I was 60+ when my grand daughter took Amtrak trip--just one overnight.
We did great--had 'reserved" coach seats so no problem of being in different areas, food was good, scenery wonderful. CD with head phones really helps--also own pillow. I am 5 ft. 9 in. and had no trouble sleeping in coach seat. Snack bar had tables for games, cards and I saw lots of people having
snack food lunches and using their own snacks and drinks.
You'll have a great trip....

Thanks for the heads up Halbo49. That sucks!

Back to Diet Coke it is.....

Binky

Thanks travelor24! My mama is 4'11', God bless her, so she should be able to snuggle right in.....

B~

I believe you're getting on at the point of origin of this train. If so, being there early may put you in a better position to get seats you'd prefer. Things to consider are distance from cafe car, and east vs. west (right vs. left side of train) with respect to having the sun in your eyes for a while at sunset or sunrise.

Does anyone know if there are still porters or other assistants at the Florida station? If so, they can not only help you with your baggage but get you on board earlier than others -- this works in NYC and Phila, but I've never departed from Orlando, so it may be a different deal entirely. But worth the $5-$10 if you do find a porter/baggage helper.

And it is a good idea to keep calling -- people do cancel. (Isn't there a waiting list? Probably not, because I don't think Amtrak can cope with such things.) The other thing you might do is see if a travel agent (a good, serious one who will do trains as happily as cruises) can be of any help with this.

Otherwise, I applaud your blithe spirit -- you'll need it around 6 am when it feels like dinosaurs went extinct in your mouth.

You know Binky,Its hard to say whats in a paper cup,diet coke,wine cooler,who knows?
Conductors arnt realy concerned with such matters unless there seems to be a problem. but keep calling for a sleeper cancelation It cant hurt.

Just checked the Amtrak website, and it says that at the Orlando station you can get "help with baggage," so see if that can't be a way to get you nicely situated when you board.

As many times as I've ridden Amtrak, I've never seen the alcohol police. Just be cool (as if you would be throwing down with your child and mother) and no one will care or know. We always keep it in a cup.

You aren't going to have a whole lot of scenery once you get out of Virginia and since it is overnight, it will be dark outside.

I agree to keep checking (daily) for the sleeper.

Just wanted to report in or our Amtrak experience.

We ended having to ride coach both ways. No sleepers available whatsoever.

It wasn't horrendous sleeping in coach, but it wasn't great either. It was certainly easier the 2nd time, coming home. 8 yr old DD loved the train, but it did get a bit long there towards the end.

The cooler of food came in VERY handy as there were no dinner reservations by the time they got to us. Snack car food was ok.
Bathrooms were definitely VERY funky!

All in all, not bad, but I think I'll stick to flying

Thanks for all the great input!

B~~

I don't consider taking one Benadryl drugging yourself.. lol..