auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

Why is the auto train delayed frequently? I would think it would be the opposite.

[Anonymous]

I have done auto train 4 times - all with good sales and always taking the train south. I had significant delays twice - so if I was planning on Disney, I would either plan to take the train back OR add an extra day. I have never done the room - just got regular coach seats. I went with little kids on 2 trips, they did fine with tablets and packing dinner and snacks and taking a travel pillow and blanket. kids Travel for half price. groups often get discounts on tickets. If you can rotate the drive with 3 people and you can sleep in the car, that might be a comparable choice. the drive is long but easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is the auto train delayed frequently? I would think it would be the opposite.

I think it is because Amtrak and CSX share track for part of the route.

[Anonymous]

We have done it quite a few times. For us, sleep on the train isn’t great. We now either drive straight to Florida or more often stop partway. We get a decent hotel off 95 and just get a good nights rest.

[Anonymous]

Yes, as previous posters have said, just drive and stop half way. Probably less expensive and you'll sleep better.

[Anonymous]

It's 17hours travel time on the auto train but add 1-2 hours on each side of it as it takes forever to get cars loaded/unloaded. You want the whole family stuffed in train seats all this time? Mind you, the Superliner II train cars they use were last built in 1996.

Southwest is currently $410 round-trip on 3/21-3/28. Direct flight from BWI. They run about 10 direct flights per day to Orland from BWI. You can save money by going at a slightly weird time lieke 6:30am or 9:30pm.. and you'll be there in less time then it takes to get your car loaded on the Autotrain (all cars must have _arrived_ by 2 hours befoe train departure)

[Anonymous]

Lord, just drive. Sleep in Charleston. Easy.

[Anonymous]

Disney at spring break is miserable. And I say this as a Disney person. I’d drive but I don’t love stopping overnight in between because it’s a lot to unload and load back up.

[Anonymous]

I’m not familiar with the Auto train but I have taken the Amtrak from Union Station to Orlando and it was great. We split up into the roomettes (sleeps 2, bunkers), packed snacks and entertainment for the trip. Hope to take it again to Disney at some point. The bedroom is a little more spacious and has an en-suite wet bath (worth the upgrade IMO for the extra room and bathroom). I’ve also taken Amtrak cross country on many occasions (don’t like to fly), and it’s always a fun way to add scenic aspect to your trip. Especially when I traveled CA to Chicago- beautiful trip and food was pretty good, but still packed snacks and got meals in the train stations as a backup.

[Anonymous]

*bunkers should be bunk beds

[Anonymous]

This is Amtrak pp, I will add, I’ve heard about the delays with the time it takes to load cars on the Auto train and that gives me pause. Also if you’re just going to Disney you should know they really try to make it as easy as possible to get from the transit options to the parks/resorts. There’s also tons of companies that will happily send a reasonably priced van. You really don’t need or want your car there. It’s a hassle to park in the parking lots and you’re so far from the entrance. Just use the Disney transportation on your hotel’s transportation if you can. Worth it to not be tied to the car and have to sit in shuttles from the parking lot to the park entrance for 20/30 mins

[Anonymous]

I would just drive. Your kids are all old enough to behave for one day. Pack a cooler filled with things to make sandwiches and fresh fruit/vegetables. Leave before dawn, drive a couple hours, then stop at something quick for breakfast--like fast food or Sheetz (Sheetz is good because you can also get gas.) Drive a few more hours and stop at a rest area and do a picnic lunch with the food you brought. Drive some more, stopping as needed for restroom/gas breaks. Try to choose healthy snacks (best to pack come of your own),hydrate with water, and walk for a minute or two at each stop. Depending on exactly where you started from, you should arrive in Orlando in time for a late dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have taken several times. It is perfectly fine even fun. But yes, there are often delays. Food is gross.

Average age is 75 plus. I have taken it with my widowed mom. that i why we did it.

Event the family room can in now sleep your family. Really just three people comfortably. So individual double rooms is better anyway.

I would still drive it though.

OP said they'd just be in seats, which makes me think that all rooms are booked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just drive. Your kids are all old enough to behave for one day. Pack a cooler filled with things to make sandwiches and fresh fruit/vegetables. Leave before dawn, drive a couple hours, then stop at something quick for breakfast--like fast food or Sheetz (Sheetz is good because you can also get gas.) Drive a few more hours and stop at a rest area and do a picnic lunch with the food you brought. Drive some more, stopping as needed for restroom/gas breaks. Try to choose healthy snacks (best to pack come of your own),hydrate with water, and walk for a minute or two at each stop. Depending on exactly where you started from, you should arrive in Orlando in time for a late dinner.

+1

[Anonymous]

if you want to stop somewhere, I think Fayetteville NC is about half way and still on 95 - in doing the drive multiple times, I find stopping somewhere kind of pain because if you want to go somewhere fun, it is more expensive, and takes you off 95 - and often you don't have too many extra days for that. I would either drive straight there or auto train.