Anyone ever train to Disney

[bunkkinsmom]

Just wondering if you or someone you know has taken a train to Disney!!

 

[Ratpack]

Never actually done it, but I did look into it. The problem I had was it took longer than driving.

 

[momof3littlelilos]

I did this a couple of times back when it was just me and DS.
Yes, it takes a little longer than driving...but since I wasn't the train conductor I got to sleep...which was great! Also, people are very friendly in the dining cars. On one of my trips there was a group of single moms who got on with there kids and coolers, and it looked like they had a blast. I wish I had girlfriends like that. On another trip we spent a lot of time in the club car...there were a couple of musicians there playing guitar and it turned into a group sing along evening.
On all our trips we took the train from Boston to Orlando, and took the connection in DC as opposed to NY. The DC connection was awesome because the station was right near the mall and we had a couple of hours to walk around, and even enough time to stop in the Smithsonian one trip. Also the food court in DC is awesome.
I LOVE taking the train...I would do it again if I didn't have so darned many young'uns to look after!

 

[tmatthews]

we were supposed to take train down this monday but switched to flying kind of last minute! My ds will be disappointed since he loves trains but the savings wasn't really there! by time you add in food, car pickup, etc....plus less than 20 hours!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I did when I was a kid and it was awful. It was fun for the first few hours, but then it got really boring, and it was really, really long. If you are dead set on it, I'd spring for a sleeper car, trying to sleep in regular coach train seats is like sleeping on an airplane, but they didn't dim the inside lights. Maybe they've improved the food, but when I went it wasn't great, and it was expensive. The bathrooms got pretty gross also. I am a fan of train travel, but if you want the experience, I'd take one of the luxury train vacations they offer, and not Amtrak. If you are going to spend all that money, fly down, then you'll be there much quicker, less tired and not unshowered in yesterdays clothes.

 

[skoi]

We've taken the autotrain a few times when we could get a good rate. When we only had two kids, we sprang for a sleeper, but with 4, we'd need too many room. I love train travel, and have found the state of bathrooms, etc to be no worse than after a 13 hour flight.

When I was younger I took the train cross country twice. It was very cool.

 

[AlyLynn]

We took the Autotrain. They opened up 2 rooms for us to make 1 big one because we have 4 kids. I'm glad we did it for the kids, but I'd never do it again! It was more expensive than flying was. (Because we had accomodations) My oldest, who was 12 at the time hated it. The worst part was the motion sickness I had! Totally unexpected! The only good part was that it was the only night our 2 year old slept a 6 hour stretch since he was born! We still joke about buying an Autotrain so he'll sleep!

 

[Disneholic]

I've done the train twice from Pittsburgh to Orlando with a transfer in DC. At that time we did just coach seats and it was okay, I only had 1 child at the time. A couple of years ago, we did the auto train out of Lorton, VA. The trip down was horrible because of delays and seating so I learned for the way back--request a lower level. Noone ever seems to be down there and the bathroom are right there. Because of the extra seats available each of us (5 in all) got to have 2 seats side by side and at night we just reclined the backs, raised the leg rests and curled up and went to sleep.
It you do decide on it take your own pillows. Theirs are way to small. We did know this in advance and theres nothing like your own pillow.
A hot dinner and a breakfast is included in price.
I know with the price of gas going up we are considering it for this trip. We usually drive, making one overnight stop in Georgia. The price they give you now is locked in once you pay, so $3.00/gal. or $5.00/gal. you have the original price.

 

[camdensmom]

I did it with my family when I was younger and in my early 20s when I moved to Florida.

I wouldn't recommend it. It is a LONG trip and not a restful one.

 

[slyjly]

Hi, we - 6 adults,8 teens & 2 little kids - took the auto train down and back in Sept. '07. It is a long trip, but at least we didn't have to drive. The food wasn't bad at all. The train was more crowed going down than coming home. On the trip home, we had a whole half of a car to just us. We were all able to have 2 seats each which make it more comfortable. The kids all did home work and on the way home, another passenger asked if we were on a school trip lol Our waiter on the way down was really funny and entertained the kids, but the one we had on our way home was in training and wasn't very sociable. The bathrooms weren't the best, but way better than rest areas! The lounge was fine, they got to watch POTC3 but I don't remember the other movie. We would take the train again in a heart beat We really had a good experience taking the auto train, our problems (mine, really) began when we got to Disney and tried to check in at POP Century, but that is another story. Take the train, you will enjoy it.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

When we lived in Pa. we did it and loved it! We have also taken the train from Omaha to Salt Lake City and my husband is doing that again this summer. The thing is that you have to look at it as part of your vacation experience not just as the transportation. We don't travel coach. I could never get any sleep that way and we like the privacy of having a bedroom. As far as the food, it is fantastic!!! Our meals were included in the price of the bedroom and boy do they feed you well. We never had any complaints about the food. We would recommend taking the train. But once again a big part of it is your attitude toward it as part of the vacation as opposed to it just being transportation.

 

[karenos]

for the first time. We are driving down from NJ in June and taking the train back from Orlando to Lorton, Va. We didn't splurge on separate sleeping area. I hope my kids are able to sleep (DD 9, DS5). The kids are almost excited about the train as WDW!

I am glad to hear it is not too bad. The price wasn't too exorbitant for the one way and w/the price of gas going up combined w/the luxury of not having to drive, we figure it is a win/win situation. I'll post review when we return.

Karen