pookybean
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2002
- Messages
- 775
Hello,
I just got back from our trip and we took amtrak rather than flying this time to save money. i thought i would answer all the questions **I** had when deciding but could not find any or a straight forward answer.
we got on the train at 30th st station in philadelphia. i was going to carry on our luggage, but our bags got out of control and i didnt want to have to carry them through the aisle of the train. i checked our bags and it was very easy. you can check 2 per person and then carry on 2 (well, 1 bag and a "personal" item). some people carried on larger bags as well and stored them at the front of the car. getting the luggage at orlando was easy as well.
when we got on the train (going and returning) the conductors told us where will be sitting. it was me and 3 kids. we were across the aisle from each other. this was a concern of mine because taking the northeast corridor trains it is fend for yourself and we were scattered a bit until seats closer together opened.
The aisle of the train seemed bigger and the seats were def. bigger than the ones on the NE train. they reclined back further, had a leg rest (like a living room recliner) and the foot rest had varying heights. this made it easier to get comfortable enough to rest.
there was no wifi on the trains except at some of the stations while we were stopped there. lights went off around 10pm. the train did stop throughout the night, but the conductors were quieter and rather than make a loudspeaker announcement they went around to the individuals who were getting off at that stop.
i had sleep masks for my girls and i and they helped a lot with sleeping, although the lights are dimmed it is never completely dark. we brought our own pillows and blankets, i get skeeved out at those little pillows on the airplane, which is what they used on the train as well. they did not give out blankets. i also listened to my ipod all night to keep out noises. there were outlets at every seat.
we ate lunch in the dining car coming home and by our reservation time most of the food was gone, it was easier for the server to tell us what they did have than did not have. i dont know if this was the case in the lounge/cafe area because we didnt eat there. all of that food is microwaved, burgers, dogs, sandwiches etc.... they do give free ice!
arriving we got off in orlando it was a little busy, but not too bad. coming home we got on in kissimmee and it was a ghost town! i did this because i wanted to be sure we got seats and i read about orlando being nuts. i wasnt sure if we were going to have to find our own seats so when i booked i wanted to have the best chance possible to get some together.
i didn't book a car/taxi/mears ahead of time because they were so expensive. the taxi calculator estimated $36 so i thought i would take my chance with them. when we got there there was a van service/taxi who said he would take us to pop for $35. he also offered to stop at a store for us, idk if it would have costed extra or not because i declined. i also had him pick us up to drive us to kissimmee.
i think this addresses most if not all the questions i had prior to taking the train. if anyone else has any others feel free to ask! although i would prefer to fly i wouldnt hesitate to take the train again if need be.
I just got back from our trip and we took amtrak rather than flying this time to save money. i thought i would answer all the questions **I** had when deciding but could not find any or a straight forward answer.
we got on the train at 30th st station in philadelphia. i was going to carry on our luggage, but our bags got out of control and i didnt want to have to carry them through the aisle of the train. i checked our bags and it was very easy. you can check 2 per person and then carry on 2 (well, 1 bag and a "personal" item). some people carried on larger bags as well and stored them at the front of the car. getting the luggage at orlando was easy as well.
when we got on the train (going and returning) the conductors told us where will be sitting. it was me and 3 kids. we were across the aisle from each other. this was a concern of mine because taking the northeast corridor trains it is fend for yourself and we were scattered a bit until seats closer together opened.
The aisle of the train seemed bigger and the seats were def. bigger than the ones on the NE train. they reclined back further, had a leg rest (like a living room recliner) and the foot rest had varying heights. this made it easier to get comfortable enough to rest.
there was no wifi on the trains except at some of the stations while we were stopped there. lights went off around 10pm. the train did stop throughout the night, but the conductors were quieter and rather than make a loudspeaker announcement they went around to the individuals who were getting off at that stop.
i had sleep masks for my girls and i and they helped a lot with sleeping, although the lights are dimmed it is never completely dark. we brought our own pillows and blankets, i get skeeved out at those little pillows on the airplane, which is what they used on the train as well. they did not give out blankets. i also listened to my ipod all night to keep out noises. there were outlets at every seat.
we ate lunch in the dining car coming home and by our reservation time most of the food was gone, it was easier for the server to tell us what they did have than did not have. i dont know if this was the case in the lounge/cafe area because we didnt eat there. all of that food is microwaved, burgers, dogs, sandwiches etc.... they do give free ice!
arriving we got off in orlando it was a little busy, but not too bad. coming home we got on in kissimmee and it was a ghost town! i did this because i wanted to be sure we got seats and i read about orlando being nuts. i wasnt sure if we were going to have to find our own seats so when i booked i wanted to have the best chance possible to get some together.
i didn't book a car/taxi/mears ahead of time because they were so expensive. the taxi calculator estimated $36 so i thought i would take my chance with them. when we got there there was a van service/taxi who said he would take us to pop for $35. he also offered to stop at a store for us, idk if it would have costed extra or not because i declined. i also had him pick us up to drive us to kissimmee.
i think this addresses most if not all the questions i had prior to taking the train. if anyone else has any others feel free to ask! although i would prefer to fly i wouldnt hesitate to take the train again if need be.
