Auto Train..for kids About This Page:

[Stephie1551]

So with gas prices predicted to be over 5$ and air fare even worse...we have decided to take the kids to WDW on the Auto Train. It will be an adventure for sure...we booked coach seats...so what should i bring with me to keep them comfy and busy??? any suggestions are welcome

[marylandmom]

I have traveled on the Autotrain several times with my 2 daughters. They were ages 13 & 10 the first time and ages 16 and 13 last year. We bring our own pillows and a blanket for each person. The ones on the train are like the small airplane ones. We bring a few snacks. We also bring puzzle books, books to read, iPods, and last year we brought a portable DVD player. There are outlets by the seats in case you need that.

[ecmiller]

Originally Posted by Stephie1551

So with gas prices predicted to be over 5$ and air fare even worse...we have decided to take the kids to WDW on the Auto Train. It will be an adventure for sure...we booked coach seats...so what should i bring with me to keep them comfy and busy??? any suggestions are welcome

Hi Stephie! I was just through your community on Saturday (on my way to Manchester Twp HS). When are you going to WDW? We are planning on taking the AT down in August. We live about 1 1/2 hours south of you, near the Delaware Mem Bridge.

[Stephie1551]

Originally Posted by ecmiller

Hi Stephie! I was just through your community on Saturday (on my way to Manchester Twp HS). When are you going to WDW? We are planning on taking the AT down in August. We live about 1 1/2 hours south of you, near the Delaware Mem Bridge.

Small World! We are taking the train down on the 18th and back on the 27th

[Minniemouse27]

We (dh, me, dd-10, ds-5) will be taking the Auto Train for the first time in August as well. We will be traveling on the 13th and 27th ( Stephie!).

My plan is to take two duffel bags w/ everyone's pillows and blankets. Each kid will have a backpack w/ amusing stuff in them (DS, iPod...for dd, books, etc) and we will also have our dual screen dvd player.

I have also picked up travel Scattergories and that new Scrabble Flash game for my bag...dd and I can play them while dh amuses ds.

Our trip is sea/land. Dh has told me a few times that he may be more excited about the train trip than going to WDW!

Oh and we aren't far from either of you Stephie and ecmiller...just north of Philly!

[ecmiller]

Originally Posted by Stephie1551

Small World! We are taking the train down on the 18th and back on the 27th

[QUOTE=Minniemouse27;3592726]We (dh, me, dd-10, ds-5) will be taking the Auto Train for the first time in August as well. We will be traveling on the 13th and 27th ( Stephie!).


WOW! We will all be there at the same time! We are leaving the 20th and returning the 28th. We are staying at Pop for 4 nights and Beach Club for 3 nights.

[cubfancolleen]

Our plan is to be on the autotrain on Aug 25! We'll be returning from back to back Dream cruises (driving down because we're spending the weekend at HHI)!

[Minniemouse27]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Our plan is to be on the autotrain on Aug 25! We'll be returning from back to back Dream cruises (driving down because we're spending the weekend at HHI)!

Colleen, we will be on the 8/16 sailing!

[CinderAbby]

For those who want some information, I have some in my all 3 of my TR's but only the 08 and 09 have pictures (but mostly of the sleepers).

As for staying in coach, there aren't that many outlets so don't be too disappointed if you don't get one but you could always try for an outlet in the lounge cars. And unless you're in the few seats on the first level of the train, you'll have to go up a very narrow set of stairs carrying all your belongings so pack accordingly. The bigger and bulkier something is, the harder it's going to be getting up and down the stairs (so my suggestion is to go as light as possible -especially in coach where you'll have to share the storage area above the seats with those around you). At night, there is a movie shown in the lounge car - usually something really current. Whatever year Coraline was out, that was the movie shown on the train for our trip.

Passporter also has a good article that you might find helpful too The Amtrak Auto Train: How Walt Would Travel - PassPorter.com

Good luck and have fun

[pmlskr]

You will enjoy the AT, we have taken it twice (Family Sleeper and Coach). We will be taking it down in June for our trip. I recommend that you bring a fitted sheet (double or queen) to put over the seats. I found them to be irritating to arms that are partially bare, besides I did not think they were super comfortable.

[WeLvBCV]

My 5 yr old and I took coach on the auto train last fall.

Pillows and small blankets are a must. It gets chilly at night and what they give you is useless. The person next to the window can lean on the window while sleeping but the person on the aisle has nothing to lean against, just back, so maybe an around the neck pillow too. Wear comfy clothing. We slept in what we wore, the last thing I wanted was to be trying to change in those bathrooms. Easy to slip on and off shoes. Bring some snacks, especially ones for late night just in case. We brought a dvd player and headphones. You can buy a double headphone jack which allows two of you to listen to the same movie. We also brought wiki sticks, an ipod and some small matchbox cars.

[juliek75]

On our second trip down in 2008 we took the train from PA to WDW, it was 23 hours and at the time our kids were 10, 8 and 6 year old triplets. We were worried how the kids would be on such a long ride, but they did suprisingly well. We even had an Amish lady compliment us on how well behaved they were when we got off. Anyhow I stocked up beforehand on cheap little toys from the dollar store and made grab bags for them. New coloring books and crayons. We also took our laptop and played movies on it. The older two boys had their Nintendo DS. Lots of snacks and drinks. #1 trick is don't get everything out at once, that way when they start getting bored there is something new to get out and keep them entertained for a while.

[bobyetman]

If you get to the train station early enough, you can request a seat by an outlet in coach. The agents know which seats have outlets. I've done that more than once.

[coasties]

I started a new thread with this info but wanted to post it in this thread as well since it is specifically for kids.


Received an email from Amtrak today for a kids fare special on the Auto train. Book before June 5th and kids ride for 19.00 between June 1 and Aug. 30th. Here is a link to the site with more info. Hope somone can use it! http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?ff=No&c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am%2FL ayout&p=1237405732514&cid=1248543429019&WT.mc_t=Au to_Train_Kids_19_1b_EMTR&WT.mc_n=autoTrainKidsPage &WT.mc_r=365&audienceId=53210&tiid=22698&rtTrackin g=1

[Minniemouse27]

Just an FYI.. the $19 kids deal for the Auto Train is only for NEW bookings. If you have an existing reservation they need to rebook it for you to take advantage of it.

We booked our August trip back in February and it has gone up over $500 since then...so the deal wasn't a good fit for us!