Questions About Train Travel Itinerary (Silver Line NY to FL)

[AntePrincess]

We've decided we're taking the Silver Line to Orlando on our next trip (cheaper, faster than driving, and we can move around a bit). The plan is to take a later in the day departing train so the kids can sleep as much of the ride as possible, and we're planning on having breakfast on the train if the kids are awake in time for it.

If we're really, really lucky, the little ones will drop right off and sleep just about through. DH and I are not so likely to sleep on the train. Guess the next day will be pretty boring for the little ones.

If we're not so lucky, we'll have a few hours of tired, cranky kids on our hands. We were planning on bringing a few Disney movies and doing whatever train themed things we can. Any other suggestions for entertaining them?

Silly last question (for now): Do the trains allow you to bring your own snacks and drinks aboard? Given the schedule, we'd probably have a light, early dinner. If the kids don't sleep, we'll need something later on. I like to avoid road food, plus it looks scant on the train.

TIA!

 

[MAYNARDS99]

When we've traveled by train we take a small cooler, and a bag of chips and other snack type foods.

You might want to see if your train has a regular dining car where you can have a table service meal. Prices are reasonable, and the food is not bad.

I'm surprised that going by train is less expensive than flying...

 

[AntePrincess]

When we've traveled by train we take a small cooler, and a bag of chips and other snack type foods.

You might want to see if your train has a regular dining car where you can have a table service meal. Prices are reasonable, and the food is not bad.

I'm surprised that going by train is less expensive than flying...

It came out to $375 for all four one way, and another $375 back. Then add in the AAA discount, which was nominal, but every bit helps. The actual stations we're traveling between are Trenton, NJ and Orlando, NJ (the end one might change, depending on feedback, I forgot to ask about whether one station might be better to get off on than another).

 

[pepe of ohio]

We use Amtrak from Ohio to Kissimmee all the time.....we pack a small cooler, sandwiches, drinks and snacks and enjoy our meals in our coach seats.....club car has hand food available and the dining car has full service meals....good but all are pricey.....we pack our sandwices for the first leg and get coffee and danish in the morning from the club car...when we have a layover in DC, we pick up sandwiches or pizza from the DC food courts for late ding on the second leg (DC to Kissimmee) and might have soup or sandwich from the club car again...........

We always get off in Kissimmee, next stop after Orlando....Orlando is a bigger station, car rentals and what not but just too many people get off and board there making the station total chaos and being in the Florida heat, waiting to board with a hundred others not to our liking...Kissimmee is 20 minutes more, small station, cabs available, no rental car though but so easy to get off and on, with about 10 people using the station...and it's closer to WDW than the Orlando station...gonig home is a breeze, quick boarding, and you're off and when you hit the Orlando station and see all the people lined up, with bags and stuff, loading one by one while the rest are standing in the sun, you're sure glad you boarded in Kissimmee.....enjoy the train...

As for tips....take small blankets....gets mightly cold on board once the sun goes down, real cold.....ear plugs and eye mask might help too....we bring Ipods, gameboys, Kindles for enjoyment and puzzle books for fun but the main deal for us is what we brought to munch on....food, candy and drinks....hard to keep my wife out of the bag just after we board the train...

 

[AntePrincess]

We always get off in Kissimmee, next stop after Orlando....Orlando is a bigger station, car rentals and what not but just too many people get off and board there making the station total chaos and being in the Florida heat, waiting to board with a hundred others not to our liking...Kissimmee is 20 minutes more, small station, cabs available, no rental car though but so easy to get off and on, with about 10 people using the station...and it's closer to WDW than the Orlando station...gonig home is a breeze, quick boarding, and you're off and when you hit the Orlando station and see all the people lined up, with bags and stuff, loading one by one while the rest are standing in the sun, you're sure glad you boarded in Kissimmee.....enjoy the train...

You paint quite a word picture there! I think I'll adjust our plans for the Kissimmee station then!

As for tips....take small blankets....gets mightly cold on board once the sun goes down, real cold.....ear plugs and eye mask might help too....we bring Ipods, gameboys, Kindles for enjoyment and puzzle books for fun but the main deal for us is what we brought to munch on....food, candy and drinks....hard to keep my wife out of the bag just after we board the train...

That's the sort of thing I needed to know. We would have frozen if you hadn't told us. Thanks!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

yeah! another train traveler have fun!