Autotrain tips please!

[J3nn78]

We (2 adults, 2 kids-4 and 6) will be taking our first trip on the autotrain in August. I tried looking through the thread, but it is sooooooo long. So if you have traveled on it before, please include your ideas/tips that made the trip more comfortable for you.

Thanks!

 

[jodifla]

I've taken it twice with my son, and really enjoyed it. Here are my tips:

--Get accommodations: We got a pullman. You could get two across from each other for your family, or a family bedroom. This also gives you first-class dining car reservations.

--Get there early....the dinner reservations are first come, first served.

--Bring your favorite pillows and/or blankets, and a bag with EVERYTHING you'll need for overnight: Pjs, toiletries, any snacks you want, audio/visual items, books.

have a great trip!

 

[Darth Heretic]

Just tryin to get to 10 posts

 

[Cupmom]

1.I have read to bring your own pillows.
2.They show a movie in the lounge car at night.

 

[Cupmom]

We (2 adults, 2 kids-4 and 6) will be taking our first trip on the autotrain in August. I tried looking through the thread, but it is sooooooo long. So if you have traveled on it before, please include your ideas/tips that made the trip more comfortable for you.

Thanks!

Looking at your tag we maybe on the same train!!

 

[Kazzy1548]

We went last summer. We booked lower level in the back row. Behind the seats there is enough room to set up infaltable matresses so both kids can sleep. It was my kids sanctuary. They slept very well. Mind you my kids are older. 16 and 11. They were comfy... My husband and I got to strench on 2 seats.
Of course get there early to book your dinning reservation. The popular hour is 7:00. It goes fast.
We also brought our lap top filled with movies. Kept the girls busy.

 

[J3nn78]

We went last summer. We booked lower level in the back row. Behind the seats there is enough room to set up infaltable matresses so both kids can sleep. It was my kids sanctuary. They slept very well. Mind you my kids are older. 16 and 11. They were comfy... My husband and I got to strench on 2 seats.
Of course get there early to book your dinning reservation. The popular hour is 7:00. It goes fast.
We also brought our lap top filled with movies. Kept the girls busy.

When do you get to choose where your seat is? Do you recommend the lower level over the upper?

 

[J3nn78]

Looking at your tag we maybe on the same train!!

Which day are you going? I think we are going on August 22. We changed our dates around a few times, so I am not sure if my ticker is right.

 

[M5ward]

We've always gotten a roomette or a bedroom with a bathroom. It makes sleeping easier and more private. We also take a laptop and DVDs for entertainment. The roomettes, etc. have electrical outlets so running the battery down on the laptop wasn't an issue.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

When do you get to choose where your seat is? Do you recommend the lower level over the upper?

If you book online there is an option for the lower level.

If you call you can make the request.

I don't think you can request a specific seat though.

Be sure to bring plenty of comfortable pillows and blankets.

 

[bdcp]

Sleepers and roomettes are assigned when you book. Seats are assigned when you check in. We carry travel pillows and beach towels to cover with. We don't need much cover in the seats since we sleep in the clothes we travel in and socks.

All seats have electrical outlets.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We are returning in Aug for our 7th and 8th trip on the AT to Florida and WDW this June and August.

First thing to remember is that the AT is part of the vacation--not just a mode of transportation. Expect delays and be pleasantly surprised when you arrive on time. We have been on time or ahead of schedule for many of the trips. When you wake up in the morning they will announce (or u can ask). Make sure that you list your cellphone # with ur reservation. In 08 our return AT was cancelled due to Tropical Storm Fay. It was the 1st time we encountered bad weather. We were ontop of the news with the cancellations for a few days bf ours. I made alternate resort ressie and AT ressie if our AT was cancelled-- which it was. I found out a little bf Amtrak called to advise of the cancellation. If I had left a home number we would have never gotten that call. We debated for a mere few seconds about driving home but opted to hang out 5 more days till the next available AT. It was honestly our best trip ever!

If ur traveling in Coach- blanket and pillow as others suggested. all seats have outlets at them. IF you are bringing any electronics make sure u have headsets. They are required after 8pm (i think). We do bring a change of clothes--- usually sweats to sleep in and then a change for day of arrival. Movie is available in lounge car but we have never saw them bc we get up at 2am so we are all exhausted by the time dinner is over.

We have traveled in coach and sleepers. We pack snacks and drinks with us. Walking thru the train-remember to hold on to the seats or the handles while moving btwn the cars. Dh and I joke that they must have been drunk while laying the tracks-- they do tend to be rocky.

Can't wait we board in 8 wks tomorrow for our Beach vacation and again in 14 wks for our WDW trip. Soo very excited.

please let me know if you have any other ?'s I'd be happy to help

 

[J3nn78]

Thanks for all the tips! I appreciate them!

We are going to go coach. The roomettes are just too expensive and I tend to feel claustrophobic in tight situations.

My boys are really excited about the train. We have always just driven, but wanted to do something a little different for the trip down. And now with outrageous gas prices, it is going to save us some money.

 

[J3nn78]

What about snack food? I know they serve dinner, but should I pack some snacks and drinks?

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We always pack bag of snacks and drinks. Our dc range from 3-12 and someone is always hungry. We also bring it in the event there is a delay we have something to nibble on. I like to bring a bottle or two of water for myself. In the lounge car you can purchase snacks too but it is cheaper just to bring our own. There have times we brought snacks along and didn't even touch them but I'd rather have them than not.

 

[Cupmom]

subbing

 

[J3nn78]

I think I read somewhere a long time ago about putting up a sheet for a little privacy? Anyone do this? If so, how?

 

[chartle]

I think I read somewhere a long time ago about putting up a sheet for a little privacy? Anyone do this? If so, how?

If you are talking coach I'm not sure how that would work. One issue I could see right off the top is that it could hang in the aisle and people would possibly grab it as the they use the seats to stabilize them selves.

If you you want privacy I would say get a room.

 

[LisaNJ25]

What about snack food? I know they serve dinner, but should I pack some snacks and drinks?

yes, pack snacks and drinks. We had a major delay last time heading down. Also be prepared for the unexpected. Our return train was cancelled and we drove back.

 

[J3nn78]

I don't need the sheet, just thought I read it somewhere and I could not really see how it would work for the reasons mentioned.