Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More
Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More
#16
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No one believes the truth when the lie is more interesting Berks County Pennsylvania |
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#17
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Auto Train
[QUOTE=villagetinker;2219065]I would like to hear from anyone that has taken the autotrain in the last year or so. We used it several times between 10 and 12 years ago, and as I understand some things have changed.
Specifically: Do they still supply pillows and blankets? Do they still have a breakfast? What is the procedure for getting seats, are they assigned when you arrive at the station? Any other items we should know about? Thank you, VT[/QUOTE VT I don’t know how to pvt msg on here but if you do I can call or vice versa I am experienced Driving it and AT can give you ad and dis vantages |
#18
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Some of these posters are trying to say that driving will give you a better experience (freedom to take ann excursion or detour if want) and any hotel will have better beds than the train, -listen you are in control where you eat. So in my case, I don’t care if I save a dime or not, I would not take this train any long distance because of what I read here. |
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#20
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Auto train
I take the auto train every year. If you have the money I recommend a roomette or bedroom. It is a relaxing trip I don't have to worry about traffic or falling asleep at the wheel.
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#21
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#22
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We took the auto train this past Christmas and there are no more pillows or blankets. Food only if you get a sleeper. Seats are assigned when you get there.
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#23
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Booked a Room
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Oh yeah, I got to take a shower on a moving train! |
#24
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As you are!
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#25
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#26
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We moved my in-laws to The Villages on the auto train in October 2021. Two cars packed full of their stuff. We got two rooms, on either sides of the hallway from each other. Neither room had the private bathroom. The private bathroom is totally not worth it IMO. The private bathroom, as it looks on the video someone posted, is smaller than the shared bathroom down the hall. Keep in mind that you are only sharing the bathroom with the few other people that also have private rooms but no private bathroom. The people in the cheap seats have their own bathroom. No delays or issues getting on and off. The staff was nice. Dinner was pretty decent. Breakfast was like a continental breakfast at a non-fancy hotel, but fine. Someone comes and turns down the beds for you, and puts them back in the morning. Because we were up late packing the night before, we slept like logs. Top bunk fit someone that is 6' tall. My 74 year old mother in law with a bad knee could climb into the top bunk. Watching the scenery - before it got dark - without having to worry about traffic, was great. In-laws loved it. You save money if you book ahead of time.
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#27
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I've taken it in the past and have enjoyed the ride. Driving from here to D.C. is just too monotonous and boring for me. However, I must say that it's the driving and tolls and traffic and congestion and construction NORTH of D.C. that really gets to me. I would love to see it extended to the New York/New Jersey area but I know it's not possible until CSX clears the route in the future which is planned.
I did go coach last two times to save a lot of money and it really wasn't that bad. The cars were not full so it was easy to find too unoccupied seats. For coach they do not supply pillows and blankets but they sell a small kit if you wish to buy it. Bringing your own pillow is easy. We did receive a continental buffet breakfast and I think we got dinner too but apparently things have sadly changed recently in that regard. You are assigned seats at check-in so you have some choice there but you can move to other seats easy enough if the train isn't full. I grabbed a seat mid-car at the top of the stairs and that turned out to be a bit of a noisy spot since people were going up and down the stairs all night to get to the bathrooms and they usually slammed and loudly locked the doors. Earplugs would help. I was lucky enough to take the original "Auto-Train" before Amtrak took it over and that was excellent. There were movies in the dining car and live entertainment at night in the Starlight Lounge giant dome car. It was a special and unique experience. Amtrak is ever so slowly downgrading this unique upscale Land Cruise experience into a basic utilitarian ferry boat service. I guess you have to decide if you want to drive that distance or not. I prefer to sit back and relax and watch the world (mostly pine trees) go by. If they ever run it to New Jersey it would be a no-brainer for me. BTW - When we first moved here it was a 24 hour straight non-stop drive from Boston. Do not want to do that again. Have a safe trip whatever you decide. |
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#30
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About 3 years ago another friend was taking it DOWN to FL from NJ and it was cancelled when they reached the boarding station at Lorton VA without notice so they ended up driving down anyway. Edit: For us it's a 19 1/2 hr drive split into 2 days at a decent hotel to NJ from here. Otherwise it's ??hrs to Sanford and a bunch of hrs to (or from) Lorton then waiting for the car to get rolled off so the trip timewise is a LOT longer than driving.
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. . "If one has no sense of humor, one is in trouble." Betty White (1922-2021) R.I.P. Last edited by EdFNJ; 05-20-2023 at 10:45 AM. |
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