Conference koolit::disney

	My wife does not like to fly so we usually drive to WDW. One
	trip we did take the train. We enjoyed it quite a bit. We left
	Boston by a more or less standard commuter train to NYC. At the
	City (NYC) we changed to a very confortable roomier train. 

	There is a restarent on board and the food and prices were very
	good. You are served cafiteria style but a waiter takes your
	trays to your seat.

	There are also several cars were one can get snacks and/or drinks
	until pretty late at night.

	The seats are something like those in first class on an airplane
	except there is no wide armrest in the middle and you have a lot
	more leg room. It is a long ride from Boston so having lots of leg
	room and being able to walk around was important.

	Service was good and the people (staff and passangers) were very
	friendly. We saw a lot of people with battery operated TVs and
	radios. We didn't bring ours on that trip but I think we will on the
	next. 

	We are good travelers (ie don't get car sick, can sleep anywhere,
	can find lots of little things to keep busy) so the ~24 hour trip
	was not bad. It beat the heck out of driving and the price was a
	lot better then flying. Bring books to read and toys and games for
	any kids.

			Alfred

    some discussions  on train travel from the HOLIDAY_TRAVEL note.  Let me
    just preface my  reply  with  that  this  was a neighbors experience as
    related to me, so take it with a grain of salt and al that jazz.
    
    CLaude
    
       <<< DECENT::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]HOLIDAY_TRAVEL.NOTE;3 >>>
                              -< Holiday Travel >-
================================================================================
Note 6.216                         Disneyworld                        216 of 228
ATE012::CLAUDE "Claude G. Berube"                    31 lines   7-FEB-1989 08:06
                     -< Are you traveling with children? >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

reply to < Note 6.215 by WMOIS::OUELLETTE >

>    this time we are taking AMTRAK. Anyone ever use this method from 
>    Boston or Worcester Ma. to Orlando? How was the ride, scenery, food etc.? 

    Mike,
    
    Are you going down with children?

    I  never used Amtrak always flew, but my neighbor had, and  never  will
    again (They moved down there ;^))
    
    Actually they had gone down with  their  5  and  7 yr old boys and when
    they returned the father told me NEVER AGAIN (this was part of  a  long
    story  on how a vacation can go wrong).  Seems at the time  Amtrak  was
    about $20/person cheaper than flying so they took the Boston to Orlando
    train.  However  27hrs  with 2 young boys and not renting a sleeper was
    not the way to  go,  seems  after 2 hrs, the boys had been in every car
    they were  allowed to go into and were already bored stiff, sleeping in
    a seat that resemble an  airplane  seat  doesn't  work 2 well (the boys
    didn't sleep to well and were  cranky when they arrived).  The wife had
    stated that if it wasn't for the  boys  the  ride  wasn't  that bad for
    Adults.  I never did find out how the sceenery or food was, all I heard
    about were the bad experiences with the boys.
    
    Don't mean to discourage you, but if you have  children  rent a sleeper
    at least for them to sleep in and a piece  of  mind for you, but if not
    then you should be able to handle the ride.
    
    Claude

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Note 6.217                         Disneyworld                        217 of 228
WMOIS::OUELLETTE                                     15 lines   7-FEB-1989 09:18
                            -< AMTRAK & CHILDREN?? >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    Re-.216
    
    Thanks, and yes I have a 5 year old. I too am a bit concerned about
    his disposition on this ride. However the added cost for a 1 night
    sleeper was too expensive, so we decided against it. The round trip
    fare (without sleeper) for me, my wife and son is $370.00. Since
    I dislike flying it seemed worth trying. 
    
    Anyone else with any impressions about AMTRAK? Any suggestions or
    helpful hints?
    
    Mike
    

       <<< DECENT::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]HOLIDAY_TRAVEL.NOTE;3 >>>
                              -< Holiday Travel >-
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Note 6.218                         Disneyworld                        218 of 228
CVG::THOMPSON "Notes? What's Notes?"                 30 lines   7-FEB-1989 10:07
                            -< We liked the train >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    We took the train (my son was 8 or 9) and loved it. Bring plenty
    of things for your 5 year old to do. Small toys (but not too many
    as you don't want to lose any), coloring books, books they like to
    look though or have read to them. I saw a lot of people with small
    battery operated TVs on the train so if you have one you may want
    to bring it. My son has always been a great traveler so the train
    was no problem. Your mileage may vary.

    We found the food pretty good on the train. Better in fact then most
    roadside places we've stopped at the 3-4 times we've driven. I'd rather
    take the train then drive so if we were only going to Orlando that's
    how we'd go. (My wife *hates* to fly.)

    The train from Worcester to NYC is a regular commuter and is only so
    so. At least you will not be on it too long. Hold your 5 year olds
    hand very tight in NYC. The terminal is both huge and crowded. Very
    crowded. Once you get on the train for Orlando things will be better.
    The train is roomy and the view from the windows is often very nice.
    You can buy full meals (it's buffet serving but waiters bring the
    trays to your table) and/or snacks. The snacks are a little high but
    not as bad as you might expect. Still I'd bring snacks alone especially
    if you want fresh fruit rather then candy.

    We liked it and would do it again. For us it was take the train, drive
    or not go at all. Given those options it was train hands down.
    
    	Have fun.

    			Alfred


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                              -< Holiday Travel >-
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Note 6.219                         Disneyworld                        219 of 228
WMOIS::OUELLETTE                                     13 lines   7-FEB-1989 11:59
                            -< More Info Please!! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    Re-.218
    
    Thanks for the info, good stuff to hear! I have a couple more questions
    for you. Did you get a sleeper, if not, how were the seats to sleep
    on? And how many stops did the train make between N.Y. and Orlando?
    One more question, did you have a 3 hour transfer time in N.Y.?
    We arrive in N.Y. at 12:00 but the train to Orlando does'nt leave
    until 3:00. I appreciate the info and your tips.
    
    Mike
     

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Note 6.220                         Disneyworld                        220 of 228
FLYSQD::MONTVILLE                                    20 lines  10-FEB-1989 14:39
                           -< I'm leavin next week >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Greetings to all!
    
    I will be traveling to WDW on 2/22/89 - 3/1/89.  My wife and three
    children will be driving down with her parents. I will fly down
    on 2/22 from Worcester (MA) Airport to Tampa.  We will visit relatives
    there for one day and they drive to Orlando.  I am not sure (as
    my father-in-law) is making all the arrangements where we are staying
    at WDW.  However, I will place an update as to what is open and
    closed when I return to work on 3/2.
    
    I have heard from friends of mine who took the train from Worcester
    to Florida that the ONLY way to travel is in the sleepers.  They
    too have children ad had similar problems with keeping them comfortable
    and busy.  The next time the used the sleeper and will only go that
    way from now on.
    
    See ya!
    
    Bob

Dick -

I have never taken the train all the way to Florida, but I have
taken it from Massachusetts to Upstate New York, and I took it
a long time ago from Upstate to NYC.  

If you don't do it all the time, I think it's a great experience!
The scenery is wonderful - true Americana.  The seats are big and
roomy, but I would highly recommend renting a sleeping car if it's
an overnight trip (which I'm 99% positive it would be).  They are
not too expensive, and very worth it from the regular Amtrackers
I've talked to.  My husband and I didn't rent one because we were
ending our trip around 3 a.m. in Rochester and didn't feel it was
worth it.  In our case it probably wasn't, but those very comfort-
able seats are not so comfortable anymore when it comes to sleep-
ing in them for any length of time.

Feel free to bring snacks along - chips, soda, fruit, whatever.
Everyone does, and the food on the train can add up after a while.

If you are an impatient person, you may not enjoy the ride.  My
father goes into hives when you mention Amtrack and breaks out
into a song of "clickety-clack, clickety-clack..."  He couldn't
handle sections where the cars would go faster than the train be-
cause of work on the tracks or whatever when the train would have
to slow down.  But if you aren't in a rush and can really enjoy
the convenience of "letting someone else do the driving" so to
speak, then it's a terrific experience.

  Lorraine

    My wife and I took the train to WDW in 1978 because my wife is scared
    stiff to fly. We had a sleeper so we were pretty comfortable.  We
    were able to keep ourselves entertained (we were on our honeymoon).
    
    Seriously the train ride was fun, lots of neat scenery and the food
    as I remember was good. There is a club car where you can get drinks
    also.
    
    We are going to WDW again in Oct.'89 and are in the process of checking
    out amtraks prices. We also have two kids now, so we are struggling
    with the thought of the long ride.
    
    john ames
    

    My wife, son (6 at the time), and I took the AutoTrain from Lorton,
    VA, to Sanford, FL three years ago.  This train is an express, so
    the time spent on the train was only about 17 hours (4:00 PM until
    9:00 AM the next morning).  A buffet supper was included as well
    as breakfast.  A movie was shown after dinner for whoever was
    interested.  The train was about a mile long with the sleepers,
    dining cars, passenger cars, observation cars, and all of the car
    carriers.  
    
    Food was excellent (complimentary wine even).  Seats were comfortable.
    The experience is really worth a consideration.  Staring out the
    window  at midnight at some sleepy southern town, waking up
    early to see palm trees, and the excitement of seeing our car loaded
    and unloaded made our method of transportation part of a great trip
    to Florida.
    

    I'll second the auto train.  When I returned in August 1986, I took
    the train from Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA.  It cost $350 total. 
    It was $250 for me and $100 for the car.  It was an enjoyable and
    it gave me some comfort since my car was not in top shape and I
    was worried about breaking down some where in the boonies of Georgia
    or the Carolinas.
    
    The food was good, the ride pleasant.  We did stop in a few places
    just to pick up extra railroad cars, not passengers.  I thought
    it was worth the money.
    

    
    
    	Chris (the beau) and I took the Amtrak Autotrain back from
    	Sanford, FL when we moved back from Florida.  Like Joel,
    	we weren't too sure if the car was going to make it back and	
    	since Chris had friends in Newport News, we took the train
    	there, stayed with them a few days, then drove the rest of
    	the way home to MA.
    
    	The food on the train was exceptional!  I remember having
	Filet of Sole Almondine and Chris had a sort of stuffed
    	breast of chicken, I think.  (This is, of course, comparing
    	it to airline food!!...UGH!)
    
    	The journey in itself wasn't TOO bad, but it was a LONGGG
    	haul.  Especially when you're on a budget and don't get to
    	afford one of those sleeper cars!  Wouldn't THAT have been
    	a treat!!
    
    	The last time I had talked with Amtrak, the prices had
    	gone up significantly, but keep your ears open because they
    	DO have alot of specials.  
    
    	BTW...our fare was lower than Joels.  $50 each, and $99 for
    	the car.  
    
    	Tigga~~
        
    	

    	I'll be taking the Train home from WDW and I was wondering how
    far is the Amtrak station form The MK?  Are there taxis avaiable we,
    will be staying at the Grand Floridian.
    Thanks for any help.  I'll give a full report when I return.  
    
    9 days and counting.
    
    John C. 

    You'll probably want to double check with an AMTRAK agent, but if
    I remember correctly, the station is in down town Orlando about
    20ish miles from the Disney property.  If you're thinking of the
    auto train, that's in Sanford about 30 miles from the Disney property.
    
    Joel

    	Thanks Joel, I just came back and you were right it's about a $34.00 cab
    fare without tip.
    
    Thanks for the reply,
    John

Our kids want to take the train down to WDW next June and I have a few
questions that I hope someone can answer.

Are any meals included in the ticket price?

What activities are there on the train?

How many kids/adults can sleep in one room?

Is your luggage transferred from train to train like on the airlines
or do you have to lug it around?

Do you need to worry about motion sickness?

Are there bathrooms in the sleeping rooms, showers?

Are towels and linens supplied?

How hard is the transfer in NYC?

Are there rental car offices located at the Orlando station?

Thanks!

Doug

    I've taken the train between New York and Deland, Florida.  You can
    book passage two ways.  1) Sleeper Car which includes private
    facilities (though Amtrak is currently in court here in florida for
    dumping *sewage* onto the tracks, specifically here into the ST. John's
    River).  Meals are also included with this plan.  It takes about 24
    hours to go from NY to FLA and cost about $400.00/person round trip. 
    Kids might get half fare. or 2) You can just ride in a regular
    passenger car where you sleep in the seat.  Meals are extra.  This cost
    was about $160.00 that I recall. (again + meals).
    
    The food was good and treatment by the stff was excellent.  I'd do it
    again.
    

Does anyone know if the train cars are air conditioned?

Also, do you tend to get motion sickness on a train?

What are the terminals like?

thanks,

Doug

    The terminal in New York is a very very busy place. Especially
    during rush hour. That aside the place is fairly easy to get
    around in. There are signs and information booths. I'd say
    it's about like your average busy airport terminal. Hold on
    to the kids tightly and you'll be fine.

    The trains appear to be air conditioned. At least I found them
    comfortable in August.

    		Alfred

Does anyone know what a roomette is versus a sleeping room?

Also, what is the difference between first class and economy?

thanks,

Doug

    From .-1
    
>>Does anyone know what a roomette is versus a sleeping room?
 
    A roomette is a single fold down berth. There is a seat and toilet
    but both are covered when the bed is folded  down. The bed is approx
    30" wide and 6' long.
    
    A sleeping room is either 2 beds or 4. Both upper and lower.
     
>>Also, what is the difference between first class and economy?
    
    When you get a roomette or sleeping room it is "First Class" and
    include all meals while on the journey.
    
    Additionally there is Slumbercoach. Either single or double. I had
    a double for myself from Atlanta to NYC/Boston. The room is tight
    and if 2 people are in you are REAL cozy. Slumber coach does not
    include meals, but is a surcharge over the Coach fare.
    
    David.

By calling 800-USA_RAIL you can obtain a very informative booklet
that has a wealth of info in it about rail travel. It also includes
prices for various package tours to WDW. They also have a package
called "train and easy" (you can take the train round trip or
you can fly one way (you have to ask about this it is not listed
in the brochure)).

I've also noticed that at this time of year their prices seem to 
increase significantly every week. I don't know if this is some
sort of seasonal cycle or if the fares are just going up.

Doug

Does anyone know whar rental car companies service the AMTRAK station 
in Orlando?

Also does anyone have the latest cab fare from the AMTRAK station to
WDW hotels?

thanks,

Doug

    
    Me, my wife and my 5 year old went by train last spring (Easter).
    We will *never* go that far on a train again!!
    
    Here are my reasons for having such a negative attitude about the
    train.
    
    1. The ride is not smooth, a lot of the tracks are in rough shape.
       Its especially unstable in the last car.
    
    2. The ride is *very* long, over 30 hours. A 7-10 hour ride may
       be bearable but not 30+.
                                               
    3. There are toooooo many stops between Worcester and Orlando,
       (over 20). About 10-30 minutes per stop.
    
    4. The seats are O.K. not great, after a few hours, aaaaaarghhhh!
    
    5. The restrooms were a NIGHTMARE!! All that motion, tough to hit
       the target... I don't think the restrooms were cleaned once on
       the way down or back, pretty disgusting.
    
    6. Service was so-so. A couple different porters/conducters were
       rather rude. They ration pillows out like they were gold!
       Food was O.K. nothing to brag about.
   
    7. The train is fairly dirty and somewhat smelly.
    
    8. Not much scenery to look at. A lot of the areas the train goes
       through are pretty depressing and slummy.
    
    9. It took days to get over the sense of movement and motion from
       the ride ride.
        
    10. Does this sound negative?? I hope so because its the way I feel.

    
        Now for the good points.
    
    1. Cost
    
    2. Cost
    
    3. Cost
    
    If money is critical then it may be an alternative. But before you
    take the train, consider driving down. At least you can stop, rest,
    eat, sleep, etc. wherever and whenever you like. I hate flying but
    when we go again (Oct. 1990) I *will* fly. I'll have a couple drinks
    and off we go.
    
    Oh, my 5 year old was a sooo good. He gave us no trouble at all!
    pretty amazing considering the circumstances.
    
    Mike
    

    Mike,
    
    How much did you save by taking the train? Obviously it wasn't enough
    to make you take the train again.
    
    Mike

Is the train station in Orlando near Church St. Staion?
What is it like?

Also, has anyone been at the Amtrak station in Philidelphia?
We are going make our connections there instead of NYC because
I think it will be less hectic?

thanks,

Doug

    
    Re -.20
    
    Mike,
    
    The cost for 2 adults and 1 child, round trip, was $370.00. I figure
    with some shopping and some luck the same number of people could
    fly for about double the cost, well worth the extra in my book.
    
    I should also say that there were people on the train who liked
    it. Some who had taken it before, some who had not. But there were
    others like my wife and I who said never again. I guess its something
    you have to try to know for sure if its for you. Either way it is
    an experience.
    
    Also, anyone taking Amtrak from Mass. should avoid the transfer
    in NYC. Go to DC or some alternative, the station in NYC is really
    a nightmare. 
    
    Mike
    

    The recent cost boston-orlando of amtrack was 90% of the Ads in
    the sunday paper travel section. Do not worry about the transfer
    in NYC from Boston, there is construction at NYC and all transfers
    occur in Philly. 
    
    mike

    I guess if you can handle all the inconveniences you mentioned in a 24
    hour period the $370 may be worth it.
    
    It cannot be beaten as far as the money and time. Of course with enough
    coffee and traveling at warp speed you could probably drive down in 30
    hours and spend less than $370 in gas round-trip.
    
    Mike

    Don't worry about the transfer in Philly.  There are only about
    8 tracks and they are in a nice neat row.  In all it is a fairly
    small train station.  Don't forget to get a soft pretzel with mustard
    while your there.
    

    
    I'm wondering if any of y'all can help me.  I'm considering a trip to
    WDW thid summer. Do any of you know how much train fare to Orlando from
    the Baltimore/Washington area would be? 
    
    Thanks!!
    

    call 1-800-AMTRACK

    Last week I called 1-800-USA-RAIL.
    
    	Boston to Orlando in Oct. for family of four.  Coach price = 567.00
    	First class 1,083.00.  Both prices = round trip fares.
    
    	For the heck of it....Boston to N'Awlins in May (35 hrs) Boston to 
    	Phili, Phili to N'Awlins...Coach 179.00 round trip.  First class
    	671.00
    
    	Bryan

    Dumb question time.  As we are considering taking the train from
    Worcester to Orlando next year... I would like to know, WHAT is
    the difference with the two numbers given, 1-800-amtrack and
    1-800-usarail??  Is the train service different??
    
    Carla
    

    I got 1-800-usa-rail from a newpaper advertising the "All Aboard
    American" Plan(s).  Don't recall which paper, Globe, Middlesex News.
    It was this past Sunday, though.
    
    Bryan

    I apologize for my mistake. The correct # is 1-800-usa-rail.
    Sorry.
    
    My father in law would be upset with me since he is a 35 year veteran
    of amtrak.
    
    john

There is one car rental agency located at the Amtrak station that I
know of (I called the station). It is Air Rail Car rental and
they have a toll free number (call information).

Rates:

Mid Size  144/wk
	    29/day
	    9.95/day coll ins.

a little high?

Other car rental agencies service the station via pick up vans.
(ie AVIS, BUDGET, NATIONAL, AI, etc...)

    My husband and I took Amtrak in Feb, 1990 for the first time.  Due to
    the fact my husband can't fly, it was our only alternative.  In general
    the ride was OK.  I wouln't go without taking a sleeping room.  There
    are not activities except things you bring from home to do on the
    train.  We especially enjoyed our headphone radios and travel games,
    checkers/scrabble etc.  I read alot.  
    
    Food was very good.  Selection was suitable for all tastes.  It was
    cafeteria style with four selections at the lunch and dinner meals.
    Breakfast was excellent.  
    
    We transferred in Philly.  They are extrememly helpful there.  Going
    down we had all kinds of porter help.  We checked our baggage and only
    carried on what we needed for the travel time.  Ride was rough during
    the night hours.  My husband slept but I had a difficult time trying to
    sleep.  The train went very fast and it was quite rocky.  Was extremely
    glad to have our own bathroom.  This was worth the money we spent for
    the sleeper.  No showers are available in the train, to my knowledge.
    We had a sleeper with a large couch for a sitting area during the day
    and at night we slept on upper and lower berths.
    
    No motion sickness occured with either one of us.  My husband has a
    dizzy balance disorder, but the movement of the train did not bother
    him.  You feel a little motion for awhile when you get off but it
    passes within 24 hours.  He said he would go again so I can consider
    that very positive.  
    
    Ask me if I had a choice, I'D TRY FLYING, even though I haven't flown
    and at this point would be scared to death to fly, I would try it.  If
    he could fly, we'd fly next time.  Since he can't, I will take the
    train again.  It is a long trip but time does pass pretty quickly.
    All in all it was a good trip.  
    

    On our second trip to WDW, we were thinking of taking the train..
    We drove last time and my husband and I are petrified of flying.
    I called AMTAK to get an idea of what the prices would be, and
    here is what I was told:  Two Adults, Two 14-year olds.
    
    Per person - $189 to $235
    Sleeper car
    only sleeps 2  $300 PER car ONE WAY so that would be $1200 IN ADDITION
    to the above fares!!!???
    
    We are talking approx $2000 for a train that would leave Worcester,
    Stop over in Washington, leave Washington and on to Orlando.
    
    Could I have MISUNDERSTOOD?  That seems terribly expensive!
    
    Plus, the individual on the phone was not overly interested in
    continuing our discussion, as I was only calling for information.
    
    Regards,
    Carla
    

    Carla,
    
    Trains are only  cheaper  than  flying (in most cases) if you don't get
    the sleeper.  If  you  opt  for the sleeper, you could also aford first
    class air fare ;^).
    
    Claude

The fare also depends on the distance.  For example, last Christmas
I took the train from LA to Albuquerque but flew back.
The fare was $10.00 differnet but the time was 13 hours different.


Both were non-supersaver.

Bill

    Well...
    
    Looks like we DRIVE! :-)
    
    This time, however, we will not drive the SKYLINE DRIVE.  While 
    beautiful, it took us something like 4 hours to travel 100 miles!!
    
    If we were brave enough, we would fly, BUT....
    
    Thanks for the responses.
    
    Carla
    

There are cheaper sleeping accomodations called slumber coach rooms.
They come in single or double. They cost about $180/round trip for a
single and $310 round trip for a double. These "rooms" are quite small
but they do include a toilet and small sink. During the day the beds
fold into seats. These room prices do not include meals like the regular
bedroom price does.

Amtrak will mail you very informative booklet that describes these
things, I think it is called their Travel Plaaner book, call 800-USA-RAIL.

Doug

I've never taken Amtrak before but we are going down this June using
the Slumber coach rooms.

    Now THAT sounds more reasonable!!  I will definitely call on
    those.
    
    Thanks,
    Carla
    

We've just returned from a 10 night stay at the CBR and we traveled
both ways via Amtrak (2 adults and 3 children - ages 3, 7, 11).

In general I would say that the trip was enjoyable although it was
a bit long (30 hours) but the time went quickly. We left Worcester at
8am on a Friday and arrived in Orlando at about 2:30pm the next day.
We were about an hour behind schedule.

The trip to Phil (where we changed trains) was somewhat slow due to 
bas track and the fact that they had to switch from deisel to 
electric engines in New Haven. Also the air cond on our car broke
and had to be fixed in NYC (about 45 minutes delay). The seats
were very comfortable and the train was smooth and quiet (IMHO)
when compared to Air travel. 

We arrived in Phil about 2:30 and had about a 2.5 hour wait for
our train. There is nothing to do in the Phil station. There is 
a McDonald's  and a book store there. No lockers. It is also
hard to walk anywhere else with a pile of luggage and three little
ones. It appears as though they are remodeling the station. 
It was suggested to us that we should have changed trains in Wash DC.
The station there is somewhat like a Quincy Marketplace and is near
the "sites".

It appears that the Amtrak people are a little disorganized, you
really need to ask the right questions. When we boarded the train
we were put in coach seats until we told the chief that we had
slumbercoach rooms. Then we had to walk back 4 cars to our rooms.
The slubercoach rooms were not as comfortable as the coach seats
and they were fairly noisely and rough riding, not much sleep for
me but the wife and kids did OK. If I were to do it again, I would
either pay the extra $ for the first class bedrooms or go for the
reg coach seats. The slumbercoach cars appear to be older and a little
dirty but they are quite clever in the way things are arranged in a
space about 3 feet by 6 feet. We rented a double room and a single room.
I tried to sleep in the single while my wife and kids slept in the double.
Bear in mind that my family is on the short and small side. A normal
group pf four could never fit in a double slumbercoach! Each room had
fold down bunk(s) a toilet and fold down sink. The kids really like the
fold down upper bunk.

Down south the train went very fast (est 100MPH) but made several stops.
The food on the trains was very good and the service was good. Prices for
dinners ran form $4 for kids thru $9.50 for adults. We had full dinners
for all of us for about $26. Breakfast costs us about $15. They also have
sandwiches ($2.50 to $4.00) in the cafe car along with beverages.
It was nice to have a beer without worrying about driving.

There are a lot of people who take trians! The station in Phil was busy
and the trains were full. My impression is that if Amtrak could just
put an extra 10% or so of effort and or $ in the system it would be first
rate. Altough we did enjoy the trip, things could be better explained
and organized by Amtrak (ie we were told that our luggage could not be
checked thru until we got to Phil but, at the Worc station, we found out
that if we checked it in the night before it would arrive when we did).

    
    
    I have read all the original notes and it appears people are split on
    the value of the train ride.
    
    My wife and I are planning on going down in either MAY or late August
    and I was quoted a price of $169-$239 but that we would have to change
    trains in Washington.  Now for the questions.  What is the station in
    Washington like, are their restaurants nearby, lockers, shopping etc.
    
    The schedule appears something like this;
    Depart Montreal	17:10  
    Arrive Wash.	11:53
    Depart Wash.	13:10
    Arrive Orlando	07:13
    If this train is on time then the trip is 37hrs.  Isn't this a little
    long or are they just being realistic (ie: accounting for possible
    delays).  Also are their any other car rental places at the train
    station now, or just pick ups as mentioned in earlier notes.  I think
    the sleeper car is out of the question as it is priced at $385 one way.
    
    Also if anyone has a copy of the Amtrack planner brochure would it be
    possible for you to get a copy to me.  I can't reach them by phone (the
    1-800 # is not applicable to us up in Canada).
    
    Any new train experiences would be welcome.
    
    Regards,
    JP Lavigne
    KAO 4-3/8A		Kanata, Ontario    Canada 

    A coworker and her husband and two children, ages 3 & 5, took the 
    auto train from just outside Washington to Orlando. On the way down
    they didn't book a sleeper. She said she ended up sleeping on the 
    floor of the car with her head in the aisle. The first thing she did
    on arrival in Orlando was book a sleeper for the return trip. She said
    it was worth every penny.
    
    Linda

JP

Bear in mind that there are 2 types of sleepers (slumbercoach and bedrooms).
I understand that the Wash DC station is VERY nice don't know what's there
but the train attendent said it was like a Quincy Market near the famous
sites in WDC. 

I have just mailed you a copy of the trip planner, enjoy.

Doug

    Thanks Doug, I appreciate the info.
    
    As an aside it looks like AVIS also services the train station, but you
    have to give them a call and then they come and pick you up.
    
    Regards,
    JP

I took the train from Boston to DC about years ago.  First of all, travel 
agencies have forgotten how to book train travel. You might be better off 
doing it yourself.  The travel service at BUO took four days to figure it out 
(I was traveling on business). Then they wrote the ticket on an airline ticket
form (confusing the conductor only slightly), and then they lost them. I had
to drive to their hedquarters in Waltham, MA to pick them up the night before
we left.

The station (Union Station, I beleive) is located about 4 or 5 city blocks
behind and to one side of the Capitol Building (I fairly long walk, but 
do-able).  The Capitol Building is at one end of the Mall where most of the
"sights" are located (Capitol, Senate Offices, White House, Washington Monument,
Lincoln Memorial, FBI, US Treasury, Smithsonian [several buildings], Vietnam
Memorial, etc.).  If you look a map of Washington DC, you will see the Mall 
running vertically down the middle with the Capitol at the top, the Lincoln
Memorial at the bottom, the Washington Monument in the middle and the White
House off to the left side.  The train station is above and to the left of the
Capitol Building.

There is a concourse located within the station itself, but I wouldn't call it 
a major shopping center.  There is also a stop on the very nice subway system
in the same building.

You mentioned renting a car. Now, you probably wouldn't be renting one in DC
as that is only a layover, but it brings to mind a funny story.  I am sure that
we have all experienced the two kinds of car companies at airports; those 
located in the terminal and those to which you have to take a shuttle.  Well,
the train wants very much to be like the airlines.  There is a little desk split
in half with two car rental companies names over them.  You fill out all the 
appropriate paper work the way you normally would.  They then direct you to the
shuttle bus out a side door that involves going through a labarynth of halls 
that are mostly mark with signs for the subway.  We had to wait about 20 
minutes for the shuttle driver to show up.  Now the station faces a rotary to
end all rotaries (round-about) which is like the hub of a giant spoked wheel.
There are some 6 or 7 spokes coming into this hub, each with a stop light of
its own.  It took another 10 - 15 minutes to negotiate all the lights.  The 
shuttle dropped us in a parking lot on the far side of the train station.  It
had taken us over half an hour to drive around the building.  It probably 
would have been a 200 yd walk.  I went nuts!

    DATA AS OF 1210 HRS 10 MAY 1991 from calling 800-USA-RAIL
    Car Train from outside DC to near Orlando
    car fee $114
    adult ticket $69 each
    Sleeping Room (2 people) $149 (for both people)
    
    therefore 2 adults and car in sleeper $401 (if no addition errors)
    
    Phil

I saw an ad on TV last night. I believe it stated that the round trip
fare to/from Fla is now at 138.00 round trip. I will try to get more
info.

Doug

I just called Amtrack; here is the deal:

Roundtrip Orlando

	Adults		$138.00
	Children	 $69.00  (ages 2 - 15, two allowed per each adult fare)

You must make reservations before Nov 12, 1993. You must pay
for tickets within 7 days of making the reservations,

You must travel before June 16, 1994. You have 45 days to
complete your roundtrip. 

Phone 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Doug

    I just saw an ad on TV that outlined the famous "zone"
    travel...anywhere in Zone 1 = $69 (one way, I think).  
    Call and see if they are going down again....
    
    -sandy
    

    Has anyone taken the auto-train from Lorton to Sanford, Fla recently.
    My family (2 adults, 2 boys 9 & 11) are thinking about taking the
    auto train for our first trip to Disney in Aug 1994. We had originally
    planned to drive but decided it takes to long and the boys get too
    bored.
    
    The cost with car is about the same as flying before a rental car.  So
    it sounds like not a bad deal and my boys think the train is neat.  Can we
    at least get some sleep without renting a sleeper?  How is the
    experience in 1994?

    We took the AUtotrain in 1992.  We loved it but STRONGLY recommend getting
    a Sleeper.  Granted, the first time we rode it (in 1987) we had a 3 yr
    old and 1 yr old - and no Sleeper.  We did use the Sleeper in 1992 and
    it was great - private Dining Room in one of the Bubble cars (with
    other Sleeper car passengers), we had breakfast brought in by the
    Porter, private bath in the room and very comfortable beds.
    
    It does make it more expensive but makes the trip SO much more
    enjoyable.
    
    Linda