Question about Autotrain

[kandb]

Hi everyone,
My husband and 2 children (almost 3 years) are going to Disney and taking the autotrain down. On a previous thread, I read that the bottom of the train sways less, so I asked if we could sit on bottom section. We are going in coach seats. Then I read that 95% of coach is upstairs. Can anyone give me any advice on where to sit (and hopefully sleep!)? Where do they show a movie in the train? Do you have to go to another car? We're going the last week of September, so hoping it isn't that busy. Thanks for any info, Linda

 

[jodifla]

Hi everyone,
My husband and 2 children (almost 3 years) are going to Disney and taking the autotrain down. On a previous thread, I read that the bottom of the train sways less, so I asked if we could sit on bottom section. We are going in coach seats. Then I read that 95% of coach is upstairs. Can anyone give me any advice on where to sit (and hopefully sleep!)? Where do they show a movie in the train? Do you have to go to another car? We're going the last week of September, so hoping it isn't that busy. Thanks for any info, Linda

I think all the coach seats are on the top. Never saw any on the bottom. My husband has done the coach seats twice, once at 25 and once at 44 years old. He said he'd never do the seats again! I wouldn't count on getting too much sleep in the coach car.

I've gone with DS, twice, when he was 3 and 4. We got the pullman car, and it was great. We were able to sleep on beds and had a bit of privacy.

THe movies are normally in the lounge car, which is another car.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

There are downstairs coach seats, but they are an extra charge, probably because they have "less sway" and more privacy. Most coach seats are upstairs, which does have a better view. Families are usually put with other families in a coach car. I usually travel solo, and I often see other solos or couples in my car. I don't hardly ever see families in my car, unless they are at the opposite end. So chances are you will be in upper coach in a car with other families in the other seats. To sleep, sometimes there are extra seats around to grab, or you just recline and get as comfortable as possible!

It is humorous to walk through the coach section and see how strangely some people are sleeping. Some tall people have their legs sticking out practically blocking the aisle. I seen some people bring a sheet and drape it over their seats and make a "tent" to sleep under. Just funny to see everyone sprawled all over in all sorts of configuations.

Movies are shown in the lounge car, which is usually next to the dinning car. Though often it is an adult's movie, but nothing too gross or anything.

I never noticed a terrible sway on the top, unless the train is going over an especially bumpy switch. But I am a huge fan of rail travel, so I am pretty agreeable with everything on the AutoTrain! Have a great trip!

 

[Henlady]

There is coach seating on the bottom level. As you enter the train "car" it is usually to your left and to your right are the restrooms. There is a door that separates the lower level coach seating from the bottom "foyer" and restrooms. It appears that there are about 8 or 10 sets of seats in the lower level. You cannot walk thru the train at the lower level, for that you must go up to the second level. I have done a price search on both upper and lower level seating and there is no price difference for these seats. One plus of the lower seating is that there will not be anyone walking thru your car. We always did upper coach seats (for no particular reason) and last trip we had a room. For our upcoming September trip we are going to do coach seats again (trying to save a little money) but are going to book the lower level seats, because people walking thru the cars seems to be what most interrupts DH's sleep.
Movies are shown on small TVs in the Lounge Car. You sit in the lounge car booths to view the movie.

Have a great trip.

Kris

 

[jodifla]

There is coach seating on the bottom level. As you enter the train "car" it is usually to your left and to your right are the restrooms. There is a door that separates the lower level coach seating from the bottom "foyer" and restrooms. It appears that there are about 8 or 10 sets of seats in the lower level. You cannot walk thru the train at the lower level, for that you must go up to the second level. I have done a price search on both upper and lower level seating and there is no price difference for these seats. One plus of the lower seating is that there will not be anyone walking thru your car. We always did upper coach seats (for no particular reason) and last trip we had a room. For our upcoming September trip we are going to do coach seats again (trying to save a little money) but are going to book the lower level seats, because people walking thru the cars seems to be what most interrupts DH's sleep.
Movies are shown on small TVs in the Lounge Car. You sit in the lounge car booths to view the movie.

Have a great trip.

Kris

Great info! Thanks! In two trips, I never saw the lower coach seats, I guess because there's no walk-thru activity!

 

[40plus]

Best of luck to you we went the week before Easter and returned Fri before Easter. Departure on Sat going down was 1and 1/2 hrs late and arrival on Sun was 8 hrs late. Departure on Fri was on time and arrival Sat was 2 hrs late which is good considering the train was shut down on WED and Thurs. due to a bridge problem. We had a family sleeper car. Not to bad for me but the wife got motion sickness Sun morning ended taking dramine and slept the last 8 hrs away. take plenty of things to keep kid occupied and snacks to eat,you may want to take a laptop with dvd's if you have one. They now have a device you can rent for the trip at the station that is loaded with movies and tv shows. we rented one on return trip was 30 dollars with 2 sets of head phone well worth the price. we're from Pa. we drove down 2 days before and did DC Zoo day before travel. so kids could see pandas and they loved it. We stayed at the [Gunston Comfort Inn.] We would highly recommend this hotel. 1 mile from station. Just off RT. 95 Due to traffic and road construction we would recommend this method instead of trying to drive there and end up being late. Took us 3 hrs to get from zoo to hotel fri due to traffic backups durring rush hour that apparently started about 2pm, took 3 and half hours to drive from just outside Philly on thurs evening.We arrived at 1030 stopped the car in the lot and unloaded into the station then moved the car over to the vehicle check in gate. we would recommend if you are going to arrive early you bring something for lunch the selection at the station is pretty limited and only microwavable. Soda and drinks are available and cold. If you decide to stay at the comfort in the is a shopping center across the street with a Burger King,gas station, Mini Market that opens early enough to get Sandwiches or hoagies [or Subs] depending on where you're from to take with you. A small Resturant called Viva Pizza which has great food for lunch or dinner. Fabulous prices and generous portions and exellent quality. The Comfort Inn has a contiental breakfast from 7 -830 everyday and put out on every floor, dounuts bagel muffins yougurt coffee tea juices and a bigger version in the lobby.have a great trip