Anyone use a train to get to Orlando?

[myjourney]

We have been driving to Disney from southern Indiana for years because my husband does not like to fly. I noticed a section about auto train. Has anyone living around southern Indiana use this train that can enlighten me?

 

[bumbershoot]

The autotrain goes along the eastern seaboard, from...I want to say Virginia down to Florida. There are no stops.

There is a more normal train, with lots of stops, but you can't take your car.

For you in Indiana, I would start by calling Amtrak and asking what trains you could mix together to get you down there (but unless you're driving to the autotrain starting point you're not going to be able to take your car).

 

[DC7800]

I would start by calling Amtrak and asking what trains you could mix together to get you down there

The Cardinal to Washington D.C., then change trains to the Silver Meteor south to Orlando. Note the Cardinal operates only three days a week in each direction.

 

[ckacherm]

We took the train from Buffalo, NY to Kissimmee, FL. It was a nightmare! We did it coach but I suggest if you decide to go via train definitely get a private room for yourselves. We thought we could upgrade when we got to the train station but the price was tripled. Reserve a private room first. It costs less booking early and online.
An autotrain sounds interesting. I don't know anything about it though. lol
I can only tell you the experiences we had with the rude train conductors, the general bathroom stalls, the smells, the sounds, the constant rocking back and forth. It was an experience we will never do again.
Good luck to you. My mom won't fly either which is why we took the train together. Now we fly and meet my mom and dad in Orlando. lol
How about driving to WDW?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes. Do a search for AMTRAK on this board. You'll find plenty of information.

 

[pepe of ohio]

The Cardinal to Washington D.C., then change trains to the Silver Meteor south to Orlando. Note the Cardinal operates only three days a week in each direction.

This is the train.....we've used Amtrak for over 20 trips...still do. The Auto Train leaves and arrives from only 2 stations...and none are close to you. It would be a long drive for us to use the AT, and we have no use for a car once on property so it doesn't interest us.

I'm no flyer, done it 3 times in the past years but no more....driving is a pain and stressful 20 hours for us but regular Amtrak has served us well over the years. there's always someone who had an awful trip, issues and generally didn't care for it an will post.....here's my take: Amtrak travel is long, we're on board for 30+ hours with a transfer in DC....it's no big deal....it's easier than sitting in a car for the same amount of time.....we enjoy coach seating...sleepers are too expensive and really not needed but some swear by them....we take blankets, pack a lunch with drinks and snacks, books and Ipods and just relax....sit back, recline the seat and enjoy the trip down....Restrooms can get ripe, just like everything else in life...it's a gamble on the others using them....we do our business and get out.....

Here's how it goes for us, from northeast Ohio....we board at 3 am and train to DC, since it's the early morning...we get in our seats, recline and drift off to sleep till morning....wife hits the Club Car (few cars one way or the other) for cups of coffee and some danish....we roll on down the tracks and eat our packed lunch before arriving in DC....here we have a layover (either 2 hours or six, depending if we can catch the earlier train headed south) we use the Red Caps (Amtrak porters) for boarding and helping with our luggage. DC station is huge, alot of resturants and shops and we usually get some Mcdonalds food for the trip south....we board around 8 pm and head south...since it's night, again we settle in our seats and read or listen to music till we fall asleep and by morning you're in Florida...again breakfast from the Club Car and watching Florida roll by and when we hit Orlando we know ours in the next stop (Kissimmee) we skip Orlando and prefer Kissimmee station, alot smaller ,less congested and so much easier to get off and board....from there we have contacted a car service to pick us up (they monitor the train for lateness) and they include a 30 minute grocery stop in route and we load up on sandwich makings (lunchmeats and cheeses) liquor store next door and we get pop, beer wine alcohol and we're good to go and in 20 minutes we're at our resort....

It's not that bad a deal, even price wise, for the 2 of us round trip 450.00 total....no car, no motel room half way there....we can walk around the train and stretch, no miss turns, looking for gas, no wear and tear on the auto and what's more important to us...peace of mind, no driving stress and traffic. Hope you decide to give the rails a try....good luck

Just wanted to add...we used to drive to WDW many years ago when we were alot younger, alot less traffic and we used to enjoy driving....then we tried the train...converted us....no let me say, I get antsy before a trip....being on the train that long but I'll remember the long drive, trying to go straight thru, endless traffic....and once I settle in the train seat....I'm relaxed.....it can be a boring train trip....necessities are vital/...things to occupy yourself...I have music and movies downloaded on my Ipod, I enjoy reading so my Kindle is a necessity, puzzle books, couple of interesting magazines help pass the time....plus we pack a bag with sanddwiches, chips, candy snacks and drinks....I usually stay in my set the whole trip...wife roams around some and I like to follow the train route and schedule as we pass thru towns....I know it's only for a day of travel and I'll be in WDW the next day, relaxed and ready to play!

 

[joelkfla]

I can only tell you the experiences we had with the rude train conductors, the general bathroom stalls, the smells, the sounds, the constant rocking back and forth.

No comment on the first 3, but the sounds and rocking are part of the charm of rail travel -- the "lullaby of the rails," rocking you to sleep.

 

[pepe of ohio]

No comment on the first 3, but the sounds and rocking are part of the charm of rail travel -- the "lullaby of the rails," rocking you to sleep.

It's part of the nostalgia of train travel.....but you can hardly hear the rails anymore (welded seams now) and the gentle movement and sway makes us fall asleep all the faster. The train just seems to glide along.....oh there are some bad rails here and there, more so the further south you go but we find it interesting in the dining car that nothing spills....but you may take a forkful and it ends up in your partners mouth (exazerated)...love the rails!