AUTOTRAIN? anyone?

[chisnpeke]

We did it once 11 years ago and it was fun but very bumpy. We canceled our return trip on the autotrain and just drove back due to the bumpiness. It also really wasn't a time saver for us....we normally arrive in Florida around 5 pm the day after leaving Ohio and stopping overnight. With the autotrain, we arrived early the next morning.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

We took the autotrain twice with our continental miles that we transferred to amtrak miles. Since the merger with united this is no longer an option. Cost us 60,000 miles for a family of four in family room with a car.
The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever and my little one was quoted as saying "When do we get to go back on the train, Daddy?" as we were walking in front of Cinderella's Castle.

 

[mikek]

Seriously bumpy. I gather they use the freight tracks because of the cars.

But I wouldn't trade the memories with my kids or anything

aside from the northeast corridor (DC to Boston) and some commuter lines there is no such thing as passenger tracks in the US- it's all freight tracks that passenger railroads make arrangements to use.

that's part of the reason that long distance amtrak trains can be so late at times- if the freight railroad needs it's express train to make up time and amtrak is in the way, guess who gets pushed aside?

When we were in college, my wife and i traveled the country via amtrak one summer. They used to (may still have) have a ticket you could buy that was X dollars for as much as you could travel during a certain time period. It didn't include extras like the autotrain or sleepers. We had a great time too. One time i'd love to take our kids for longer trip. Time is so hard to come by.....

 

[thepops]

Folks... Just got an e-mail from Amtrak ... Kids ride for $39! May28- Aug 28th .. Hope that fits in with some of your plans! Check their website for details.

 

[Straitlover]

OP, the autotrain does not go to NY. It runs between Lorton, Va and Orlando w/ no stops.

 

[AnnaS]

We took the Autotrain for our return home a few years ago. I fly but don't like it. I have also taken Amtrak twice (once to Kissimmee and once further down to Jupiter). We did not do it to save money.

We did have the sleeper on the Autotrain. It is a bit bumpy, not that bad and would do it again. DH however, would rather drive.

 

[karice2]

I do the AutoTrain every time I do my big Disney Trip. It is usually two weeks. We also stay offsite with full kitchens.

I am the only one that goes down on the train. The rest of the family flys. I bring everyone's suitcase, all of the food that I planned to bring and whatever else is necessary. There are comfort things that most timeshares don't have that I like to bring. Makes for a more enjoyable trip for my family.

I work 10 minutes from the train station so I am able to work a full day and then hope right on the train. I do usually get a roomette and find that it is very peaceful. When I don't get a roomette, I usually get a row to myself which is also very nice. I bring a bag that has my slanket, pillow and all my electronics as well as a sleeping mask, noise cancelling head phones, power outlet, chargers, warm socks and slippers.

I love it. It is a way for me to transistion from work mode to vacation mode and destress. I also get in a day before my family so I can set up the rooms and unpack everyone.

The trip says it takes 19 hours but it is usually less.

 

[heartsy77]

We like it but it's so $$$, ( we never get sleeper) and it's still a 6 hour drive for us to get to the station. I think our biggest issue is : you never know if your gonna be delayed. Amtrak does not own the train tracks and out of the four times we taken it 3 times we were late getting into Sanford! We would rather drive and have control over when we get there! It's just not for us!