We love the train too
We flew on our airline points (had to use 'em up) from our Halifax, NS to Boston, first thing in the morning.
Otherwise, we would drive the 12 hours.
Spent a wonderful day in BOS with our nephew and his wife - which worked out wonderfully well. They picked us up at the airport, but we could have taken a train right to their house in Revere Beach. Left our luggage there for the day, ahd a great day on BOS, and back to their house. Got the kiddies in the tub, all ready for our night train to DC.
No sleepers are available on the milk run, all nighter.
So we booked business class seats, and had the car all to ourselves.
And, we kept our luggage with us - I had packed pillows and blankets in one suitcase, and was able to make "beds" on the seats.
Everyone slept somewhat, so it wasn't too bad.
Arrived early, early early in DC.
Porter to us, and all of our gear to the first class lounge.
We grabbed some breakfast - continental type...hot tea, coffee, and juice, pastries, muffins, cereal and the like.
Left our bags in the closet with the chek-in attendant, and off we went!
Had originally planned to do the Hop on/Hop off tours, but when we realized how close everything we wanted to see was, and what a beautiful Febraury day it was, we opted to walk.
HEaded to the Capitol Building, the down the Mall to the Space Museum.
Had lunch and a terrific 5 hours there - kids
LOVED
it.
Walked down the Mall, towards the monument and White House.
Chatted with lots of folks along the way - what a terrific day we had.
Back to the train station, which is an attraction all on its own!
LOL
Had supper in the Food Court downstairs, and did a little book shopping at the book store there.
Got our luggage out of the lounge and headed for our train.
Checked our bags, and told we would be late leaving.
Can we still get onboard?
Of course, and supper will be served.
Boarded our over night sleeper to KIS - we booked 2 roomettes, and directly across from each other....and here's the trick (that worked for us, anyway)
We tipped our CA when we got on the train.
I'm sure he would have been a great CA regardless, but wow! We had great service. We weren't even settled in our seats yet, and he was taking us to the Dining Car for supper.
We pulled out of the station just as we ordered our first glass of wine
Everything food wise was fine, not terrifically upscale, but no complaints from us.
Back to our little rooms, and voila!
We had beds!
Showers are available, and after all the walking we did, much needed
But funny!
Oh, you haven't lived until you've tried to take a shower on a moving train!
All freshened up, ready for tuck ins, DH and DS in one room, and DS and myself in the other.
Individual lights, fans, plug in for the laptop to watch a movie, and I got to read. We had our own pillows with us, but we were so tired from the day, comfort levels of the mattresses and pillows would not have mattered.
The curtains are great, and I had packed a few clothespins to hold them shut in the middle. Worked like a charm.
Snaps on the cutains on the door for privacy.
Up top, there's a small space to hold your carry-on, but that's really it for storage.
The toilet is the funkiest thing to get used to - but oh so handy!! LOL!!
In the morning, breakfast was fine, and we had asked our CA to leave the beds down in one room, and the top bunk down in the other.
That way, DH and I could rest, read and nap the morning away, with the kids playing, watching movies and a fully accessible toilet right there
Had lunch while working our way through Orlando.
Kissimmee is an outdoor stop, only a small ticketing/luggage office, and a covered waiting area. And not much space for parking if someone is coming to pick you up.
What a fabulous start to our WDW vacation.
We arrived well rested, well fed and happy - and hit the parks full tilt that afternoon!!
I wish I had pics to show you - instead of pressing EXIT on the album menu on the camera, DH hit delete...but we have our memories!! LOL!
We flew back to BOS on JetBlue, and then jumped back on our points redemption flight.
Great trip!!
Hope this helps someone in planning...we are so taking the train again...BOS-NYC this time...or maybe the Auto Train...or... LOL!!
Yeah-tickets are bought 
All aboard!
)
