Auto Train One Way, but which one?

[princessklw]

Hi, all!

I've decided to replace one leg of our NJ to WDW roadtrip at the end of August with a ride on the Auto Train, and could use some help deciding WHICH leg would be better to drive and which one would be better to train.

Here are the details: family of four, two adults and two boys ages (at the time of the trip) 9 and almost 6. The kids are fairly good travelers, though my better half (who does all the driving on these things, he's got control issues) gets stressed out in traffic.

The last time we drove to WDW (3 years ago), the trip down was pretty awful: traffic on I-95 moved slowly, hubby was stressed and we all just wanted the driving to be over and to be in Florida already. The trip back home, on the other hand, was actually kind of fun; we took 81 instead of 95, which made for a longer but more scenic and relaxed ride, and it felt more like an extension of our vacation rather than a race to get home.

Whether we drive or train, we would take two days each way, leaving NJ (just outside NYC) on 8/22 and arriving WDW on 9/23, and then coming home on Labor Day weekend would leave WDW either 8/31 or 9/1, arriving NJ either 9/1 or 9/2. Cost is definitely a factor, so our Auto Train trip will likely be in Coach, unless Roomette prices drop considerably.

Given our history, I am currently leaning towards training down, to start the trip off with an adventure rather than a long and stressful car ride. But if we're coming home on Labor Day weekend, would it make more sense to stay off the roads and save our train ride for the trip home? I can't decide!

So . . . what do you guys think? Your thoughts/comments/input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would do train down. That way the driver is no tired when you arrive.

 

[princessklw]

Thanks Shelly. Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

something to keep in mind if using rt 81 down, if I am right, the weekend you are coming down is the night NASCAR race at Bristol. that will add more traffic in that area than you had on your last trip. have no idea on your question

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

After a long week at Disney it was a nice break to do a part with the train. It's an added special vaca event to extend the vacation too.
Another consideration is the cost. I think going down for the winter the cost is higher then heading North.

 

[snoopy5386]

Train back, drive down. On the way there everyone is excited and full of energy, on the way home everyone is tired and cranky. Relaxing on the train on the way home is the way to go.

 

[princessklw]

Thanks for the input, all! For some reason I am clinging to the prospect of training down, which makes me think: the price difference between driving +gas+ hotel+ meals and coach seats on the train is only ~$200 max. Maybe I should buy round trip tickets now and, if we end up hating the trip down (not so sure about sleeping in coach) we can cancel the return trip and drive instead? Anyone here ever cancel Autotrain tickets? Is it a major hassle getting your money refunded?

 

[princessklw]

Oh, also, at this point both legs of the trip are the same price, so that's not really a factor. Labor Day Weekend traffic might be an issue, though.

 

[Disneylover99]

Train back, drive down. On the way there everyone is excited and full of energy, on the way home everyone is tired and cranky. Relaxing on the train on the way home is the way to go.

My thoughts exactly!

We are also toying with the idea of taking the train back home for our August trip.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Here is their cancellation rules

Monthly Ticket Refund Policy
Monthly ticket refunds are calculated based on the date of the refund request.

Refund Request Date Amount of Refund Exchange Value
Before valid month Full refund, less 10% refund fee 100%
Day 1 through day 10 of valid month 50% refund, less 10% refund fee 50%
On or after day 11 of valid month Non-refundable None

So it looks like if you go down and don't like it and cancel depending on the date of the month (1st - 10th of the month) you could either get 50% back or date 11th -- 30th or 31st nothing at all.

 

[LadyBeBop]

something to keep in mind if using rt 81 down, if I am right, the weekend you are coming down is the night NASCAR race at Bristol. that will add more traffic in that area than you had on your last trip. have no idea on your question

It is the same weekend. However, would the traffic be that much of a concern? I'm assuming you'd be exiting I-81 at I-77 in Fort Chiswell. And that's over 80 miles from Bristol.

I'm asking, because my suggestion would be the I-81 route going down, and the Autotrain going home. You have the adventure of the Autotrain to look forward to instead of the long drive home. And you don't have the hassles of Philly, DC and Richmond going down. (Although you will have to deal with Philly and DC going home from the Autotrain.)

 

[princessklw]

Here is their cancellation rules Monthly Ticket Refund Policy Monthly ticket refunds are calculated based on the date of the refund request. Refund Request Date Amount of Refund Exchange Value Before valid month Full refund, less 10% refund fee 100% Day 1 through day 10 of valid month 50% refund, less 10% refund fee 50% On or after day 11 of valid month Non-refundable None So it looks like if you go down and don't like it and cancel depending on the date of the month (1st - 10th of the month) you could either get 50% back or date 11th -- 30th or 31st nothing at all.

Pretty sure those are the refund rules if you have a monthly pass -- for commuters -- rather than an auto train ticket. I can't get to the site to quote it now, but I thought I'd read that tickets were refundable as long as you canceled before the train reservation ...

If driving down, wasn't planning on taking 81, since it's less direct & we just want to get there as quickly as possible But I suppose we should consider all options.

 

[dissupermom]

I was in the same boat (train) you're in a few weeks ago. I wrapped my brain around driving to/from WDW, then found a few dollars and decided to auto train one way of the trip. I decided that the trip home would be it because when the vacation is over, it's over! I just want to get home and don't want to be irritated driving back! but then I found some more money and was able to go round trip. after I did the math, the difference was only a few dollars, so for a few dollars more, we are round tripping it. it's coach class, but that's okay. once you go to sleep and wake up, you're in Florida!! once you sleep and wake up, you're home!!

 

[princessklw]

@DisSupermom, so happy to hear I'm not the only one. When are you traveling? I'm hoping you'll report back & let me know how it went!

Husband & I have decided to go ahead and buy roundtrip tickets. If we hate the train down, we'll cancel our return reservation & drive instead. If it goes well, we'll train back too and save wear & tear on the car for not much more $$$ out of pocket. I'm feeling pretty good about this!

 

[dissupermom]

@DisSupermom, so happy to hear I'm not the only one. When are you traveling? I'm hoping you'll report back & let me know how it went! Husband & I have decided to go ahead and buy roundtrip tickets. If we hate the train down, we'll cancel our return reservation & drive instead. If it goes well, we'll train back too and save wear & tear on the car for not much more $$$ out of pocket. I'm feeling pretty good about this!

I will report!! I'm looking to see how much extra it would be to upgrade to a sleeper one way of the trip? has anyone had any luck in a cheapie upgrade upon check-in at the station?

 

[Gillian]

Check the price of a family bedroom (if you think you'll fit) instead of 2 roomettes. Could be less. We've never had luck getting a same day upgrade because we tend to go at peak times, but others have.

We also like lower coach because it can be quieter. However, I am also the control freak who checks in as early as possible.

 

[Iowajes]

I would do the train back and drive down, for sure.

The driver might be tired in the parks- but it would be much more dangerous for the driver to be tired on the way home. And vacations are generally exhausting.

 

[princessklw]

Check the price of a family bedroom (if you think you'll fit) instead of 2 roomettes. Could be less. We've never had luck getting a same day upgrade because we tend to go at peak times, but others have.

We also like lower coach because it can be quieter. However, I am also the control freak who checks in as early as possible.

For exactly that reason, I requested lower coach when I reserved my tickets; does anyone know if this is automatically honored, or is it subject to change depending on when I check in?