HELP! with any info RE: Amtrak

[kimmar067]

Does anyone have any info they can share with me RE: travelling on Amtrak. BTW ~ where does it make its stop in Orlando???

 

[TinkHappy]

are you requesting information on the Autotrain? We did this last year and had a BLAST!! Let me know if this is the information you need.

 

[Dodie]

There have been a LOT of Amtrak posts on this board lately.

If you do a search you'll find a good basis of information, but make sure you search under incorrect spellings as well. I've seen Amtrak spelled "Amtrack" a few times. Try auto train and autotrain too.

 

[cindala]

Kim,
Amtrak stops in both Orlando and Kissimmee. If you go to their website amtrak.com, you can do a search of prices. Use code H304 and receive 25% off of any regular fare. They also offer companion rates, and AAA discounts, but you can't combine discounts, just pick the one that gives you the best price.

Also, on their website you can get individual information about the stations and their hours.

 

[kimmar067]

TinkHappy, I would be going with my 8-y-o DS and we would not be taking a car (I'd be boarding at Newark)

Can anyone share their experiences with the ride from Newark to Orlando???? (sore butts, aching backs, etc....???!?!?!)

 

[disneyjunkie]

When are you going? DS and I are taking the train down this summer. This will be our first time going from NY to Orlando by train. We've done NY to NC and SC 100s of times. In 2001 we took the train from SC to Orlando.

If you're going to book coach, be sure to have plenty of things to keep your son busy. I'm thinking of getting a personal DVD player for the trip, and adding several games to DSs gameboy collection.

Be sure to pack snacks. They sale them on the train, but sometimes they run out. A pillow and throw will be nice. It tends to get rather cool.

Don't expect to get there on time. I'm 35, I've been riding Amtrak since I was in the 4th grade (up and down the east coast) they are often late.

The later train is sometimes cheaper than the early one.

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

Kimm, DW and DS took Amtrak from newark last November. Not to burst your bubble but it was terrible. First of all the train is almost always late. We had a 7pm departure from newark and the train did not even show up until 9:30pm. Then getting on the train there was no food staff on board, so no dinner. Then we were 4 1/2 hours late into Kissame. This was only the first part of the trip. My advice, if you can afford it fly, fly, fly, fly. We will never take the train again. The rooms were dirty, the water smelled, and the staff was rude.

Scott

 

[kimmar067]

...I'm a "little" worried.....SAKPEG99OKW, sounds like you had a HORRIBLE trip! The only reason I am thinking of setting up this "mini" vaca is because my DH, his brother and son, and my 2 eldest DS's are planning on being on our property in upstate NY for the spring break and I just don't want to be "stuck home" with my little guy for the week, so I was trying to figure a way to get to WDW for a few as economically as possible! (got a quote of $123 RT and DS goes FREE!! ~ Pretty hard to pass up!)

Any other comments out there.....??!?!?!

 

[apagano]

kimmar067, with any mode of travel you are going to have some horror stories. The airlines lose luggage and cancel flights in bad weather, cars break down in the middle of nowhere, and Amtrak is late. It's part of the risk you take. I have had some terrible flying experiences, but it does not keep me from flying. Don't let one bad story keep you from doing what you want to do. I think taking the train to WDW could be a great bonding experience for you and your DS.

 

[cindala]

Kim,
Wow! Sounds like a fun adventure for you and Dillan! Can I come too??? You can't beat $123 for the two of you round trip.

If you can, leave early in the day since delays build up over the course of the day, and morning departures are less likely to be delayed than later evening departures. (Just like flying! )

You can arrive in either Kissimmee or Orlando, and just grab a cab and go! Good luck!!

 

[delswife]

I have taken Amtrak from Maine to Florida in March 2002.
Is was terrible. BUT I am concidering doing it again because it is a cheap way to travel.
The staff was very rude, the bathroom is dirty, and if another traveler hadden stuck his arm in it to unclog it, there would have been no toliet! (GROSS!!)
The food is vending type, not real great, but edible. I brought my own food, small blanket and books.
Dont think of it as airline travel, think of it as a ride. Thats what it amounts too.
When I finally arrived at my desination, I was so upset I called amtrak and they gave me a voucher for $100 in amtrac travel. I was very surprised because I wasnt really looking for anything and told the woman this. I hadnt planned on ever riding Amtrak again, but DH & I decieded to use it for a quick trip to Boston. We had a wonderful time!
I think if you dont expect alot, you wont be dissapointed. Have a great time!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

mY FAMILY and i have gone to disney by train 4 - 5 times. I am the one who does not like to fly, when i was younger i didnt mind.I will not fly at all, even with medicine. Last summer my 13 dd and 13 girlfriend ,husband and i went. We took the train from dedham,ma, to wash.dc. that was a really nice stop. then on to orlando. We ususally take a cab to disney hotel. We have learned to bring alot of stuff. We make sure to wear long jersey pants and bring jacket , sweatshirt cause the ac is cold. oh yeah we have been going in August. Last summer i also brought a small carry on with snacks, popcorn, jelly and crackers, wheat thins. We ususally let kids eat pizza or breakfast on train. I dont really like the food on the train. it is ok. It is a long trip, but we have met alot of nice people on the train. everyone is friendly , it is a LONG ride, but please just remember , once your there it is DISNEY time.Also bring magazines, cd or player for kids. you will get there , just keep an open mind. the traine usually does run late, we had 2 trips that were really good. have a great time.

 

[vacationwoman]

DH and I stop flying in 94 after very bad experience. I will not fly again for any reason. We have been taking Amtrak every year to Disney (sometimes twice a year). I also travel for business and only go by train.
Best part of Train
You meet a lot of nice people
If you like to lay back and relax you'll love it
The dining car is very nice
Also has a lounge car you can sit in
The coach seats are pretty comfortable
Some attendents are very helpful
Worse part of Train
Some attendents are terrible
The bathrooms in the coach train are always dirty and smell
Traveling Tips
If you can afford it get a sleeper. The standard one is a good size for you and your son. It has a bathroom in the room (not closed in though) But it is clean and doesn't smell. You also have more privacy.
Take books, games, and things to keep him occupied.
Take a small cooler (maybe one on wheels) if you want to take your own food and drinks. Food on train is expensive.
The train is always late for various reasons. CSX owns the tracks and sometimes Amtrak has to yield to them. In heavy rain the train has to slow to a certain speed.
Coach section is very very cold, bring a small blanket for each of you, also small pillows. Don't worry about looking odd. I have seen people with trash bag filled with blankets and pillows. It's a long long ride.
We took coach the very first time we rode Amtrak to Florida will not do that again. Mostly because of bathrooms. Now we only get Deluxe sleeper. It has private enclosed bathroom and is very comfortable. It's very expensive but I just consider it one of my vacation perks.
In sleepers you can control your own thermostat and meals in dining room are included in price

Have a great time.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Sis, I hope this works out for you and you finally get to experience World Showcase without the fuddy duds!

 

[goofy4tink]

Dopeys twin dippy,,,I've been thinking about this same route. But I'm a little concerned about being in Washington for an extended period, waiting for my next train. Any thoughts here? I would be with my dd, 9. We would be getting a standard sleeper from there to Orlando, but coach from Dedham to D.C.

 

[delswife]

I was in Washington for 10 hours on my trip to florida, it was great! I asked to get a later train because I wanted to check out the vietnam memorial wall and the musiums (sp?) in the area. Everything is pretty close to the station, which is also beautiful itself. You can jump right on a bus and see the sites. If you are only there for an hour or so, or dont feel comfortable leaving the station, down stairs there is a food court that is alot like the one in Epcot, many choises is food. There is a 50's cafe there that was sooo good! You can rent a locker for your things so you dont have to carry it around. I think it was $7-$10 for the day. I had a huge backpack, one my husband had in the army.
The walking distance to the white house is like the distance from the main gate at MK to the castle, I would guess, maybe alittle farther. You will enjoy this 'layover'. Have a great time!

 

[kimmar067]

...does the Newark/Kissimmee train make frequent stops? (I was thinking that it just stopped in Wash, DC and then went straight thru to Fla....)

 

[apagano]

There are two trains from Newark to Orlando/Kissimmee. The Silver Star departs Newark at 11:47am and arrives at Kissimmee at 12:07pm the following day. The Silver meteor leaves Newark at 7:23pm and arrives at Kissimmee at 4:23pm the next day. Both trains make numerous stops, including several podunk towns in the Carolinas (no offense to any of you podunk residents out there).

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

goofy4tink, WE took the 635 am train out of dedham, and we had a 3 hr. layover on wash. The station is a really nice building. It has a lot of stores and places to eat. They also have a movie theatre. lol. My 13 yr. daughter and friend liked it alot. We did walk over to the capitol bldg. The area was very pretty. So if you have a few hours thats not bad. Have a great trip.

 

[GoofyinNY]

DH, DS, and I travel by Amtrak from NY to WDW. I'm the one that hates flying. We book sleepers - either 2 standards or one deluxe. We consider the one day trip as part of our vacation. This makes the trip very enjoyable. I love to eat in the dining car - it's a rolling restaurant! All meals are included in the first class price, and the food is pretty good.

If you're interested in booking a sleeper -- reserve early. If you can travel during an off peak time - the rate will be lower. Go to www.amtrak.com and start plugging in dates. The range in price will astound you. You need to be among the first to book the sleeper compartments on your train. The way Amtrak works, as the sleepers fill up, the price rises accordingly. It can almost double. If you want more hints, go to www.trainweb.com and talk to the experts.

Have a great trip.