{"id":566,"date":"2016-02-14T07:00:09","date_gmt":"2016-02-14T12:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/?p=566"},"modified":"2016-02-13T17:01:48","modified_gmt":"2016-02-13T22:01:48","slug":"auto-train-part-1-booking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/auto-train-part-1-booking\/","title":{"rendered":"Auto Train Part 1: Booking"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of our favorite ways to get to Walt Disney World is Amtrak’s Auto Train.\u00a0 The Auto Train runs between Lorton, VA (outside of Washington, DC and close to our home) and Sanford, FL (very close to Orlando).\u00a0 The train accommodates passengers and their vehicles to make the trip up or down the I-95 corridor.\u00a0\u00a0 So, not only do you get to and from Disney World without having to drive, but your car goes along on the ride as well.\u00a0 This allows you to load up luggage in your vehicle, keeping only what you need for the overnight trip with you.\u00a0 One train runs in each direction (one northbound, one southbound) each day.<\/p>\n

Booking<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Amtrak website is the best place to book your Auto Train tickets.\u00a0 To begin booking, go to the website at www.amtrak.com.\u00a0 You can begin booking by selecting the Buy Tickets halfway down the main page.\u00a0 Enter the starting location as Lorton, VA and the ending destination as Sanford, FL.\u00a0 Both locations should indicate that they are for the Auto Train only.\u00a0 Select your departure date and return date.\u00a0 Entering the time shouldn’t impact anything, as there is only one train each way per day.<\/p>\n

\"Amtrak<\/a>
Amtrak Website<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once you’ve entered your desired dates of travel, you will be promoted to enter in the age of each person in your traveling party.\u00a0 Tickets for children (ages 2-12) and infants (below 2) are usually cheaper than the adult tickets.<\/p>\n

\"Traveling<\/a>
Traveling Party<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After you’ve entered in the ages for each member of your traveling party, you will have to enter in the fare type for each passenger.\u00a0 Some of the fare types that will change your ticket price is being a senior traveler, AAA member, a member of the military, or a passenger with a disability.\u00a0 Once the passenger information has been completely filled out, you can select Find Trains.<\/p>\n

\"Selecting<\/a>
Selecting Fare Type<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After selecting Find Trains, you will have the ability to select your accommodations on both the Departing and Returning Trains.\u00a0 You have a choice of three fare classes (Saver, Value, and Flexible) for reserved Coach Seats, with the associated price for the class being displayed.\u00a0 You can also select the Premium fare class, which gives you sleeping accommodations. There are three different type of sleeping accommodations on the Auto Train, which we will describe in a bit.\u00a0 Once you select the type of fare class you’d like (and any possible sleeping accommodations), you can scroll down to select the Return Train fare class.<\/p>\n

\"Departing<\/a>
Departing Train Fare Types<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can select the Returning Train Fare class as well.\u00a0 The cost for the returning train can be different than the departing train.\u00a0 The cost seems to climb as the train fills up.\u00a0 The first few bookings for the train seem to be the cheapest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Return<\/a>
Return Train Fare Types<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After selecting the Returning Train Fare type (and any associated sleeping accommodations), you can scroll down a bit more to enter your vehicle information.\u00a0 You must pay for a vehicle (and I suppose have a vehicle to be loaded) in order to ride the Auto Train.\u00a0\u00a0 There used to be different prices for large vehicles (SUVs and vans) and smaller vehicles, but it seems Amtrak has limited the options to Vehicles and Motorcycles.\u00a0 Once you have identified the the number and type of vehicles you have, you can select Next.<\/p>\n

Once you have selected your accommodations and vehicle type, you will now need to enter in your passenger information, followed by payment information and a final confirmation screen.<\/p>\n

\"Passenger<\/a>
Passenger Information<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can print out the final confirmation screen print out to the station and use that for your tickets, since tickets are no longer generated for the Auto Train.\u00a0 You will be asked for government issued ID before boarding the train.\u00a0 We have used our driver’s licenses on our previous trips without any problems.<\/p>\n

This is the end of part 1.\u00a0 Check back soon for Part 2, accommodations…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of our favorite ways to get to Walt Disney World is Amtrak’s Auto Train.\u00a0 The Auto Train runs between Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[14,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-planning","category-travel-cost","no-post-thumbnail","no-read-more-tag","no-sticky","use-excerpt","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3,"url":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/ways-to-get-to-orlando\/","url_meta":{"origin":566,"position":0},"title":"Ways to get to Orlando","author":"Joseph","date":"May 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Transportation is one of the first things you will want to plan when you've settled on Orlando as a destination.\u00a0 There are two things to think about with regards to transportation: getting to Orlando from your home or original destination, and traveling around Orlando once you have arrived. There are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Flight Cost"","block_context":{"text":"Flight Cost","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/category\/travel-cost\/flight-cost\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_4532-e1449019070290-768x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_4532-e1449019070290-768x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_4532-e1449019070290-768x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":725,"url":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/auto-train-part-3-the-journey\/","url_meta":{"origin":566,"position":1},"title":"Auto Train Part 3: The Journey","author":"Joseph","date":"February 26, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This is Part 3 of our series on the Auto Train.\u00a0 Visit Part 2 here. Arrival for Loading Once you have your tickets (and accommodations), all you need to do is show up to enjoy your trip.\u00a0 You must arrive no later than 2:00PM (two hours earlier than the scheduled\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Planning"","block_context":{"text":"Planning","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/category\/planning\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Waiting Area in Lorton","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_0267-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_0267-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_0267-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_0267-1024x768.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4596,"url":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/last-minute-trip-planning\/","url_meta":{"origin":566,"position":2},"title":"Last Minute Trip – Part 1 Planning","author":"Joseph","date":"October 28, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Planning | Travel | Animal Kingdom | Epcot | Magic Kingdom | Hollywood Studios | Summary We usually take a family trip each summer.\u00a0 For various reasons this past summer, we hadn't planned anything and the days were beginning to wear on us.\u00a0 So, with less than 7 days notice,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Disney Parks"","block_context":{"text":"Disney Parks","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/category\/disney-parks\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/map2.gif?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/map2.gif?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/map2.gif?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":723,"url":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/auto-train-part-2-accommodations\/","url_meta":{"origin":566,"position":3},"title":"Auto Train Part 2: Accommodations","author":"Joseph","date":"February 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This is Part 2 of our series on the Auto Train.\u00a0 Visit Part 1 here. Amtrak's Auto Train has reserved seating for all passengers.\u00a0 This can be in lower or upper level Coach seats (all of the passenger cars have two levels to them) or sleeping accommodations.\u00a0 There are three\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Planning"","block_context":{"text":"Planning","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/category\/planning\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Superliner Roomette Description","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/10-superline-roomette.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/10-superline-roomette.jpeg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/10-superline-roomette.jpeg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10116,"url":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/08-14-2019-alaska-cruise-part-8-skagway\/","url_meta":{"origin":566,"position":4},"title":"08-14-2019 Alaska Cruise, Part 8: Skagway","author":"Joseph","date":"February 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Today was our visit to Skagway and one of our favorite Alaska activities (next to whale watching), the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad!\u00a0 We got up and headed to 270 Cafe to get some breakfast.\u00a0 We had already reserved our tickets for the train (through a Royal Caribbean excursion),\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Royal Caribbean"","block_context":{"text":"Royal Caribbean","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/category\/royal-caribbean\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Day 4: Skagway","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_6484-scaled-e1576365240359-800x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_6484-scaled-e1576365240359-800x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/backtothemouse.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_6484-scaled-e1576365240359-800x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":135,"url":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/jacksonville-special\/","url_meta":{"origin":566,"position":5},"title":"Jacksonville Special","author":"Joseph","date":"August 10, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the tricks I've described before is to look at alternate travel arrangements.\u00a0 When considering whether to upgrade our tickets this summer to annual passes, I looked for economical travel\/lodging arrangements for other possible trips.\u00a0 We had several school breaks to consider, including a Halloween-based trip (which includes some\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Disney Parks"","block_context":{"text":"Disney Parks","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/category\/disney-parks\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/peu3ZL-98","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=566"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":820,"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566\/revisions\/820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}