Just back and took the auto-train

[4merlurkerchris]

If anyone has any auto-train questions, we just got off the train this morning!
Chris

 

[Teacher510]

Other posts have suggested bringing an extra blanket and pillow. Would these have to be packed as part of your carry-on luggage or can you just bring them on in addition to the bags? How many bags per person and what size? How long a trip to Lorton, Va.(time-wise)? We live near Giants Stadium. How was the sleeping? Where do you change clothes and how often (bedtime clothes and next morning?)? What kind of movie? How was the food? What time did you get to WDW? What time did you leave WDW to get the train back home?
Aren't you sorry you asked?? Believe it or not there are probably things I forgot to ask so if there's anything else pertinent and you're not totally fed up with me please share!
I hope that you had a wonderful time and thanks for the help!!

 

[gofenmom]

We use the AutoTrain everytime we go to FL. Did you have a good trip? Coach or sleeper? What was the movie? Did the train get into Sanford on time?
Thanks.

 

[4merlurkerchris]

We had a sleeper, but we saw others who did not that had about 2 bags each, plus pillows and/or blankets. If you do not have a sleeper, people changed clothes in the bathrooms. The movie going south was Castaway and going north was Miss Congeniality. Both were edited versions for families. The trip from Long Island to Lorton takes 5 hours. We arrived in Sanford at about 8:45am and then it is about a 45 minute drive to WDW. The food was really not bad. They have about 4 different choices and desserts and wine. There is a standard continental breakfast in the morning.
Chris

 

[caitycaity]

how long did it take your car to be unloaded? was the train more or less on time?

how early did you get to the train station?

thanks!

 

[Humphrey1227]

never heard of auto-train! How is the price compared to flying? Time? What kind of service is available? meals? thanks

 

[4merlurkerchris]

When we arrived in Sanford, they separate the train from the auto-carrier and then they allow you to de-train. That took about 10 to 15 minutes. Then we were lucky--it was only 10 minutes before our car was called. When we came back to Lorton, it took 30 minutes, so it just depends on when they get to your car. The trains were both on time. It is about a 5 hour drive from our house, so we arrived at the station at 12:15pm and they let you on the train at 2:30pm and it leaves at 4:00pm. The auto-train is probably less than flying if you do not get the sleeper. The train leaves Lorton, Virginia at 4pm and arrives in Sanford at 8:30am.
Chris

 

[Minnie's Mate]

What cities does this train travel through and do they pick up additional autos and passengers in those towns? Sounds like it might be fun if the train goes through Atlanta.

 

[4merlurkerchris]

The auto-train does not pick up additional passengers nor autos. You can only board the train in Lorton, Virginia or Sanford, Florida.
Chris

 

[caitycaity]

thanks chris! we're going on the autotrain for our wedding/honeymoon.

Since neither of us was 25 yet (almost!) the cost including a sleeper was the same price as airplane/car rental. it's not cheap though - including our AAA discount it was $1000 for the 2 of us in a sleeper.

 

[DC7800]

Humphrey1227,
You might want to look at this website for information on Auto-Train:
http://communities.prodigy.net/trains/amtauto.htm

Minnie's Mate,
You can take a "regular" passenger train to Florida from Atlanta - but it would really be the "scenic route"! You would have to change trains either in Charlotte, NC or else in New Orleans! I have the same problem from Tennessee - drive 5-6 hours to a station on North Carolina or Memphis. If you ever want to sample rail travel - which I highly recommend - you might drive to Savannah, GA and take the train south from there.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Thanks DC7800. We are planning to take the train from Atlanta to New Orleans when the kids get older. I have taken trains in other countries and thought they were fun.

When I was in high school, my parents took Amtrak from Waycross, GA to Miami to go on a cruise. They had to meet the train at some ungodly hour like 3:45 am and returned at an equally ungodly hour! My mom enjoyed it, my dad didn't think it was worth it. But as much as my kids like trains, I'm sure it would be worth taking when they are old enough to remember it when they are grown.