Anyone ever travel to WDW on Amtrak?

[meloneyb21]

We have plans on doing so in April and I want to know how your experience was......

 

[Andrew_Lubow]

I've done it overnight in Coach from Newark, NJ
First off let me say I'm a train buff so if I've got the time to kill on a trip I've often used Amtrak.

Each Station handles baggage differently. Newark and the Orlando station have baggage departments so all I had to do was drop off my bags and pick them up there. Some stations don't have baggage departments and you'll need to carry your luggage onto the train to stow over your seat or at the luggage compartment at the end of your car's cabin.

Each coach has between 50-70 seats, Two abreast on each side of the car and wheelchair areas. If you've flown then you know plane seats are cramped. Not so with Amtrak's coach seats. They're comfortably wide with good leg room and at night most of the seats I've used pulled out like a lounge chair. The trains I've been on have had a 110 outlet at each window for a laptop and a small pulldown tray attached to the seat ahead of you.

The nice thing about the train is you can move around easily although it'll prolly take a few walks to get used to the motion of the train. Overnight trains have a dining car for sit down service and a lounge car for light meals, drinks and snacks. The lounge car has the only designated smoking area on the train in an enclosed room. Some lounge cars also have a pay phone.

Lavatories? One handicaped and one regular one on each coach. Their upkeep depends on how courteous your fellow travelers are. I've seen some trains where they were very good the entire trip or nasty within a few hours. BTW there's room to change clothes in the handicapped lavatories bare enough room to breathe in the normal stalls. Looking to shower? Nope only the people in the sleeping compartments have a down the hall shower.

Can you sleep on a train? Well that depends if you're a heavy sleeper since you'll have to deal with the rocking of the train and stops at night to pick up passengers. Lights out are 9PM BTW and the coach's general lighting is subdoed except when taking on passengers. You'll have individual reading light at the seats though. Keep in mind though since long distance trains have reserved seating your conductor keeps track of the coach's destination and tries to load then so you won't be disturbed as much as you might think.

The Orlando Station is an older facility staffed while the trains are running with a staffed baggage area from 7:30 AM-7:30 PM, basic lavatories, inside waiting room, vending machines and payphones. No airconditioning there when I used it BTW.

 

[ccw]

I thought about it once a few years ago but it was much more expensive and took WAAAY longer than flying (obviously). With Southwest fares so cheap, is flying not an option? Are you subscribed to their DING service to alert you to really great fares? I would never take a train trip that long...but I realize some people might prefer to travel that way. Personally it sounds like major hassle.

 

[Dznypal]

before my DH got his "wings" in 1997 by train was the only way we went anywhere!!

The first time we went to WDW with kids they were 3 and 18 months we took a sleeper otherwise we would have found DD in the engine!!!

It did seem to take forever from Milwaukee but we always brought books and games so the kids we pretty good.

Once the kids were older it was less of a hassle--the biggest problem was getting 4 seats--2 across from each other.

Usually they would meet some other kids which was nice

my DD met a girl from Norway about 10 years ago and they still write

The food is pretty good and like the other poster said about the seats reclining--I never could sleep very good on the train though.

The bathrooms that was a whole other chapter with me--never did like the "rolling" bathroom concept.!!!!

All in all it was always a good time even though it took 2 days and 2 nites just to get there!!

Although Im glad my DH flies now!!!!

anything other ?S just ask

 

[beccasmom]

My mom and I did it in March 2000. Left from 30th Street station in Philly at 2:30 pm-ish and arrived in Orlando around noon the next day. We had a two-for-one deal, so figured we would give it a try.

We got our seats and stored our luggage (basically carry-ons) in back of them as the seats were by the door (and lavatory). The seats are exceptionally comfortable and roomy. We had a fairly light crowd on the plane, including a young mom with two younger children and an infant. They were great kids; well-behaved, polite and had brought games and toys to keep occupied. The train makes lots of stops. We brought our own snacks.
I think we dozed more than slept, but got some rest. We made fair time.

Going home was totally different. The train was packed before it arrived in Orlando and seats were at a premium. The noise level was extreme. Lavatories broke down; food ran out. Our conductor was really cranky (not without reason), as was everyone else. We were running 3 hours late before we got to the Florida border. No sleep as cell phones seemed to be in constant use. Just a miserable trip. We arrived in Philly really behind schedule (at least six hours if memory serves coprrectly).

We're considering using the AutoTrain some day, but I doubt I'd repeat this trip. I was pleasantly surprised at the outset, but the return trip was so miserable, I'd be loathe to repeat it. Keep in mind, though, that this was during spring break. No doubt that played a large part in the crowds, which were huge at WDW and at our resort. We just got lucky on the outbound trip, I guess.

 

[CarolynNC]

I've made the trip several times and though it doesn't beat flying it can be comfortable. My son and I love trains and always wanted to take a trip. His dad used to be against flying so we'd hop a train at 11pm and arrive at Kissimmee around noon the next day. Sure beat the 10 hour drive. I at least got enough sleep to be able to visit the parks the day of arrival. Of course I can sleep through anything and once I purchased an eye mask I had no problems. We packed movies for the laptop, handheld games, snacks/drinks, pillows/flannel sheets, and books on tape.

If you are impatient and not comfortable sharing your space with others then train travel is not a good option. If you like to chat with other travelers and don't mind being on a train for hours then it's what you make of it. At least on the train if someone has to use the facilities the train doesn't need to stop.

My sister is a different story. She used to refuse to fly but after taking the train with us to WDW one year she decided she's rather fly.

 

[snowbunny]

I've always wanted to take Amtrak down but would book a compartment which has bunks and private bathroom. My problem is that we'd have to take a 2-hour train to Boston and then go across town to change stations to get on the sleeper.

Yes it's pricier, you won't get a $39 JetBlue type of fare. It's an experience though for kids who really never get a sense of how large the U.S. is by flying everywhere. I still remember as a child taking the Super Chief from Chicago to California with my family. Those days of train travel are long gone, but I'd like to do this just once with my kids.

 

[Disneyrsh]

I crashed in an Amtrak train in a head-on collision in 1984, when I was 14 and travelling with my mom.

Our train was leaving from Boston and it hit a train leaving from NYC. Ironically, the collision was on Hell's Gate Bridge in NYC. We derailed and hung over the water, 400 feet in the air, for several hours until they could get us off. Several people were killed and we were hurt.

Amtrak got lawyers on the train before we could get off and had us sign a release waiver, hurt, dazed, and bleeding, that agreed to a $1,000 payoff and release from responsibility. Then we could get off the train.

The news said that both engineers on our train had been smoking pot and forgot to throw a switch and were on the wrong tracks.

So, would I recommend travelling on Amtrak to Disney? Not if you want to get there in once piece...

 

[owtrbnks]

We can't AFFORD to travel anywhere on the subsidized train!
So we're usually forced to fly on Southwest for half the price and one-eighth the time.
IMHO - I don't know why we keep them in business.

 

[bdcp]

We just used the auto train to go back and forth to FL. Let me say, Amtrak is very well run and the employees we met were wonderful. The trip was longer than driving, but I don't like to fly so my DH indulged me. We met some great people and I'd do it again. I've also used Amtrak to go to NY and Providence, RI and it's definitely quicker than driving and again, all good experiences.

Disneyrsh, let me say, I'm sorry you had to experience that, but accidents are a rarity with trains.

 

[nala542]

Amtrak is the I always go to Orlando. Well, atleast until I get over my plane-phobia.

I enjoy it for a couple of reasons. I am a people person, I love meeting new people and the people who one meets on the train are awesome. Well, most.

Boy do I have stories....

There are down sides to the train, well, the bathrooms is a BIG one. It is largely up to the passengers to keep them clean....and sometimes they don't. Like take for instance the boy who still thinks it is ok to stand up while peeing; in a train that rocks back and forth....I hope you get the picture.

That is bad, very bad.

Delays...there are almost always delays after one hits Virginia. Amtrak does not own the tracks down there, so when a freight train needs to go buy, they go first. Oh, and during the summer, the trains need to keep thier speed down; the tracks heat up in the heat so they need to be carefull.
(I ask WAY to many questions to the conducters, I love trains....)

All in all, I have enjoyed every train trip I have taken. Everyone should experience it atleast once in thier lives....

Have fun!!

 

[snowbunny]

We can't AFFORD to travel anywhere on the subsidized train!
So we're usually forced to fly on Southwest for half the price and one-eighth the time.
IMHO - I don't know why we keep them in business.

Maybe you are not aware that the major U.S. airlines are subsidized by taxpayers and the amount runs to billions. Far, far more than Amtrak, which is used by millions of people on a daily basis, has received and ever will receive.

Airlines declare bankruptcy to obtain protection from creditors and keep on flying. Only Amtrak is forced to be profitable - why? Is it because train service doesn't require oil, it keeps cars off the road, and it competes with airlines, which also run on oil? Hmm.

 

[w770496]

I am going with my six yr old from NYC on Feb. 18-25. Anyone else with a chid going then, would be great to find a playmate for him!

 

[Eponine1]

I took Amtrak from Springfield MA to Orlando wwwaaayyy back in 1988 my first time to Disney. My cousin does not fly, so I said I would go on Amtrak with her. (I didn't know better)

Needless to say, once arriving in Orlando at the hotel, I called the airlines to book a one way flight home upon departure.

I will NEVER EVER do that again as long as I live. I fly everywhere or I don't go. 2 1/2 hours is better than enduring a 30 hour trip.

Fly if you can!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Disneyrsh, let me say, I'm sorry you had to experience that, but accidents are a rarity with trains.

After my experience I started keeping track of how many passenger trains crash per year (I did a science fair project on dangerous trains), and it happens at least once a year in the united states alone. Other countries, sheesh. In terms of crashes/number of people transported, it's alarmingly high.

The only train I get on now is the Monorail and the Marta here in Atlanta, and even then I have to take a deep breath before I get on it.

I like driving, you can stop where you want, pee where you want, and eat where you want. Or flying. Boom, you're there.

I don't get why people think it's a good deal to spend 30+ hours getting down there. TIme is a valuable commodity, and they're not makin' any more of it!

 

[MdmMim]

I don't get why people think it's a good deal to spend 30+ hours getting down there. TIme is a valuable commodity, and they're not makin' any more of it!

There are some people (like me!) who view train travel as a part of the vacation, not just a mode of transportation. I love the train and enjoy every second of it. My vacation starts the minute I step foot on the train--no worries about snow, etc. I settle in with a good book, and let the world go by. I know it takes more time than flying, so I build that time into my itinerary.

I look forward to the actual trip just as much as I do the vacation.

 

[nordkin]

We have taken the train from Union Staion in DC and the Autotrain out of Lorton in Virginia and would never do either again. The train out of Union Station was far worse than the Autotrain in that the bathrooms were filthy from the beginning, they ran out of food and drinks, and there were way too many stops. The Autotrain was a better with the food, drinks, and stops but the senior citizens were awful to all the kids on board. We had one man tell us he hated kids, made the round trip twice a year between Virginia and Florida and felt the Autotrain should be for the 'snowbirds' only on certain days. For us it is much easier and less expensive to fly.

 

[owtrbnks]

Maybe you are not aware that the major U.S. airlines are subsidized by taxpayers and the amount runs to billions. Far, far more than Amtrak, which is used by millions of people on a daily basis, has received and ever will receive.

Airlines declare bankruptcy to obtain protection from creditors and keep on flying. Only Amtrak is forced to be profitable - why? Is it because train service doesn't require oil, it keeps cars off the road, and it competes with airlines, which also run on oil? Hmm.

Thanks for the lesson. However, maybe you are not aware that SWA has NEVER declared bankrupcy - and I did not refer to the "major" airlines. Where do you get your statistics? Millions of people daily? You'd have to show me.
BTW - Amtrak is NOT profitable - that's why they have to get MILLIONS in government subsidies.
Trains don't use oil? Amtrak's high fares actually add to the number of cars on the road. Like I said, if their rates were competitive, more people might travel on the train.
Well, before this gets personal (as I believe your reply was "Maybe you are not aware") . . . Happy Holidays!

 

[bdcp]

There are some people (like me!) who view train travel as a part of the vacation, not just a mode of transportation. I love the train and enjoy every second of it. My vacation starts the minute I step foot on the train--no worries about snow, etc. I settle in with a good book, and let the world go by. I know it takes more time than flying, so I build that time into my itinerary.

I look forward to the actual trip just as much as I do the vacation.

I agree, the train was part of the experience and adventure for me. We had great trips with great people both ways. And the autotrain is 16.5 hours, just a little longer than driving and less stressful than flying.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Only Amtrak is forced to be profitable - why? Is it because train service doesn't require oil, it keeps cars off the road, and it competes with airlines, which also run on oil? Hmm.

Train service doesn't require oil? Look up "Diesel Locomotive" and read up on them.

Amtrak CAN'T turn a profit; it has too many routes; too many employees and not enough customers. Just like a bunch of airlines... But airlines have competition. Amtrak is there only because it is the last railroad "standing" (and that is a very loose usage of the word).

They screwed up Acela; they've screwed up everything they touch. I would never take a train to Florida.