Auto Train Travelers

[krisgil88]

Auto train travelers,

I'm trying to minimize what I carry on the train. As it is, we need to carry 4 pillows a few blankets, a cooler and an overnight bag. I'm most bothered by having to carry the pillows! Yes, I'm obsessing over the pillows!
Did you bring your own pillow and blanket? If so did you use a full size pillows, travel pillows or neck pillows? Is there room to fit two across two seats? I will not use a pillow that someone else has used!

Kris (41) DH (39) DS (9) DS (6)

 

[LisaNJ25]

I bought the travel size pillow..and than made disney themed pillow covers lolol.. and for blankets the smaller throw size. So much easier I would just but them all in garbage type bag or one of those new large zip lock bags, that way when not it used the bag folds down small.

 

[Matt'sMom]

Did you bring your own pillow and blanket? If so did you use a full size pillows, travel pillows or neck pillows?

We have used the auto train for numerous WDW trips. Never, ever have we brought along our own blankets--the blankets that they provide on the train have been more than sufficient. I carry on a comfy zippered sweatshirt to wear at night, if I feel too cool (and then just throw the blanket over my legs/feet if needed).

As for pillows, we do bring along small, travel sized ones. The kind that are used for camping work out well for us. They are comfortable, without being bulky or at all awkward to carry around. My family personally would consider full size bed pillows to be a lot more trouble than they are worth, when traveling on the Auto-train.

Other than that, we just bring our individual travel bags (with the necessary items for freshening up in the morning), a small soft-sided cooler (filled with drinks and snacks), and one backpack to carry reading materials, CDs & player, etc. for entertainment.

Remember, you will have to schlepp all of this stuff around the stations while waiting to board... and again while waiting for your vehicle to be unloaded at the other end of your trip. While the Lorton, VA station is quite nice... the Sanford, FL station tends to be rather cramped & crowded. The less stuff you need to juggle and keep track of, the less stressful your Auto-train experience is likely to be.

 

[wall*e2008]

To the PPers, did you go coach or get a sleeper. We are going coach on our next trip.

I have heard that no pillow or blanket was supplied. Did I hear wrong?

 

[UCFALUM]

I took the Auto Train 9 years ago from Orlando to move to join new DH. It was True Love to leave Orlando!
Anyway, they did have blankets and pillows but my memories are of snoring old men in my car! At one point, I ended up on the floor with a pillow to drown out the noise. Other than that, pretty easy going. Boarding was a little crazy but you wake up in your destination and I was soooo happy to see my car drive round the bend.
This was my first post: please be kind!

 

[LisaNJ25]

To the PPers, did you go coach or get a sleeper. We are going coach on our next trip.

I have heard that no pillow or blanket was supplied. Did I hear wrong?

I ride coach.. I am drawing a blank with the Auto train.. and we just took it last year. I know on the regular amtrak that I took in April they offered them.

 

[disney1990]

To the PPers, did you go coach or get a sleeper. We are going coach on our next trip.

I have heard that no pillow or blanket was supplied. Did I hear wrong?

Yes, there are definitely pillows and blankets on the Auto Train -- and you don't have to pay to use them like on some airlines.

 

[Matt'sMom]

I have heard that no pillow or blanket was supplied. Did I hear wrong?

Plenty of pillows and blankets provided, free of charge, every time we have traveled coach on the Auto-train.

FMI, there is a website that provides all of the details and tips for traveling on the Auto-train, at: http://on-track-on-line.com/autotrain-tips.shtml

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

We have taken the auto train the last 2 years and will be doing it next year. I went to Walmart and bought the huge ziploc bags and put our blankets and travel size pillows in there. It worked out well. We were always put in the family car and there was usually only 10-15 other people there besides us. I fell in love with auto train....except for the price. I can't believe how much it has gone up over the year. But were still taking it..LOL>