Have also posted this on another board, Have you used Auto Train?

[Camping Griswalds]

We have been told that this is a really neat way to travel to Disney world. Supposedly you just load your vehicle up and let them do all of the driving (by train) for you. Have you tried this? What was your experience like? I thought it might be easier than the drive (about 16-18 hours) for the 18 month old. Thanks

 

[J/T Gramdma]

I have used the auto train twice. Both times my grandsons 4/6 and 7/9 loved it. They got to move around and watch the auto's load and unload. they had no trouble sleeping. We had a 'family bedroom' and they had space to play and do homework on the way down. It was $350 for the car. plus the cost of the stateroom. Dinner was free and the kids watched cartoons and the world go by from the 'snack car' as my kids called it. The best part of the trip was leaving the driving to someone else. We woke up had a contentinel breakfast and after about anhour or two was in disney with happy kids. The lack of wear and tear on our nerves and not having to do all the driving was great. I don't know how to make a link but on the transportation board there is lots of info about the "autotrain" and I think it has its own thread. We loved it and will do it again. They also run specials for the snow birds. try to use it when the snowbirds are not running.

 

[meandtheguys2]

We loved it, but it was very bumpy. Would stil do it again, in a heartbeat, though!

 

[jodifla]

The Autotrain was great for my 3.5 year old. He grinned from ear to ear the entire time we were on the train!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Great fun ... I've done it twice ... but it's more expensive to take the auto train than to fly to MCO and rent a compact car.

I also reserved the family bedroom when I traveled with my grandchildren.

Two words of caution — it can be a bumpy ride and we froze in our compartment (August) ... so next time we'll dress warmer for the trip or take lap blankets with us.

 

[Otimon]

Have taken the Auto Train, both north and south, many times over the years.
Highly recommend it.

Relax and enjoy the ride.

 

[jodifla]

Great fun ... I've done it twice ... but it's more expensive to take the auto train than to fly to MCO and rent a compact car.

I also reserved the family bedroom when I traveled with my grandchildren.

Two words of caution — it can be a bumpy ride and we froze in our compartment (August) ... so next time we'll dress warmer for the trip or take lap blankets with us.

\Not always! The flights from Michigan to Orlando in February are running $600 or more per person!

 

[tink&cinderella]

Where in the North - near Canada border do these trains start from???

Tink & Cinderella

 

[crazyme5kids]

How many people can a sleeper accommodate? Can you get two connecting rooms?

 

[Nancyg56]

I took the Auto train with my sis in law. I really enjoyed the ride. We looked at the trip as the first day of our vacation and relaxed with a book and a cup of coffee. The kids we observed seemed to enjoy the experience. For me though, one time was enough.

 

[snowy76]

Where in the North - near Canada border do these trains start from???

Tink & Cinderella

The autotrain runs between northern Virginia (Lorton, near DC) and Sanford.