[sleepinbeauty]

My family and I have decided to take the auto train to Florida. We leave on Friday July 20. My husband could only take half the day off work. I am going to pick him up at work at 10:30 am for the just over 2 hour drive to Lorton. With lunch (drive thru) we should make it there by 1:30-2:00pm. I pray that there are no traffic delays. I would love to talk the boss into letting him off all day, but there were already too many on vacation that day. I am already off work because I work for the school. My husbands sister and her family will be traveling with us on the train. They will be taking a different route than us to get to Lorton. They live about an hour north of us.

I have a few questions. How uncomfortable is the seating in coach to sleep? Was coach noisy at night? My huband has trouble sleeping with a light on. That is he likes it dark to sleep. Is there very much light? I get travel sickness . Are trains much worse than cars? I am going to take some motion sickness pills. If my inlaws and us arrive at different times at the station will we get different seating locations? If you have any other helpful information on the auto train I would be grateful.

[floridaorange19]

i would love some info on this as well... thanks for bringing it up. i've always heard about the auto train, but don't know that much about it. my husband hates to fly, and the last time we drove down, he did most of the driving (made it from central jersey to orlando in 16 1/2 hours) and it was rough. i'm thinking a partial car ride down would lift a great burden. if anybody knows a web address that i can go to and get further info, that would be great as well.

[sleepinbeauty]

My husbands knees have been bothering him lately on long car rides. At least he can get up and move around on the train.

[allirella]

I've never traveled via train for any distance. How long is it supposed to take from Lorton to Orlando?

[Dopey]

We used to travel a lot on those sort of trains in Europe. So, I can tell you that the motion on a train is completely different and actually soothing on a train.
Those sleeping compartments we had were like little jewel boxes all in polished mahagony with stewarts taking care of your every whim. I have no idea how these things work here in the States. I am wondering if you can't find a train enthusiast forum to see what they are talking about.

And I would like to say, what a great idea to take the train. Really, really fun!!

[Elmo]

We've done the Auto Train twice - but never in coach. We brought along sis-in-law and her bf last trip and they rode coach. They hated it. And these are two 20 somethings who rarely complain about stuff.

We had a family sleeper. I recommend the sleeping accomodations. They food was slightly above average, but I think those in the sleepers get a different meal too.

The train departs Lorton at 4PMish and arrives in Sanford and 830AMish. We were late on the last run due to track problems. It happens, no different than airline problems.

No problems with motion sickness. Bringing along DVD player was helpful with the kids. They also liked the lounge car to color and play at the tables.

[sleepinbeauty]

Originally Posted by Elmo

We've done the Auto Train twice - but never in coach. We brought along sis-in-law and her bf last trip and they rode coach. They hated it. And these are two 20 somethings who rarely complain about stuff.

We had a family sleeper. I recommend the sleeping accomodations. They food was slightly above average, but I think those in the sleepers get a different meal too.

The train departs Lorton at 4PMish and arrives in Sanford and 830AMish. We were late on the last run due to track problems. It happens, no different than airline problems.

No problems with motion sickness. Bringing along DVD player was helpful with the kids. They also liked the lounge car to color and play at the tables.

Why did they hate it? I am beginning to wonder if we should not have just drove. I am so afraid that there are going to be loud kids, snoring, people walking thru the cars, dirty diapers . My children are 6 and 9. I get alittle ansy in tight places so I am unsure about a sleeper, plus it really adds alot to the cost to get one for the 4 of us. And my sister inlaw and family are going and I know they can't afford a sleeper, so I am afraid I would upset them if we did. Did you feel strange that your sister in law was in coach while you had the sleeper? Were they ok with it? Did you get to see them much? I guess you don't get to eat together either?? Are there seperate dining cars for each??

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by sleepinbeauty

Why did they hate it? I am beginning to wonder if we should not have just drove. I am so afraid that there are going to be loud kids, snoring, people walking thru the cars, dirty diapers . My children are 6 and 9. I get alittle ansy in tight places so I am unsure about a sleeper, plus it really adds alot to the cost to get one for the 4 of us. And my sister inlaw and family are going and I know they can't afford a sleeper, so I am afraid I would upset them if we did. Did you feel strange that your sister in law was in coach while you had the sleeper? Were they ok with it? Did you get to see them much? I guess you don't get to eat together either?? Are there seperate dining cars for each??

We did get to see them by visiting them. Only "first class" passengers (those who've purchased sleepers) are allowed in the sleeper areas. They did come visit and we got to meet them in the lounge. We paid for their entire Disney trip, but not travel - so they were OK with us in the sleeper. There are separate dining cars for coach vs sleeper passengers so we did not eat together. The booths are limited to 4 passengers anyways - no large tables.

The coach seats are akin to first class plane seats, or so I am told. They recline, but I wouldn't want to sleep in one. And neither did the sis-in-law. Their car was nearly empty so no problems there. They just had trouble sleeping in the seats.

The family bedroom was perfect for us. (See diagram on Amtrak site). You have your own room on the lower level at the end of the hall. No one passes by you, very private. There are windows on each side of the train car. Once converted, you have to adult beds and two child beds (one top and bottom each).

[Soundgod]

I did the Auto Train a few times in the late 80s and early 90s. I did a compartment once. The seats are not comfortable at all for sleeping. If you're going south to WDW, at least you'll be able to nap in WDW not long after you arrive in Orlando(Sanford). I've had to drive 200 plus miles on both ends and it was rough. Also, I've been looking at costs for two in a compartment, and sadly, you're probably cheaper driving or flying and renting a car when you arrive..

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

Also, I've been looking at costs for two in a compartment, and sadly, you're probably cheaper driving or flying and renting a car when you arrive..

Driving is out of the question for us. Wife still has flashbacks of driving down as a kid. (I'd give it a go at least once. )

For our last trip on the Auto Train, I priced everything out between the train and flying everyone and renting a van. It was a wash. Bonus points went to the train because we could pack more. We will be flying in November. Flying becomes increasing easy as the kids need less "stuff" and they can drag their own suitcase.

[sleepinbeauty]

I took the cost of what it would take to drive there both ways:gas, food and hotel. I only came out with the train costing 2-3 hundred more. We felt it was worth it to give it a try. We'll see.

[allirella]

Hope it is a good experience for you. Be sure and let us know when you write up your TR! :)

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by sleepinbeauty

Why did they hate it? I am beginning to wonder if we should not have just drove. I am so afraid that there are going to be loud kids, snoring, people walking thru the cars, dirty diapers . My children are 6 and 9. I get alittle ansy in tight places so I am unsure about a sleeper, plus it really adds alot to the cost to get one for the 4 of us. And my sister inlaw and family are going and I know they can't afford a sleeper, so I am afraid I would upset them if we did.

Trains are very soothing...


Having done the long drives, I think the train might be a better arrangement.

Especially if it's a straight through. If you break the drive up into mini vacations, I would recommend the driving. Otherwise, that's a long haul where you can't "escape" into the dining car...

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by sleepinbeauty

We felt it was worth it to give it a try.

I'd give it a go - we have our reservations about coach though.

Some recommendations:

1. Bring along portable DVD player for kids. (Obviously)
2. Be sure to pack bag of clothes and other essentials to stay with you on train. You car is not accessible. I'd include a change of clothes, some bath type stuff to "freshen up" in AM, any meds you might need, etc.
3. Bring along you own water and snacks. I've heard horror stories about the train running late, sometimes very late - so we were well prepared. (In the end it wasn't needed!).
4. You own pillow might be helpful.

We actually liked both trips - but better to be prepared and well outfitted.