Autotrain or drive?

[deedeew80]

Going to Disney 8/30-9/6. We usually drive from NJ (me, DH, DD9, DS7) but we have been tossing around the idea of taking the autotrain this time. Growing up we took the autotrain all the time. It was an added fun experience. Yes, the sleeping isn’t great, but still worth it the adventure. My kids really want to do it, but we are still trying to decide. We also thought of possibly driving down and taking the autotrain home. I don’t even know how the autotrain is these days. I’m sure things have changed. Last time I was on the autotrain was in 2002. Lol! They used to keep people traveling with children separate from those without children, so they still do that? I know I read that dinner wasn’t included anymore unless you stay in a sleeper. Do they still have a lounge car? How about a look out area on top of the train? Anyway. If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

There's a thread for that https://www.disboards.com/threads/all-about-the-autotrain.402667/

 

[LovesTimone]

I think that it would be fun experience for your family... I would vote for driving down and taking the auto train home... you guys will be tired and this way it lets some else do the driving... and it will be something to look forward to once leaving the parks...

 

[easyas123]

I think that it would be fun experience for your family... I would vote for driving down and taking the auto train home... you guys will be tired and this way it lets some else do the driving... and it will be something to look forward to once leaving the parks...

Excellent idea.
We did this last May...now admittedly we had a small sleeper and there is no way I would do anything less than that again. Even that was a bit uncomfortable! OP - have you looked into a family suite?

 

[deedeew80]

Excellent idea.
We did this last May...now admittedly we had a small sleeper and there is no way I would do anything less than that again. Even that was a bit uncomfortable! OP - have you looked into a family suite?

Yes, and it would cost us a total of like $8,000 so that’s a definite no! Lol!

 

[easyas123]

We did it one way in May, the sleeper w/ a car and it was $800. Just two of us though - so I imagine it might be higher with a better class of sleeping arrangements and more people.

 

[deedeew80]

We did it one way in May, the sleeper w/ a car and it was $800. Just two of us though - so I imagine it might be higher with a better class of sleeping arrangements and more people.

Yes, there are 4 of us so we would either need two sleepers or the family sleeper.

 

[easyas123]

Wow - $8K for one vehicle & four people in a family sleeper one way? That's nuts.

 

[deedeew80]

Wow - $8K for one vehicle & four people in a family sleeper one way? That's nuts.

No, that was for round trip. One way was $900

 

[deedeew80]

No, that was for round trip. One way was $900

Sorry, round trip was $1827 I don’t know where I got $8000 at Lol! But still, not paying that much when we can just drive like we usually do.