The Auto Train
My family and I just came back from yet another amazing Disney World family vacation. For this vacation, we used Amtrak’s Auto Train to go to and from Florida. What makes the auto train special is that we got to take our vehicle on the train with us. This is great because we didn’t have to rent a car or rely on Disney transportation…but my absolute favorite thing about taking our vehicle with, is that we could pack whatever we wanted as long as it fit in the vehicle. ( If you like to go shopping, the last point is particularly important!)
We made our reservations on the Auto Train about nine months in advance, using Amtrak’s website. I actually suggest booking even sooner than that if at all possible because the least expensive rates are offered about a year in advance. The closer you are to your vacation dates, the higher your fare is going to be. The reservation process was very simple. We made the decision to book a Family Room so we would have a little privacy, which obviously cost a little more than the standard coach seats. Also, we had to pay the oversized vehicle rate when making our reservation because we were taking an SUV. (You must select the oversized vehicle option if you have a truck, van, or SUV.) Amtrak gives discounts to certain groups and organizations. My family was able to save a lttle bit by taking advantage of the AAA discount.
Loading Cars onto the Auto Train
On the day of departure, we had to be at the Lorton, VA station by 2pm. The Auto Train only stops at two stations- Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. This is actually advantageous as the more stops you make the longer your ride is. Since I live in Pennsylvania, my family had about a 3 ½ hour drive to get to Lorton. Once we arrived at the train station, we pulled up to a booth in our vehicle and were given our vehicle number. Then, we pulled our vehicle forward and left our vehicle for the Amtrak crew to load on the train. We had to ensure that we took from the vehicle anything we would need to have when we were on the train. My family than went inside the train station to check-in. All adults in the travel party had to show a form of ID during the check-in process. At check-in we also got to choose which dinner seating we wanted. Typically, there are three seatings (5pm, 7pm, and 9pm) to pick from.
After we checked in, we sat and waited in the overcrowded train station until about 2:30pm when they let us board the train. Waiting around to board was unquestionably the least interesting part of the trip. Getting on the train was a fairly simple process because the helpful train attendants helped everyoneget on the right train car.
After boarding the train, all we had to do was sit back and take it easy. Since we booked a room for our trip, we were treated to a wine and cheese tasting at 3pm in the lounge car. Regrettably, the wine tasting is not offered to the coach passengers. The train departed the station promptly at 4pm. Since we selected the first seating (5pm) for dinner, we didn’t have to wait long until the announcement came letting us know it was time to head to the dining car. (Please note: do not misplace the dining tickets they give you when you check-in and make sure you take them with you to the dining car. They will not seat you without your tickets.) Eating on the Auto Train was a rather enjoyable experience. For dinner, we got a salad, roll, entree, dessert, wine, and soda- and it was all included in the cost of our train ticket. The tables in the dining room sat four people. If there was a travel party of more than four people, they had to split up. Also, travel parties of less than four people sometimes had to sit with other people.
When we were not having dinner, we spent time in the train’s lounge and relaxed in our room. Amtrak normally shows a family friendly movie in the lounge. There is also a bar in the lounge car where we could purchase alcoholic beverages, sodas, and small snacks. My son enjoyed the lounge car. He really liked watching “The Lorax” while playing 500 Rummy with me and my husband.
Sleeping on the train
The sleeping arrangements vary depending on whether you are in coach or in a sleeper car. In the coach section, the chairs recline and the passengers slept half sitting up. Because we had a room, our car attendant pulled down and made our beds for us at the time we requested upon boarding the train. I do want to point out that regardless of whether you choose coach or a room, do not expect to have a great night’s sleep. The Auto Train is a quick moving, somewhat bumpy train and we were “reminded” of this a few times throughout the night.
The next morning, before arrival in Sanford, Amtrak provided a continental breakfast in the dining car. It was nothing incredible, just cereal, muffins, bagels, a banana, coffee, and orange juice. Nevertheless, it served its purpose as a quick breakfast prior to arriving at our destination.
The planned arrival time was 9:30am. We were extremely fortunate and arrived in Florida over an hour early. (We arrived before the scheduled arrival time coming home too.) Once we got off the train, the crew started unloading vehicles. We patiently waited for them to call our vehicle number. When our number was called, we jumped in our vehicle and drove off to Disney World. When it was time to return home, it was the exact same process- except for we were slightly saddened to leave warm Florida and our wonderful family vacation behind.
Auto Train Tips:
- Look at the train ride as part of your vacation, It is a time to relax, eat good food, spend time with your family, and enjoy some amazing scenery.
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Take into account the age and personalities of your children. If your child can not sit still for more than a few minutes, riding the train may not be for you.
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Pick the middle (7pm) dinner seating. It divides your evening up a little nicer.
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Remember to bring books, magazines, portable DVD players, hand-held video games, a deck of cards, etc. Now is the time to read that book you bought and didn’t have time to read or teach your family a new card game.
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Mickey Magic 