When you arrive at the station, you'll check in at a little gate, have your tickets ready, and ID. They will put a magnetic vehicle number on your car, and write it in your ticket book so you'll remember it when you pick up your car at the end of the trip.
You'll then proceed forward and pull up to an overhang. You'll leave your window down and key in the ignition, but turned off. There are little rolling carts to help you, and you can bring your "overnight" bags or whatever you'll be bringing onto the train with you.
Once you've got your stuff, you'll go into the station, (air conditioned/seats/gift shop with drinks, etc is available, big bathrooms). You'll need picture ID for all the adults, kids don't need any form of ID - and if you booked using a
AAA rate, you'll need your card.
When you check in, they'll ask you what time dinner you would like, usually 5,7 or 9 is available. You'll get checked in and have a seat.
All the same for coach.
You'll load the train about an hour before the train leaves...
There is no smoking on the train areas, except for in special glassed in lounge cars. Meals have a pre-set menu...4 or 5 choices if you're in the dining cars. I've only ever stayed in rooms, so not sure how coach does this. THere are lounge cars where you can watch a movie. I think Deveraux (the mouse movie) was playing in July.
When you arrive at the station in the morning, usually between 8 or 9am (we're usually early) you'll wait in the station for them to start unloading cars. This process usually takes about an hour...they'll announce car numbers, but you'll be able to see the cars too.
Grab your car and away you go...
All the same for coach.
dining car choices: sleeper car/same as coach, i don't know? but ours were something like chicken, steak, fish, and maybe a pasta? dessert: cheesecake, jello or ice cream i think.
Similar for coach but with cheaper cuts of meat, beef tips instead of steak, better fish and deserts in the first class.
Also there is a cheese and wine sampling when you first get on the train - and snacks are sometimes laid out in the lounge cars...crackers, cookies.
No wine, no cheese just bowls of chips and packages of cookies.
In the sleeper areas, unsure in coach - there is a coffee/tea/ice station, and bottles of water are in each room upon arrival, along with the newspaper
Same coffee/tea/ice station in the lounge car. No bottles of water just a dispenser.
It's a long trip, but neat experience.
Unsure on the roof turtle thing...I'm pretty sure i've seen them on some vehicles, but honestly I don't remember...as I don't use one.
Cheers, Deb
edit: Sanford to Disney - about 30 mins...just hop on I-4 and take it all the way down!
trying to stay budgeted, as I covinced DH to go for FD after just being there 1st time in Nov, but still keeping beach in for 2nd half to relax!). We will be heading to Myrtle Beach on way back for a few days, so not taking train back. Was interested to know if people are able to leave "turtles" on roof - I know I read you can't, but heard reports that people had done it if it was still under clearance(we are already "over-sized as a minivan). Also, if you can comment on what movie was shown, food and snack choices, if you took off/arrived on time - whatever info you have, I'll take! TIA!
