Might be cheaper to take the train....

[Colleen27]

I'm so jealous of you folks who have the train as an affordable/practical option! My kids love taking the train to Chicago so I looked into it for Disney... It would take us about twice as long as driving and cost more than airfare to take a train from Detroit to Orlando.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

It's nice that it includes meals, but since the train from NC to Orlando is a night train, we'd only get breakfast out of it.



We are renting a car and staying offsite(first at the Holiday Inn Universal and then at a rental home in Indian Creek) I will probably rent from Enterprise, as they will come pick you up. If I can get a really good price through Priceline, I might do that instead and take a cab to the rental place.

I'll check on the discount stuff. Thanks for the tips!

So, there is NOONE at the Cary station? How does that work? Are there a lot of people waiting for the train there usually?

Yep, no one at the Cary station. It's fairly simple though. There are 2 areas to board and the signage is pretty straight forward. The most people we have ever seen waiting was about 15. The train pulls up, the conductor gets out, helps you board, tells you where to sit, and the train pulls off. As long as you are comfy carrying your bags quickly onto the train, you should be all set! (take my numbers for what they are though, we travel in January)

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Timing from NC is difficult: If you're going North, the train is great. If you're going South, you have to travel at night.

Last summer we considered taking the train to Miami (to meet a cruise), but we didn't because we'd have traveled all night. The price was GREAT -- we ended up spending much more to drive -- but with four teenaged girls, my husband and I would've had to take turns staying awake all night and would've arrived ill-rested and grumpy. If it'd been just the two of us, we'd have locked our luggage to the upper rail (with wallets locked inside) and would've slept.

IMHO, the benefit of going south is that it's at night. IF we were to ever do roomettes, we would do the return trip. Simply because going down you get on at 930 (too late for dinner) and arrive around 1030. So OP is correct, all you would get is breakfast. The return trip you board at 727, so you could get dinner and breakfast, as you arrive about 830.

You have to appreciate the train for exactly what it is. No driving, you can get a little rest, you can watch movies all night, and the kids think it's cool. We absolutely HATE to drive, and 10 hours with 3 kids under 10, no thanks. We stay on site, so it's cheaper for us to get a car service to pick us up and bring us back to the station than it is to rent a car. And no paying for parking once we are there.

 

[MrsPete]

Yep, no one at the Cary station. It's fairly simple though. There are 2 areas to board and the signage is pretty straight forward. The most people we have ever seen waiting was about 15. The train pulls up, the conductor gets out, helps you board, tells you where to sit, and the train pulls off. As long as you are comfy carrying your bags quickly onto the train, you should be all set! (take my numbers for what they are though, we travel in January)

I'm sure someone's wondering about tickets: At any train station, manned or not, the workers aren't particularly concerned about whether you have a ticket. They just want to get you on/off the train quickly. It's the conductor ON the train who verifies that you have a ticket.

I've always wondered what happens if you wanted to ride just one stop down the track. Could you get on, ride, and be put off at the next stop because you had no ticket? I'd never do it, of course, but I just wonder.

 

[MrsPete]

IMHO, the benefit of going south is that it's at night. IF we were to ever do roomettes, we would do the return trip.

I'd never do the roomettes because it's cheaper to fly. I like the train, but I wouldn't pay more AND take longer. From a financial standpoint, the train is only a bargain if you're riding in a regular seat.

 

[sorul82?]

Hi torinsmom! We just took Amtrak a few weeks ago from Raleigh to Orlando. The reason we left from Raleigh is that you can't check bags in Cary. We parked at the station and our van was safe.

About the Raleigh station: They now board in order of group size. We had six in our group and boarded first. The conductor was stern with anyone trying to leave the sunroom area out of order and made anyone waiting outside go back inside. Everyone from Raleigh was in one car; no riff raff. It was a bunch of families and older ladies going on cruises.

The ride: take a good neck pillow and be sure to use the leg rest. I slept really well on the way home. Once on board, you can ask if there are any sleepers available. If so, they are discounted. We didn't sleep much on the way down because we were too excited. Around 5:00AM we were wide awake and eating Pop Tarts. Around 8:00AM, my mom took all the children to the dining car and spoiled them with muffins and Mt. Dew.

Orlando: We reserved a van from Hertz because they have a counter in the station. I also had a quote from Budget that was nearly half. After deciding that the taxi drivers were a bit skeeeeery, I opted to stick with Hertz and asked for a price match. I was expecting a big NO, but was surprised with a "sure thing." The Hertz employee is Jose, by the way, and he loves Disney and loves loves loves Disney cruises. Strange that would be the favorite of a 22 year old single guy? Anyhow, he sent the other Hertz employee to help us load and make sure the six of us plus luggage fit in the Sienna. It had more room than our Caravan. Oh, free GPS also.

We dropped the van off the next day in Cape Canaveral. DH was back at the port as we were checking in.

Price: We got the tail end of a winter special for the trip down, so it was $160 total for the six of us. $195 total for the trip home. The rental was $67 each way and maybe $8 donation to the FL hwy fund (tolls). $10 for gas each way.

Another DISer from Raleigh told us on the cruise that she wished they had joined us on the train.

It was a good fit for our personal needs. My mom had back surgery a few years ago and has to move around. My DH and DS11 need frequent bathroom breaks, and I just can't sit still. We played cards and games in the snack car, I worked on my FE gifts for the cruise, etc.

Ooops! I didn't mean to write a full TR!

 

[sorul82?]

and 10 hours with 3 kids under 10, no thanks.

Just wait til all three are over 10 and adult size.

Stop stepping on my seatbelt
My legs have nowhere to go
Stop pushing my back
My legs have nowhere to go
Quit kicking my head
My legs have nowhere to go

and this was just as we backed out of the driveway

 

[sorul82?]

but with four teenaged girls, my husband and I would've had to take turns staying awake all night and would've arrived ill-rested and grumpy.

We thought we would have to take turns on duty. Turns out everyone else was asleep in our car. I went to the bathroom around 2:00AM and everyone was knocked out.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I've done a couple train trips, and I assure you that every row does have outlets.

Not always. Certain routes guarantee outlets at all seats....other do not.

Sometimes Amtrak will have to throw in a few older passenger cars, and some of these cars DO NOT have outlets. I've been on one of these more than once.

This generally happens during busier periods, when they add more than the normal number of cars to the train.

 

[nunzia]

I'd never do the roomettes because it's cheaper to fly. I like the train, but I wouldn't pay more AND take longer. From a financial standpoint, the train is only a bargain if you're riding in a regular seat.

From a financial standpoint yes..but from an 'journey is part of the experience" equation, no..also from the 'really hate to fly and rather be on a train, pay double and take three times as long' equation, no.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

From a financial standpoint yes..but from an 'journey is part of the experience" equation, no..also from the 'really hate to fly and rather be on a train, pay double and take three times as long' equation, no.

Yeah, ITA. I don't mind flying at all, but bear with me for a little background info. The last time we flew to Disney we left at 530 am. It was in November 2001, so the parks were dead from people cancelling after 9/11. We were EXHAUSTED when we got there because we had to be at the airport 2 hrs. early. So the first full day was shot. On the return trip, we were delayed in the Orlando airport by about 6 hours because that was the day that the east coast air traffic was shut down because some guy ran backwards through Atlanta airport security to get his camera off the plane. Then when we did board it was an hour delay due to a "maintenance" issue. Then storms all the way home. Nope, not with 3 kids.

On Amtrak, even if you get stuck you can walk around and do things. And two years ago we got "snowed in" because of snow in Cary. We ended up waiting 2 days extra and then riding into Rocky Mount and had family pick us up. WE could've just rented a car I suppose.

My mom is a pilot, so I grew up flying, but my DH gets a little nervous, so we prefer the "journey!"

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I think we'll be taking the "journey" on the autotrain this fall. We're going Thanksgiving week, and staying off site, so even for $1,000 RT for the 5 of us ($500ish of that is just for the van!), it's still cheaper than flying and renting something when we get there. Since we are also going to Universal, I am telling the kids to imagine the Hogwart's Express!

We've always wanted to try it- I figure it's worth trying once and will be easier on DH and I compared to driving. We usually fly but last time we drove, and that ride home is just brutal after a week of commando touring. I'm just worried about how my 3 year old will be on the train.

 

[Dreamingin2010]

We did it in September and really enjoyed it. We bought early enough with AAA discount that is was only $350 round trip for our family of 6. We got on in Raleigh but Cary is a nicer area. Downfall of Cary is that large numbers of people get on in Raleigh which is before Cary. Cary station is very easy to get on at even unmanned. We liked traveling at night because it allows the time to pass a little faster. There are lots of families on the train. We brought a cooler of drinks and snacks, dvd players, Mp3 players, etc. I second the suggestion for clorox wipes and the bathrooms. Men don't aim well when not in motion, eewwww. Overall it was great. My girls wore yoga pants, we brought light weight sleeping bags(liners) for blankets since it can be chilly. The seats are huge! They recline and have a foot rest.

 

[tammymacb]

This thread couldn't come at a better time. I just ordered tickets yesterday for September.

Flights from Charleston SC to Orlando in September ( DVC Member's cruise ) are $433 round trip. Ridiculous. It's cheaper to fly from Los Angeles. Anyway, I bought a ticket on Amtrak. It's just me, I'm meeting my sister in Orlando, we're spending the pre cruise night at BCV and driving to the port.

I admit, I'm nervous. I've never been on a train before, and I don't need any new *adventure* in my life. However the 75% savings couldn't be passed up.

I plan on bringing a suitcase, my ipad, my nook and my iphone. I'll leave my laptop at home. It's a really early morning departure and I'll be in Orlando before 2 pm.

Do the trains usually run on time? I don't know that I need a room to sleep, but I've considered upgrading just to be able to shut myself away from the other guests...

Any info is appreciated.

 

[nunzia]

Trains can run very late so it's always a GREAT idea to plan for ALOT of extra time..For instance, we are planning our first Disney cruise out of San Pedro CA next Sept. The train arrives in LA (hopefully) at 8:00 am...soo....plenty of time to make the train? Possibly. Nope..we will come in the day before, just in case, get off in Fullerton (close to DLR), spend the night at VGC and THEN get to the port to board. That is the huge thing..trains can be spot on, and over the last many years we've no problems and have been early even, BUT..our pal Murphy doesn't need to show up and have us miss our cruise..So, I'd go a day ahead, just as they suggest for flyers. There is a sad story on the Cruise board about someone who missed their cruise because of plane delays..and they were even coming in pretty early but it still didn't happen.
If you can afford it, I'd get a roomette as a single person. In the past I had no problems being in coach and having an empty seat next to me, but I think they are doing seating differently, or the trains are fuller, and lately we had packed cars and if you are a single or part of an odd numbered group, you get to sleep next to a stranger. Not that big of a deal, but I like my space. Since I'm so anti social I also have the steward bring my meals to my room, since they will fill a table before seating at a different table in the dining car and you are guaranteed to have your meal with a stranger..That can be fun if you're the type but I'm the type that loves eating alone in my cubilce.
have fun

 

[torinsmom]

So, now I am worried about the outlets again. It would be just my luck to get an older car with no outlets. Last time we rode the train(maybe 2006?), there were NOT outlets in the car we were in. We went to the lounge car, but all the plugs were in use. Maybe I will bring a surge protector, in case we need to head there again. I assume if I can provide something where everyone can charge at once, that would be acceptable.

Whoever asked about delays, I do remember the train was an hour late arriving when we left Raleigh and got to Orlando late as well. There was one point in the night when we stopped for over an hour to wait for a freight train. They don't really tell you why you're stopping and it was a little scary to me. On the way back, a freight train broke down in front of us and that must have been a 2 hour wait for the train to be moved or repaired(don't know which). So bring lots of patience and snacks

I can manage with just carry-ons, but just wondering if Raleigh would be better since it loads first? Is there a chance of running out of seats together? I know that wouldn't fly with me or DS.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I'm considering the train ---but if I move us to a sleeper car--it may be cheaper to fly... could be fun or a nightmare with my clan----I can't decide....

 

[nunzia]

I don't know if there's a way to make the train work for a family your size. The Superliner Family Bedroom, which I think is the largest room, only fits 2 adults and 2 small children. The 'rooms' are not really rooms.. The roomette is 3" 6" wide by 6' 6" long..teeny..but private.

 

[Trinity524]

After Katrina, Amtrak never repaired the Amtrak train from Texas to Orlando.... I would have loved to have been on the train.

 

[MrsPete]

We thought we would have to take turns on duty. Turns out everyone else was asleep in our car. I went to the bathroom around 2:00AM and everyone was knocked out.

If it were just my husband and myself, I wouldn't have worried a bit. If it were us and two kids, I'd put the kids on the "inside", figuring that anyone who wanted to get to them would have trouble reaching over us . . . but with the four girls, nope. I don't trust everyone else to stay asleep or to be trustworth with my girls. I'd bet you weren't the only person up and around for the occasional bathroom trip.

From a financial standpoint yes..but from an 'journey is part of the experience" equation, no..also from the 'really hate to fly and rather be on a train, pay double and take three times as long' equation, no.

I hear what you're saying, but I've made the journey to Florida so many times that I can't remember . . . and I've had multiple train trips. So have my kids. So most often when I'm thinking of getting to Florida now, the question is simple: Cheapest and fastest. And the answer isn't always the same on every trip.