Tips-Things to pack in a carry on bag to use on the train trip---Pack a nice tote bag with snacks,pens,crosswords,suduko,cards,brush,toothbrush,deodorant, clean t-shirt for everyone,small toy for little ones(like a barbie),maps to study of parks,chapstick,lap blanket,ipod,ID,cash,CAMERA!!
Great report and pictures! Thank you VERY much for posting here - I know many of us don't visit the trip reports boards (well, I don't, and I'm the one who 'matters' ).
Thanks so much for the report! We'd love to go on Amtrak to WDW but dh has heard sometimes there can be hours of delays. Have you ever encountered that?
Thanks for that report. I"ve always wanted to do the train to Florida..maybe spend a few days in DC along the way. Dh isn't nearly as thrilled with the idea.
Thanks for the report. We are thinking of taking the train from Atlanta to Albany for a non Disney vacation this summer. I will be following this thread closely.
I often read that people don't think that they can 'do it' meaning travel by train
You CAN!! It is much less stress than driving-and to me flying!
No bag fees either!You wanna take 2 giant suitcases per person-go for it!
Seeing the sights makes it like another vacation and not just transportation! We love it!
As for the delays-yes, it has happened to me. The worst was about 6 hours late and that was 13 years ago.You are sleeping through most of the time the train is stopped so you don't realize until you wake up and find out. That I would say is a worst case situation and not as common as some lead you to believe.To see stats for yourself, do what I do and check out their report on the latest train times at http://www.amtrakdelays.com
The week before I left every train I checked was running on time or within a 1/2 hr. We arrived on time to the minute!!
I can't say enough about how much fun and stressfree it is compared with other travel!
Our local Amtrak trains have internet access and power outlets for laptops did the roomettes have that? I could see me spending the day planning more for the days in the park.
How many times from NY to Orlando does the train stop? and for how long?
I've been on an Amtrak from RI to PA and there were stops all through CT and one long stop to switch from Electric to Diesel engines.
I would image in the trip home is not as exciting as the trip down but that is the case with flying and driving too.
So cool - we have always flown, but I think we can get AMtrack out of Poughkeepsie - but I did not see the sleeper train out of Penn. How do you reserve sleeper bunks ?
my family of 5 will be taking the train to orl from nyp in coach seats. do you have any suggestions on what to bring ? and will i be able to get into the dinng car because the train is sold out. thanks for any help.
Leaving Boston would be the same trains to WDW as we take-the silver star and the Silver Meteor. I have the route guides from the train.If I had to guess the number of stops I would say maybe 25 BUT most are only to pick up waiting guests and take about 4 minutes tops! In a trip I usually only notice we are stopped a few times-it is just very brief and a lot are at night.That said, some of the stops are about 15min or so and they announce that as they are getting close, telling you in case you wanted to get off and smoke(yuck!) or just to get some fresh air! I have jumped off a few times for a few minutes just to enjoy the feeling of the air warming!As I said up in northern new england often when we go it is snow here and 80 there so the trip down just gets warmer and warmer with each state. The train switch in NYC is also a longer stop but fun to see Penn Station and the wait isn't long.
As for plugging in laptops, I am not sure about access but I have seen people on them.There are plugs in the roomettes.
raydawn-I see 3 kiddies in your picture and assume they will be traveling with you and hubby.I am not gonna lie to you-it will be a long night for the adults Sleeping on the train in coach seats isn't the easiest thing with 3 kids BUT it can be done.It is hard to get them to sleep in a room surrounded by strangers.At least you are not heading down for a disney vacation-because then the lack of sleep hits hard the next day in a park
You should try and head to the dining car the second it starts serving!!If the train is sold out and crowded the early bird will get the worm!PS-it is not that cheap so be prepared.Burgers are large and you could split one.
Based on your kids ages I would bring-lap blankets,ipods,hand held video games if they like them- I am not a fan but many are ,game the kids like to play like cards or Uno, snacks and juice boxes,small pillows(if you can), Sweatshirts(wear tees underneath and take of layers as you get hot),books and magazines.
Hope you have a great trip!
Pooh-you would head to Penn like me and get on train 91 to WDW.When you go online you enter the dates and train route, then after you select your train there is a place to add the roomette.It is not cheap! I will be honest, it is expensive BUT it is the only way to go for me so it is not about going the cheapest way.
We had 3 adults and 1 child. The total trip from Albany NY to Orlando and back-with 2 roomettes EACH WAY- came to $2402. That includes all meals for the 4 of us.
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