Using the auto train

[denise5374]

How far is it from the auto train station in Sanibel(?) FL to the port? Has anyone taken the auto train? on the Saturday you dis-embark is it possible to go to Universal CityWalk and on to the train station and be there by 3:00pm?? I really want to go to to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville and I was hoping to fit it in on that Saturday.

Any thoughts???

 

[brack]

I've never taken the auto-train. We lived in DC for 13 years but thought the train was too expensive so we drove to WDW.

If you're going on the Western cruise the first stop is Key West. There they have a Jimmy Buffet's as well.

 

[Luvdisney]

Last time I used the AutoTrain you had to be checked in by 2PM. Without traffic it will take about an hour to get to the station from the Universal area. Again without Traffic or getting lost.

 

[Credit Man]

Denise,
We did this two years ago. We got to Downtown Disney by about 9:30. We spent all morning there and left about 1:00 to meet the train.

 

[denise5374]

Mike,

I knew you would have the answer and was hoping you were online today. Well, that was the last part of my vacation that was up in the air...I guess I am all planned now...all I have to do is wait and read and wait and plan some more and wait and wait....

It looks like I will be having lunch in MARGARITAVILLE!!!

and hoping I don't get lost trying to find the train station...or I will be driving back to PA!!!!

Thanks for all your help!!!!

 

[gometros]

The auto train stop is in Sanford, FL and it is an hour to the port. We do the auto train all the time, because my wife doesn't fly. When we cruised in July, the auto train was late from the night before, so we checked in and drove to DD for lunch and some shopping.

 

[christinou]

the autotrain is great, we are taking it again in February, it is really easy to find the station....
You do need to be there by 2:00 p.m. even with a car to check in, they will let you on the train by 2:30 p.m.

 

[Cassi]

Just a note of caution, if you're plannning on taking the train down the same day you embark. We took the Auto Train in January. We arrived on time, but on the trip back, instead of arriving in Lorton at 8:30 a.m., we arrived at 4:40 p.m.! We kept stopping all night for various incidents on the rails. I don't know how common this is, but it's something to keep in mind.

Cassi

 

[christinou]

Cassi, you are so right, we are going down on the Thursday, getting there on Friday hopefully on time, we are planning to do the Kennedy Space Center that day, and we will stay at the Radisson that night....
So lloking forward to it.

 

[denise5374]

THanks for the heads up on the delays...We are leaving Thursday to get to FL on Friday...just planning on lounging around on Friday and staying at the Radisson Friday night.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by Cassi
Just a note of caution, if you're plannning on taking the train down the same day you embark. We took the Auto Train in January. We arrived on time, but on the trip back, instead of arriving in Lorton at 8:30 a.m., we arrived at 4:40 p.m.! We kept stopping all night for various incidents on the rails. I don't know how common this is, but it's something to keep in mind.

Cassi

I second this suggestion. The auto train schedule is too unpredictable to chance arriving the same day as departure. In November 2001, we had to leave Lorton on Friday, since we didn't want to miss thanksgiving with the family (our kids were already pissed off enough that we were going without them.) The train ran late, due to an accident on the tracks in Georgia and we didn't get to Sanford until 12:30. By the time ew got our car and hit the road, it was already 1:30 and it was the first time my wife didn't say anything about my driving. The stress was not worth it.