Taking the train from NY to Orlando

[pepe of ohio]

I guess that's true if you're a train enthusiast, but also factor in that you're essentially throwing away two days of your vacation. Personally, I'd wait and see if airfares come down. Early December should be pretty quiet, so I'd think there would be decent airfares...maybe 2-3 months out, although its hard to predict.

I'm not throwing away any days of my vacation... Seeing part of our country from a train window instead of 3 hours of nothing sky enhances our trip...

People who use the rails are aware of the time involved and are happy to use the service.... Not everyone flies, nor drives to vacation spots... Some really enjoy the down time on a train, the rolling and rocking while seated in a generous comfortable seat instead of being cramped with a sardine in an airplane...

We also enjoy the cheaper price of traveling by rail....flyers and drivers keep on going but don't begrudge us rail travelers by saying we're throwing away vacation days.... We use the train and still have 10-12 days in Disney !

 

[DanBoris]

I got to say, above post is just about right, so we just join in and snore and fart like the others.... We use ear plugs, eye masks... Throw our blanket over our head (A/C ) gets murderous cold for us and recline and sleep away... That's in coach!

We've done roomettes a few times... Though the privacy is nice, having a smelly toilet in that cubicle isn't .... Plus it's gotten a little claustrophobic for me, wife sleeps in the upper ( no way could or would I go up there)... The narrow passages in the sleeper cars plays on my mind to going to the dining car... But the food is very good especially when it's included in the roomettes cost ....

Still I prefer the huge area around me in coach, and dozing off for one night is doable.... We always ask in route if any roomettes are available , we get them cheaper than per poking one ..

I have heard that the new roomettes in the new Viewliner cars that are currently being build will no longer have the toilet in the room but there will be a bathroom in the car instead. This is how the Superliner cars are setup and I much prefer it.

If you think the Viewliner top bunk is claustrophobic, the ones in the Superliners are even worse! Top bunch doesn't even have a window.

I guess that's true if you're a train enthusiast, but also factor in that you're essentially throwing away two days of your vacation. Personally, I'd wait and see if airfares come down. Early December should be pretty quiet, so I'd think there would be decent airfares...maybe 2-3 months out, although its hard to predict.

That's my point, it's not "throwing away two days" it's part of the vacation. I have heard that people going to WDW will take one day and not do the parks and just hang around the pool, some people might consider that throwing away a day, but for them it's part of the vacation.

Also, you don't have to be a train enthusiest to enjoy the train. The train gives you time to relax where are aren't obligated to be running around somewhere, you get to see some great sights out the window, you get to "go out to eat" for all your meals and you can meet a lot of interesting people on the train.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I have heard that the new roomettes in the new Viewliner cars that are currently being build will no longer have the toilet in the room but there will be a bathroom in the car instead. This is how the Superliner cars are setup and I much prefer it.

If you think the Viewliner top bunk is claustrophobic, the ones in the Superliners are even worse! Top bunch doesn't even have a window.

That's my point, it's not "throwing away two days" it's part of the vacation. I have heard that people going to WDW will take one day and not do the parks and just hang around the pool, some people might consider that throwing away a day, but for them it's part of the vacation.

Also, you don't have to be a train enthusiest to enjoy the train. The train gives you time to relax where are aren't obligated to be running around somewhere, you get to see some great sights out the window, you get to "go out to eat" for all your meals and you can meet a lot of interesting people on the train.

Be curious when these view liner cars will be added to the Silver Meteor.... Wonder if they will change out the complete train or car at a time...

I've been on some trains , Capitol Limited and some cars were the old ones, tight seating, one outlet per car and even on the Silver... Depends on which are they place your group in ... We enjoy the doubledeckers on the Capital Limited to DC... Know they won't fit in the tunnels under DC wish they were the ones headed south out kf DC... So much roomier, more restrooms, just a more luxury experience!!

 

[gibbow]

I take Amtrak a bit between Albany-Rensselaer - NY- DC and Don't mind the cars... Granted these are shorter trips. I am a fan of trains as well..

I though personally would not take the train to Florida. While the scenery would be nice, I would not want to risk having the 2yr old in the car I am sleeping it, or having the smelly passenger sitting in front of me...

Those distractions are much more do-able during the signifcantly shorter flight. We just flew down from EWR in May with JetBlue, my second time with JetBlue from EWR to MCO... does not disappoint. We were delayed 30 minutes this time for departing, but it was a smooth take off and landing, seats are larger and signifacant leg room vs American and US. I'm 6'2" and was quite comfortable even without the "Extra Space" seats.

That being said, I am comfortable in the Amtrak cars along the NorthEast Corridor as well. I just am going to be another who says that I would rather deal with the security... Travel to the airport + Security + Flight would be approximately 7 hours, a fractions of the time spent with the train.

For me my list of desirable means of NY-Orlando transportation goes
1. Flying
2. Train
3. Driving (just because my Dgf's driving is quite... )

Whichever way you decide, I do hope you the best, and safe and enjoyable travels!!

 

[NotUrsula]

We also enjoy the cheaper price of traveling by rail....flyers and drivers keep on going but don't begrudge us rail travelers by saying we're throwing away vacation days.... We use the train and still have 10-12 days in Disney !

Very true -- IF you have 14 days to spend on vacation. Not all of us do. For someone who is limited to 5-6 days off, taking the train from most parts of the US isn't really a viable option unless you want to spend as much time travelling to and from your vacation destination as you get to spend there.

The absolute worst issue is the indefinite suspension of the Sunset Limited route east of New Orleans. Do you know that if you are in South Texas, the route to Florida takes you up to Chicago, over to DC, and then down the east coast to Florida? It takes over three days each way. If you leave San Antonio on a Friday morning at 7, you will arrive in Orlando late Monday morning, assuming that there are no delays. Prior to 2005 that trip took just 16 hours, which would have been do-able for most people, but the powers that be seem to be going out of their way to try to convince just about everyone who doesn't live on the East Coast that Amtrak isn't a viable travel alternative.

Don't get me wrong, I love trains, and I'm happy to take them on short inter-city trips on the East Coast Corridor. However, long-distance US domestic train travel is just not something I can afford to do, because my vacation time is just too scarce for that.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

lots of great chatter about the train! I see my buddy Pepe has been advising you too! I will bump my Amtrak thread for you as well.
I returned from my last Albany to WDW trip on June 2nd and had a great time-as always!
Train was a few minutes early getting there and over an hour early coming home.
Would I personally ever recommend sitting in the seats for the 24hr trip-NO! Been there,done that,never again!Roomette or bedroom is it for me