Anyone took a train to Disney?

[aplejax76]

Dh really wants to try a train to go to disney.It would be dh,ds(5,5,7) and me. I would be a 13 hour train ride. It would take that long in the car. I am having a hard time saying yes to this. Can anyone please help me by telling me what its like. Im so nervous about it.

 

[Alexander]

Only 13 hours from PA? Geesh, we're in NY and it's like 28 hours!

I always thought the train would be easier than driving because you can move around more. Tend to the kids, etc.

We have looked into it several times, but it was pretty expensive and then we can drive in a little less than 22 hours, so we haven't done it.

 

[aplejax76]

Thank you Alexander for response. Anyone else?

 

[Mary Anne]

I did the 26 or so hours from NY 30 plus years ago. Let me tell you one thing, it cured my fear of flying real quick. I'd never do it again.

 

[judben821]

I did it with my DS who was 8 at the time - this was about 1996. It was a 20 hour train ride. We enjoyed the ride down very much - it was neat to look out the window - it was just a new and pleasant experience.

But the ride back changed my mind completely. We were seated in the front of one of the cars - no windows. We were also surrounded by 3 other families with crying kids. Finally, because we were in the front of the car, we could here the doors open and close every time someone went between cars. It was a very, very, very long night and trip home.

If I were ever to do it again, I'd be sure to get a sleeping car. But I also know that is very expensive.

 

[Henlady]

We live in Central PA and the mimimum time for driving to Orlando with only a few bathroom or quick fast food stops is 17.5 hours. We generally split the drive between 2 days. On the otherhand, we often travel by AutoTrain. You get the train in Lorton VA, just south of Washington DC and travel straight thru (no stops)to Sanford, Fl, about an hour away from Orlando. You of course take your car along with you. The train leaves Lorton, VA at about 4:00pm, you need to be there by about 2:00/2:30pm and is scheduled to arrive in Sanford at 8:00/8:30 am. The fare includes supper - along with wine, some snacks (cookies, fruit, munchies, coffee and hot tea) and a continental breakfast (muffins, bagels, fruit, cereal, milk, coffee and hot tea). This is our favorite way to travel and fares are not too bad if you book early enough for coach seating (which is comfortable for me and hubby and we're 6 ft and 6ft 2in tall). We first used the train when our kids were 5 and 7. They are now 21 and 23 and still enjoy travel by train.
DH & I are taking the AutoTrain for our trip in October, but this time trying a Roomette since it's just the 2 of us for a change.

Hope this helps.

Kris

 

[matdamom]

We are also considering taking the train this summer. Since we don't have an Amtrak station nearby, we will drive to Raleigh, NC (we have friends there) and leave from that station about 7:30 PM and are supposted to arrive about 12-13 hours later. DH loves going Amtrak, and does not want to drive to WDW, and we can take the train for less than half what it would cost to fly four of us.(Coach - no sleeper car - those are very expensive) And my DD5 does not want to fly again. Wants to go back to Disney badly, but just really does not want to fly. We are looking at the train trip as an adventure. We are also looking at renting a pool home for the time we are there (and a small car).

 

[Unofficial627]

I've tried both the AutoTrain and a regular Amtrak train. The regular Amtrak train we took from Philly. We had a little room on that, and when night time rolled around, the seats converted into a bed and another bed dropped down from the ceiling. On that train, they made a few stops but none took more that 15 minutes, at the most. The AutoTrain doesn't make any stops with the exception of one in the middle of the night to refuel, and by that time you should hopefully be asleep. For little kids, the train (in general) is fantastic. We took my little sister on the train 3 times, once when she was 22 months, one when she was 3 and another when she was 4. For her it was fun because she could walk around and stretch her legs and actually be comfortable at night when she slept. Personally I love the train, and I have flown down and driven down.The train may take a bit of time, but I think it passes fairly quickly, at least more so then it would in a car. I hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[lazarru]

We've taken autotrain twice with our 2, once when they were 2&4 and once at 3&5. It does take awhile but having the ability to walk around and spread out is create. The 1st time we came back on Dec 23rd so the train was almost toally empty, we basically had an entire car to ourselves.

Both times we did get a sleeping room so it was about twice the cost of just seats. I think if you can afford the sleeping car is well worth it.

Next month we'll be flying with the kids for the 1st time going down so we'lk be able to compare then.

 

[Ms. Belle]

Take the Autotrain - the kids will love it and it is an overnight trip. I've taken it three times with my DS (11) and have done coach seating and also a sleeper. I would recommend getting a sleeper; you have more privacy. It's definitely better than driving.

 

[Vijoge]

I've never taken Amtrak to WDW (yet!) but I have taken Amtrak from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale. I love to ride the train and I'd take one around the world if there was one available. We're taking Amtrak to Seattle in June.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Our last 6 trips to WDW have been on Amtrak, with one time driving. Never drive again. From Ohio its a 20 hour drive and its not like driving 30 years ago. For the whole drive, you have to pay attention. Way too many cars and trucks, every inch the whole trip. Amtrak, for us is 26 hours with a lay over in Washington, about 5-6 hours off the 26. To us, or me, its the greatest way to travel. Reserved coach, lean back and cruise down the tracks. My wife and I read, do puzzles, portable DVD player, CD's, pack a lunch and enjoy the scenery, each other and relax. Upon arriving at Kissimmee, we're relaxed and ready to go, no more driving stress, being tired from trying to drive straight through. Cost us usually, for the 2 of us, round trip, 440.00. When we drove 2 years ago, it cost us just about the same money, maybe more, gas and a motel each way and just about the same amount of time. We waited too long to make train reservations that trip and they were booked so we "had" to drive. Long ago when the kids were still home, we most always drove, we've taken them on the train, done Autotrain and have flown 3 times. I'm not a really good flyer, hard on my nerves, anxiety etc and the train has been my mode of travel last 10 years. Train from Alliance to Washington and Washington to Kissimmee. Kiss is closer to WDW, cheaper cab ride, and everyone going to WDW usually gets off at Orlando, mob of people scrambling for rent a cars and cab, real zoo, next stop from Orlando is Kissimmee, cost is no more than Orlando and about 10 people usually get off there. Twenty minute cab ride, about 35 dollars and we're at the Poly. Don't be afraid of the train, its great, A/C heat quiet, comfy recliner seats, we've slept in and a good view of the country.

 

[theterms]

We took the train on our honeymoon back in 1990. With all the wedding plans, I totally forgot to book airfare, so last minute, we took the train. Hated it! It took forever from Trenton, NJ, in stinky coach seats that didn't recline but and inch or two, right in front of the smoking car, which was more like the party car. Food - horrible, bring your own (as everyone else seemed to do). When we finally got to Orlando, DH & I got on our knees and kissed the ground! Needless to say, we got a sleeper car for the way home - which is bunk beds (great way to end the honeymoon ) and a toilet and sink. And the toilet is right next to the bed!

I don't know how they are now, but we said we would never do it again!

 

[msim]

BEWARE!!! Depending on which way you are travelling, Union Pacific has the right of way. Last August, we were 12 hours late getting to our destination and 13 hours late getting home. We had to wait for the industrial trains to finish their business. Allow an extra day of travel time each way!! We wound up missing a rehearsal dinner and almost missed the wedding due to this problem.

P.S.- The train company said this is a frequent problem.

 

[beccasmom]

We took advantage of a two-for-one price deal back in March, 2000. We left from 30th Street station in PHL at around 2:30 pm and arrived in Orlando at approximately noon the next day. We did not book a sleeper - too pricey. The seats were comfortable and roomy. We had a single mom in front of us traveling with three little ones - one an infant - but they were exceptionally well-behaved and sweet. We brought food with us to nosh on. The ride south was uneventful and leisurely.

Coming home was a disaster - we were 2 hours bnehind schedule before we reached Jacksonville. The conductor was rude and surly. The train was packed to the rafters. The bathroom in our car was locked for six hours....since the conductor was AWOL, we all joked he was asleep in there. Yes, it was Spring Break time.....but that ride was a completely different experience than our trip south. If we did it again (and that's a big if ), we would try the AutoTrain.

 

[TapCat]

We're thrilled to give this a try and have booked Roomettes. Because we've booked so early, the Roomettes from New York to Orlando are only $160 each. Sounded like a good deal to me. Plus you get good deals for the kids and all meals are included!