy though even with your AAA discount but we still find the money not an issue since we arrive refreshed and well fed.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Glad to read a post from someone who enjoys 1100 miles on the rails. Up at 35,000 feet you can't see anything. We been getting the roomette for the 2 of us from Washington to Kissimmee. In Ohio, we board at 1:30 am so a short nap, some sight seeing in reserved coach and we're in Washington. The first station we used to board at, about 7 miles from home closed but that train did the Philly route east, liked that station alot and spent many an hour there, long lay over waiting for the south bound train. Now we have to drive 40 miles to the closest station and that train goes to Washington. Like the double decker cars better, seen a different part of Pa and its less of a layover than Philly. Can't beat the meals being included with the sleeper and that leg its only 177.00 more for the 2 of us and we pull into Kissimmee at 10:30 am refreshed, feed, read the newspaper and ready for a day of the Mouse. Thanks for the posting, agreeing Amtraks the way to go!

 

[cranbiz]

While taking the train is a great idea and will help in keeping everyone rested, remember that you still need to get from the train station to Disney (or in your case, the airport to hook up with DH)

You spoke of using ME once there, thats fine, as long as everyone is on the room ressie, you can use ME. However, you still need to get from the Amtrak station to the airport. That will most likely eliminate any savings that you may had made.