Anyone with Auto Train Experience

[princess_sexton]

We are travelling from Delaware for the first time on the auto train next Friday! Wohoo. We have small bedroom booked for myself DH and DD2, and an oversize vehicle as well. as pp said the train coming home would be much better since all the excitement would have worn off. I am mad bc I didnt think of that and we are going to take train down to sanford.lol. Anyway the drive is really not that bad, we have done multiple times, plus it usually only takes of 15 hours sometimes less to get home. In any case I am sure you will have a great time and I will be sure to let you know how it goes

 

[LisaNJ25]

I also agree with one way home if your only doing one way.

My other suggestion is be prepared fro delays. My last trip I brought a half gallon milk of us since my younger 2 were still taking bottles. There is a grocery store in the strip mall that we stopped in and got some goodies. Out trip getting there never made it in till 5pm and out return trip was canceled and we had to drive home with not much notice at all. So just be prepared.

I would also suggest putting your toddler down as 2yo and getting his own seat. This way you will be 2x2 and you want have someone next to you. There is a good chance kids will either be free this summer or tix would be $19 each like they have been the past few years. I did last my last trip and my youngets was 2 for the trip home. This promo is usually is May. As long as you dont get hard copies of your tickets printed you should be able to apply the discount when it comes out.

We will be on the train 8/14 and 8/28

 

[cassie58]

We did it in Aug. w/kids free w/adult promo(you had to book by June), only did coach seats to save$ - figured we could deal for 1 nt. We paid under $400 for 4 (DS9 & DD6) for one-way, which was much cheaper that any airfare, plus we had our minivan, packed up w/ no limits on baggage. We were also able to bring food, water, soda, etc. to use at Disney. (We stopped in Myrtle Beach on the way home for a few days, so just did one way). We drove from South NJ - took us a little over 3 hrs. We left around 9:30, got to VA around 1:00. You do have to wait till 3 to board, and there's just a tiny playground, and you can watch them load cars on, but not a lot to do while waiting, just an FYI. We packed lunch, and ate there.

We were pleased overall - left at 4:00, had our dinner seating at 5:00, and you do get a choice of 3 meals, and kids meal, and dessert. Then we watched a movie at 7:00 in the Lounge(we had "Mall Cop", you might want to bring a DVD player for young kids to watch something else depending on the choices). They had a snack mix, fruit, and water available during the day, and cookies at nt. Coffee was also free, but other drinks were for a fee, however you can bring on a small cooler w/ snacks/drinks. They say 1 carry-on per person, but no one was checking, as my kids had clothes bag, as well as books/toy bag, and we had cooler and camera bag.

We got into FL early -actually had to wait as station was not open, and got lucky w/our car coming off in 1st 1/2 hr., so we were at CSR before 10:00 am! Overall it was good - sleeper car may have been better, as we didn't get too much sleep - as people walk back and forth to lounge, BR, etc., doors open and shut, keeping you up a little, and while seats recline a lot w/footrest, you can't fully lay down unless seats around you are vacant to stretch out across. I did see some people sleeping kids on the floor below them, but w/your little one, you might want your own space.

Overall, it was a good experience for us - between the Amtrak promo & free dining at Disney(plus a great deal in MB), that is the only way we could have afforded to go again so soon. We are actually considering it again if we go in Nov. if I don't start seeing any good airfare deals. The further ahead you book w/Amtrak, the lower the prices are, so if you're interested I would book soon. I do think they give refunds if you change your mind or summer promo comes out again, and you can get a cheaper deal - just call and ask for sure. HTH! If you have any other ques., feel free to ask!

cassie58
11/08-ASMo & Timeshare
8/09-CSR

 

[disneymarie]

My husband and I are considering taking the boys on the auto train this summer for one leg of our vacation.
We (Me, DH, DS4, DS1.8) live in DE. It would be a 2 hour drive to Lorton, VA...
Anyone have any codes good for june/july travel on the auto train?

TY!!

As said the code I know if is AAA. My son went last year by train with the almost 4 who did love it. I am not sure how much it was they had the two bed sleeper. The upper berth was so close to the ceiling and only the size of a cot.
Grandson slept with dil on the lower and it was soooo tight. All in all they had a great time and would do it again.

The ONE HUGE thing I remember my ds telling me several times, was a walk he took from one end of the train to the other; a family going coach with a toddler and infant and it was the kid laying in the isle, one on the mother and her wide awake with a look to kill face with a crying miserable child.

Kids took their mini van. We flew for $80 each and met them there, then all drove back. I did price out recently for jollies, for 6 of us with 3 two bed rooms, taking the Van, at $900. 4 adults and 2 children.

The kids (ds and dil) loved the steak dinner, a nice breakfast and ability to have a seperate car from the coach to sit in. You have ability to get around, a smoking car etc. They advice not to travel with kids coach and expect a relaxing vacation...

I wonder if the cost is that high, would you consider just taking the kids on a train ride from one station to another? Like Phila for a day ride?
Only as I say some flights from Orbitz, priceline, Air Tran and South West for as low as $60. BUT that was not on July 4th, it was April.

But if you go and do drive back, we drove back the Thursday before Memorial Day and did not have an issue with traffic. we came through DC at 9 pm.

We stopped in Florence on the way home, at a Hampton Inn, we were going to go online to book at $69, but they said to register when we arrived and they would give us that rate.

 

[nolenurse2000]

OK..So it looks like the best route would be a return on the AT. That's actually probably the best, since it would be on July 4th! (better than the traffic back up to DE. although, DC->DE still will be a load of fun!).
Someone mentioned promos. IF I book today, and then they do kids ride free...can I get a refund? also, if I don't add my toddler until the promo, is that possible (to put him on our reservation)?
I used our AAA promo (just clicking it on the site) and it gives us about $20 off (just the tickets, not the sleeper).
If you get a sleeper, do you get seats as well? or are those OUR seats? (plus dinner and lounge cars as needed).
did I read from someone that there is a net that keeps kids IN the bunk? that would b e great, then the 4 year old can sleep on his own...I can sleep with the toddler (although, both boys are in bed at home by 730p...so it looks like I will be as well!).

Thanks everyone!!

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Yes you can get a refund, as long as you pick the PICK UP tickets at will call option. You can add your child later.

I can't chime in on the sleeper part of it. We always do coach.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

The upper bunk does have a decent size railing-fabric netting. If you get a sleeper they are your seats. It is set up as seats when u board. Sleeper personal will ask when u would like it made into beds. There is very little room once it is made into beds.

We also have the kids down early when we are in sleepers bc we have been up since 2 am! They fall asleep then DH and I (in sep sleepers) will watch movies, I read a book for a bit. there are small lights too in the rooms so u can still have some lighting. For the little one on the top bunk- pack a sweat shirt. There is usually a AC vent right were the head of the bed is. It can get a bit chilly w/ it blowing on dc. If you have sleepers there is very little room to store many bags. We usually travel w/ a backpack for each child with change of clothes in them. DH and I have our seperate bags w/ clothing and bathroom needs.

Not sure if the kids promo will include the 4th of july- may be a blackout date. Book early

hth

 

[disneymarie]

How do they set up the bathroom? Is it private?

 

[LisaNJ25]

How do they set up the bathroom? Is it private?

for the rooms or coach seats?

 

[nolenurse2000]

ah, black out date, hadn't thought about that!

anyone know when the new sanford station will be opening?

 

[disneymarie]

for the rooms or coach seats?

For the rooms.

 

[magik]

My one experience on the auto train (no sleeper car) was terrible. It was hard to sleep, and the whole train *reeked* of smoke because they allow smoking on the train. Smoking is confined to the lower level of the lounge cars, but it's not like that air is confined to that level of the car and vented outside, it is recirculated within the whole train. It's worst in the upper level of the lounge car, but our seats were right next to the door to the lounge car, which made it pretty much horrible the whole trip; there was nowhere smoke-free to escape to. I could handle the not sleeping well, but the smoking thing, had I known about it before-hand, would have been a huge deal breaker for me, and I will never use the auto train again unless they make them completely non-smoking; there's just no way for them to keep the smoke and smoke smell in the smoking area. If they had a better way to keep it contained, I'd be ok with them allowing smoking in the lower level of the lounge car, but since they don't, no more auto train for me.

That being said, this didn't seem to bother many of the other passengers.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

I have never smelled cigerette smoke when I was on the train. And for I recall, I don't think our lounge car was a 2 decker. But then too I only went downstairs to use the restroom.

 

[3DisneyGals&1Grumpy]

Might I suggest you do your trip in reverse? Drive down to Florida and take the train home? That's what we did in January. We were excited for the trip so it was an easy and fun drive going down. At the end of the week we were tired from going full blast at Disney and it was nice not to have to dread that long drive home. Plus it sort of felt like we were extending our vacation a bit.

We also did this in January and it worked out great. We spent around $700 and got two sleepette (?) compartments right across from each other. The kids thought it was fun adventure. Being the overpacker that I am, I loved being able to bring everything I wanted to pack in our van and not have to worry about how much my suitcases weighed on the return trip.

It wasn't the greatest night sleep I ever got but it sure beat the long drive back.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

We travelled last year on the Fourth of July, and it wasn't a black out date for the kids ride free promotion. We actually left Lorton on July 3rd and arrived in Sanford on July 4th, though. Our total trip cost, round trip, was about $900, with coach seats.

Our report on the auto train experience, with pictures, can be found here:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32786941&postcount=36

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

We travelled last year on the Fourth of July, and it wasn't a black out date for the kids ride free promotion. We actually left Lorton on July 3rd and arrived in Sanford on July 4th, though. Our total trip cost, round trip, was about $900, with coach seats.

Our report on the auto train experience, with pictures, can be found here:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32786941&postcount=36

I loved your report. We are taking the AT again in September. It just rushed all those memories back (its been 2 years since last vacation). I can't wait to get on the train! Its part of our vacation.

Also, your pictures were awesome. What kind of camera did you use?

 

[skruggie]

I took the autotrain throughout the mid to late 80's with my parents when I was a teenager. Hated it with a fiery passion.

Could not sleep - we were always in coach so I can't speak to the sleeper cars.

We would drive from NY to Virginia, and then from Sanford to Ft. Lauderdale upon arrival.

My parents still take it to Florida but I think I'd rather have both my arms and legs broken rather than ever take it again. Awful, awful memories.

Perhaps it would have been better if I was taking it in the age of portable dvd players and ipods, but all I remember is driving non stop to get to the train, going without sleep, and then driving nonstop to get to the destination.

I am a very finicky sleeper

 

[nolenurse2000]

MouseEarsJenny.

Thank you for the great report!! and i agree w the previous poster..great camera pics!

Any ideas when that Fl station will be done? I can't find any news...even local paper news on it!

 

[nolenurse2000]

ah, just found "fall 2010" in a wikipedia reference. =( were hoping we'd be able to see it this trip.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

I loved your report. We are taking the AT again in September. It just rushed all those memories back (its been 2 years since last vacation). I can't wait to get on the train! Its part of our vacation.

Also, your pictures were awesome. What kind of camera did you use?

Thanks! Glad you liked it. My camera was just a little HP PhotoSmart M537 point and shoot.

MouseEarsJenny.

Thank you for the great report!! and i agree w the previous poster..great camera pics!

Glad it was helpful! I know when I was planning our trip, I was really curious about the train, so I tried to take a lot of pictures to pass on when I got back.