Autotrain (Auto Train) 9/16 and 9/23 Report!

[QueenGoblin]

Hi Everyone-

Just back today from a week in the world via the Autotrain. We had a great experience, unless you count the sleeping sitting mostly upright part. The Lorton station was very easy to find and very comfortable with a play area for our DD. It was very easy to find WDW from the Sanford station. The Sanford station had a better playarea but the station was not as nice. We rented a Digi-player for DD on the way down b/c we couldn't get a seat near an outlet. Beware, we checked in at 12:30 on the 16th and all the outlets were already spoken for according to the desk agent. You can try to find an outlet in the lounge etc. but have a back-up plan if you are hoping for an outlet at your seat. The digi-player was very nice and had a good selection of adult and family friendly content. DD is only 3 and a half and it kept her entertained. We got an outlet on the way back even though we didn't check in till more like 1:30, but the train was less busy on the way back. Since we had the outlet, DD just used her personal DVD player on the way home. They also showed a movie in the lounge both ways (Over the Hedge on the way to FL and RV on the way back).
The train was comfortable and clean. It left ontime and arrived early both days YAY! We got to the resort by 10:30 despite being one of the last cars to be unloaded and we were in the MK before noon.
The food seemed to be okay..typical cafeteria type stuff. We are vegetarian so I had the vegetable lasagne both ways and it was alright. DD had mac and cheese and seemed to like it. There was complimentary wine on the table as well during dinner. There were free bowls of chips/pretzels etc. in the lounge, along with fruit, coffee, tea etc. Soda and alcohol were available for an extra charge. Breakfast was cereal, bagels, muffins, etc. Dh is a big eater so he brought lots of snacks along too.
Overall, it was as good a trip as we could have asked for. I didn't sleep well, but I didn't really expect to. The train does rock and sway quite a bit, but it didn't seem as bad as I thought it might be. We left and arrived early both ways and the amtak employees and our fellow travelers were pleasent. If anyone has questions I'll be more than happy to try to answer!

 

[kandb]

Thank you so much for posting. We are going to WDW via the autotrain in mid-October. We have seats on the way down but got a sleeper on the way home (was $199 more). What time did you eat dinner? Can every one who wants to see the movie fit in the lounge car? What time does the movie begin? Do they turn the lights off at a certain time? Will I be able to read a book if I want to? Thanks for answering, Linda

 

[QueenGoblin]

They offered two seatings for dinner both ways. On the way down it was 5 or 7 on the way back it was 5:30 or 7:30. I think if the train is more full they offer three seatings. You can choose which you prefer upon check in (if both are still available) and you are given a "ticket" for that time. We wanted the earlier seating both times and had no trouble getting tickets for it.

We had no trouble finding a place to sit in the lounge car during the movie. On the way down, they showed the movie twice, once at 7ish and again around 9 and they announced that they were starting the movie at those times. On the way back, they just announced the title of the film and they seemed to be showing it continuously. I bet the lounge car attendant would have been able to tell us when the next showing would begin if we had wanted to know.

They turned the lights off in the coach cabins around 9, it may have been a bit later, but not too much. Basicly, it was after the second seating at dinner was over. You will have overhead reading lights above your seats like on an airplane, so you can still read or look around your area with the lights off. I had no trouble reading.

I would suggest bringing extra pillows and maybe a soft quilt if you plan on sleeping in the coach seats. The seats are roomy but not cushy so it can be hard to get comfortable and not get pressure points. If we were to go again, I think I would bring enough pillows etc. to cover the entire seat.

Have a great trip!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

In coach, was there any room to spread out to sleep? You mention sitting up to sleep the whole night! I am suppose to be on the train in a few days, and I am hoping it's not too crowded so I can get two seats together in coach (I am traveling solo). If I think it may be too crowded for that, I might opt for a standard sleeper, but that would bust my budget! But good to hear you had a nice trip!

 

[QueenGoblin]

I was sitting up mostly because I was sitting next to my 3 yo daughter. I didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone in her own row. My DH was able to spread out over two seats. DD was pretty comfy too since she is still short enough to curl up on the leg/seat portion of the seat. The train was not busy at all and if I had not been with DD I could have claimed two seats for myself as well. If you had two seats, you could kind of curl up and throw your legs over the extra seat. In one seat, it was like sleeping in a less than cushy recliner. Definately bring along some extra pillows.