Nightmare on Train St.

[ayimapt]

Hi All!
We took a train for our October trip. We really thought is was a great option, since we were travelling with my folks who whould not fly....
Well, it was a nightmare! We booked about a year in advance and there were no sleeper cars available, which were quite expensive anyway, by the way. We bought reserved coach seats.
It took us 26 hours of misery to arrive in Orlando from NJ. There is a lounge car on the train and there were heavy drinkers partying all night...falling into our seats....we couldn't sleep....we feared for our children...we were stuck on the train.
I can't tell you what a nightmare it really was.
We rented a minivan for our ride home...which took 16 hours, with a few stops.
Amtrack did refund the cost of our return tickets because of the experience.....it certainly was not for families.
Amtrack could really make this a great option for families if it was more friendly...
Ange

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm sorry to hear of your experience. Are you the family from the E. Windsor area that had posted a few months ago with such high hopes for the trip?

Am glad that some money was refunded, and that you made it home safely.

Bobbi

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sorry about your experience. I guess you are sort of "hostages" on a train---.
Drunks can spoil a good time anywhere--I suspect train "security" was nowhere to be seen????

 

[Harambe]

Oh - I feel your pain! After our train trip, my flight-challenged DH said he'd rather take his life in his hands for the three hour flight - compared to 28 hours of suicidal thoughts!!!! We also had "happy people" landing in our seats. In the morning the girl behind us just whipped off her top to apply deoderant and powder! Never again!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

I,m laughing about the girl with the deoderant. lol. We have been going to Disney by train the last 5 - 6 years. Im the one who doesnt like to fly. It s the only way they can get me there. We had a pretty decent ride the last two years. We took the train out of Dedham,MA. to Wash. The other times we went to PEnn Station. We didnt like that one, to much confusion and it was REALLY late all the time. WE usually have lunch in Wash.DC while waiting for the train to Fla. It usually runs late, although the last 2 years it was only 1 -1 1/2 hrs late. lol. One year we spent like 8 hrs. in NY. my husband said we could have flown to California by that time. I keep saying i will fly but when it comes time i chicken out. We are still debating about next summers trip. The train is pretty noisy like you said. I dont know, maybe ill get some courage up and we can fly next summer. ha ha

 

[ayimapt]

Oh I forgot to tell you about the...illegal plants being smoked....LOL!