I'm here. Been working my butt off in NYC to pay for my Disney habit.
In the past I've paid $50 pp on
DCL for fuel surcharges, sucked!
Let's talk about this auto train...I'm a Platinum/Select Plus Memeber on Amtrak, meaning I travel over 10,000 miles a year. I want to issue some words of caution and advice. When Amtrak runs on schedule it's great, minus the dirty bathrooms, cranky passengers, etc.
I spend hours in Amtrak's President's Club listening to delays and announcements. Amtrak has a lousy on-time record because there's no oversight. Plan to give yourself plenty of time to get to FL.
I've rode Amtrak Coach, Business Class and in sleeper cars. Coach has the reclining seats. There's no way in hell I could sit in one of those seats from VA to FL. They're bigger than an airline seat, only one armrest and only some cars have footrests. The roomettes are two reclining seats that face each other in a glorified closet. Think double door sliding closet with a window and two coach seats facing each other. Yes, your knees will rub together. The sleeper/bedrooms would be my only option. There's a couch similar to a ship sofa that becomes a bed, above it is a berth. Each room has a sink, mirror, pull down chair and a bathroom closet. Inside the closet is a toilet and shower head. You let the water run over the toilet, odd. The sleepers have huge windows to enjoy the view with sliding glass doors to the hallway. The halls are hysterical, sook narrow. Sleepers come with a porter, think stateroom host. They bring you towels, dinner reservations, etc.
The cafe cars are acceptable. Food is "prepared" on the train. There's sit down dining with waiters or a counter service and snacks Food is expensive!
Some trains have a viewing car, a glass dome with comfy chairs for people to sit and enjoy. The movies are shown on an LCD 42" screen.
Ultimately, would I take the auto train? Depends on airfare, do we need a car? It is fun, the kids would enjoy it, but Amtrak is not run like an airline, service is a hit or big miss.
I have so many rail points accumulated we could travel in a roomette for free, but decided to fly.
Keep an eye on the price!!! Amtrak is very savvy when it comes to tickets, the earlier you book the better!!! Comb the website for discounts, they're great at hiding them!!
