Questions about taking Amtrak down to Disney

[bangzoom6877]

Now, this is very important to us because we are considering buying a DVC resale and want to go to WDW every other year, regardless of whether or not we end up purchasing DVC.

That said, we like to drive down from NYC, but I also looked into taking Amtrak. I will start by saying that I have serious issues with flying, and it is very expensive to fly from NY to Orlando for 4 people. Amtrak costs just over $600 for 4 people out of NYC to Orlando, round-trip. That is for coach seats though. The auto train (would have to drive to VA) costs $1300 for the 4 of us round-trip, including a bedroom for 4 people and putting the car onboard, and also meals are included. It is just over $800 for coach seats on the auto train, including the car onboard and meals. These prices arefor July 2009 and I know they will go up at least slightly by our 2010 trip.

Okay, here are my questions about Amtrak:

1. Is it comfortable in a coach seat, or is the bedroom a MUST? The trip from NYC is 23 hours, and the trip from VA is 17 hours.
2. How expensive are the meals (they are included on the auto train but not the one from NYC)?
3. Does Disney pick people up from the Amtrak station (in case we did NOT do the auto train)? Or do we have to take a cab?
4. Is there crime on Amtrak trains? Would you trust being in a coach seat overnight? (You could take the girl out of Brooklyn, but... )
5. Where can you diaper a child on Amtrak, in case my little one is not potty-trained when we go in 2010 (he will be 3 years old then )?

Anyway, this is something we are considering for future trips since it is much cheaper than flying. We went last month, and drove down. We have a mini-van (Honda Odyssey) currently. Gas for our total 2-week trip cost $597. We stayed over in Lumberton, NC and also in Savannah, GA on the way down. The hotel in Lumberton cost $89, and $109 in Savannah. We then drove all the way to Boca Raton to visit some friends and family for a few days before Disney. We also drove into Miami to go to dinner one night, and drove to Tamarac to see my uncle twice. So we did a lot of driving. On the way back up from Disney, we stayed in Lumberton again for $89. Then in Maryland for 2 nights to visit some of my old college friends. The hotel was $109 per night. So, with the amount we would save from not needing extra hotels, we are considering Amtrak. We will also have a car more efficient on fuel next time though, as our lease is up in June 2010, and we are downsizing to a CR-V which is better on gas. If we took Amtrak out of NYC, we would rely on Disney transportation and not rent a car, since the kids will be 3 and 5 when we go and we would stay on property the whole time.

What would you do? Any advice?

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Subscribing because I'm interested too.

Haven't done this yet but I'm planning to in December.

From my own research I do not believe there is Disney transportation to the Amtrak stations (Orlando or Kissimee). There is a Hertz rental car desk in the Orlando station and car rental locations not too far from the Kissimmee station (they say they'll pick you up) but if you don't want a rental car I believe you'll have to get a cab or car service.

Others will know far more, I hope you get the answers to your questions.

BTW, we joined DVC last year and we love it

 

[bangzoom6877]

Subscribing because I'm interested too.

Haven't done this yet but I'm planning to in December.

From my own research I do not believe there is Disney transportation to the Amtrak stations (Orlando or Kissimee). There is a Hertz rental car desk in the Orlando station and car rental locations not too far from the Kissimmee station (they say they'll pick you up) but if you don't want a rental car I believe you'll have to get a cab or car service.

Others will know far more, I hope you get the answers to your questions.

BTW, we joined DVC last year and we love it

Excellent that you joined DVC and love it! I am just looking into our transportation options. It is still a lot less to drive to VA and take the auto train WITH a family bedroom than it is to fly even without renting a car once we get down there. This would probably be the way to go for us, but we're still not sure. If we drive down and it still costs $600 in gas for the entire trip (not going to southern FL and we will have a more fuel-efficient care, but gas prices will go up), add onto that about $100 for a hotel room if we do one overnight on the way, plus food. It still adds up. So we might just do the auto train next time, or on other future trips.

 

[southernbohemian]

I can't comment specifically on taking Amtrak to Disney, but I have taken it several times in the last couple of years and can offer some insights.

My son and I started taking Amtrak to visit my parents in Louisiana because it was easier than driving when he was that small (no stops for diaper changes, etc.) and was cheaper than flying. It does have its benefits, but negatives too.

The biggest thing to take into consideration is that taking Amtrak will make it difficult to plan your first day at the park because although they say it will take 24 hours, it could take 30. The rule is that Amtrak must stop and give priority to cargo trains, so you can spend several hours of your trip just waiting in the middle of nowhere for another train to pass. You get to see lovely scenery and relax, get to meet lots of people, and walk around while you are travelling, but I'm not sure if the unreliability would be worth it on a trip like Disney.

I have never stayed in a bedroom, but one of my friends did two train trips, one bedroom and one without, and said the bedroom was a big waste of money. I have never been on a train that was even halfway full, so there was always plenty of room to stretch out. The coach seats recline pretty far back so sleeping is comfortable. I think the bedroom would be worth it if you are travelling more than one night, and you may think it would be worth it just for the privacy. On our route there were lots of people in coach seats who were doing the three-day journey to California and back.

I only bought a few snacks the first time I travelled and they were expensive. However, you can bring food with you in a cooler and they have no issues with that. So you can save money that way.

I never witnessed any crime while I was riding, but I wouldn't completely count it out. On our train, when you first entered there was a spot to the left for the luggage, the bathroom was to the right, and then you went up the stairs to the regular coach seats. Although the conductors make usual rounds, the luggage was right next to the bathroom and I think anyone who wanted to could have gotten access to it. I always kept my purse with me to be careful. The nice thing about travelling Amtrak is that you do meet a lot of people and they are generally very friendly. After a couple of hours you know whose spot is whose and I think it would make anyone messing with your bags in the overhead compartment very conspicuous.

Diaper changing for me took place on the seat. The bathroom is airplane small and if they had a diaper changing station I never found it. The bathroom can be a bit of a nightmare - during one trip my mom made the bathroom was disgusting and it started stinking up the entire car. I'm not sure what the cut-off is, but Amtrak had very lenient rules about bringing baby stuff. You are limited to number of bags and sizes just like flying, but if it was for the baby it was not counted - I brought his pack'n'play, carseat, extra bags, etc. I'm sure the carseat would be allowed if you brought one, but I'm not sure what else if the child is 3 at the time.

If you have any other questions I'll be glad to try and help. As I said, I've only travelled the San Antonio-New Orleans route, but I think a lot of the things are the same.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've done at least 15 trips via the train. We catch one in Ohio to DC and another from DC to Kissimmee. Our first leg is about 9 hours, we board at 3 am so just use coach seats. They recline, leg and foot rests and plenty of room all around the pair of seat, pull down table on seat back in front of you. We've done the whole trip in coach, not bad sleeping for one night, but we have gotten a roomette occasionally from DC to Kissimmee, there we board around 7pm and travel thru the night. Roomettes are for 2 people only, rather cramped but you can sleep lying down, upper and lower. Meals are included in the sleeper price, we opt to see if any are available once we leave DC, cheaper this way and usually get one. Food is expensive on the train but good. We pack sandwiches, snacks and drinks and just eat in our coach seats unless we snag a roomette from DC.

Disney has no transportation from any train station, we always get off in Kissimmee, everyone gets off in Orlando and that makes that station a mad house, we prefer Kissimmee, closer to WDW and only about 10 people get off here, real easy to find a cab, they run around 38 dollars one way but we've been using a car service, more cleaner and personalized and includes a 30 minute grocery/alcohol stop in route for 82-88 dollar round trip. That grocery stop is ideal, we pick up sandwich fixings, drinks, alcohol, beer and wine and snacks, great money saver. They stop at a Publix with a liquor store next door and 30 minutes is plenty of time to load up.

Amtrak does run late but we're in no hurry, when we get there we get there. It's a nice relaxing ride if you're not a fidgitity person, we take things to occupy ourselves, Portable DVD player, gameboy, Ipods, books and what not and also a small blanket, it gets real cold at night and even during the day from the A/C but is comfortable for sleeping. Alot of people have done the train and hated it but in all our trips, we've had a few problems, been late but have always arrived. Need more info, ask away.

 

[RumpleMom]

We have taken the Auto train twice from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL.

The first time we had the reclining seats for our family of 4. The conductors put all of the families in the same car and it was not full, so we could stretch out over two seats. DH and kids slept, but I could not, I felt that I had to watch over the kids. I felt yuky the next day from interrupted sleep.

The second time we got a bedroom, not the family room, but it had a lower and upper berth. We slept, squished, but did get some sleep. The best part was that we had our own bathroom with a really small shower, that made a big difference in comfort.

Both trips the food was very good with linens on the table. There was a choice of food too. It was included in the ticket price.

We drove our own car home both trips.

We liked the Auto train enough to try it a second time, but nothing beats flying. Flying saves so much time. I hate driving both ways to Florida.

 

[msmayor]

For our just-completed trip last week, half my family took the train and the other half drove.

We live in NJ, and I dropped my kids off in MD at my sister's house so they could take the train from DC. They were lucky; no luggage to deal with because we offered to take everyone's bags in our car. They boarded with only a backpack each with essentials for the overnight trip and a pillow.

They had priority boarding and were able to be one of the first groups on in DC so they got to sit together (seven of them)...for the return there was a mixup and they ended up spread out in one car, but after a large group in their car got off in Florence SC they were able to move seats.

The all indicated that while the seats' comfort was decent, the rocking motion of the train caused their bodies to slowly 'slide' down as they slept. They had a cooler with tons of snacks, and bought a few things in the cafe car as well. On the way home they decided to try the dining car but were unable to get 'reservations' to all sit in there, so they did take-out.

On the trip down they were held up almost 4 hours in SC due to a suicide on the tracks, so the police and other authorities had to do their work before the train was cleared to go. (amazingly enough, my sister said their car attendant told them this happens more than everyone thinks). For the return, they hit a deer but never skipped a beat and ended up getting in 45 minutes early.

Bathrooms down were kept spotless by the attendant; coming home they said they were awful. Guess it just depends on who's in charge of your car as to the service you get.

Overall they enjoyed the trip more than driving because of the ability to get up and stretch.

 

[uva185]

I realize you said you have a fear of flying but you also mentioned the cost of flying was an issue so I thought I would mention this.

Many airlines offer companion passes if you sign up for their credit card. If you are going to be going once every 1-2 years it might be worth collecting frequent flyer miles and taking advantage of the companion passes. I have passes for US and Delta so I know the details and terms of those passes but not any other airlines.

US: 2 companions for $99 each, no restriction on regular paid fare, must be booked 14 days in advance, 2 night minimum stay.

DL: 1 companion for free, regular paid fare must be an L, U, or T fare. No advance purchase or min. stay requirements.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I realize you said you have a fear of flying but you also mentioned the cost of flying was an issue so I thought I would mention this.

Many airlines offer companion passes if you sign up for their credit card. If you are going to be going once every 1-2 years it might be worth collecting frequent flyer miles and taking advantage of the companion passes. I have passes for US and Delta so I know the details and terms of those passes but not any other airlines.

US: 2 companions for $99 each, no restriction on regular paid fare, must be booked 14 days in advance, 2 night minimum stay.

DL: 1 companion for free, regular paid fare must be an L, U, or T fare. No advance purchase or min. stay requirements.

Thank you for letting me know this, but I really don't do well on planes. So since we have the chance to either drive or take the train, that is what we will be doing on our trips. The only way I would fly somewhere is it it is physically impossible to drive there, or it would be way too far (like California).

 

[NJRRK]

I think that people in the Northeast have less adversion to train travel than the rest of the country. From around here if you say you're taking Amtrak to FL you might get an occassional Why don't you fly instead, but most of the time it's oh, I've always wanted to, or have you done it before, or something positive. You get people in the Midwest and West and it's like train EWWWW!

We've done Autotrain a number of times and I'd be doing it this year if it weren't for us brining my parents along, it's too much for them.

 

[NJGirl]

I don't think anyone answered about the price of meals. In June/July, it was about 15 dollars on average a person to eat dinner on the regular train in the dining car. Mini pizzas and sandwiches etc could be had in the snack car for about 5 or 6 dollars.

 

[NJRRK]

On the Autotrain meals (dinner and b-fast) are included and if you're in a sleeper on the regular train meals in the diner are included.

 

[bangzoom6877]

What's the longest delay you ever had on Amtrak when going to Disney? It says it arrives in the morning, I believe around 10:30, for the autotrain. In actuality could that be more like 2 or 3PM?

We decided that from now on we are not scheduling a park on the day of arrival, since we will be doing 10-day trips and have plenty of days to go to the parks. So that is not a problem. It would just be checking in, checking out the hotel (the first time or 2, before we get to really know BWV...remember we are probably buying DVC at BWV), having dinner and going to bed early, then hitting a park early the next morning. This last trip we were coming from Boca, checked in just before 11AM, had access to the room so brought in the luggage, had lunch at the resort, then went to MK. Got there around 1:30, had a 5PM dinner ADR in the park, then did a little more. It was a very tiring day and the next day we were at Epcot for rope drop! Non-EMH morning but tiring nonetheless.

 

[tigefan]

Bonnie,

I'm a fearful flyer too! I'd do just about anything to avoid it. So, in December 2006, we (me, my husband, 2 kids, both 6, and my mom) drove from Ohio to Virginia and took the Auto Train to Sanford.

Our train arrived in Sanford on time. The trip home was delayed a few hours. On the Amtrak website, you can check the train on-time status for the last week or so.

The food on the train was surprisingly good. We did get the family bedroom for us and the roomette for my mom. The rooms are small, so I would recommend leaving large pieces of luggage in your car (which you cannot access during the trip). We were comfortable while we were awake, but the rocking of the train made sleep impossible for a couple of us. Mom had taken Amtrak from Ohio to California and much preferred the upper level coach seating to the lower level roomette.

Our Auto Train had a lot of retirees heading to Florida for the winter. I felt absolutely secure. From what I've been told, the regular trains may have a different atmosphere?

I'm glad we tried it, and I think everyone should try it at least once. But I cannot tell you how much I hated taking the train. (My opinion is probably tainted by the fact that I was recovering from the flu on the trip home.) Lots of people love it though (my kids did!). I'd be interested in what you think of the trip.

Good luck!

TJ

 

[kathik]

We have taken the train from Boston to Kissimmee for the pas 5 years and love it. True it adds some time versus flying but if you can get over that it really is a relaxing way to begin and end your vacation. We have always gone with the Sleeper car and unfortunately that is way more expensive than flying. Our next trip is in 2 weeks and that fare was $2100 for 2 adults. One tip we have is to get off in Kissimmee instead of Orlando since it is actually closer to Disney and less crowded. When the train makes it stop in Orlando, I call Mears on my cell and arrange for a taxi to be waiting for us. It has worked every time! The food is very good and is included in that outrangeous price! Since we leave from Boston, we go business or coach to Penn Station and pick up the sleeper on that next leg of the trip. another good think about the sleeper car is that it is considered 1st class so when you have a layover you are allowed into the Acela Lounge which provides complimentary snacks and soda and a comfortable place to sit and wait for your connection, away from the rest of the busy terminal. In our 5 times, the train has always been on time or a bit early. To me the only downside is the price is steep and I am afraid I would not have such favorable things to say if I were stuck in coach for 24 hours!

 

[cherylp3]

On the autotrain, mostly it is usually ontime but I have been in at 5pm once, and one time around 1pm. Both due to accidents.
( Once a train is "off schedule" amtrak has to deal with CSX and crews can not work more than so many hours and you can run out of gas)

 

[AnnaS]

We have taken Amtrak once from NYP to West Palm Beach and once we took the autotrain home from WDW w/two roommettes (sp?).

We are taking it Saturday to WDW and back home. When I fly, I wish I was driving/taking Amtrak, when I am taking Amtrak - I wish I was flying. Anyway this trip is for my daughter (her 16th coming up) and I am taking three of her friends. She hates flying more than I do (last year she got off the plane right before they closed the doors). I have no problem taking Amtrak - I have a problem with the restrooms (we did not have that problem of course when we had the roommettes).

I heard that passengers traveling has increased 15% - I am hoping they want to keep their numbers up with clean restrooms. Staff friendly/nice - no complaints. I found it to be an interesting/adventure.

We are having a van pick us up.

 

[humtom]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone who takes Amtrak has a preference for their ground transportation to DisneyWorld? We are debating on the advantages and disadvantages between a rental car and a limo/taxi. I think that if we rent a car we have the added problem of getting to the rental place. I checked with one car service, *********** Transportation, and they do not pick up at the Amtrak stations. If anyone has had a good experience with a limo/taxi service between Amtrak and their resort, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks

 

[pepe of ohio]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone who takes Amtrak has a preference for their ground transportation to DisneyWorld? We are debating on the advantages and disadvantages between a rental car and a limo/taxi. I think that if we rent a car we have the added problem of getting to the rental place. I checked with one car service, *********** Transportation, and they do not pick up at the Amtrak stations. If anyone has had a good experience with a limo/taxi service between Amtrak and their resort, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks

We always detrain in Kissimmee and have used the same company for the past 4 trips, great grocery stop at Publix with a liquor store next door. Price round trip is about 88 dollars, but due to the banning restrictions of this company, can not give their name but they do pick up at both Orlando and Kissimmee train stations. Sorry. Plus we never use a car, rental, while at Disney but let them haul us around for free, 41 trips and no car, it's great not having to drive on vacation.

 

[AnnaS]

I just used one recently. How do we know if the company is banned - they used to be a sponsor for this board.