Just booked the autotrain

[PEANUT1]

We just booked the autotrain for our November trip..We are going Nov27th and leaving Dec 4th. We are super excited!

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[chartle]

We just booked the autotrain for our November trip..We are going Nov27th and leaving Dec 4th. We are super excited!

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Are you going coach or getting a room and what is the makeup of your family?

 

[Missytara]

If you are going coach, sit upstairs. My parents did this a few years ago, and they said it was much quieter upstairs!

 

[phred52]

If you are going coach, sit upstairs. My parents did this a few years ago, and they said it was much quieter upstairs!

Our experience is exactly opposite.

For us, the 'downstairs' of each car was just 12 seats and each car dead ended, didn't connect anywhere ..... while 'upstairs' was solid seats AND was the route everyone HAD to walk to get to/from the lounge car and dining car. We were downstairs and it was very quiet. No one came in our car unless it was one of the 12 of us.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Burlington County? Me too!!!

I've always enjoyed the Auto Train. If you booked "coach", then you may want to consider asking for an upgrade when you get to Lorton. We were able to upgrade to a 2-person sleeper for a very reasonable amount of money. And it was worth it.

Bring your own pillows (this is about the best advice I can offer )

 

[AnnaS]

Blanket and pillow - it gets cold at night (and in the dining room).

 

[PEANUT1]

Thanks so much guys
We are a family of 4..myself, my hubby and our daughters ages when we go (4 and almost 7)

We got coach seating lower level. We did some research that said it was quieter, less foot traffic and less rocking of the train on the lower level. We are hoping to upgrade to a sleeping room on arrival..I just couldn't pay those prices for a room

We got r/t for 800$ including our car. I was pretty happy with that because we always rent a car when we travel to disney..so we are actually saving a little

 

[chartle]

Try this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=402667

I knew it was out there.

ETA: just popped over that thread and I see you already have posted on it.

 

[AnnaS]

Thanks so much guys
We are a family of 4..myself, my hubby and our daughters ages when we go (4 and almost 7)

We got coach seating lower level. We did some research that said it was quieter, less foot traffic and less rocking of the train on the lower level. We are hoping to upgrade to a sleeping room on arrival..I just couldn't pay those prices for a room

We got r/t for 800$ including our car. I was pretty happy with that because we always rent a car when we travel to disney..so we are actually saving a little

Good luck upgrading. October/November lot's of snowbirds going down. We got sleepers once but we booked when we reserved and all the other times, we tried at arrival with no luck (depends on time of travel). Does not hurt to try of course.

My husband loves to fly and I don't. (We do fly though, I would just rather not). My daughter and I have enjoyed it each time we took it. We make the best of it because we know what the alternate is, lol.

 

[Kazzy1548]

We got coach seating lower level. We did some research that said it was quieter, less foot traffic and less rocking of the train on the lower level. We are hoping to upgrade to a sleeping room on arrival..I just couldn't pay those prices for a room


Hi,
We booked our trip on the auto-train for next August. We also booked coach. But I can't remember if they asked us if we wanted lower level. Maybe I should check with my confirmation .... Can you request it??? Should I request it??? Our girls are older 16 and 10.

 

[Kazzy1548]

Problem solved. We called Amtrak and changed our reservations for the coach at the lower level for no extra charge... Now , can't wait until August.

 

[anbouk]

Just curious...how would one travel from New York to Florida (WDW). Where are the stops for this autotrain, is it Amtrack that runs this? How long is this trip?

 

[chartle]

Just curious...how would one travel from New York to Florida (WDW). Where are the stops for this autotrain, is it Amtrack that runs this? How long is this trip?

Quick answer is that the Auto Train only runs between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. One trip per day each way.

You would have to get you and your car to Lorton just south of DC before around 3:00 PM.

The train leaves at 4:00 PM and if all goes well you get in around 9:00 AM the next day.

Hers's a good source of info.

http://www.on-track-on-line.com/autotrain-tips.shtml