Anonymous
Post 02/13/2025 10:34     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
We did it once with a family room, took our car to ride auto train there then drove back, so I’m unsure if you can book both way without taking your car. It was a unique experience for 2 ES kids but it would be just once in a life time thing. It delayed for an entire day but we were able to extend one more day with theme park tickets and hotel ( supposed to arrive in the morning like 9am, instead it arrived at 5pm, due to delay and they also stopped in the middle of night to do rail repair etc, ran out of food before we arrived).
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2025 09:40     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Drive, stop in Florence, SC (Holiday Inn Express). On the way back we drove straight. Left WDW at 10 am, got home at midnight.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2025 09:35     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Anonymous wrote:
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.


Yes this, freight has priority on the rail over passenger
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2025 09:07     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
There is a flash sale and I have a Disney trip planned for June. I have done the auto train before and know to plan for significant delays. I would only consider it for the sale price. That said, I have always sat on the upper level of the train - often traveling by myself or with one child. Any tips/preferences for upper or lower level? Does it matter? There will be 5 of us.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 14:57     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
OP, do you know what Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass are, and how to use maximize the use of both? If the answer is no, I highly encourage you to rethink this entire trip.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 13:19     Subject: Re:auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
We booked early and got 2500 round trip for 4 in roomettes. Seemed like it would be okay based on some videos I watched. Now I am having doubts.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 13:14     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


I don't think there is any need to sleep in the car. OP hasn't said exactly where they are driving from, but I did a google maps search and Reston, Columbia, Washington DC--all less than 13 hours drive.


Said someone who hasn’t done this drive. It will be 15 hours, but PP is crazy to suggest sleeping in the car. Get a hotel, which will cost less than $500.


Said someone who has no idea who they are talking to.

I've done it many times, with kids much younger than OPs too.
The actual driving time is less than 13 hours from anywhere in the DMV. Of course, they can choose to make it a little longer than that by taking quick stops, or make it much longer than that by taking longer stops. That's up to them.

When pp mentioned sleeping in the car, I didn't think she meant over night. I think she meant that while one adult is driving, the other adults can be sleeping (sitting up in their seat.) I just don't think that's necessary. Most adults are awake at least 16 hours per day on a typical day (if they sleep 8 hours.)


Anyone who gets to Disney in under 14 hours is driving like a bat out of hell and is wearing diapers. Just because someone has done it before doesn't mean it's safe.

We've done that drive at least twice per year for more than a decade. (Family in Florida) Can't tell you how many times we've seen awful accidents on I-95. Including one where my DH risked his own life to cut the driver out of a car that flew by us and then crashed horrifically. Or a minivan landing on its top, spinning around and down the embankment, with suitcases and kids toys were flying all around.

Not a way to spend a vacation, is it? My suggestion: Make the journey part of the vacation. Find a fun/interesting stop to spend the night and get to your destination safely.

We refer to it as driving "The Beast" for good reason.


Anyone?
We don't know where OP is. There are people who post on DCUM from places like Stafford or Fredericksburg--and that's only an 11.5 hour drive. Very possible to make the drive in under 14 hours without driving "like a bat out of hell" AND stopping for plenty of bathroom breaks.

Agree. We live in McLean and have done the drive numerous times (when we had large groups of people). If it’s just us (4) we fly because I hate driving that long.

We usually do it over two days stopping in either NC, SC or GA (Savannah area) off the 95. We drive about 9 hours the first day, stay in a hotel and then drive about 4-5 hours the second day. It all depends on how many stops we make and whether we pack food.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 12:47     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


I don't think there is any need to sleep in the car. OP hasn't said exactly where they are driving from, but I did a google maps search and Reston, Columbia, Washington DC--all less than 13 hours drive.


Said someone who hasn’t done this drive. It will be 15 hours, but PP is crazy to suggest sleeping in the car. Get a hotel, which will cost less than $500.


Said someone who has no idea who they are talking to.

I've done it many times, with kids much younger than OPs too.
The actual driving time is less than 13 hours from anywhere in the DMV. Of course, they can choose to make it a little longer than that by taking quick stops, or make it much longer than that by taking longer stops. That's up to them.

When pp mentioned sleeping in the car, I didn't think she meant over night. I think she meant that while one adult is driving, the other adults can be sleeping (sitting up in their seat.) I just don't think that's necessary. Most adults are awake at least 16 hours per day on a typical day (if they sleep 8 hours.)


Anyone who gets to Disney in under 14 hours is driving like a bat out of hell and is wearing diapers. Just because someone has done it before doesn't mean it's safe.

We've done that drive at least twice per year for more than a decade. (Family in Florida) Can't tell you how many times we've seen awful accidents on I-95. Including one where my DH risked his own life to cut the driver out of a car that flew by us and then crashed horrifically. Or a minivan landing on its top, spinning around and down the embankment, with suitcases and kids toys were flying all around.

Not a way to spend a vacation, is it? My suggestion: Make the journey part of the vacation. Find a fun/interesting stop to spend the night and get to your destination safely.

We refer to it as driving "The Beast" for good reason.


Anyone?
We don't know where OP is. There are people who post on DCUM from places like Stafford or Fredericksburg--and that's only an 11.5 hour drive. Very possible to make the drive in under 14 hours without driving "like a bat out of hell" AND stopping for plenty of bathroom breaks.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 12:32     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Anonymous wrote:Is it 2600 for one way or RT?

I don't know. It will be rough and you will be tired the day after. We did it once one way and drove home. It's a decent unique experience for the kids (though we had the two person cabinettes - but even in them the sleeping was terrible).

If you can afford it, why not do it once?


If OP just planned a little, she could have flown everyone + paid for a rental car for that price. $300RT x 7 = $2100 + $500 for a minivan for the week. That's an absurd amount to pay RT for a miserable train ride, let alone one way!
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 12:24     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Is it 2600 for one way or RT?

I don't know. It will be rough and you will be tired the day after. We did it once one way and drove home. It's a decent unique experience for the kids (though we had the two person cabinettes - but even in them the sleeping was terrible).

If you can afford it, why not do it once?
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 12:23     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


I think you mean Florence, SC that's halfway between DC and Orlando


yes, Florence and Fayetteville are about 1.5 hours apart, with SC being closer - and also on 95. Also a reasonable place to stop for the night.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 12:22     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


I don't think there is any need to sleep in the car. OP hasn't said exactly where they are driving from, but I did a google maps search and Reston, Columbia, Washington DC--all less than 13 hours drive.


Umm...I meant the drivers could take turns getting some rest in the car...not literally pulling off to the side of the road and sleeping...
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 12:20     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


I don't think there is any need to sleep in the car. OP hasn't said exactly where they are driving from, but I did a google maps search and Reston, Columbia, Washington DC--all less than 13 hours drive.


Said someone who hasn’t done this drive. It will be 15 hours, but PP is crazy to suggest sleeping in the car. Get a hotel, which will cost less than $500.


They should be able to get a decent roadside Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express for $120. Even if they need 2 rooms, nowhere near $500 and includes free breakfast.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 11:49     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
It’s an 18 hour train ride from hell.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 11:48     Subject: auto-train to Disney - is it worth it?
No way, you won’t sleep. Just drive and break it up. Don’t drive through the night, that’s dangerous, lots of accidents happen overnight they would not be your fault but other tired or impaired drivers or even worse trucks.