Now I am afraid!

[Banshee]

My father in law convinced my DH and I today to take the train instead of drive on our upcoming trip. We purchased all of our tickets already my Oldest DS is extremely excited about taking the train! I have just read a few old threads about the train and I am now very afraid! Like maybe we made a big mistake! I read some posts about crowded trains and horrible delays. and drunks walking the aisles and people on their cell phones till all hours of the night! I dont know what to do now?? I got a really good rate on a premium car,and with AAA and my FIL beign a senior got a really good rate for the train. I just dont know if I we should be looking forward to this experience or kicking my self and my FIL in the rear for this!!!

 

[Geomich]

We took the train from Philly a few years ago. We had a sleeper car so I dont know about people on the cell phones. I dont remember seeing any drunks. We were delayed a few hours before leaving and must have been delayed sometime during the night. It was a long trip. (Put it this way- we drove the next two years.) DS liked the trip but you should bring plenty for him to do.

All that being said, your trip is already planned so make the best of it. Gameboy, etc. for kids- We had a TV in the sleeper car and it played the same few things for almost 20 hours, so bring plenty to read. I know I am not making this very appealing but I just wanted to give you an honest answer.

 

[tci1212]

We took the train for the first time From Phila to Niagra falls Canada. We had reserved seating, which I thought meant we had specific seats to sit in, It was myself, my sister and three kids who were 9, 11 and 12 at the time. We arrived at the train station on time got in line to get on the train and when we got on the train there were no more seats together. No one would move
some people had there feet up on two seats. We had to seperate the kids and I was not happy at all, my son was sitting 4 rows away and my other son was 7 rows away. The train pulled away and about 1/2 hr later the conductor was collecting tickets, we gave him our tickets and my sister told him that the kids were in different rows,couldn't find any seats together, WELL, he took one look at all of the seat hogs who were taking up two seats with their bags and started yelling at them to move so we could sit together and told them they didn't pay for two tickets they weren't getting two seats! After that we had no problems at all. On the return trip we did not have any problems getting seats together. The kids loved the train ride 13 hrs total.
That was the last train ride we took.

 

[Banshee]

Thank you both. I am feeling a litle better about it. If it doesnt go well we will just have to chalk it up as a learning experience!

 

[pumpkinboy]

It's an experience your DS will always remember. I would recommend a sleeper car if you can get it, as sleeping in a seat is a little uncomfortable. I took the train across Canada when I was 17, and really enjoyed the experience. You really get an appreciation of the distances travelled, and just get to sit back and enjoy it rather than Dad or Mom having to concentrate on driving. Learn card games and play games together to pass the time, or play "I spy" out the window, learn something about Amerca's distances, landscape and infrastructure. And doing it with Grandpa! Great! It could also be a good time for sharing family stories...

You get my drift. It's no wonder your DS is excited; taking the train is cool. Quit worrying and prepare to make the most of a potentially great experience.

 

[miche61]

We are heading out on the train on Thurs. this week. It'll be our first train ride, me and DD11, DD8, and DS7. We are going from Minneapolis to Chicago, and 8 hour ride. I hope we don't have any delays. I am concerned about not getting seats together, as the kids would not travel well apart from each other. We are bringing cards, some coloring things, books, not sure what else. I am looking forward to the ride. We also decided to take the train so I wouldn't be driving and trying to get the kids to behave, hopefully this will be the way to go.

Michelle

 

[Banshee]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
And doing it with Grandpa! Great! It could also be a good time for sharing family stories

Thank you pumpkinboy! I have been thinking about it and I am thinking that 3 adults to two kids? lol we should be able to handle it! Though our 2 year old is like 3 kids in one!!

 

[Banshee]

Originally posted by miche61
I am concerned about not getting seats together, as the kids would not travel well apart from each other.

Michelle

This is my fear also! my DS's are 8 and 2. The only thing I can think to do is arrive at the station as early as possible!Hopefully be first in line! That way we can all be seated by each other! Have a great time on your train ride! Let me know how it goes!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

we take AMTRAK down to fla. usually around the end of Aug. i am the one who does not like to fly. i usually check out prices for the sleeper car, but they are REALLY exp. for us. so i usually just book coach. we had a few times where we were just about 1 1/2 hrs. late. once or twice we were almost on time going down. one year we took the train to NY, was there for like 3 -4 hrs lay over , and the 7:00 train ran late, we left NY at like 10ish. my husband said to me, we could of been half way across the country.h ah.haha. it is really long, but its the only way i will go to DISNEY, so we just do it. all our trips in the summer , we either wear or take like long sweat pants, or jersey pants cause the AC gets really COLD. my dd who now is 15 usually brings the usual, cd,magazines, books for summer reading,this year we have dd and 2 friends going. of course , they all have their cell phones. i also bring a little rolly suitcase with some SNACKS that we really like. they have alot in the snack car, but i bring like wheat thins, raisins, granola bars, squeezy peanut butter and jelly. i know it sounds weird , but sometimes i just snack instead of a bigger meal. this summer we will be taking the train to Wash, we will be ther for like 2 hrs. we usually have lunch , walk around. then our long haul to FLA> any questions, pleas ask. sorry this is so long.......

 

[Banshee]

Hi We are leaving out of philly. On December 28th at 8:01 pm and arriving in orlando on the 29th at 3:41 pm. The ticket agent I spoke with said nothing about stopping. Do they normally stop after Philly? They had another train that he said was going to stop in Washington, but I told him that we would rather not do that.So he booked us on the other train. How about strollers? Are they allowed on the train? My sons car seat I am going to put in a travel bag to check with the rest of the baggage, but I was not sure about a stroller.Also are you allowed to walk around the train? Are you allowed to sit in the lounge and watch the scenery with the kids? I am just trying to think of everything that I can do to entertain an 8 year old and a 2 year old!! My big concern is that we be seated together! I dont want to get there and they tell me my kids have to sit somewheres else!!! Because I wont go! The ticket agent told us to be there at 7:45 to check our bags. Should we go earlier than that? We are having the tickets mailed to us, so what do we need to do when we get there? Do you check in like at a hotel? And is seating first come, first serve? I know my 2 year old will not be happy if we cant sit by daddy and big brother! And I dont think the other passengers want to hear him scream!! Sorry for all the questions this will be our first time on the train! Thank you soooo much!

 

[Banshee]

 

[DC7800]

Banshee,
Relax, you will be seated together. The coach attendant will assign you seats together, and should the necessary number not be available together, they will move you or someone. It's not going to be a problem; this is one thing you can safely forget. Showing up early wouldn't do any good, since you can't board until the train arrives. Just allow sufficient time to check baggage. The practice is different on shorter-distance trains in the Northeast Corridor and other locations, where seating is indeed first-come, first-serve. On long-distance intercity trains, passengers tend to be grouped by destination/boarding point, hence the "assignment".

The ticket agent I spoke with said nothing about stopping. Do they normally stop after Philly?

Orlando is the 18th stop after Philadelphia. After Philadelphia, come Wilmington, Baltimore, D.C., Richmond, and so on. These stops are allowed for in the schedule. All intercity trains do most of their business from intermediate points.

Also are you allowed to walk around the train? Are you allowed to sit in the lounge and watch the scenery with the kids?

Absolutely you are allowed to get up and walk around whenever you feel like it. That's one of the primary advantages of train travel, yet many passengers seem to stay glued to their seats (conditioned by the airlines, apparently). You cannot usually walk the length of the train unless you are a sleeping car passenger, but from coach you can walk between the diner, lounge, and four coaches. Go to the lounge for a while, and have at least one meal in the dining car (breakfast for your schedule).

what do we need to do when we get there? Do you check in like at a hotel?

You'll need to find out where to board (which track your train is on, and exactly when). This information should be posted on the arrival/departure boards. You will have to go to checked baggage (with your tickets) before heading to your train. Actual "check-in" is with the attendant or conductor when you present your ticket and actually board the train.

Incidentally, you are on the Silver Meteor, train 97, which originates in New York every evening for it's trip to Miami (via Orlando).

 

[Banshee]

Thank you,Thank you!! I feel much better now especially about the beign seated together part! Thanks for all the good information!

 

[pumpkinboy]

That's what we needed, an Amtrak devotee like DC7800! Well done allaying Banshee's fears. And the Silver Meteor, that's pretty cool too; not too many 737s with names these days.

As I said, I think this could be one of those trips your 8 yr old will always remember: "the time we took the train to WDW with Grandpa". I think in the mind of an 8 yr old boy, the only thing that could get any better would be staying at AKL with savannah view, and doing the Steam Engines tour at MK in addition (there's an 8 yr old me somewhere inside here, and I like to keep in touch with him, so trust me on this). Then when he has kids, he'll want to do the same trip for his kids with you guys.

Maybe take some books out of the library about trains in the weeks leading up to your trip. Look at some Atlases and review the cities and regions you will be passing thru. 8 yrs old is a great time to get excited about Geography. This can be a great educational opportunity for all of you (well, maybe not the 2 yr old). Have fun!

 

[Banshee]

Yes DC7800 seems to really be a train fan! Thank you all! And that is a great idea Pumpkinboy! My DS has loved trains since he could say train! He is a big Thomas fan! We will definately be paying a visit to the library! My little DS is begining to enjoy trains too! There is a park near us with a very old steam engine that they both enjoy riding very much! Thanks everyone for the great advice! I really,really appreciate it!

 

[MdmMim]

I am just trying to think of everything that I can do to entertain an 8 year old and a 2 year old!!

When our kids were little, we packed snacks they liked. Also, I purchased little gifts before the trip, wrapped and hid them, and when the kids got a little antsy, I'd give them a prize. (Coloring book, crayons, little cars/dolls--anything they'd like that would be quiet.) They were thrilled with these surprises.

Our kids loved the train!

 

[Banshee]

That is a great idea! Thank you!