[tinkermommy]

We will be going to DW in May and we have decided that we DON'T want to drive from Central NY this time. Our first thought was to fly. DD and I really do not want to fly but will if it is cheaper. Would it be worth it to get a train? We don't really mind if it takes longer, it would be great to not do the driving and pit-stoping! Whachya think?

[tigger]

If you are going to take the train look into taking the night train. Sometime you can get on a train in the evening and arrive the next morning (I haven't done this but have a friend that did it a few years ago).

If you can do this you can get a sleeper (more money better rest for some) or just sleep in the seat (some can do this). Also bring your own food...train food is $$.

Hope this helps...

(just went to amtrak.com - looks like it would be close to 25+ hours @ $376 round trip for two people no upgrades. Driving from NYC is about 17 hours maybe $300 for gas/hotel then you have to add wear and tear on the car etc)

[keljen]

I would say to fly even if it costs more as you will arrive relaxed where driving is long and does add wear and tear to your car, the train isn't much of a bargin as listed before the food is $$ and you have to sleep in your seat or pay what may be a lot more for a sleeper if you can get one

[cahogbin]

We are taking the Auto Train from just south of Washington, DC. We are very pleased with the price since we won't have to rent a car when we get there with the car seats (almost $100 a week for car seats!!) For 4 of us, 2 adults, 2 children and the car it is just over $800 and that's for an SUV. If you have a smaller car it's MUCH cheaper.

We will be going overnight, leaving at 4pm and arriving the next morning at 8:30 at Sanford FL. The food is included on the Auto Train as well as a movie.

When I figured food, gas, a night each way in a hotel it was about even with the Auto Train. This way I don't have pit stops to make, no food to buy, I sleep on the train, the kids can get up and walk around they aren't stuck in their seats. Plus I don't have the stress of driving that far..... The Auto Train was our answer.

Check it out at www.amtrak.com

[tigger]

Originally Posted by cahogbin

We are taking the Auto Train from just south of Washington, DC. We are very pleased with the price since we won't have to rent a car when we get there with the car seats (almost $100 a week for car seats!!) For 4 of us, 2 adults, 2 children and the car it is just over $800 and that's for an SUV. If you have a smaller car it's MUCH cheaper.

We will be going overnight, leaving at 4pm and arriving the next morning at 8:30 at Sanford FL. The food is included on the Auto Train as well as a movie.

When I figured food, gas, a night each way in a hotel it was about even with the Auto Train. This way I don't have pit stops to make, no food to buy, I sleep on the train, the kids can get up and walk around they aren't stuck in their seats. Plus I don't have the stress of driving that far..... The Auto Train was our answer.

Check it out at www.amtrak.com

I would be interested in hear how it goes. The good, the bad, and the ugly of training it (any lessons learned etc).

[disneyguy]

If you take the AutoTrain from NY you would have to drive down, just south of DC.

If you give me your local airport, I could quickly find the best rate for a flight for you. I have been able to find some awesome deals for DC'ers.

[MerlinMatt]

I'm curious why you don't want to fly?

Maybe it's a stupid question, but DW has anxieties over flying and I'd like some other perspectives.

Personally, I think flying is the best because it's generally the cheapest way and for the most part, more convenient.

[MOTOXTIGGER]

Hello! We have taken the auto train twice. As far as my family is concerned this is the only way to go. You can board the train at 2 and about a 1/2 an hour later they open up the lounge car where you can buy drinks, soda and they have free snacks. Word to the wise, get there before the senior citizens they clean up the snacks pretty quick. They put families in the same car and the older people in cars by themselves. The couple of times that we have gone there were only 3 or 4 families in our car and that was great because then we could all stretch out which was great with a 3-year-old. Then you can go to the first sitting for dinner which is very good. After dinner it is off to the lounge car for a movie. We watched Pirates of the Caribbean in December. By this time it was 9:30 and the kids were exhausted. Next thing you know you wake up to a wonderful continental breakfast and Disney. Some quick tips though, pack a soft sided cooler with water and soda..much cheaper than the train and the water on the train is awful..we take travel pillows (you can get them at wal-mart for $2.50) the ones there are thin, thin, thin. It can get a little chilly on the train at night too, keep a sweatshirt nearby. We have gone in December and October and it was comfortable at all times except during the night. It is so neat to watch the little towns go by and sooooo relaxing especially on the way home. It is nice to unwind after all of that rushing around. Any other questions please ask. We look at it as part of the vacation and we had a ball. Enjoy!

[cahogbin]

Thanks for the tips on the cooler for the Auto Train. I will leave a full trip report on everything I promise. The Auto Train is really the answer for us I'm sure.

The thought of having a long delay on the tarmac with my kids in the airport is an absolute nightmare for me. Plus you don't get any discounts for them being kids and they'd be stuck in their seats most of the time. Just not a pleasant thought for me. Taking the train is just more laid back. Plus you have to pay so much for your car to park at the airport it just worked out better for us this way. Especially having our own car, we're packing the back full of snacks and water to save $$ on the trip. I've flown before and I'm not afraid but having the kids changes the priorities as far as their comfort level. Plus we're doing Universal and NASA so having our own car and not having to rent one with the carseats for the kids is just more convenient.

[tinkermommy]

First question, i think, we would be flying out of either syracuse( very expensive so not sure ) or rochester, heard that was a lot cheaper. If we were to fly, those would be the airports to choose from.
Second, I had always had a fear of flying, all my life. I am now 33 and 3 yrs ago, my husband and i took our first flight together. It was pretty uneventful, and of course he loved it. I on the other hand, did not. I was uneasy the whole time in the air ( at the longest 3.5 hrs) i couldn't get comfortable, everytime we had a bit of turbulance i thought i would throw up , and i think that i have this all together feeling of uneasiness because i am in the air, that fear of falling thing. If it helps to expain it, I HATE roller coasters! And ever since 9/11, my 9yr old DD is afraid of getting on a plain. Like I said, if we have to we will, but if I can avoid all of that,then I will. Thanks for all the great info on the trains

[Dana]

Current train rates are more expensive then the great airfare deals you can get right now. I would definately opt to pay the less money and time of a flight, but only you know what is best for your family.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by tinkermommy

Second, I had always had a fear of flying, all my life. I am now 33 and 3 yrs ago, my husband and i took our first flight together. It was pretty uneventful, and of course he loved it. I on the other hand, did not. I was uneasy the whole time in the air ( at the longest 3.5 hrs) i couldn't get comfortable, everytime we had a bit of turbulance i thought i would throw up , and i think that i have this all together feeling of uneasiness because i am in the air, that fear of falling thing.

Interesting.

DW used to love flying until she had a bad experience with turbulence on one flight. But the fear didn't get real bad until a few years later.

After riding M:S, we discovered that she has some type of inner ear issue where sudden changes in momentum (ala turbulence) make her really uneasy. Perhaps related to this, she also hasn't driven (as the driver) on a highway in about 7 years.

We tracked it back to one night where we were walking on a cold windy night where the wind was blowing right into her ear and she had left her earmuffs at home. Ever since then, she's been quite sensitive to cold in that ear and that's also around the time that the motion issues came about.

The thing that's helped is 1. Getting a clearer understanding of the facts of flying (ie. how safe it is, the statistics, what the noises are, etc.) and 2. Atavan.

[MrDisneyfan1]

we did the auto train and hated it....

[tigger]

Originally Posted by MrDisneyfan1

we did the auto train and hated it....

Why did you hate it?

[MrDisneyfan1]

Sorry to have made such a comment and not back it up, I was called away from the computer.
We did the Auto train from Washington to Sanford Florida. Which we thought would be fun (no kids at that time) We were camping at Fort Wilderness, and thought, Hey, this would the easiest way to get there. Well after the drive to the station from Ct, which required a sleepover, we boarded the train. We sat for a few hours and then headed off to Florida, with all the Snowbirds heading back south. If we had continued to drive we would have passed South of the Border around 4 or so pm, but with the train, we passed by South of the Border 2 am. I guess I expected the more "GRANDJOUR" as shown on the TV commercials with the mountains and all the beautiful sights, we passed through every ghetto from Washington to Florida and stopped alot. I was not able to sleep because of the constant vibrations, and I arrived in Florida 8 am dead tire.
Now with all that said, I usually adapt to anything and everything and have fun with any situation, but after paying such a high fare and then the "whole experience" I would not do it again. Now that we have a Mini Van, Yes I now admitt it, driving down is a breeze. But with airfare so low, were flying in December, I cound not drive for less!
Hope this helps
Den