Need Autotrain Discount info for March 2007

[doubledutchtracy]

My family is taking our first vacation in 7 years -- in fact our first vacation AS a family at all Hubby and kids have never been to Disney World and I haven't been there since 1989! We have rented a house for the week -- along with friends of ours, they have 3 kids and we have 3 kids, so there are 10 of us total. My question is...where do you go for the best discounts on the Autotrain? I know Orlando Magic had a 20% off code, but that was only good for Travel through Dec 2007... and the current sales where kids ride free is only good though Sept 2006. Anyone taken the train and know any sites that offer the BEST discount (besides the AAA discount)? Also -- if there are no offers now that we can use... does anyone know when they post new ones for the new year??

Also -- anyone ever take the Autotrain in March?? We are going March 3-10 of 2007 and we just want to get regular coach seats as our kids have no trouble sleeping anywhere!! How are the dining cars and lounge cars...are they only open certain hours or can you use them anytime? Are they crowded usually? Or would be be able to find a table to play cards or something easily? The question as to whether or not it is crowded will determine if we get a sleeping room or not...just to have a place to sit or hang out.

 

[dsnycrzy]

Promotions come out every year around March or last Feb. of each year. I just booked for July with that new promotion that just started that kids go free. So for a better rate, you'd have to wait it out until early next year. As for your other questions, when you 1st come in after sending your car off, they ask which dining times you'd like from a list of 3 I believe. 6p.m.,8p.m. and I forgot the other. The lounge car is always open to play cards or whatever. I have never been in March due to my kids being in school but when I went in July last year, I just walked up to the lounge car and sat down but all the tables were than full, so anyone else would have had to wait but it wasn't a line or anything. Hope that helps.

 

[MeggerasMa]

We are taking the Autotrain one way (from Sanford to Lorton) next January and I also was looking for codes. However, when I saw the price of what I wanted on the Autotrain jump approx $30 overnight, I called Amtrak and asked what the deal was. I am only repeating what the Amtrak rep told me, so take it for what it is worth. She said that typically it is not the passenger cost that changes, it is the vehicle space price. Apparently, Amtrak allows a certain number of vehicles at the lowest rate, when those spaces are gone, then the price for the vehicle increases until those spaces are gone, and so it continues. We are AAA members so that discount would remain the same, but I chose to book then and there to lock in the price for our car. Don't know if this info is of help to you or not. Anyway, we are looking forward to our first train trip and hopefully a more relaxing way of returning home after what will be our first vaca also after 9 years! Have a great trip.