Auto Train from Washington

[GailT]

Has anyne taken their vehicle on the auto train. I want to go back to Disney but am scared to fly, I mean real scared. I was thinking of driving to Washington getting on the autotrain and going back to Disney. not that the train will be more relaxing but I can't shake the fear out of me for flying. I live in MA so the drive in my car would be way to much. Anyone do it, I would love some input.

 

[DisneyPoly]

We've taken the Auto Train many times. I have always had a fear of flying, although I've done it, I've never liked it (the plane that is).

The AutoTrain is a great alternative. Lorton is a 3 hr. drive from Philly. The train departs Lorton at 4:00 p.m. and arrives in Sanford (about 30 minutes outside of Orlando) at 8:00 a.m. Our first experience we had delay problems, but not on our 4 add'l trips. We usually go coach as there are 6 of us traveling and the cost of a sleeper car (we would need 2) isn't worth the expense. Keep in mind that this will not be the best sleep of your life, and in the morning you aren't too fresh, so as long as you can check into your hotel a little earlier than stated, you will be fine to go to the parks. The dinner that is included is good (better than expected) and the movie they show is always a recent one. I would highly recommend the Auto Train and anticipate our trip in May of 2002.

Good luck!

 

[DVC Chris]

Gail,

Just got off the Auto Train from a wonderful week in WDW this morning. We went down last Fri. and came back today. Both times, the train arrived in the station early. We also took it last August and experienced some delays, but nothing too bad. Since there are only two of us, we decided to go with a sleeper car. We usually get the Standard sleeper. It includes a slightly better meal than the coach seats (but you pay more)....Other than that, either way (coach or sleeper), I would HIGHLY reccommend the Auto Train. It is a great way to travel and allows you to 'wind down' into your vacation and then also 'wind down' again from a week at WDW.

I will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Please ask away!

 

[laurieny]

I'd have to agree. Did Coach last summer and it worked out great. But it was definitely no bargain.

 

[Dutchess]

DVC Chris -

I have a question about the sleeper cars. We will be taking the Autotrain in April,
and will be in a Deluxe Sleeper. Do you know if we would be able to use our
portable TV in the room? I would have to use an electrical outlet, and don't know
if the rooms have enough power available.

Also - how long did you have to wait to get your car in Sanford? How long was
the drive to WDW?

Thanks!

 

[DVC Chris]

Dutchess,

The Deluxe Sleeper accommodations have Three electrical outlets. I never thought about taking a small TV on the train, but spoke to some folks who had brought a TV on the train and said that they were able to get decent reception while we were near 'larger' cities. I know it passes through Richmond, VA (about 2 hrs after departure) and Jacksonville, FL (About 2 hrs before arrival in Sanforf). We brought my laptop and watched DVD movies in the car. I don't know how much power is available, but you should have no problem powering a small TV.

It took about 30 mins to get our car in Sanford. I've waited no more than one hour and that was when we were the last car off and they had to push the car in front of ours off of the train (TURN OFF your alarm systems!!!)... It is about a 40-45 minute drive to WDW. We hit some traffic in downtoan Orlando, but nothing major. Both directions our train arrived to the station about 45 mins early and we had to wait on the train for the station crew to arrive (usually around 8am). Once we pulled into the station, they started the process of braking apart the train and removing the cars. We stopped at the Belz outlet on the way to WDW and still were in our room (checked in and all) at the Wilderness Lodge by 11:00pm. It was great!

Let me know if you need anything else!

 

[cherylp3]

I took the Auto train from Mass in October. We stayed over at the comfort inn at Lorton and took the auto train the next day. We reserved lower level seating which worked great.

I was happy with the Auto Train.

Cheryl

 

[lookingforward]

We took the auto train and really enjoyed it! We booked a family sleeper car which had four beds and was on the lower level. The kids loved it, and although it was a bit of a rough ride we all slept fairly well. There are showers and bathrooms in the hall. The meals were sit down and served to you. I think the choices were steak, pasta or chicken. Our room steward offered to bring us breakfast in our room but we ate in the dining car. I plan on going on the auto train again. I heard the deluxe rooms are really nice and I think they show movies in them on a small screen, but don't quote me. Enjoy!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I love the AutoTrain! I will be taking it again in January - can't wait! We always have a sleeper car, either a family one or a standard sleeper. I always see taking the train as an enjoyable part of the vacation. I always meet interesting people on the train. Last time I met an published author who has written many books for children.

As for bring a TV on the train, I have done this many times. I even brought a VCR on the train! When I was traveling on the AutoTrain with my two young nieces, I knew I needed something to entertain my youngest niece (who was 2 at the time) since she could be "difficult". I brought a VCR and portable Black and White TV (with had batteries) into our family sleeper car - and it worked great! There were electric sockets in there so there was no problem running the VCR. The girls happily watched "The Little Mermaid". I was happy I dragged the VCR and TV on the train since it really helped us keep my youngest niece from thowing one of her tantrums. It was quite bulky to bring, but worth it to us!

I also used the TV just to watch television shows on the train, and I remember getting stations near Florence, South Carolina. The signal was never very good, but good enough to watch. The signal does fade quickly sometimes, but if the train is getting near another city, sometimes you can pick up another signal from that city.

So ... enjoy the train!

<img src="http://home.att.net/~swill70/hugsmall3.gif">

 

[Dutchess]

Thanks for the replies. We are really looking forward to this trip on the Autotrain!

 

[GailT]

To everyone thanks for all the responces. The autotrain we will go, I look at it, might be the same $$$$ as flying but I do save on a car, don't have to carry lugage and will be alot more at ease. I don't think I am going to get a sleeper car if I can save enough money, we slept in a plane going to Australia last yr. when your tired you just fall asleep no matter what.
Happy Holidays to all, you people are the greatest.