Tell me about your autotrain experience...

[BANNISTER]

We are seriously thinking of booking the autotrain for our trip. We have drove and flown and wonder what others have thought about using the autotrain. We are a family of 5 and will be in the regular coach seats. We thought of driving down and then bringing the autotrain home, thought just commiting to one way would be a good way to test it out, but the rates were only about $250 more to do roundtrip and we knew we could not drive down from Maryland for that as far as gas, food, and one night lodging. I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[AshAlytwins]

We drove down twice....and then one year took the Autotrain back up with the coach seats and that was a mistake. We were so tired from trying to sleep in those seats. Last year we got sleepers for both ways and it was 100% better!!!! If you can swing getting the romettes or bedrooms i suggest doing it!!!! I can say that we will never drive that drive again!!!

 

[ducklite]

I think in reality you'll find the autotrain will cost more. Round trip on the autotrain is going to run you minimum about $800, plus food. Food will be a factor whether you drive or take the train. You still have to eat. So I wouldn't even count that. One way is going to run you at least $400.

From MD to Orlando is about 900 miles. Based on r/t numbers, using 15 mpg and $2.65/gallon for regular unleaded, your gas will run $320. A hotel in each direction is $100 max/night--you can probably find something less expensive. Even adding in $100 wear and tear, you are at $620.

In all honesty, there's no reason you need to even stop. From Baltimore to WDW, if you time your travel properly should take you about 14 hours. Very doable in one days travel, especially with two drivers.

The night before you leave pack everything except anything that needs refidgeration and the people. Get to bed early and get a good sleep. Get up at 4:00, on the road by 4:45. You'll be in WDW early enough for a late supper. Even if you need to make a couple of one hour stops for the kids, you'll still be there before dark really settles in, and can get a good nights sleep and start fresh in the morning.

Sure beats the 36 hours someone just spent on a very delayed autotrain as reported on these boards over the weekend.

Anne

 

[drgnfly30]

We did this Autotrain in 2002...we went Coach... very hard to sleep, not even the motion as much as the other people... (3am & the woman behind you singing Main St USA with her DD).. and by the time you arrived the next morning the bathrooms were DISGUSTING!!! Then of course our car was one of THE LAST ones to get off loaded.. We are driving this time around....

 

[BANNISTER]

The quote we received for the autotrain was $838. roundtrip and this does include your evening meal and continental breakfast in the morning.

As far as not stopping and driving straight through...when we drove before we ending up staying the night in St. Augustine and we could have kept going, but we have 3 children-they were more than ready to get out of the car and swim and stretch out and relax for the evening. Next morning we checked out and it was a breeze to get to WDW.

The problem for us is the drive home. I remember checking out of Coronado Springs and doing a couple of last minute things which caused us not to get on the road before 2 or 3 pm. We didn't want to stop for the evening until we were at least half way home, which for us is Florence, SC-we were already exhausted before we left WDW as we usually don't stop during our vacation-well, we arrived in Florence, and no hotel rooms available due to some type of convention. We had to travel in and off of exits along 95 looking for a room, we ended up having to take a smoking room and I swear the next morning I was down on the floor picking up dirty laundry there looked to be blood splatter on the side of the box spring and under the bed-couldn't help but think of what might have happened in this room.

I just don't want to get on the train and be miserable and regret it. I really thought it would save the wear and tear on our mini van.

Thanks for the input...I really appreciate it...guess I need to be making my mind up ASAP!

 

[jodifla]

I've done the Autotrain twice and loved it. In both cases, it was just me and DS, first when he was 3, then 4. We got a roomette. I will say I don't think I would have loved it without getting a roomette. Sitting up in a chair all night is not my idea of a good time.

When you get a room, your food is included. There's no way I could have done the drive by myself.

I will say that most people I traveled with had done the Autotrain many times.

On my trips, we arrived early into the station.

 

[ducklite]

The quote we received for the autotrain was $838. roundtrip and this does include your evening meal and continental breakfast in the morning.

Are you sure about teh meals? Last I knew unless you booked a roomette there were no meals included.

The problem for us is the drive home. I remember checking out of Coronado Springs and doing a couple of last minute things which caused us not to get on the road before 2 or 3 pm. We didn't want to stop for the evening until we were at least half way home, which for us is Florence, SC-we were already exhausted before we left WDW as we usually don't stop during our vacation

We ALWAYS made a reservation at a hotel at some point between WDW and home. Most will let you cancel as long as you do so before 4:00pm. You just ahve to get yourself into the mind set that you nee to leave by a specific time and then do so. REmembering the last drive home will make that easier.

Anne

 

[garydeb]

Your meals are FREE on the Auto Train. You get dinner and cont. breakfast. We go by the auto train twice a year to WDW and Love it. We get the economy sleeper. We have done the coach also but I have trouble sleeping with everyone moving around in the train. I have found that like anything else you either Love it or Hate it.

Have a Great Trip to WDW,
Debbie

 

[jennypenny]

We are a family of 5 heading down in August. R/T is only $600, and it includes meals. We didn't feel it was worth the extra $800 for rooms for us. We couldn't drive (gas/food) for less than that.

Jenny

 

[MeggerasMa]

Great question! And interesting answers! We've just booked the Autotrain one-way from Sanford to Lorton as an alternative to that seemingly endless drive home from Disney. We also have done the flying trip, the driving both ways trip(s) and thought that the one-way train would be a good way to give us a taste of train travel. We have, however, booked a roomette. We seem to find the return trip home from any vacation just a bit depressing no matter how wonderful the vacation itself has been. If the $$ don't discourage you, I'd bet your children would be as excited as heck to be able to travel on a train. I know I didn't help your dilemma, but I thought it was really neat to have someone else consider a one-way Autotrain excursion. Happy travelling!

 

[Cupmom]

My family is also considering take the train back home in August. The drive down we're making stops visiting family so it will break up the trip a lot. Coming home though it is a long and depreesing ride especially when everyone is tired. The train is at least something to look forward to, I'm looking into getting 2 bedrooms.. For those of you who have traveled what would you recommend.It is me, dh, ds5 and ds13. My ds wants his own bathroom.

 

[lookingforward]

We went on the train in a family sleeper and loved it. All the meals are included for both coach and sleepers, just different dining cars. The seats on the train are like business class on an airplane (they had a foot stool that pulled out when we saw them). We watched movies in the lounge and enjoyed watching the scenery pass by. It was nice to have our own car while visiting florida.

 

[happyatdisney]

We have done the Auto-train 3 times, and really enjoyed it a great deal. All three times were one way: the first was train down, drive home. NOT a good idea. You are so correct, that it is so much nicer to take the train home! After a week at Disney, no one feels like driving home!! With the train, just put your feet up and relax...

All three times we got sleepers, and in all honesty, while I considered getting coach seats, I really knew that my comfort level in sleeping was probably dependent on having a private room. Having a private bath helped a lot too!!

It is expensive, but we really enjoyed the experience. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DVC Chris]

We've taken the AutoTrain about each time for our past 6 trips and have enjoyed each one. You have to be in the mindset that you'll be on te train for16-18 hours (or longer).. There may be delays - and VERY rarely, these delays can be long.

As others have already mentioned, the food is included in the price of your ticket. We've always booked either the roomette, or deluxe sleeper and have always enjoyed the food in the dining car. I understand the menu in the coach dining car is a bit different, but still good.

As far as pricing is concerned, unless they announce a fare, we've always gotten the best fares the further out we booked. Similar to airlines, they sell a certain number of seats/rooms at each price level. As the seats/rooms fill up, the prices go up. Amtrak's cancellation and change policy is much more lenient then the airlines. I recently found out that if you book a fare (and pay for it) but DON'T have the tickets issued, that you can get a full refund if you cancel a certain number of days before traveling. This was confirmed by the reservation agent when I booked our upcoming trip for Oct.


Taking the train allows us to 'wind down' to the vacation and also, relax a bit before returning home.

 

[Cupmom]

I just booked the Auto Train for our Aug trip. We are taking it one way leaving Florida. We book 2 deleux rooms because we wanted a bathroom. The family bedroom was $472, for the 2 deluex rooms it was $496 it was well woth the difference since noe we will have 2 connecting rooms with 2 bathrooms. The total came to $894 with our truck. It is a lot but with gas over $3.00 and then having to book a hotel room and pay ofr meals and tolls it seem a bit better. I also think it will add to the fun of our trip. Driving all the way back to NY after a week in the heat of Disney the train is a welcomed treat.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

We are thinking of doing this also. (Dec 06)

question though, how come the fares are different amounts on the way down as oppsed to on the way back?

For DH, me and DS17 and DD15 (the guys are 6 ft, girls are 5 ft).
Would you choose Family BR, or two roomettes? (would probably not opt for 2 - BR's too much $$ but would be nice to have your own bathroom!)

Do rates fluctuate, can you get a AAA discount (or other discount) besides what the website has for a reward program? TIA as always, DIS!
mary

 

[J/T Gramdma]

Fares are based on when you go and how fast the ticket sell.As someone else said the further out you book the cheaper the fare. Also prices tend to be more as the snow birds travel. the discounts are AAA veterns advantage.We have done the autotrain 5 times and loves every time.

 

[Cupmom]

We are thinking of doing this also. (Dec 06)

question though, how come the fares are different amounts on the way down as oppsed to on the way back?

For DH, me and DS17 and DD15 (the guys are 6 ft, girls are 5 ft).
Would you choose Family BR, or two roomettes? (would probably not opt for 2 - BR's too much $$ but would be nice to have your own bathroom!)

Do rates fluctuate, can you get a AAA discount (or other discount) besides what the website has for a reward program? TIA as always, DIS!
mary

The price between a family bedroom and 2 bedrooms was very close. The family bedroom was $472 and it was $498 for 2 rooms with 2 bathrooms . Wellworth the extra $26 dollars.

Plus I think your kids would be free if you enter the code H608 I got a better rate that with AAA.

 

[LisaNJ25]

We are planning to take it RT in August.If the prices dont go way up before I can book it. Right now its $740 for the 6 of us.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

The price between a family bedroom and 2 bedrooms was very close. The family bedroom was $472 and it was $498 for 2 rooms with 2 bathrooms . Wellworth the extra $26 dollars.

Plus I think your kids would be free if you enter the code H608 I got a better rate that with AAA.

Thanks for the information!! We're in Cleveland, my family thought this would be great, until I told them that we have to drive from Cleveland, in December! But if flights don't get better, I sure will try to convince them. Also, I love the idea of packing our own car full to the brim!