Auto Train?

[labdogs42]

Can anyone share their auto train experiences with me? I'm thinking about trying it this fall for a trip to WDW with my DH and 2 year old DS. If you have done the auto train, did you get a room or just coach seats? I'm thinking seats would be fine, since my DS would probably like to run around on the train and then crash in his seat. Any thoughts? I'm guessing the train wouldn't be super crowded in September or October, so maybe we could spread out a little. Please share your thoughts/experiences! Thanks!

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

If you do a search on this board for "auto train" you'll find lots of threads that might help you. Here is one:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1106434&referrerid=&highlight="auto+train"

P.S.--great dogs! We have a black lab (released from Guiding Eyes) and he is the best!

 

[tedhowe]

We rode the AutoTrain last week for the first time. Went south to Florida on 2/3 and took the return trip on 2/10.

We got a family sleeping compartment for our family of 4 and we had plenty of room and it was very comfortable.

Food in the dining car was okay - not great, but not bad. Sevice from the crew was first rate - very attentive and very professional.

The ride was fairly bumpy - made sleeping a little tough, but we were certainly more rested than driving it ourselves.

I would think that September would be fairly light, though it is hard to tell what pricing would be like unless you put your actual dates into the Amtrak website.

Our trip was PACKED on the way down - all rooms in the sleeping cars were sold out and coach was pretty full from what I understand. The return trip was lighter - though we still needed 3 seatings for dinner in the sleeper dining car.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've only used the auto train, years ago, once. Basically too long of a drive for us to catch it and we found that upon arriving in WDW, our car was not needed, plus the expense for hauling the car on the train was more costlier than just renting in WDW. We do, do Amtrak to WDW now and both trains are similar. Running and playing in the aisles is not condoned nor allowed due to safety and the aisles are very narrow providing larger seating areas. Seats are paired on each side of the aisle. The atmosphere in all our train trips has been quiet and subdued, people relaxing and just being to themselves the whole trip. Our trips consists of a train from northeastern Ohio to Washington DC then a switch to the south bound train in DC to Kissimmee. We sometimes get a roomette, sleeps and holds only 2 people, from DC to Kissimmee, its the dark part of our trip, includes all meals incurred and we arrive relaxed and refreshed around noon or later due to being late. We have done reserved coach the whole 27 hours, doable, not too comfortable, but doable. You can sleep in the seats but for us, one night is enough. We bring our lunch, drinks, portable DVD player, gameboy, novels, puzzle books and wife starts her diary for the trip and sleeps alot.

Its a pleasant experience, though at times stressful due yo some rude and unruly passengers by all in all and nice trip. To some its boring but to me, relaxing. Yes, 1 1/2 hours is great in a plane if you enjoy flying, I don't and we've driven many a time and prefer not to now with all the crazy traffic. Not crazy about the 27 hours and delays but we have arrived, after 10 some rail trips, at Disney safe and sound with all our luggage, plus after a hectic 10 nights in Disney, relaxing, not stressing for 27 hours is a blessing. Again, this is regular Amtrak since we do not use a car on Disney property. For the 2 of us from NE Ohio to Kissimmee, round trip coach costs us approx. $450.00, and cab fare from Kissimmee to WDW is approx. 38.00 one way.

 

[dandelion]

Did you find the All About the Autotrain http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=402667
thread? 26 pages of info and experiences there.

We took the autotrain south in April 2003 and both ways in April 2005. We did not book a room - just tried to get some sleep in our coach seats. Dh does better than I, which is good because he does most of the long drive back to NY.

Our son was almost 4 on the first trip and almost 6 on the second - he absolutely LOVED it. In fact he preferred it to the airplane trip we took last fall. He likes being able to move around and explore the train, and he does find other kids to play with. The Autotrain usually separates the cars by passenger configuration, one car may be mostly families with babies, then one with school-age kids, then one with just adults. The "kid' car has been fine for us, no crying babies at night, no worries about disturbing the all-adult cars. Each car has it's own restrooms, the only time you travel between them is for meals or to the snack car.

September should have less passengers, but in October you might begin to catch the 'snowbird' crowd going South for the winter months. That is why we couldn't get a seat on the trip North one year, so many of the 'birds were heading home again.

Happy planning. If your son is interested in trains at all he will love it.

 

[labdogs42]

Did you find the All About the Autotrain http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=402667
thread? 26 pages of info and experiences there.

We took the autotrain south in April 2003 and both ways in April 2005. We did not book a room - just tried to get some sleep in our coach seats. Dh does better than I, which is good because he does most of the long drive back to NY.

Our son was almost 4 on the first trip and almost 6 on the second - he absolutely LOVED it. In fact he preferred it to the airplane trip we took last fall. He likes being able to move around and explore the train, and he does find other kids to play with. The Autotrain usually separates the cars by passenger configuration, one car may be mostly families with babies, then one with school-age kids, then one with just adults. The "kid' car has been fine for us, no crying babies at night, no worries about disturbing the all-adult cars. Each car has it's own restrooms, the only time you travel between them is for meals or to the snack car.

September should have less passengers, but in October you might begin to catch the 'snowbird' crowd going South for the winter months. That is why we couldn't get a seat on the trip North one year, so many of the 'birds were heading home again.

Happy planning. If your son is interested in trains at all he will love it.

Wow -- thanks! I didn't find that thread in my search. Thanks so much!

 

[rockydek]

We take the Auto Train every year. We enjoy it. We own a timeshare and pack up the car. Best to book 11 months in advance as the price goes up the closer it gets to your date. Meals are included. They are decent. Sit down meal that includes wine, coffee and dessert. Car and 4 adults ,total cost 796.00 round trip in 2006. If you can sleep in a recliner at home you can go coach no problem. Do bring a comfy pillow. My Mom will not fly and she likes to go to Florida to visit her brother while we go to Disney. Also they now rent a little tv with movies and tv. or bring a portable dvd player. It is a peaceful ride. Have fun. Book early. Amtrak . com has a web site to check prices.
Hope this helps!

 

[PiRSquared]

We've gone twice but I have teenagers, so it was easy. We just did coach and wore ear plugs. One time we asked for downstairs because I got a bit dizzy after the previous ride. We ended up having the compartment to ourselves. There were 4 of us and 10 or 12 seats. We all laid down quite well. I might be a bit worried about a little one settling down. There is a lot of commotion all night because of the people who rent the movie players. They seem to think they need to watch every movie all night to get their money's worth.

We would do it again. The kids enjoyed it. We went straight to the parks once and the other time we actually got to check into our timeshare early. We showered and then left for the parks.

 

[dsnycrzy]

Anyone hear of any auto train sales yet, it my time to book now.

 

[MushyMushy]

Yes. Do a search for Orlando Magicard and there is a 25% discount for the Auto Train, and that's on top of a 10% AAA discount!

I booked it for our June trip -- 1 adult, 1 child, roomette was around $770. It was going to be nearly $1,000, but the agent talked me into taking a car rather than my SUV (it's my DH's car and rather old... I didn't want to take it, but if it saves that much money, it's worth taking).

We're really looking forward to it!