mykidslovesdisney
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2006
- Messages
- 942
I have taken the reg train to Orlando w/ the kids. The trip was really long- longer than expected. Our car had no plugs for the dvd players. We were in the last car of the train and I swear they must have been drunk when they laid the tracks. The food was fairly expensive -we didn't do the sitdown dining. The door in the train kept opening during the night -- we kept getting up during the night to shut it. (we were in the first few rows). Our car was rowdy and noisey for a good part of the night till 3 am! On top of that we did check luggage plus the car seats and stroller. Thank goodness DH came w/ us to NY to get us on the train to FL bc I couldn't do it by myself. We had problems with the rental car once getting to Orlando.
Oh the train would stop all the time at night which would wake me up. We started to say we were picking up ghost riders bc we would be in the middle of little town w/ 1 traffic light. We were actually waiting for CSX train to pass - they have the right of way.
The return trip was a bit better. They boarded us by group size in FL -which was good bc we were able to sit all together. A girl scout group shared our car- they got in in GA. Scout leaders were really friendly. We did have the dvd players to use which was much better. A lady traveling w/ her mom. (thinking my mom/grandma ages) complimented us when we got into NY on how well behaved the kids where. They really didn't notice them the entire trip. I did have to chase away a young teenager that kept coming into our car and watching my DN. He kept staring at her. I escorted him back to his parents and told him to not return other wise I would tell the train staff. Oh and on our return my luggage was over the limit so I had to schuffle everything to make the weight limit.
I did 1 more trip by myself from FL to NH. I took my DM down on the autotrain - she was driving out to AZ w/ my Dsis from FL. I went from an unmanned station (lorton) to a manned station (winter Haven or Park- can't remember). The train ended up being 9 hrs delayed at the station. The crew had been on the train too long so they had to change out the crew. The train rain out of water by Jacksonville. The train smelled horrible. By the time I was in NJ I was in tears w/ DH on the phone- not sure if I would get my connection to NH. Since soo many people were in need of that connection they held the next train so we could board.
Now granted these are a handfull of things that all lead to the problems we had. I still won't take the train that far. Now you are a bit closer than I so it might be different. I do the reg train to boston by myself w/ the kids a few times a year and plan on heading to DC for a mini vacation. I just find that with our famiy size the autotrain works better bc there is no car seat lugging- checking weight of the luggage. If I had to take it again I would be better prepared-- back a cooler - drinks/filling food vs just snacks. Not picking the last car on the train.LOL
I know many people do travel by the reg train. We just find the reg autotrain is more our speed. If you are not looking into driving than I guess the reg train could work.-- Just make sure you are prepared. maybe I wasn't that first trip. If you are connecting the train in DC it may not be soo bad. But then you are on the train for over 30 hours. ours was 24 and that was LONG. would renting a vehicle to hold everyone work?? I know more of an expense. Plus remember when you get to Orlando you do have to find your way to WDW. So that may be an added expense too. Also getting back to the station too.
I hope this was helpful.
Oh the train would stop all the time at night which would wake me up. We started to say we were picking up ghost riders bc we would be in the middle of little town w/ 1 traffic light. We were actually waiting for CSX train to pass - they have the right of way.
The return trip was a bit better. They boarded us by group size in FL -which was good bc we were able to sit all together. A girl scout group shared our car- they got in in GA. Scout leaders were really friendly. We did have the dvd players to use which was much better. A lady traveling w/ her mom. (thinking my mom/grandma ages) complimented us when we got into NY on how well behaved the kids where. They really didn't notice them the entire trip. I did have to chase away a young teenager that kept coming into our car and watching my DN. He kept staring at her. I escorted him back to his parents and told him to not return other wise I would tell the train staff. Oh and on our return my luggage was over the limit so I had to schuffle everything to make the weight limit.
I did 1 more trip by myself from FL to NH. I took my DM down on the autotrain - she was driving out to AZ w/ my Dsis from FL. I went from an unmanned station (lorton) to a manned station (winter Haven or Park- can't remember). The train ended up being 9 hrs delayed at the station. The crew had been on the train too long so they had to change out the crew. The train rain out of water by Jacksonville. The train smelled horrible. By the time I was in NJ I was in tears w/ DH on the phone- not sure if I would get my connection to NH. Since soo many people were in need of that connection they held the next train so we could board.
Now granted these are a handfull of things that all lead to the problems we had. I still won't take the train that far. Now you are a bit closer than I so it might be different. I do the reg train to boston by myself w/ the kids a few times a year and plan on heading to DC for a mini vacation. I just find that with our famiy size the autotrain works better bc there is no car seat lugging- checking weight of the luggage. If I had to take it again I would be better prepared-- back a cooler - drinks/filling food vs just snacks. Not picking the last car on the train.LOL
I know many people do travel by the reg train. We just find the reg autotrain is more our speed. If you are not looking into driving than I guess the reg train could work.-- Just make sure you are prepared. maybe I wasn't that first trip. If you are connecting the train in DC it may not be soo bad. But then you are on the train for over 30 hours. ours was 24 and that was LONG. would renting a vehicle to hold everyone work?? I know more of an expense. Plus remember when you get to Orlando you do have to find your way to WDW. So that may be an added expense too. Also getting back to the station too.
I hope this was helpful.
. Just bring what you might need for 3-4 hours until your bags arrive. Like I said there was nothing wrong with the train when we took it. It's just if I can travel 2 hours instead of 17 and not have to drive at the end of the trip I would pay a little extra to fly if I had to....but just a little
......so far though everytime I have priced it the train was always more
Loritlc3-- good luck with your decision. It is a tough one. if you can get airfare fairly decent than flying would be better. DME I heard is good. 
) but are going to take the autotrain for those trips, but are going to be in a roomette because of the cost (personally I'd prefer the bedroom to the roommette). We didn't like the extremly long layover in DC. With sleeper accomodations we did have access to the Acela club in Union Station, but it was a very long wait. On the ride down we did spend some time in the Smithsonians, but on the way back DBF insisted on renting a car and driving home because he didn't want to waste a day sitting there (train got in at 7:30ish a.m. and we weren't scheduled to leave until 4:00ish p.m. and wouldn't get to Pittsburgh until 11:30ish pm) and we were home in a little under 4 hours if I remember right. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. I found the following sites to be extremely helpful, especially the first one:
