Train or Car????? The good and the bad! - The DIS Discussion Forums

wdwnutze · 07-08-2003, 10:19 AM

Planning to drive from MA 11/25. It will be me, my mom and my 2 dd's(11 &5). I will do 90% of driving. We plan to stop and stay overnight so we don't have to drive straight thru. Someone suggested I might want to look into Amtrak. Anyone taken Amtrak from Boston?? I need some opinions. We would be in reserved coach(sleep cars would be too much money). I really need to know the pros and cons of the train. would appreciated any help.

Kim&Chris · 07-08-2003, 10:38 AM

We took Amtrak's Auto Train right after 9/11 (we were too scared to fly).

I was pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of the cars! We had plenty of room to relax. We, too, rode coach due to the expense and it wasn't bad at all. The bulk of the trip was at night, so we slept through it. By the time we woke up, the train was slowing down & close to Sanford, FL.

The "cons" of taking the train were minimal. My only complaints were the rocking of the train, and the frequent slowing for other trains to pass (seems other trains have the right-of-way on the tracks). Other than those two things, I have nothing bad to say.

The following year we drove from Philly to Orlando and I have to say it was brutal. My husband did 90% of the driving and he looked like a zombie by the time we reached Georgia. It was a little scary for me, too, because I sat with my eyes glued to him to make sure he didn't fall asleep. The ride home was even worse because we were depressed about leaving the warmth of FL and heading into the cold of Philly. I don't think I want to drive again.

So, between the train & driving, I'd pick the train. Let someone else do the driving while you relax!

cherylp3 · 07-08-2003, 11:36 AM

Another Vote for the Autotrain.

The normal Trains from Boston to DC stop along the way..(Unless you take Acela)

The bad - Is that you may be late. I have only been late 1 out of 3 times.

The good - Its a 24 non stop trip from Lorton and you have your car. ( very convienent when you have to go visit your inlaws.)

They also offer snacks and a movie and Dinner!!!

Tips: You may want to bring Bonine or Seabands if you are worried about the rocking, Or if you are concerned about sleeping bring earplugs and maybe a sleeping pill.

Also check out railsale for discounts
http://tickets.amtrak.com/Amtrak/railsale

Note the farther you book the cheaper it gets but they do give a 10% AAA Discount and Kids ride Half price..

Mskanga · 07-09-2003, 09:10 AM

We just drove from PA to WDW this past February in part because the trip was a spur of the moment trip. I will never drive again , we almost got killed driving down in a snow storm that we were not aware of , spent the night somewhere in South Carolina and drove the rest the following day, we were both tired when we got to WDW. Then the way back we drove through the famous President's Day Blizzard, again we got home exhausted. From now on, we are either going to fly or take the train but no more driving for us. My kids are not bad in the car at all, but it's a long drive for us.

07-08-2003, 10:19 AM	#1
wdwnutze Remembers "Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific" Loves Sunflower Yankee Candles Can't wait for spring!!!! Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: South of Boston, MA Posts: 2,151	Train or Car????? The good and the bad! Planning to drive from MA 11/25. It will be me, my mom and my 2 dd's(11 &5). I will do 90% of driving. We plan to stop and stay overnight so we don't have to drive straight thru. Someone suggested I might want to look into Amtrak. Anyone taken Amtrak from Boston?? I need some opinions. We would be in reserved coach(sleep cars would be too much money). I really need to know the pros and cons of the train. would appreciated any help. __________________ '75 off-site: 7/84 DTD: 10/89 off-site 12/96 CBR: 10/97 off-site: 12/99 Poly 8/01 BC/Poly(Tahiti): 12/03 Boardwalk Villas Atkins since 6/03/03)45lbs total) Since 6/11 I've lost 29 1/2 inches(forgot to measure 1st week)

07-08-2003, 10:38 AM	#2
Kim&Chris dreaming of relaxing & soaking up the warm sun at Serenity Bay.... Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,367	We took Amtrak's Auto Train right after 9/11 (we were too scared to fly). I was pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of the cars! We had plenty of room to relax. We, too, rode coach due to the expense and it wasn't bad at all. The bulk of the trip was at night, so we slept through it. By the time we woke up, the train was slowing down & close to Sanford, FL. The "cons" of taking the train were minimal. My only complaints were the rocking of the train, and the frequent slowing for other trains to pass (seems other trains have the right-of-way on the tracks). Other than those two things, I have nothing bad to say. The following year we drove from Philly to Orlando and I have to say it was brutal. My husband did 90% of the driving and he looked like a zombie by the time we reached Georgia. It was a little scary for me, too, because I sat with my eyes glued to him to make sure he didn't fall asleep. The ride home was even worse because we were depressed about leaving the warmth of FL and heading into the cold of Philly. I don't think I want to drive again. So, between the train & driving, I'd pick the train. Let someone else do the driving while you relax! __________________ 10/98 CSR (first Disney trip for Kim&Chris) // 11/00 CBR (our Honeymoon!) // 11/01 ASMovies & OKW for MNSSHP // 12/02 Poly for MVMCP! // 03/04 Pop Century & OKW, then 10/04 OKW (fun in the sun!!) // 01/06 OKW for Disney Marathon, then 05/06 CR & DCL Magic, then 10/06 CBR & OKW // 05/07 BCV then DCL Wonder, then 12/07 OKW for a pre-Christmas vacation! // 6/08 Wonder Double Dip!, then 12/08 Wonder 3-day! // 5/09 R&R at our home, OKW // 10/09 - a "do-over" vacation (prior one rained out) at CBR // 05/10 5-day Wonder Double Dip! // 10/10 - Back Home for a few days // 12/10 - A last minute trip to SSR! // 05/11 - 5-day Double Dip on the Disney Dream!! // 11-2011 WDW plus three days on the Dream! // 5/12 - 4 nites on the Magic! Welcome to the Walt Disney World Express Monorail, your highway in the sky to the Magic Kingdom! For those of you standing, please hold on to the handrails and stand clear of the doors. For the comfort of others, no smoking please!

07-08-2003, 11:36 AM	#3
cherylp3 Florida Resident Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Davenport, FL (Orlando Area) Posts: 4,731	Another Vote for the Autotrain. The normal Trains from Boston to DC stop along the way..(Unless you take Acela) The bad - Is that you may be late. I have only been late 1 out of 3 times. The good - Its a 24 non stop trip from Lorton and you have your car. ( very convienent when you have to go visit your inlaws.) They also offer snacks and a movie and Dinner!!! Tips: You may want to bring Bonine or Seabands if you are worried about the rocking, Or if you are concerned about sleeping bring earplugs and maybe a sleeping pill. Also check out railsale for discounts http://tickets.amtrak.com/Amtrak/railsale Note the farther you book the cheaper it gets but they do give a 10% AAA Discount and Kids ride Half price.. __________________ Dreams DO come true!! Booked on 2008 Member cruise!! DVC Member Cruise 2003 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007

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07-09-2003, 09:10 AM	#4
Mskanga Can speak and read 4 languages fluently! The TF is impressed! In need of tube riding lessons for the water slide! Yo quiero ir a WDW Prefers reading tags to threads! Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 7,914	We just drove from PA to WDW this past February in part because the trip was a spur of the moment trip. I will never drive again , we almost got killed driving down in a snow storm that we were not aware of , spent the night somewhere in South Carolina and drove the rest the following day, we were both tired when we got to WDW. Then the way back we drove through the famous President's Day Blizzard, again we got home exhausted. From now on, we are either going to fly or take the train but no more driving for us. My kids are not bad in the car at all, but it's a long drive for us.