Traveling by train.

[car55]

I'm tired of flying. I was thinking of taking an Amtrack From New York Penn Station to Orlando. Its about 21 hours, and I was thinking about getting a small room on the train with a reclining seat that turns into a bed. It's about $300.00 one way. I will be taveling alone in April 2008. Has anybody done this recently? How was it? Some people I talked to didn't care for it ,but they were not going to, and returning from the Happiest place on Earth. Plus they had to wait for their car to be unloaded. I thought about driving, and the cost is just a little less with fule and lodging. Thank you for any info.

 

[Jen66]

I took the Amtrak from Cleveland to Chicago last year for a long weekend with my kids and it was fun. It was only about an 8 hour trip though. I wold love to take the train all the way across the country some time with lots of stops, but I do not think I would take it to Florida unless the traveling was part of the vacation. It would cost you $600 to spend 2 whole days on a train. JMO, but you can fly much cheaper and much faster! Of course, you did not say why you were tired of flying, so only you can make that decision. Personally, when I am going to WDW, I just want to get there quickly!!!

 

[car55]

I thought about the time spent on the train. But it is about the same for me to drive. Flying is so convienient, but I was thinking of trying something different. Making the train trip part of the vacatoin experience. I love train travel, but I've never been on one that long.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've used Amtrak for the last 10 trips to WDW, I do not fly, period. We used to drive way back when there was little traffic on the road but now its just to tiring and the train is so much easier and cheaper, no motel stays. We're from northeastern Ohio and board in Alliance Ohio and train to Washington DC and then board the south bound to Kissimmee florida. Most trips are good, few so so but all in all, a great relaxing trip. We've gotten the roomette some times for the DC to Fla leg when fares are reasonable or just ask after we board in DC if any are available, alot cheaper than reserving ahead of trip and they are nice, small but include all meals which are not too bad. The privacy of the little room and convenience of actually laying down to sleep is fantastic.

Trip for us is around 27-29 hours, most always arrive late but safely. Train travel can be boring if you're a fuss budget but we enjoy sitting back, good book, packed snacks and drinks and portable DVD player. No hassle, no traffic we board at 3am and arrive in Kissimmee the next day around noon or before. We're training again this September, round trip for wife and I, 450.00, cab fare from Kissimmee to WDW 35-38.00. Hope you enjoy your trip, and we.ve never rented a car, always relied on Disney transportation in all 38 trips.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you already know you love train travel, go for it!

I don't know how similar the trains are, but I stayed in a roomette going from Seattle to the Bay Area (over 24 hours), and if I hadn't been rather pregnant and miserable anyway, it would have been WONDERFUL. The West Coast trains, and the autotrain (and maybe all of them!) include meals with roomettes (you're considered First Class), and at least on the west coast trains, those meals are pretty good!!!

I didn't make lasting friends on my trip, but I did have many interesting conversations (learned that "wherefore art thou Romeo" doesn't mean "where are you", but rather "WHO are you and why are you who you are" from a very old and retired English teacher who was charming the pants off of two elderly gentlemen ) along the way! Can't do that on a solo driving trip! Not without stopping, or endangering yourself by picking up hitchhikers, at least.

 

[car55]

Thank you. I found a fare From Stamford Ct to Washington D.C. than D.C. to Orlando for $572.00 round trip with the roomet, about $100.00 more than driving. I think this may be the way to go.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I gone solo many times when taking the train to Disney! With gas prices so high, plus a decent hotel room, often the train isn't too much more $$$ than driving nowadays. I am also a "train person" and I love just kicking back, reading a good book, and watching the scenery go by. I always take the AutoTrain, which is one of Amtrak's best. If you are getting a sleeping room, then it is a very nice way to travel! I also look at the train as part of the adventure to Disney. I also won't fly (I get very sick ), so the train is a wonderful alternative for me.

To the OP - have an awesome time! Sounds like the train is a great match for you.

 

[car55]

I gone solo many times when taking the train to Disney! With gas prices so high, plus a decent hotel room, often the train isn't too much more $$$ than driving nowadays. I am also a "train person" and I love just kicking back, reading a good book, and watching the scenery go by. I always take the AutoTrain, which is one of Amtrak's best. If you are getting a sleeping room, then it is a very nice way to travel! I also look at the train as part of the adventure to Disney. I also won't fly (I get very sick ), so the train is a wonderful alternative for me.

To the OP - have an awesome time! Sounds like the train is a great match for you.

Thank you. I think this will work for me I also got sick flying. I do fine in small planes. I think the preasurized cabin bothers me.

 

[solfan68]

Just returned from a WDW trip this past weekend where we utilized the Auto Train. Going to Disney was a bit of an adventure. We left Pennsylvania around 9:30am and arrived with 'plenty of time' to check in at the station in Lorton.

HOWEVER... the Amtrak rep told us that there had been a freight derailment the night before. We were left with two options. The train MIGHT be running Sunday, certainly by Monday. OR, we could cancel the southbound journey and drive it. Well, suffice it to say... Mickey was expecting us some time Sunday, so we drove the multi-state journey.

In addition to refunding our southern trip, Amtrak will reimburse us up to $65 for a hotel stay. But it sure was a bumpy start to an otherwise enjoyable vacation. I do need to note the train ride back was uneventful and actually quite pleasant. Just be aware that rail complications can - and do - happen. That said, I think its safe to say that my family would be likely to use the train again.

 

[Tigger1]

My son has traveled from Dallas to Illinois several times. The train is usually a little late. Once he was about 24 hours late Passenger trains do not have priority to the track, cargo trains do. My son had to wait for two different derailments to clean up (not his train derailed), refill for food for the train, ect. Other than that he enjoyed the trip.

 

[rebelinfl]

Was thinking of using the auto train in July to go back up north as I need my car up there. Was a little apprehensive since I never did it before, but many of you seem to like it. Do they give you a break for booking roundtrip? As it seems it going to cost around $330 one way, which would be way more than driving. I drive straight through when I do drive, there is no such thing as stopping

 

[cherylp3]

No I don't believe they give you a break for travelling round trip.

for the autotrain, the farther out you book the less expensive it will be.

-Cheryl