Car Train from Washington DC???

[MeLaNie9]

Has anyone ever taken this? We heard about a train that you put your car on (a ferry train?) and runs between Washington DC and Orlando. DH looked at the prices and found it to be comparable price-wise to our flight tickets at the time. My brother lives in the DC area and we have discussed driving out there and then taking this train with/without his family to Orlando and heading to WDW (I really hate flying and older DS loves trains). Any info about this would be appreciated!!!! TIA

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Amtrack's Auto Train ... leaves from Lorton, VA (30 minutes south of DC off I-95) and arrives at Sanford, FL (about 30-45 minutes from WDW).

I've ridden it twice ... 1996 with my DH and 19 y.o. son. We had coach seats and it was crowded (but it was Christmas time).

Did it again in August 2002 with my DD and two GK. This time I reserved a "family bedroom" it was much nicer.

If you do travel via the auto train I suggest you bring a small cooler with cold drinks (lounge car closed pretty early), some snacks, your own pillow and blanket. I'd bring a sweater too ... it was very chilly with the a/c on.

We enjoyed traveling on the auto train ... but it's cheaper and faster for us to fly out of IAD or DCA and rent a car in Orlando than take the train.

 

[zoemurr]

we reserved the bunk beds.. just 2 beds behind a curtain. (I was pg and insisted on it.. not sure if DH slept at all) He is a train nut and loved it.. put me on a plane any day.

The only frustration may be getting off... you have to wait for your car, and if you are near the end it can be quite a wait. Our car was the third one off and we couldn't believe it.

 

[mcqueengroupie]

We (me, DH, and DS7months at time) did this back in October 2001. I was nervous taking a plane with an infant after 9/11, so we tried it. I thought it was fun, we had our own rooms each way. Going down we had a ton of space and even pull down bunk bed, and coming back up we had what I think was a "family" room with less sleeping area, but our own bathroom. This worked out fine for us. The baby loved the rocking of the train, he slept like a champ, and the dinner was delicious. I know that they had a movie car that showed one or two movies and sold snacks. However, it does take away travel days that can shorten your time in WDW, and everytime I check, it is cheaper to fly and rent a car. But if you don't mind the travel time and price it was a lot of fun.

 

[meandtheguys2]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=402667

It was a ball! The ride was very bumpy, though. We had a "family room," and a bunk room. On the way home we offered the train guy $20 for a third room, that was empty.

 

[bumbershoot]

I haven't done it, but if I lived on the east coast I absolutely would.

One important thing that no one has mentioned:

All Meals are Included

"Meals are included in the price of all Auto Train tickets, no matter which class you travel in. As evening arrives, enjoy a delicious dinner in the Dining Car. Our expert chef will serve up a freshly prepared dinner including regional wines, vegetarian dishes, and special meals for the kids. Afterward, there's time for a movie or mingling with fellow passengers in the Lounge Car. In the morning, you'll awaken to a tasty continental breakfast."



I don't know about that train, but the meals on the west coast Amtrak trips I've been on have been quite good. And I'm picky.

If you have the time (that one has no stops, as far as I can tell, so it won't be delayed in stations, BUT all of Amtrak can be delayed by freight trains in front of it, and expecting to be late will save you stress), I'd do it.

 

[LisaNJ25]

We took the train home in 2001 and are taking it both ways this summer.

Right now they have a special where kids ride free. I saved $300 on the reservation. Just got my tickets in the mail yesterday

We enjoyed it.. I wont fly and I dont want to be in the car with 4 kids for 2 days. I did not get a room. Couldn't see spending all of that extra money. We did get lower level seats.

 

[CastleCreations]

We did this over Thanksgiving and it was a nightmare for us. I forgot my bag with my toiletries in it. That was my mistake. But it was just too bumpy for us. I heard they have to travel on the frieght rails, because they are carrying cars, and that commuter rails are much smoother. I actually felt motion sickness before dinner. We had the family bedroom, which isn't really worth the money, but it's more space than a little seat. The best thing I did was bring coloring books for the kids and the DVD player. I wished I had a television for myself, because I was up all night because of the rocking. I wouldn't do it again, and actually drove back the other way to avoid having to get back on the train. The meal was good, the service was fantastic, but I'd rather drive... Lisa

 

[Denise6131]

I couldn't agree more with CastleCreations. We took it down in August 06 and cancelled are return home trip in order to drive. We had a family bedroom that was extremely small. The ride was very bumpy. I was 4 months pregnant and felt the bumping on the train was worse than any rides at Disney. Also, our trip to Lorton took about 3hrs. and there just seems to be too much waiting....Especially for your car at the end. The food wasn't bad though and the staff on the train were friendly.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

Not worth it. Add up the fares for passengers + vehicle and you can fly or drive for less and be there in the same amount of time. Sleeping is at best difficult and you arrived tired and ugly. I couldn't sleep but wound up playing poker and drinking with a few other insomniacs. I'd never, ever, do it again.

 

[ldo]

We take it from VA-Fla one way and drive back the other way. We get 2 roomettes across from each other (which make into bunk beds). We put the kids in one during the ride and we are in the other one. At night, we split up-one adult with each kid.
Price includes food and wine with dinner.
It's definitely an adventure--but pretty fun. Don't expect a great night's sleep. If you have kids who like trains, it's fun. We also rent the DVD player with about 3 kids movies and 3 grown-up movies, and a few short shows.