Amtrak

[bubba]

DH, DS(9), DS(5) and I are toying with the idea of taking the AutoTrain from Lorton VA to Sanford FL. It would be almost a 9 hour drive to Lorton from home and it actually is cheaper than airfare right now plus we would have our car with us at WDW. Has anyone done this ? What is Amtrak like ? Will my boys be stir crazy by the time we hit Sanford ?? All opinions welcome !

 

[cherylp3]

Check out this thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=402667

I'd strongly recommenting on renting the movie player at the terminal and getting a sleeper if you can.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Since you haven't gotten any replies I'll chime in. Way back when, 25 some years ago we used the Autotrain, it was a new way to go, I don't like to fly and we thought we would need a car while at Disney, really didn't know much about WDW. Its a 10 hour drive for us to Lorton, process was quick and easy but the price to take our car was nuts but away we went. Trip was grand, train ride enjoyable but we discovered we didn't need our car while at WDW.

Flash forward to present, last 10 or so trips have been on Amtrak, regular train one hour from our home. Trips around 27 hours, give or take. We enjoy the train, relax, take lunches and snacks, puzzle books, novels, gameboys and portable DVD player and kick back. The seats and area around is big and comfy but some people can't sit still that long so there is a club car to go to. We stay put, eat in our seats and have done the whole trip in reserved coach seats. Lately we taken to reserved seats on the first leg then we switch trains in D.C. and get a roomette, holds 2 people, kinda small, upper bunk and lower and a toilet and the up grade includes all meals. Train food is excellent if you're not really paying for it, other wise its expensive to go to the dining car. Wife and I like the roomette from DC to Kissimmee, we board around 4 pm and by the time we pull out of DC, and get settled in our room, its dinner time. We go in and take a leisurely meal and have the porter convert our room for sleeping for when we return after dinner. We watch movies, wife likes the upper and watches the lights out her huge upper window and we drift off to gentle rocking sleep. We're up kinda early, they give us a newspaper and we're off to breakfast, again, the best and by the time thats finished our rooms made up for day traveling, we're full, relaxed from a good nights rest laying down and settle back cause it isn't too long now to Kissimmee. Going home its the reverse, roomette from Kissimmee to DC and regular coach from DC to Ohio.

Our 40 th trip is coming up in 42 days, we're booked with Amtrak again, we use Sunray car service that picks us up, 30 minute grocery stop included and takes us back at trips end. We have never needed a car in all those trips and have had no problems with Disney transportation so never needed a car nor wish to rent one. But its along trip by train, we have had some delays but nothing major, we get there, the train is well AC'ed and heated in winter. Occuping yourself is the major problem. I can read and do alot, just even sit back and snooze which I don't do at home but its relaxing on the train, for kids, alot of games and such, but anything that makes noise needs earphones as to not disrupt other travelers. DVD players, Ipods, Gameboys etc are all welcomed and used but with the earphones. These are just our views on how we do and like Amtrak and getting to Disney. Just for your infomation, for wife and I, usually round trip from Northeast Ohio to Kissimmee Florida and back runs us $450.00. We up grade to sleeper on the train, cheaper, in DC and a roomette runs us then about 150.00. Worth it for 2, place to lay down, own toilet and all meals incurred for 2 during that leg of trip which include an extra meal since the train is usually a few hours late getting in so we gain an extra lunch.

 

[bubba]

Wow ! Thanks for all the information Pepe ! I'm all for the regular train - we'd leave from Buffalo I guess which is just a couple hours from home. Lorton would be almost a 9 hour trip. I'm sure the kids would be fine, but I think 9 hours in the car would drive me crazy ! Again, thanks for all the details.

 

[car55]

Wow ! Thanks for all the information Pepe ! I'm all for the regular train - we'd leave from Buffalo I guess which is just a couple hours from home. Lorton would be almost a 9 hour trip. I'm sure the kids would be fine, but I think 9 hours in the car would drive me crazy ! Again, thanks for all the details.

I agree Pepe was very helpful to me for my upcoming trip in April. I booked in a Roomett. I would leave the car home if just staying at WDW. I know AMTRACK has a train from Montreal to New York Penn station than you can go from NYP to Kissimee with some type of sleeper. Amtrack has room specs on their website. I found not to wait so long as the roometts from NYP to KIS sell out quickly. Have fun

 

[Dumbo]

Check out this thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=402667

I'd strongly recommenting on renting the movie player at the terminal and getting a sleeper if you can.

The movie players are no longer available. The company that supplied them, Railway Media went out of business.

Dumbo

 

[cherylp3]

Really? - I was just on in July and they were renting them.

 

[tmatthews]

My family of 4 are taking amtrak to Orlando from Philadelphia this march. We did not upgrade to a roomette though since the $ we would have spent on it would have taken away from the great savings. Although 20 hours in train may be much.....we'll let you know!

 

[postalcop]

we took the amtrak about 6 years ago, athough we did not have any children at the time. it was just me, dh, and 2 of our friends. it was fun, but it was a little tough to sleep. we got 2 roomettes. i don't think i could have slept in a chair. we are thinking about taking the autotrain in aug. it's about $100 more than flying. we normaly drive down with our 2 kids and they are in the car longer than 9 hours and they are fine. just bring things to entertain them.
good luck with your decision..

 

[pepe of ohio]

The roomettes are pricey if you reserve one before leaving. You can get one if you have reward points from previous train trips or what we do is play the odds. We don't book one from DC to Kissimmee but after the train pulls out and the conductor finishes all his checks and paper work, you can ask if any sleepers are available, if there are any, they go for alot less money then pre-train booking and you can pay him cash or with a credit card. Last trip, we got the roomette for 170.00. Thats alot cheaper then regular price and not too bad figuring we'll get at least 2 meals, maybe 3, we get to lie down to sleep, we're in a private room with a toilet, newspaper in the AM and coffee and juice and water in the hall. Food is expensive on the train but very good and that 170 is for the both of us.

Same deal for boarding a train, use the Redcaps, costs you only a tip and they take you to the train care way before they let others, regular guests waiting in line, on the train and you get to pick your seats. We're always in the car, seated and relaxing 15 minutes before all the others, just for tip money. We figure a buck or two per bag, we usually have a total of 4 bags and its worth a fiver to beat the crowd and line.

 

[tmatthews]

Wow....thanks for the info pepe on a cheaper roomette....great idea! We thought about taking amtrak because my DS (4) loves Thomas the train and we have some time to spend before we cruise. That $170 is above the money for the reserved coach seats, correct?
I thought about renting one and maybe sharing amongst the four of us throughout the 20 hours....will they allow to buy just roomette if there are 4 of you?

 

[pepe of ohio]

When you play the odds, there might not be any left, even at their high pre boarding prices, these sleepers fill up. So far we have snagged one, last trip coming home from WDW we just got the last roomette and others were inquiring after us.. The price is a one time sale, for the both of us. I've seen other trips where guests wanted to have others come and see their roomette, others were doing coach and the porter for the sleeper car frowned upon the request. Being said and understood, the sleeper cars are the first class cars, people pay the high price for them for the quiet and peaceful atmosphere and thats why others do not parade through the car on a whim or go anywhere else. Also, its been that the sleepers are in the front of the train with their dining car between the sleeper car and engine and baggage car, thats so no one other than sleeper people go forward but sleeper people can go to the club car by moving rearward in the train. I believe people coming from reserved coach will pass the dining car for regular service before nearing the first sleeper car and probably will be stopped by the car porter unless you have sleeper tickets.

When we purchased on train up grades, we walked forward in the train, through another coach car, a club car and dining car and through one sleeper car until we came to our sleeper car and the next car forward of us was the sleeper dining car. So this section seems to be off limits to coach people. The roomettes tend to be really rather small, two opposing seat with a small fold up table between them, small console next to one seat and the toilet next to the other, and above the toilet is a drop down sink. Over heard is the pull down bunk for night time, room measures about 7 feet by 4 feet. Perfect for two and no other standing or sitting room and corridors are very narrow, roomettes on both sides of corridor. If another traveler is passing you in hall, you got to duck into an open roomette for them to pass.

 

[Vijoge]

I thought about renting one and maybe sharing amongst the four of us throughout the 20 hours....will they allow to buy just roomette if there are 4 of you?

Nope, they won't allow you to do this. One roomette-two passengers

For your family to share a room you will need to get the Family Bedroom. It holds two adults and two children.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I love the AutoTrain! I traveled in September to Disney and back, with my sister and 2 nieces, ages 13 and 10. We had a sleeper, which I think is necessary for a good trip with the kids. The kids had their moments of boredom, but nothing too bad! Fortunately the ride has things to do that break up time - dinner takes an hour, and the kids enjoyed eating in the dining car; if they want to see the movie, that can take 90 minutes there. Our kids also enjoyed getting snacks from the lounge car, and just walking around and exploring a bit. A good chunk of your time on the train is overnight sleeping.

We also brought a laptop, so they played some CDs and watched a DVD. They also IMed every friend they could think of! But overall, the kids did just fine on the train, but the sleeper helped a huge part in that! I won't fly (get very sick on planes), so the AutoTrain is worth every penny to us! I love the ride, as I like just relaxing, reading a good book, watching the scenery change, seeing all these little towns you never heard of, etc. I am taking it again in January, can't wait!

 

[Roy Disney]

I've taken the auto train many times and highly recommend it.
I would get a sleeper since you have kids.
I like having a car in Disney. I can go to the supermarket and can come and go anywhere in WDW whenever I want and don't have to wait for a bus.
Some people don't mind waiting for buses, if it doesn't bother you than don't rent a car (or don't bring your own).

We took Amtrak from NY once (not the Auto Train) and would never do it again.
It took a long time to get there and the train made way tooo many stops.
The Auto Train only maked one stop in SC in the middle of the night to change crews.

 

[Papillon]

Anyone ever take the train from Colorado? I really dislike flying, the airlines obviously have plenty of business, and TSA is atrocious. But, when I checked, the train was $$$ and took 3 days - one way! Is it cheaper to arrive in Kissimmee, rather than Orlando?

 

[Vijoge]

Anyone ever take the train from Colorado? I really dislike flying, the airlines obviously have plenty of business, and TSA is atrocious. But, when I checked, the train was $$$ and took 3 days - one way! Is it cheaper to arrive in Kissimmee, rather than Orlando?

Well, I've taken the train from Denver to Chicago. Yes, Colorado to Florida is a three day trip and in a sleeper will be quite expensive. Sometimes the coach fares aren't too bad, especially if you hit a rail sale. But there's no way on earth I'd make that trip in coach! Kissimmee or Orlando makes no difference in price.

 

[car55]

I understand you can rent a car at the Orlando Station. I'm using a either a car service or taxi to get to WDW from Kisseme. A trip from Colorado sounds exciting. I'm going to make the trip from Connecticut to WDW part of my vacation experiance. I'm done with flying for pleasure. A Disney themed and opperated train to WDW wolud be cool.

 

[iadis58]

We have taken Amtrak from Philly to Orlando three times and once from Omaha to Salt Lake City, always have a sleeper. I think you need to make the train trip part of your vacation, lot's of ways to entertain your selves in your room or the lounge or dome car. Can not beat the California Zephry for scenery, will be doing it again in July. Amtrak is hardly ever on time and as long as you go into it with that attitude you will be fine. You need to relax and not worry so much about when you get there. I enjoy the stops, chance to see different cities all though keep in mind Amtrak runs through the worst parts of town. Slow down and relax and you will love the train, food is great. I aggree without a sleeper I would not be able to sleep. Good luck and have a great time. Long live rail service!!!! Enjoy it while you can

 

[LisaNJ25]

The auto train can be great.. as long as you dont hit any major delays.

I had no luck with it my trip in August.. we never got to FL till almost 6pm due to a storm and hitting a tree in the middle of the night...not good with 2 in diapers and I was just about out. I am so glad we brought a gallon of milk and tons of snacks for the kids. than on our return trip right before we were going to the station we found out the train was canceled due to a freight train derailment I believe..It was labor day and we had no choice but to drive back to NJ with 4 kdis nad very little notice. We were not prepared for the drive... than the joy of waiting weeks for a refund adn having to pay $10 to return the tickets for the refund.