Kathlin

I'm in the very early planning stages of a vacation to WDW sometime next summer with my husband and 2 kids (ages 8 and 4). Since my husband has never been big on flying and I don't want to drive, taking Amtrack from our home in NJ to FL seems to be the best option for us. I would really appreciate advice and experinces traveling the east coast down to FL on Amtrack with children as well as money saving tips for Amtrack. Also, will we have to rent a car when we get to FL in order to travel to Disney? Thanks!

Ashton

I've done the "kids on Amtrak" thing and wouldn't do it again. Depends a lot on your children, however. We rented the largest room available for us last year and it was quite expensive compared to flying. The kids (6 and 5) were restless despite our "preparation" of extra games to play, etc.

2Travelers

Here's a good place to get started:

http://www.amtrak.com/destinations/orlando-fl.html

... then click on Silver Service to see the Route Map and the stations served.

It's been awhile since we made that trip, but I remember we had a good time. A family roomette is the way to go.

I would recommend a car when you get to Orlando.

al

You know, I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I think your train trip could be one big pain in the butt. By the time you get to Philly the kids will be bored stiff and you'll have a handful trying to keep them occupied for the next 20 hours. Trust me, as someone who went to college in Florida and has taken both the drive and Amtrak I recommend doing the drive. If your family car is a lease or you just don't want to put 2000 miles on it, look around on the rental car websites and rent one from whichever major airport is closest to you (the rate is cheaper at the airport). Make it interesting -- rent something funky, an SUV (if you don't have one) or a luxury car. There are so many advantages to driving:

1. It's quicker.
2. It's cheaper, even if you rent.
3. You're not at the mercy of Amtrak, or the snoring 300 pound man.
4. You have your privacy.
5. You can stop off as many times or as little as you like.
6. Tired? Spend the night somewhere.
7. You see the country. Stop off in DC if you've never been, or Savannah.
8. Extra mobility. When you get to Orlando you've got your car.

Think about it.

Susan

I want to comment on Al's post. We've rented a car for the last few roadtrips we've been on and it really made it more fun. This last time we rented a Volvo stationwagon from Hertz, a car we couldn't really afford to own, and the extra space and amenities made the drive much more bearable. You can rent all varieties of SUVs, vans with TVs in them, etc.

Celeste

My nephew and his family comes from Staten Island to visit us in Orlando each year, and because he refuses to fly, he usually drives (which, of course, requires another vacation to recover from!). This year they decided to try Amtrak and they'll never do it again. It was very expensive, and yes, their 9 year old son was antsy before they cleared the Mason-Dixon line! And it took many more hours then driving.

However, if you do decide to do it, by all means rent a car because the Amtrak station is one mile south of downtown Orlando, which is about 16 miles from Disney, the farthest park from Orlando.

Carol

Wow - have I learned quite a bit from this post. I never thought that taking a train was so expensive or that much a pain in the butt.

I really thought that Amtrack was a good experience, but I can see now it is not. I think I will PASS

Thanks guys!!!!!

Susan

Carol, it probably is enjoyable for a shorter trip. I think my kids (7 and 8) would enjoy a train trip too. But Amtrak certainly doesn't make it competitive to flying or driving!

Merilee

Hi Kathlin...I took the same route on Amtrak with 2 kids (8 and 10 then) a few years ago and I would never do it again with or without children...it may have changed since then, but when I went it wasn't very clean and you had to choose a seating time in the dining room where you had a choice of a handful of indistinguishable entrees...it is a very long trip and kids do have a tendency to become bored and irritable as a result...the train I was on made several stops along the way...if you are motion sensitive you should be aware that the train sways from side to side constantly and it's not quiet...I remember in the middle of the night there was a car where people gathered to smoke, play cards, and talk...even with your own room and facilities, it is confining...I also remember that in the middle of the night we literally backtracked for many miles because of a "problem" that wasn't shared with the passengers...there may be other posters who had positive experiences...consider this though...by the time you could land in Orlando via a flight from Newark airport you will barely being making your way out of Maryland with another 18-20 hours to go...I don't know if the Auto Train is still in service (Washington D.C. to Sanford, FL) but I have heard it is a much better option for families because there's activities, videos, snacks, etc....the only thing I can say that was interesting about the train was the people watching opportunity...I don't know if driving on your own is an option, but you could stop and go at your own will and fit other sights in on the way...if you are just going to visit the Disney parks you could do without a car because most of the off property hotels offer a shuttle service...choose a hotel on International Drive in Orlando or Highway 192 in Kissimmee so you can walk to resaurants.

Rachael

If you want to try Amtrak, I would wait until the kids were older and would appreciate it more. I take the train many places, icluding Florida and always enjoy the experience because I make it part of my vacation and enjoy looking out the window and noticing the differences from region to region. However, I don't think children of their age would appreciate the experience.

annie

Kathlin:
I concur with all the negative posts and the worst part was knowing I had to do it again to get home!!!
Rent a car or convince your husband that he could be in Orlando in about 2 and 1/2 hours. Good luck!

kathlin

Thanks so much for sharing experiences and opinions especially about food and cleanliness! Any more advice (positive or negative) is more than welcome! We may end up driving after all! Does anyone have tips for keeping the kids busy?

Susan

We drove 400 miles to my in-laws for Christmas this year and the kids got these great gifts that kept them occupied for a few hours on the way home. They are called Pixters and they kinda look like palm pilots for kids, but they have a screen where the kids can draw and erase as often as they like. The kids played tic-tac-toe, hangman, etc. They were from Toys r Us.

r-travels

I love taking a train, but that much time even without kids, would be too much, unless I had a sleeping compartment. I agree with some of the others: fly. Southwest has been running some GREAT deals, and their regular prices aren't that bad.

In Orlando, you might consider contacting Mears Transport https://secure.mearstransportation.com/shuttleidx.htm . I know it's $14 from MCO to International Drive area, probably more for WDW area. Many hotels have free shuttle to WDW properties. The local bus service, Lynx, can serve well too, if you're willing to use it.

Take a shorter Amtrak trip later, ... fly now to Florida

Merilee

Hi Kathlin...I used to shop at the various $1 stores in my area and load up on all kinds of toys, books, etc. that would interest my kids (for flying and driving trips)...then I would divide the items into many smaller bags and hand them out along the way at different times...books on tape are a fun way for the kids to pass the time, too...will you be renting a car or taking your own if you drive? I thought that maybe there are mini vans available for rent with VCR's. If you drive and want to know about stops along the way post back.

Kathlin

Thanks Merilee. Since we may drive, it would be great to hear about kid friendly driving stops along the way (restaurants, hotels, sights, etc.).

Thanks again!

Merilee

Hi Kathlin...our first stop was usually the Maryland House rest stop along I-95...lots of fast food choices, restroom, etc....it took about 3 1/2 hours to get there...Richmond, Virginia (another couple of hours south) has a historical area on Byrd & 12th (the Canal Locks) and Shockoe Ship (renovated warehouses now house restaurants, etc.)...we used to stop again in Petersburg, VA...small historical town with chain restaurants and motels along the interstate...I forgot to mention that Havre de Grace, Maryland (last exit before toll) is scenic, quaint and historical...it's known as the decoy capital of the world...something about ducks...anyway, your 8 old may enjoy DC's Air & space Museum...as you keep heading south there's loads of little towns with chain restaurants and motels...South Carolina has the infamous South of the Border tourist trap...shops, food...you'll also pass outlet malls along the way...St. Augustine, FL is off I-95...I personally feel you get nickeled and dime to death there, but it was worth a stop...the first town in FL is Yulee...gas stations and the like...from there to Orlando was always the most tiring because you're in Florida, but you still have a few hours to go...I always liked the little town stops along the way to see the people and neighborhoods.

Joanne

I just want to round out the thought that seems to be develoing here -- Amtrak is great for shorter trips but not-so-great for longer ones.

We love taking the train from Boston to New York -- at 4 or 5 hours, it's more comfrotable and relaxing than flying and not that much longer than the air trip by the time you add up all the door-to-door costs, time and hassles. (One BIG advantage of most trains, especially in the Northeast Portland-to-DC line, is that you start and end IN TOWN rather than at some airport in the boonies).

BUT Everyone (child and adult) has their own thresshold. I took the kids to Williamsburg on the train and by the time we got there, my son was clawing at the windows!

So, Kathlin, if you're Jersey-based, do try the Regional Acela next time you come to Boston. But do try to bribe your dh into flying to FL.

For any time you do take Amtrak -- they have discounts for kids (Half-price, as I recall) and also for AAA members (probably 10 precent off).