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We are planning a trip from Durham, NC to Orlando this month for our family of 6, plus my parents (so 8 total). We had planned to drive (approx 10 hours), as flying for that many is so expensive, and the drive is do-able. We were, however, DREADING that long drive with 4 kids (ages 3, 5, 9, 10). Then we thought about the train! We have taken the train from Charlotte to Durham, and from DC to Durham, but that's it, so little experience. We did, however, LOVE those trips! I thought the trip from DC to Durham was so laid back compared to driving OR flying. Being able to walk around, eat, go to the bathroom whenever you wanted- well I thought it was liberating! Plus, I could actually DO something- read, play cards with the kids, sleep instead of the boring driving. So we've looked into the option, and had pretty much decided on it, when I started reading all these posts (on a Disney boards site) about people saying NOT to take the train, unless you had a sleeper (the cost is just too high for us), otherwise it was a nightmare with full cars, families barely able to sit together, loud passengers preventing them from sleeping, etc. They are saying that driving is a better option for me from here (we'd pick up the Silver Star in Raleigh). Folks on here seem much more pro-train and I thought I'd see what your experience on this line has been. With my crew of little ones taking on overnight train (and I feel like we can all sleep anywhere, though we haven't actually TRIED it, so you never know) coach for $300 for us 6, versus viewette for $800, versus $250- $350 to drive, versus $900 to fly direct. I know that an overnight in coach will be tiring, but is it going to be horrible, or SO tiring that we should not even be considering it? I feel so confused now! I was so excited about taking the silver star, but I hate to start us out on our big trip exhausted!
train lady Member # 3920
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There are people on this forum who will say if you can't take a sleeper don't go. I am not one of them. Is coach as comfortable as sleeper ,ofcourse not. But it is doable with a little pre planning, some of it will depend on what kind of travelers your kids are. I took my 3 cross country by coach twice because it was the only thing we could afford. The big thing is practice. We set up chairs in the living room like on a train with the aisle bewteen and practiced what it would be like. I showed them pictures of the inside,diner etc. Give each a back pack of his own with snacks, water and toys. Also take some new toys along that they havent seen before to dole out as necessary. the little ones should take their animal or blanket that they can't sleep without and possibly a small pillow and blanket. If you take some books to read to them that can help. For the older ones get a map amd map out the route. Talk about the land they will see, the states,etc and get the route guides in advance and discuss them. After all you have 4 adults and you are not going to be gone for a long time. Present it as an adventure and all should be well.
train lady Member # 3920
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KKBrig,addenda. In the fall when the tests were given my 9 year olds teacher called me to say that his social studies score was so high it was off the graph. His map reading skills were amazing and his knowledge of the various states in terms of crops,cities etc were unbelievable. She thought it was a result of our trip that summer and all the talking and research we did.
George Harris Member # 2077
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It has been a few years, but have done the overnight coach with kids. No real problems. When you read the negative comments, take them with a large grain of salt. Some people love to complain. Nothing is going to be perfect, but you are not stuck with 10 hours strapped in as you would be in a car. You may have crying babies, and then again you may not. You may have a couple of motor mouth conversationalists, and then you may not. You may be more or less on time, or you may be a few hours late. There is a real element of chance, but if you treat it as an adventure, it will usually not be too bad. I would say go for the train.
railrev Member # 2640
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We took two of our grandsons (8 and 11) on a train trip from San Diego to Oakland, totaled about 16 hours. Boys had books and other things to do and they loved the Sightseer Lounge on the Coast Starlight.
This was their first long distance train trip and their first experience to eat in the diner. We had a great time. We got off at all the Fresh air stops and kept busy most of the time.
I would do it again. Take the train, it will be an adventure and a learning experience for your kids and for all three generations. I bet Grandma and Grandpa can tell some good stories...
Geoff M Member # 153
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Non-rail forums are more likely to be biased against rail travel. This forum is generally pro-rail. Go somewhere between the two and you have your answe.
What if you get stuck in traffic for hours? Same applies for the train. Any annoying drivers on the road could be compensated by annoying passengers on the train. What I'm saying is, each could be as equally bad as the other depending on a large number of circumstances.
As for seating together, well, certain seats are usually blocked out for families. As you're boarding later in the train's journey, those seats might or might not have already been given to another family. All I can suggest is phoning Amtrak and asking about seating 8 of you together. It doesn't hurt to ask, even if they can't do anything about it.
Treat it as an adventure and you'll enjoy it.
Geoff M.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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As others have said, the best way to go is in a sleeper, but I realize that would be quite expensive for 8 of you, and besides that, there aren't "that many" sleeper rooms available on the Silver Service trains.
Coach should NOT be "terrible." I too say "go for it!" I'm sure you will enjoy the trip!! Make sure you give us a trip report after you get home.
kkbrig Member # 5938
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Thank you all for your responses! You have calmed my anxieties! I know that taking the train is taking a chance with surrounding passengers and with delays, but as you said, there can often be delays when driving I-95! I was fine with all that until I got such a negative response by several people on that other board! I think we are all of good attitude about the train, and quite excited by it, so that I think that will help us have a good experience. Again, thanks for calming a panicking mom!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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While I know that I'm one of the most vocal spokesmen of the "don't even think of Coach" line of thought I am going to make an exception in this instance.
It appears, Ms. Brig, that you have clearly "done your homework' with regard to this journey. You have clearly decided that you wish to travel as a party of eight on this journey and know the "exigencies' of auto (SUV or Van I would presume in this case) travel. You have clearly determined that air transport and Amtrak Sleeper are "off the page" owing to budget considerations, and that the train is simply the "affordable mode" and nothing other than the means to transport your party on this 'adventure".
Even if my personal choice given these parameters would be stay at home considering my age (66), financial condition (retired "comfortable plus"), and my obversion to have any disruptions to daily life, I would never seek to influence your decision, where you are clearly prepared to make considerable sacrifices in creature comfort to attain the goal of visiting Disneyland as a family, based upon my personal desire for creature comfort when I am required to travel.
My "don't even think..." admonishment is generally made when a person posts at this forum that they want to take the train for little more than the train ride itself. This is clearly not the case in the proposed use of such you have outlined here.
Finally, your planned use of the train is "music to the ears" of the passenger train advocacy community. They much prefer to learn of people choosing to use the train - especially the Long Distance train - as a means to get from somewhere to somewhere rather than as an extension of a pastime to ride trains simply for the sake of riding them.
And on a very final note, how about considering using auto to Raleigh and originating your train trip there. It just seems like one less "transfer' that must be made - and with a party of eight, there is a little more to it than with myself who picks up his two carry (as distinct from wheeled) bags and "moves out".
kkbrig Member # 5938
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Yes, we looked at the scheduling of it, and it makes more sense for us to drive the 30 min drive to Raleigh and start the train trip off there, than to take train from Durham, have a 9 hour lay over(!) and then go.
Thanks for the positive reinforcement! I understand exactly where everyone is coming from about sleepers being a much more comfortable way to travel. Travel with a family of 6 is a whole different game- We now have to get 2 hotel rooms or a suite, for one thing, and also $150 upgrades that seem like "nothing" or worth it multiplied by 6, suddenly become quite cost prohibitive! Sigh...
LIke I said in my first post, my train experience is very limited, but I enjoyed the train trip from DC to Durham so much that when I came home I got on Amtrak to see where I could go on a vacation where I could take the train!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. Brig, I truly respect the attitude you show regarding this "adventure".
I'm one of those that when I commented to my Sister regarding an upcoming October visit that the $300 rate at a hotel (Hyatt) in Greenwich CT was "starting to push my obscenity button', she offered to have me stay at her house. I declined; for I need "myspace".
Expect nothing other than "get there when you get there" transportation. You are free to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages into a coach, and you can bring alcoholic beverages if you purchased them (at sports stadium prices) from the Snack Bar in the Lounge car. If you are interested in a history of delays to 91 and 92, go to www.amtrakdelays.com This is an unofficial site; official information is available from Train Status at Amtrak's site; I think they maintain a five day history there.
Finally, Orlando is the only Amtrak station in Florida that has a staffed, and autos available on site (SUV you likely will have to request) rental facility. Even though when I "go down' for my annual trip to Boca, save using Auto Train and my own auto, that is my rail destination - simply because of their Hertz facility at that station.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I generally concur with the above replies. But don't expect to get much sleep the first time you ride overnight in coach. It takes some getting used to. It gets easier the more you do it. Plan on taking a nap after your arrive at your destination. Don't think of running from the train right into Disney World.
When I first read your post I was a little concerned about having to keep four kids adequately supervised, but then I re-read and saw you had a ratio of 1:1 for kids and adults which would make it much easier. One bit of advice I would give is don't expect Amtrak to provide for the children's amusement. That's entirely your responsibility. The older ones might find it fun to keep a log of things they see along the way. A few books or small toys or a favorite stuffed animal will help with the younger ones. Giving each one a disposable camera might not be a bad idea either.
Expect to have fun, but don't expect perfection. Every Amtrak trip seems to involve a few glitches of some sort. If you are flexible enough to roll with them you'll have a good time. Most disappointed first-timers go into it with unrealistic expectations. I recall one post on a general travel board who said she expected train stations to be "like airports"!!!
palmland Member # 4344
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I would offer another option, if you have the time. Take the afternoon Palmetto from Rocky Mount, NC - not much further than driving to Raleigh and a wonderfully restored station as well. This train terminates in Savannah that evening.
The Palmetto will allow you to see the rural south which I find fascinating (pine trees and all). Treat yourself to business class seats - far less expensive than sleeper - and the kids will love easy access to the cafe/lounge in the same car (plus free soft drinks, and spacious 2/1 leather seating). With 8 of you, you'll practically have the car to yourselves. Spend a couple nights in Savannah and see the city, then an early morning departure on the Silver Meteor will have you in Orlando that afternoon.
With 8 of you, a better option might be to rent a mini van in Savannah to see the city and for a one way rental to Orlando. This will also allow you to check out Georgia's 'Golden Isles" - which include Sea Island and Jekyll Island - both worth a stop. Then swing over to highway A1A for a trip down Florida's north coast including Fernandina Beach Amelia Island, Ponte Vedra, and Daytona.
A quick return on Southwest might be the best option for all given the time on this southbound trip scenario. Having ridden coach on the Silver Star before, it really is toss up as to whether you will have or good trip or not (mine was not).
If you do decide to return on the train, some families have split with part of the group in sleeper and part in coach. Would save a lot of money and you'll have fun deciding who are the lucky ones. The kids would love trying out the beds and pushing all the buttons in the room (not to mention having meals included when you are in sleeper). We did this with our boys when they were 10 or so and they still talk about that trip.
I'll bet by now you are sorry you asked this forum for our thoughts!
notelvis Member # 3071
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I was actually thinking to make much the same suggestion that Palmland made......however the Savannah stopover might make more sense on the return.....four kids headed for Disney World are not going to want to cool their heels for two nights in Savannah on the trip down.
Two other thoughts......the Palmetto also stops in Fayetteville which is a shade closer to Durham than is Rocky Mount. You'd save maybe as much as a couple of hours using the Fayetteville station as opposed to Rocky Mount.
I have left my vehicle overnight for several days at both Rocky Mount and Fayetteville without problem. Rocky Mount seems a little safer though if leaving a car at the station is part of your planning.
Thinking parking again - I realize that anything can happen anywhere BUT if you stick with the Silver Star and are leaving a car at the depot, you may want to consider using the Cary station instead of going all the way into downtown Raleigh. It's a 'safer' area to leave a car BUT you would have to carry all of your luggage on-board as Cary does not offer checked baggage.
Finally, with the trips you have done, you've apparantly ridden both the Piedmont and the Carolinian. The Silver Star is more like a longer Carolinian which just keeps going all night......at least that's the way it will feel in coach!
I hope you do the train, I hope you have a great trip, and I hope you'll come back on this forum and tell us how it went when you get home!
dilly Member # 1427
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A few practical tips:
-- Amtrak's long distance coaches, in general, tend to be less crowded on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
-- Although it's very possible that you won't score eight seats together at the beginning of your trip, other seats may become vacant as the train rolls south. Don't be shy about changing seats (just be sure to take your cardboard seat check with you, and insert it into the luggage rack above your new seat).
-- On many Amtrak trains, it's not uncommon for one coach to be packed with passengers, while other cars on the train remain relatively lightly populated. Again, don't be shy about moving to a different car (although if eight people are traveling, I'd check with the conductor first).
-- The smallest kids might be more comfortable sleeping on the floor. Take along a light bedsheet or beach towel to place between kids and carpeting.
-- Take along a foot or so of duct tape, wrapped around a ballpoint pen. Depending on the source of the noise, you may be able to use the tape to silence any squeaks caused by loose fixtures and fittings above or near your seat.
-- Take sleep masks and ear plugs. Trust me, it makes a big difference.
-- If sleep masks aren't your style. . .yes, you can close the curtains, especially if the bright lights of towns, train stations, railroad yards, and other passing features are likely to wake you.
-- Break up the experience a bit by spending several stretches of your trip sitting in the cafe car.
-- Whenever the conductor allows, get off the train at station stops along the way to stretch your legs and get a breath of fresh air. Just don't wander away from the train, as it may leave sooner than expected.
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