train questions

[kissafrog]

We're planning a trip to WDW right after New Years, and are considering the auto train. I'm wondering about others experiences, especially with little ones (DS's will be almost 4 and 11 months).
Has anyone tried coach with kids (more concerned about baby than older one)?
What are restrooms like (thinking diaper changes for baby)?
Are there usually a lot of delays?
I know that car seats are reccommended for air travel, do you need them on the train, or leave them in the car?
Do they give the baby a seat of his own, or since he is free, does he have to sit with Mom or Dad the whole time?
How much room do the seats really have (are they like airline seats, or more spacious)?
TIA for any help, sorry so many questions!

 

[RustManFan]

We have taken the Auto Train 6 or 8 times and love it. We always travel coach. My kids were never babies when we went but many people do have babies in coach. I have never seen anyone with a car seat. There are no seatbelts for securing one anyway.....

I believe you will have 4 seats. It is very unusual for an extra person to be assigned to sit with a family of four. I also believe you are traveling during one of the less busy timeframes so this shouldn't be a problem.

There can be delays but this is hard to predict. Usually any delays are weather related and are because the Northbound train is late leaving Sanford. We have had as many trips on schedule as we have delayed. Of course a couple times we traveled in the fall when hurricanes affected the timetable. Once we had to take a longer route and go inland heading South because of hurricane weather near the coast. One time we had a minor technical problem and were delayed in the middle of the night somewhere in South Carolina. Ane once we hit a suicide on the tracks and were delayed a couple hours.
There are some lounge restrooms available where changing the baby is easy. I think they are clearly marked but Amtrak personnel is easy to find to ask.

Most important thing about traveling in coach - bring PILLOWS along. The ones they supply are tiny, flat things. You also may want to bring drinks and snacks so you don't have to walk through the cars frequently with little ones in tow.

DO IT !!! We almost always go this way since my sister usually comes along and she won't fly.......

 

[lazarru]

RustMan, how much room is there to sperad out in coach? I'm also thinking of using it in December, I have a 18mth and 3 yr old and the cost of the bedroom is at least twice what I can get coach for. I'm just not sure if the kids will actaully be able to sleep in coach. Still I think we're going to do a bedroom on the way down then decide what to do coming back.