CT to Orlando on Amtrak - my experience

[Poohbeck]

So, we just got back from the most awesome Florida vacation. We chose to use the train since airfare for our April break was out of control. We opted not to drive, since all the driving would be on my husband.

Here's our experience and maybe some tips.

We left Hartford, CT to Penn Station at 6:30am on Friday the 16th.
We had to bring all of our luggage with us because there was no checked bags on the first leg of the trip. I was a bit nervous about this, but, it was fine. Each car has a little section where you can put your luggage. We got to Penn station, went upstairs and then waited for our next train after we checked our luggage. I guess we could have used a Red Cap, but, we didn't.

At Penn station you have to watch the big board. The board will tell you what track you need to be at approximatley 15 minutes prior to departure. We then boarded the Orlando bound train at 10:52am and we were on our way!

We ate a packed lunch. We made dinner reservations and ate at 6pm. It wasn't the best food, but, it was an experience.

The boys played cards in the Snack Car, we all watched movies on our laptops, we read books and just relaxed. My husband and I had some wine too.

We had a little issue in DC, but, it ended up working out just fine. When we pulled into DC, they told us we would be there for a while. A large group of 80 people missed the connection from Penn Station coming from Boston because there was a problem with the train. We were going to wait for them in DC so they could get on the right train. I freaked out. They let us get off the train so we walked around Union station and went outside for a bit. We purchased that wine I was telling you about and the kids got a snack. We then went back to the train.

I had packed each of us a travel pillow, pillow case and small blanket. At 10pm the train car lights went down and the boys fell right to sleep in their chairs. My husband and I were another story. We did not sleep well at all. I just wanted to lie down!

At around 6am my husband and I were awake and he went to the snack bar and purchased us a coffee at 6:30am when they opened. At around 7:30 he went back up to the Snack Bar and got us each a breakfast sandwich.

We pulled into Orlando at 10:17am, just as scheduled. We made up our time from the DC incident during the night.

I know this is long, but, I wanted everyone to know how it went. Let me know if you have any quesitons. I'll post our return trip later.

 

[disney1990]

Thanks for the Amtrak story -- we love Amtrak.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

yeah!!! Glad you had a great trip-I knew you would ridin' the rails

 

[Ln42]

Hi and thanks for the report. I never thought about this option before. Where in CT do you get the train?

This could be a great option for us if flights get too pricey.

Thanks for the info.

 

[HeatherC]

Glad you had a great trip! Would you mind sharing how much Amtrak cost? Wondering if it would be less than flying or driving....we are a family of five and flights are expensive!

Thanks!

 

[2BOYMOM]

Thanks for the post. We are taking Amtrak to Orlando for the first time in August. Since we live in NC, our entire trip is overnight. I'm very worried about sleeping in the seats. Since there are 4 of us (all adults), to add the rooms (we would need 2) makes Amtrak more expensive than it would be to fly so that is pretty much out of the question.

I'm thinking maybe if I take my iPod and a pillow and small blanket that will help.

 

[Poohbeck]

Glad you had a great trip! Would you mind sharing how much Amtrak cost? Wondering if it would be less than flying or driving....we are a family of five and flights are expensive!

Thanks!

The total for us, a family of 4, using a AAA discount was $680.00! This was round trip during New England's April break! Airfare for the 4 of us was nothing under $2,000.00!

Thanks for the post. We are taking Amtrak to Orlando for the first time in August. Since we live in NC, our entire trip is overnight. I'm very worried about sleeping in the seats. Since there are 4 of us (all adults), to add the rooms (we would need 2) makes Amtrak more expensive than it would be to fly so that is pretty much out of the question.

I'm thinking maybe if I take my iPod and a pillow and small blanket that will help.

I will admit, sleeping in the coach chairs was not easy, but, a pillow and small blanket will definetly help. Also try to sit with a window seat, that way you have something to rest your pillow against. If I had to do it all again, for the price, I would!

 

[Poohbeck]

Hi and thanks for the report. I never thought about this option before. Where in CT do you get the train?

This could be a great option for us if flights get too pricey.

Thanks for the info.

We picked up the train in Hartford, CT, but, I know there are train stations all over.

Take a peek at their website www.amtrak.com, it shows all the routes and stations.

I did choose a "manned" station because I knew I would have questions while we wait. There is a an "un-manned" station in Windsor Locks which is closer to us, but, we chose to go with Hartford.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

Glad u had an uneventful trip!! We did New Haven to Orlando 6 yrs ago and it was awful- aleast going down was.

We now are diehart Autotrain fans. We love having our van with us on the trip. We are returning for our 6th trip in Aug..

A manned station is soo much better. On a return trip from FL (took my mom down on the Autotrain and I was returning alone on the reg Amtrak train. I orginally had the sanford station. Found out it was unmanned. I was able to switch to a manned station- winter haven or parks (can't remember). Good thing bc the train was 8 hrs delayed while waiting at the station. To think I could have been alone in a lonely unmanned station for all that time not knowing what was going on. Come to think about it + there probably wasn't a food place around the unmanned station. Soo happy I switched.

DH works for Amtrak out of the Springfield station. So we are huge train travelers.

Great prices too! We are a family of 7 so I feel your pain with pricing out airfare vs the trains.

 

[skiingfast]

A few questions.

Where do you park your car or do you get a ride to the stations? My local station is not in the nicest part of town. I would need to part in a garage and then walk a while or take a bus or cab to the station. I should also note my local station is 5 hours from home.

Do they have any blankets or pillows on board like planes? Well, like planes used to.

How spaced were the seats? Were many empty? So you could move around and get some space. Does the armrest raise between the seat like on a plane?

Ok one more, I've heard the trains are single story in the East because the tunnels are smaller. Is this true?

 

[DC7800]

A few questions.

Where do you park your car or do you get a ride to the stations? My local station is not in the nicest part of town. I would need to part in a garage and then walk a while or take a bus or cab to the station. I should also note my local station is 5 hours from home.

Do they have any blankets or pillows on board like planes? Well, like planes used to.

How spaced were the seats? Were many empty? So you could move around and get some space. Does the armrest raise between the seat like on a plane?

Ok one more, I've heard the trains are single story in the East because the tunnels are smaller. Is this true?

I know of people who have parked in major hospitals paking garages and such (don't know if they asked permisison or not), or even the airport (though there is just something wrong about that!) then got a cab to the train station. Two one-way car rentals might work too.

Small pillows are provided; Blankets are for sale in the lounge car.

Seats (often compared to airline first-class) on long-distance trains are generally assigned by the coach attendant, though your experience may vary. Expect few empty seats. If the train is lightly populated, the crew will often close rear car(s) off and concentrate everyone in the other coaches. Many trains will be sold out this summer regardless.

Trains in the east are indeed single-level due to clearance restrictions. There are still a few low-clearance situations besides the two tunnels, but mostly the problems are B & P tunnel in Baltimore and the Penn Station tubes under the Hudson River in New York.

 

[deedeetoo]

I'm curious about boarding at Penn Station. We've boarded trains there before (not going to Orlando) and its been like a free for all with everyone grabbing seats. The last time we went, there were four of us and we were unable to even get two seats together though we were able to find seats all in the same car. Is it different boarding for Orlando? Some people have mentioned an attendent assigning seats but I can't imagine how that would work in the NYC rush to get on the train.

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks for the trip log I would have been one of the folks on the Boston train flipping out that we'd miss our connection. It was nice to hear they held the train but I'm sure there are times they can't do that due to blocking tracks.

How did you get to/from the Orlando station? Is there a car rental there? (I've heard of folk taking a taxi to MCO and then ME from there... but that seems so time consuming)

 

[Poohbeck]

I'm curious about boarding at Penn Station. We've boarded trains there before (not going to Orlando) and its been like a free for all with everyone grabbing seats. The last time we went, there were four of us and we were unable to even get two seats together though we were able to find seats all in the same car. Is it different boarding for Orlando? Some people have mentioned an attendent assigning seats but I can't imagine how that would work in the NYC rush to get on the train.

In Penn Station, we went down the escaltor to the track once it was assigned. Once at that track, we were greeted by the attendants and they indivually asked as where we were going and directed us to different attendants. Since we were going to Orlando, they sent us to the front of the train. The attendant at the car asked us again where we were going, how many in our party and then assigned us seats. It was quick and easy.

How did you get to/from the Orlando station? Is there a car rental there? (I've heard of folk taking a taxi to MCO and then ME from there... but that seems so time consuming)

This was a non-Disney trip for us to we rented a car from Hertz. Hertz is at the Orlando train station and we booked it thru AAA for a discount. I did see some car services there picking up people. When we go to Disney, we use Tiffany Town Car from the Airport, not sure if they pick up at the train station.

 

[tiggerplus5]

We have a 16 month old baby girl traveling with us. Is there an area where she could get out of her seat and play a little. Or do you think traveling for 24 hours on a train would be a nightmare with a toddler? She's a quiet, laid back child but all kids get bored. She travels well in her car seat but she's never been stuck in one for 24 hours. We are traveling from MA and I just dread the drive down. Looking for other options.

And can I ask-what is the % for AAA discount?

Thank you for sharing your experience on the trains!

 

[Poohbeck]

tiggerplus5,
There were quite a few folks travelling with little ones. Most of the little ones did great, there was one that cried almost all the way home from Orlando. I felt bad for her, although the mother didn't seem phased. One family was traveling with 4 little ones; a 16month old (?), a 5 year old and twin 6 year olds. They were very busy on the train but, very quiet. The Mother had packed DS's, videos, coloring books, blankets, etc... The little boy got a little restless about an hour from our last stop.

There really is no place for them to play, although, you can walk her up and down the cars. One family had their little boy coloring on the floor inside their seat area. The seat area is larger than an airline and probably too small for you or I do color in, but, the little boy seemed to have plenty of room.

I hope this helps.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Tiggerplus5-hey lady, I am jealous that you are planning another trip! we were in a photopass share last year together that I ran
I would think about the train roomettes with your little one BUT it is pricey!!If not, you can try the seats and she can get up and walk around with you.Not really any floor spots for playing though.She would be able to play with you in her seat and would probably nap too.I have a amtrak report her you should peek at.

As for the other poster asking about traveling to MCO for ME--I do not think that is allowed And if it is I would strongly advise against it.You will waste tons of time!!It will still cost you to travel to MCO so why not just travel to you resort???I did my first rental car last year and will never go back to Mears or taxis!With the codes found online the deals can be great!You can rent a car rfom Hertz at the train station.I have the prices I paid in my train trip report posted here on the Dis.

 

[twinklebug]

As for the other poster asking about traveling to MCO for ME--I do not think that is allowed And if it is I would strongly advise against it.You will waste tons of time!!It will still cost you to travel to MCO so why not just travel to you resort???I did my first rental car last year and will never go back to Mears or taxis!With the codes found online the deals can be great!You can rent a car from Hertz at the train station.I have the prices I paid in my train trip report posted here on the Dis.

I had read about others taking a taxi from the Orlando station over to MCO (it's a cheap taxi ride they say). Disney resort guests are all allowed to take ME even if we're not coming in by plane - we just need to let them know the apx time we'll be arriving and leaving. However, I asked about this approach wondering why anyone would spend time shuffling between sites just as you mentioned. I had hoped someone could validate their thinking. Looks like other than saving a few dollars there is none.

Flip flopping between plane train and automobile, I priced out Amtrak from Boston to Orlando for us. Including our AAA discounts and a car rental it'll bring the price up to within $100 of flying down and back via United (per today's kayak). So, it looks like I either drive or fly this upcoming trip. Personally - I love flying, but had never been on a train other than the commuter rail and thought it might be a fun experience.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Sometimes the prices are close
If you want to give me your info and I can try to find some codes and run some numbers to see what prices I can find

 

[tiggerplus5]

Tiggerplus5-hey lady, I am jealous that you are planning another trip! we were in a photopass share last year together that I ran
I would think about the train roomettes with your little one BUT it is pricey!!If not, you can try the seats and she can get up and walk around with you.Not really any floor spots for playing though.She would be able to play with you in her seat and would probably nap too.I have a amtrak report her you should peek at.

Hey! I was just showing my photopass pictures to my niece the other day. She wants to do the BBB so I'm trying to sell her on a photopass. Won't be as cheap as what we paid last year with the photopass share. You did a wonderful job organizing it. Ahhhh, those were the days......

The baby can walk pretty good now so she's driving everyone a little crazy. I'm leaning toward an airplane flight instead. I'm thinking the train is going to be too long of a time for her to sit still. Those little roomettes on the train really look awesome. But way too pricey. We can fly for less. I haven't flown since 9/11. Flying scared me even before 9/11. I think I'm going to need a valium or something to get on the plane.

We might try the train on an adults only trip where we can take our time getting to FL.