Has anyone taken the Auto Train ?

[momdad4kids]

We're planning a fall trip to WDW as our kids have 3 weeks off school during last 2 weeks of sept and 1st week of October. We've driven down several times but honestly the idea of driving to Florida with 4 kids does'nt really appeal to me .
Flight deals seem to be fewer lately,last year we ended up flying out of Boston to save a few dollars When you multiply seat prices by 6 a few dollars can really add up,lol.
Anyhow we were thinking if we end up driving to Boston why not Virginia and take the train down as our kids have hardly ever seen a real train let alone ever actually ridden one. Has anyone taken Amtraks auto train before and is there anything one should know or do ?

 

[maggieb9975]

similar type question here.......may have some answers

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2324865

 

[absolut_mandy]

We took the Autotrain a couple of years ago and it was too easy. We took it b/c my friend doesn't like to fly and I didn't want to drive all the way down.

We live in Kingston, ON so it was about 8-9 hours to Virginia. The jist of it is that you get to the train station, they take your car and put it on the train and you wait to board the train. The train leaves the station around 4 and you get into Sanford at around 8 am.

When we went, we splurged a got a roomette. Just enough room for 2 people, but nothing too much more. The food was really good in the dining car but I think that the more money you pay (a seat vs a room), the better quality of food.

Be warned that it is not a smooth ride. The Autotrain uses the freight tracks and it stops in the night to let freight trains pass. We didn't get too much sleep but it was an adventure!

One our way back the train ran into delays and we were 3 hours late. We both had showers on the train (very interesting! ) and got ready for the long ride home. Both of us said that we would love to take the Autotrain down to Florida but drive back home ourselves. I guess we just wanted to get home at the end of the vacation and the delay was stopping that.

The best part of the Autotrain for us was that when we got to Sanford, we hit a grocery store, checked into the hotel and were at MK by noon. It was a great start to the holiday!

If I can answer any more questions, just pm me.

Mandy

 

[highland3]

We came home on the Auto Train.

We went coach. NEVER AGAIN!!!!

It was DW, DD, DS and I. DS (8) was the only one who could curl up and fall asleep.

My friend from Kingston is right... it's a pretty rough ride by times.

But... it was an adventure. We got off the train in VA and then drove home. It was a nice break, but if we ever do the train again... it will be at least a roomette.

The food was great and service was good. But the train isn't cheap... I was surprised at how expensive it was.

 

[Cleocat]

We took the auto train last month. We loved it. We will use it anytime we will be staying in FL. for anylength of time. The fact you have your own car, it was a very relaxing trip. But you definatly need a sleeper cab, the roomettes are a little tight, we upgraded to a br on the way home. You won't need to leave the br the whole trip except to eat.
My wife has family there so not having to rent a car and be able to bring what we need is a big plus.
Plus you can buy souveniers from disney and not have to worry about how to pack them for the plane!!!!!!!
Yes it costs more than flying but I think it is well worth the money, the ease and relaxation of it makes it worth every dime.