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MrsBumbleb
it's me
Member since 5/05 11234 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Amtrak to Florida with kids?
Has anyone taken Amtrak from NY to Florida with kids before. We're trying to plan a trip late Sept. to Disney and we're weighing all options. We were also thinking of driving to VA and staying there a day or two and catching the auto train. Any advice?
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Posted 3/10/12 6:38 AM  |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
My friend did it. She said it wasn't that bad. Her husband disagreed and thought it was the worst thing ever. Lol
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| Posted 3/11/12 9:41 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
The auto train is EXPENSIVE IMO! You can get airline tickets for the price they charge.
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| Posted 3/11/12 10:22 AM |
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Tulips915
................
Member since 8/08 6851 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
Posted by BargainMama
The auto train is EXPENSIVE IMO! You can get airline tickets for the price they charge.
It all depends when you go regarding pricing. If you go down when all the snowbirds go (November), then yes it will be expensive.
I took the auto train in Sept and it was not expensive for 2 ppl and 2 cars.
Its not that bad. I think the kids will have a good time. Most of the time you are asleep anyway b/c its overnight.
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| Posted 3/11/12 1:08 PM |
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MrsBumbleb
it's me
Member since 5/05 11234 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
We were looking to go the last week of sept. first week of oct. DH is afraid to fly but will if he really has to. The pricing I've seen for that time is a lot less than airfare for 5 but I'm thinking the convenience may win out over $.
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| Posted 3/11/12 8:22 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
My kids and dh loved it. I thought it was better than driving. We had a small room with private bathroom. I slept with my two kids in bottom bunk and it was soo tight. Dh slept on top, happy as a clam. My kids were 3 and 6 at the time.
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| Posted 3/12/12 7:58 PM |
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kimmaymb20
a year of surprise
Member since 7/09 1119 total posts
Name:
Kimberly
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
Its a really long trip longer then driving so be prepared with alot of things to do.
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| Posted 3/12/12 11:43 PM |
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Andrewz00
Look! I changed it!
Member since 4/10 1789 total posts
Name:
Andrew
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
There is an Auto train from NY to FL??!!
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| Posted 3/13/12 2:34 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
Posted by Andrewz00
There is an Auto train from NY to FL??!!
No, it's in VA, you drive there then take the train.
When I looked it up for May it was going to be $750 EACH way for a passenger car in the main cabin (no private sleeping room). Which is insane to me.
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| Posted 3/13/12 4:07 PM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
I would just drive the 16-17 hours, make it a fun road trip, maybe stop over 1 night somewhere along the way.
Seems silly to drive 5 hours to the train, sit on it for 17-18 hours (hopefully no delays!), then drive to orlando from where it lets you off (another 30 mins i think) and it's not cheap.
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| Posted 3/13/12 4:31 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
We just did this last month.
Well we drove down...but my daughter got very car sick the entire way down, was horrible.
No-one wanted to drive back. LOL
So we took the Auto train. It was about 15 -20 minutes from Orlando. The people were awesome. They keep families together. We had our own car ( we paid for 6 seats, we only needed 5 ( we wanted an extra..they credited us back the money for one seat and gave us 8 seats cause there was space!) and put us with a family of 4, all of us alone in one car, with floor space for the kids to play.
They serve dinner in the dining cars ( included in price) and they have snacks and coffee/tea all free all night.
They serve breakfest in the AM as well ( free) and the play a movie 2-3 times in the lobby cars at night.
They have a cash bar/ mocrowave like food etc.
We had 6 of us...3 adults, 3 kids and it was with tax and an oversized vechile ( we have a mini van, its more money then a regular car to board) about $725.
My aunt who was with us hates to fly, so this was perfect for her. With tax/fees etc it would have been a little bit more to fly. Plus we had with 3 kids a TON of luggage, so flying wouldve cost us mucho money with all the luggage fees etc.
The ride at night I will be honest was scary, the driver was nuts! lol
But we ALL slept the night, and we arrived at 8:00 am...train left around 3pm....so after dinner and such, we changed the kids, watched a movie, they slept, we slept, woke up,got dressed, were there.
It took us about 3 hours 45 minutes, a little less maybe to get home from VA/DC border where it stops.
We would without a doubt do it again. For us , it was easy b/c of the age of our kids, flying is a disaster and $$$$.
HTH
ETA- thetrain left at like 4:30 ish pm ( there was a delay in leaving..it was about a 15 hour train ride. ( they say 17 hours)
Message edited 3/13/2012 8:32:56 PM.
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| Posted 3/13/12 8:31 PM |
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Andrewz00
Look! I changed it!
Member since 4/10 1789 total posts
Name:
Andrew
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Andrewz00
There is an Auto train from NY to FL??!!
No, it's in VA, you drive there then take the train.
When I looked it up for May it was going to be $750 EACH way for a passenger car in the main cabin (no private sleeping room). Which is insane to me.
Ahh... yeah unless that train makes it to Aruba... i would rather drive for that price
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| Posted 3/14/12 9:45 AM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Amtrak to Florida with kids?
Posted by Andrewz00
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Andrewz00
There is an Auto train from NY to FL??!!
No, it's in VA, you drive there then take the train.
When I looked it up for May it was going to be $750 EACH way for a passenger car in the main cabin (no private sleeping room). Which is insane to me.
Ahh... yeah unless that train makes it to Aruba... i would rather drive for that price
we paid so much less but in Feb, the sleeping cars are claustrophobic anyway, the area you get reclines, has table etc , I wouldnt want those teeny rooms.
I think its really for people who dont want to drive ( there were lots of older people on there) and dont like to fly or people like us with 3 very small kids , ten tons of luggage and not wanting to be stuck in the car. It only cost us about $300 more then driving in the end. And for a trip that cost us a few thousand to begin with, that was nothing.
Its all relative to who you are, the size of your family, etc....
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| Posted 3/14/12 8:50 PM |
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