Auto Train with small children

[NikitaZee]

Does anyone have experience they could share of taking the Auto Train and sleeping in coach? We are going early October and have 5 lower level coach seats reserved. I'd like to know if you were able to sleep comfortably or not - and if you travelled with little ones, did you feel comfortable sleeping while they slept? I'm wondering whether my husband and I will have to switch off sleeping or staying awake during the night.

 

[toystorymom]

The great thing about the lower level is that you will not have people walking through all night long, which makes a huge difference. You may also have the whole compartment to yourselves and you could all spread out as needed. Of course that is no guarantee. If the kids left your part of the train, they would have to open the door, which is noisy, so I don't think they could go anywhere without you knowing. Overall, I think you should be able to get some sleep.

When we took the AT all 3 kids slept through the night both ways (once in upper, once in lower). DH & I managed an off & on sleep, not too bad though. Definitely more relaxing then our usual drive down. After checking in, we spent the afternoon and much of the night at MK - we had plenty of energy.

Have fun and let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[jodifla]

The great thing about the lower level is that you will not have people walking through all night long, which makes a huge difference. You may also have the whole compartment to yourselves and you could all spread out as needed. Of course that is no guarantee. If the kids left your part of the train, they would have to open the door, which is noisy, so I don't think they could go anywhere without you knowing. Overall, I think you should be able to get some sleep.

When we took the AT all 3 kids slept through the night both ways (once in upper, once in lower). DH & I managed an off & on sleep, not too bad though. Definitely more relaxing then our usual drive down. After checking in, we spent the afternoon and much of the night at MK - we had plenty of energy.

Have fun and let me know if you have any other questions.

I think the younger you are, the easier it is to sleep in coach. My DH did the auto train in his 20s and slept great in the seat. He did it again in his 40s, and said never again.

I took it twice alone with DS, at 3 and 4, but we got a pullman. I still had trouble sleeping, but he was out like a light.

 

[NikitaZee]

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad to hear that lower level was a good choice - my son has motion sickness and we thought it would be a better ride for him. I hope our compartment isn't full - with 5 seats, one of us is going to be the odd man out (most likely my husband). I'm so glad to hear that you had energy to go to the parks toystorymom - that was one of the things I was wondering about. I notice you are from Massachusetts - when did you leave for the drive to Lorton? We are planning on 2am - we have an SUV and have to be checked in by 2pm. Hope that will be plenty of time!

 

[toystorymom]

We left at 2 AM, worked out fine, if anything we were early. This was on a Saturday though, so there was really no traffic to deal with. I think 2 AM gives you plenty of time, the kids can sleep in the car. Once you get far enough that you know you'll make it on time you can stop for lunch or whatever. I would recommend bringing some snacks and drinks, esp. w/ younger kids. They do offer some on the AT, but depending on where your seats are, it can be kind of a walk.

Just wanted to add that we had a van with us and were so worried about being checked in by 2. We saw plenty of people arrive past that time and have no trouble. Don't know if it is always like this but it was that day.

 

[Mommytobree]

I dont know how the auto train is but I took a train from mass-fl (Amtrack) and it was not the most comfy thing in the world. The kids slept well though, it was dh and I who could not sleep/get comfy.

 

[NikitaZee]

Thanks - we are planning on bringing our own blankets and pillows to be as comfy as we can.

 

[yazee1]

Our children are 14, 12 and 8 now, but we started taking the Autotrain several years ago, before our youngest was born. We used to book coach seats, and from what I remember the kids slept fine. I guess most of the kids in our compartment slept fine because I don't remember being woken up by cranky or wakeful children. That's not to say it doesn't happen. Dh and I slept all right but like someone said, the stopping and starting of the train and people coming and going woke us. (That being said, even the times when we had a sleeper, the stopping and starting woke us.)

We felt safe sleeping while the kids were sleeping. Besides, with their seats being toward the window, they could not get out without waking us anyway.

.

 

[MrsNick]

I think the younger you are, the easier it is to sleep in coach. My DH did the auto train in his 20s and slept great in the seat. He did it again in his 40s, and said never again.

That is so true...Stuff I could tolerate while travelling in my 20's I could never deal with anymore. Then again, I could also go out several nights a week and have no problem making it to work in the morning. If I did that now, I don't think I'd be able to peel myself out of bed, lol. What the heck happened?