I’m a retired dispatcher from AMTRAK in need of a kidney. Cross country train travel is on my bucket list. As soon as I get a kidney I’m heading cross country on AMTRAK! Love the videos. Very informative. Keep them coming!!
Thank you so much and best of luck with your kidney transplant, I hope you make it back on the rails soon! I would love to go cross country from Boston to the west coast, what an adventure!
I agree, I love having a roomette to myself. I travelled with my dad on the coast starlight two years ago and we each had our own, I wouldn’t want to share that space with another adult. That’s a great idea with the tablecloth!
I have done this trip twice, from NYC, once to Orlando and once to Miami. Both solo in a roomette. Both in the older cars. Traveling solo, I love having the toilet in the room, especially during overnight hours. No way I would want that if there were two in the room. I enjoy traveling Amtrak. Thanks for your video.
Wow!!, coming up to a year since your last Xmas Amtrak trip... the year has flown by 😮. Wishing you and your clan the very best festive season. Thankyou for sharing your travels with us. 🙏
Great video jeff. I'm not sure about having a toilet in my room, but like you said, it came in handy. I hope that you have a great holiday. I'll be flying to Aruba for Christmas to hang out with my sister. Take care
Thank you, I actually took an inexpensive cruise right after this so I'll have a video on that soon as well. I hope you have fun in Aruba with your sister, that's a fantastic place to spend the holidays - Merry Christmas!
I plan on going to WDW this summer while everyone else is at Epic Universe, making the lines short and the discounts long, so this is extremely handy. Thank you so much!
That’s awesome, I would love to do the auto train at some point soon! That one also has an observation car if I remember right which you won’t find on any other east coast routes.
Thanks Dylan, I hope you have fun! Will you be making a video on that trip as well? Your latest videos have been really awesome and I love watching them!
I highly recommend it, if you want to go soon I think the California Zephyr is the most scenic winter train, especially west of Denver. You can find some decent rates if you’re flexible on dates and ride in a roomette. Happy travels! ✌️
The Coastal Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle is a fantastic trip. Awesome views of the coastline and the mountains. If you are lucky, the National Park Service Volenteers will be with you for part of your journey. They give informative talks in the observation car
@@tinaduncan72 that's very frustrating but I hope it all worked out ok and you all had a wonderful time on the cruise! I booked an inexpensive solo cruise a few days after I arrived in Orlando, that video is coming soon as well!
😢I'm😢a little sad that your trip ended in Orlando (instead of) Miami but I'm happy you're going where you wanted to go. I hope you had fun! And thanks for sharing your fun & informative journey with us!🥰
Traveled in a roomette on the Empire Builder from North Dakota to Portland one time, and Seattle the second time, and back to North Dakota. Enjoyed the chance to have a private space, and the dinning. Food really good.
@@HDjeff My husband hadn't been on a train since he went to basic training in the Army in 1967, I think it was. He didn't want to go, but I told him that trains had changed. He now prefers the train to flying.
Did I not mention that? 🤦♂️ Amtrak gave me a $300 voucher after the last train I was on had a 4 hour delay. I also used points for the Acela so that part was free.
I took the train from NY to Chicago (and then Chicago to LA Union Station) last December. It was my first Amtrak adventure. I'm not normally claustrophobic but, upon entering the roomette, I was taken aback. I adjusted somewhat quickly but (due to the time of year) - it got dark early and so the claustrophobia returned. The toilet in the room thing was also awkward but I adapted to that quickly as well. In the train I was in, the seat for the "commode" was slightly angled so, at night, when the seats were in the bed configuration, it was a bit odd to use it but again - we adapt. The Southwest chief (to LA) was a bit better as the roomette was on the second level and, despite the super narrow hallways, it was easy to access the restrooms and shower downstairs - as well as easy to access the dining and observation cars (and cafe). I think my favorite aspect of the train is just kicking back, doing nothing and enjoying the views. Even taking a meal or two in the roomette and enjoying the country whirring by was wonderfully relaxing. Thanks for your video and your positivity and hoping you enjoyed your Disney vacation.
Thank you, I definitely find it a relaxing way to travel but if you’re claustrophobic that could be an issue. I was lucky to get a good deal on a bedroom on the coast starlight a little over a year ago and that was amazing. I do prefer the western routes with the observation cars but still enjoyed the trip to Florida and would definitely do it again. Happy travels! ✌️
I thought of doing coach since I tend to be claustrophobic. Not sure if that would be a good solution? This will be my first time to Florida. Trying to decide best option
Hi HDjeff, I do not like toilet in the roomette. Let me know what other options you can suggest for solo travelers. Enjoy and have a safe traveling whenever you plan to. Vani USA
All the west coast routes from Chicago have super liner cars without a toilet in the roomette. The new viewliner II doesn’t have it either, but it’s pretty random whether you can get one of those or the older one.
I have traveled with amtrak many times in sleepers. (bedrooms, Viewliners and roomettes). They used to have small square tv's in them that used to play one or two movies. But its far cheaper to fly. Amtrak has become way to expensive as compaired to European trains.
Yes I agree it doesn’t compete with flying on longer routes like this, but it is a very different experience and a lot of fun. European trains are generally less but they can get expensive too, especially Eurostar. I didn’t know they used to have TVs, thanks for the comment!
Just wondering, because I’ve never traveled by train. Long distance. Are the windows really clean to see out of it could’ve been the angle of the lighting in the room, but it often looks like the windows were fairly dirty…..
@@HDjeff -thanks for the reply. I thought perhaps that was the case which is kind of understandable given that they’re always in operation. I’ve traveled on my local railroad (Long Island railroad) for years and always aimed for a clean-ish window if I could find one, because it’s fun to look out and daydream, but like I said, it’s understandable. Enjoy your videos very much! Safe travels! 👍❤️👋 .
My trip on the California Zephyr last week was disastrous. Air vent not working so had to keep roommette door open to breathe. Like traveling in coach but paying sleeper price. Bad experience. Won’t travel that way again!
I took a bus from South Station. the bus was hidden, and there were like no signs. I asked a really nice cop who showed me. The elevators and esculators weren't working. It was pure hell. Never again.
I know the bus station is separate from the Amtrak/MBTA part. Sorry to hear you didn’t have a good time, Boston is a great city but it can be very confusing. ✌️
@@HDjeff I am actually from Boston but they had the buses hidden. I never would have found the one sign if the nice cop didn't help me out. And then broken Esculators AND Elevators. YIKES. :)
Imagine if there was a train going from boston to miami straight direct and the train is called the sunshine streak with 2 diners,2 baggage cars,1 club lounge and a Amfleet ll lounge 9 coaches and 6 sleepers.
There is also a stop in Kissimmee which may be closer to some parts of Disney. You may be thinking of the auto train which goes from Virginia to Sanford, FL with no other stops. We were right behind it at one point and I plan to do that one with a car sometime as well.
@@HDjeff mmm no not really sure but I’m way older than you (got a kid your age if not 2,3 or 7 years older even) but back a few years I know I looked at trying to take Amtrak down into Florida. Who knows, maybe they recently added that route by getting the Chinese to lay some new tracks 🤷
I’ve never done coach, I would for a short ride but for me the whole point of riding the train long distance is to have my own private space. It is an awesome way to travel and worth the occasional splurge!
Can you imagine if Amtrak actually owned the tracks along the NorthEast Corridor? Can you imagine if there was an actual high speed train that went from New York to Florida? 24 hours New York to Orlando would be a bad memory.
I’m happy to take the slow ride on Amtrak anytime as long as I’m not in coach! 😆 The others I’ve done were all much longer and I really enjoyed them all.
I had no memory of it happening, I was maybe 10 years old at an overnight camp but multiple adults confirmed I fell off in my sleeping bag and they put me back. 😂
I can see it now two people in the roomette, it’s 2 am, hey Jim I need to a take a sh.t can you leave the room. imagine the smell as u go back in, it’s a no for me
First of all, fares for this trip are typically around $200 for coach and $650 for a roomette. So what kind of tortured logic/misinformation are you giving with your statement that your fare was cheaper than a day at Disney World? Also, this train doesn't let you off *anywhere near* WDW, and so you probably should have shared how you got there without a car (and its expense). The long and short of it is that first class travel on Amtrak is a rip-off, and real travelers save their money by traveling in coach.
@@HDjeff I don't think poorly of Amtrak and have taken it all over the country. Why would you even infer that? And I have traveled in coach almost exclusively and saved my money for better uses.
Amtrak loses over $2b a year that has to be convered by the tax payers. If it was “independent“ like the original auto train, operations would cease immediately. It’s an ancient form of long distance transportation better suited now for intrastate travel or within a pocket of smaller states.
It’s not very much compared to what many European & Asian nations invest in their rail networks, and that’s part of the reason they are so superior to our rail infrastructure and trains. It will be interesting to see how Brightline and other private projects pan out, I love riding the train when possible and I hope they are successful.
@@HDjeff Brightline needs to figure out how not to run over cars on a daily basis if they’re going to attract more business and I’m really not sure about their expansion to the West Coast of the state. I live in Tampa and there’s no way I would take a train up to Orlando, over to the East Coast and down to Miami. Not practical. Time will tell I suppose.
I’m a retired dispatcher from AMTRAK in need of a kidney. Cross country train travel is on my bucket list. As soon as I get a kidney I’m heading cross country on AMTRAK! Love the videos. Very informative. Keep them coming!!
Thank you so much and best of luck with your kidney transplant, I hope you make it back on the rails soon! I would love to go cross country from Boston to the west coast, what an adventure!
@@HDjeff bruh just give him your kidney. You aint using it.
Roometts are great for solo travelers. I've been known to ring along a small tablecloth and napkin and snacks in order to snazz up cocktail time
I agree, I love having a roomette to myself. I travelled with my dad on the coast starlight two years ago and we each had our own, I wouldn’t want to share that space with another adult. That’s a great idea with the tablecloth!
I thought the in room aka en suite toilet was weird until I needed it at 2am. Very very nice. For a solo traveler of course!
That’s exactly how I felt! 🤣 I’m sure I’ll miss it next time.
I have done this trip twice, from NYC, once to Orlando and once to Miami. Both solo in a roomette. Both in the older cars. Traveling solo, I love having the toilet in the room, especially during overnight hours. No way I would want that if there were two in the room. I enjoy traveling Amtrak. Thanks for your video.
I wouldn’t want to share a roomette anyway! 😆 I will definitely do this route again, it was very enjoyable and relaxing. Thanks for watching!
Brilliant video!! Merry Christmas from across the pond
Thank you so much Peter, and Merry Christmas to you as well! 🎄
Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Thanks so much for watching, happy holidays!
Very enjoyable video. Have loved all of my train travels here and abroad. Always a new adventure!
Thank you so much! I always enjoy them as well and look forward to many more!
Its worth every penny you spend ❤❤❤❤ I'm aTrax star too❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊
I agree, traveling on Amtrak is so much fun! 🚂
Wow!!, coming up to a year since your last Xmas Amtrak trip... the year has flown by 😮.
Wishing you and your clan the very best festive season.
Thankyou for sharing your travels with us. 🙏
Thanks David, it sure has flown by! Happy Holidays to you and yours as well! 🎁🎊
Great video jeff. I'm not sure about having a toilet in my room, but like you said, it came in handy. I hope that you have a great holiday. I'll be flying to Aruba for Christmas to hang out with my sister. Take care
Thank you, I actually took an inexpensive cruise right after this so I'll have a video on that soon as well. I hope you have fun in Aruba with your sister, that's a fantastic place to spend the holidays - Merry Christmas!
I plan on going to WDW this summer while everyone else is at Epic Universe, making the lines short and the discounts long, so this is extremely handy. Thank you so much!
Awesome, I hope you have a great time!
It put me in the holiday spirit.
Thank you, happy holidays! 🎄 🎉
@@HDjeff thank you , you are very important your the definition of awesome.
I did the trip with Amtrak, from Washington to Sanford, round trip, roummette, carrying my cr both ways. I love dit... It was fantastic! I loved it..
That’s awesome, I would love to do the auto train at some point soon! That one also has an observation car if I remember right which you won’t find on any other east coast routes.
Union Station - D.C. is worth checking out - many dining options . . . 🤗
Yes, I’ve been there a few times and you’re absolutely right!
I went from Chicago to Albuquerque and I for one loved it1 or room was abitold fashioned but I would love another trip in one of the new trains
A lot of the western trains have been refurbished recently, still a similar style but they look nicer. It is a great way to travel!
I love the window decorations
Thank you!
Great video Jeff! I'm going to be traveling on the silver star next summer and this video was a big help!
Thanks Dylan, I hope you have fun! Will you be making a video on that trip as well? Your latest videos have been really awesome and I love watching them!
I love this video of the train it’s awesome!!
Thank you!!
I want to do a overnight trip on Amtrak
I highly recommend it, if you want to go soon I think the California Zephyr is the most scenic winter train, especially west of Denver. You can find some decent rates if you’re flexible on dates and ride in a roomette. Happy travels! ✌️
The Coastal Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle is a fantastic trip. Awesome views of the coastline and the mountains.
If you are lucky, the National Park Service Volenteers will be with you for part of your journey. They give informative talks in the observation car
I’m so excited to see this video, I live in Boston and my dream to take the train solo down to Orlando ❤❤
I hope you enjoyed it, that was the most fun I’ve had traveling to Florida since I was a little kid!
I enjoyed your video last year I did from New York City to Miami to board a cruise 13 family members in Coach. the trip went up getting delayed.
Oh no, how long was your delay? I hope you all still made the cruise in time!
@HDjeff delayed 6 hours. They refunded the money as a voucher. All My family members did not call to complain so they didn't get one.
@HDjeff went the day before the cruise. Our hotel got cancel because it was after 10pm when we arrived. It was midnight.
@@tinaduncan72 that's very frustrating but I hope it all worked out ok and you all had a wonderful time on the cruise! I booked an inexpensive solo cruise a few days after I arrived in Orlando, that video is coming soon as well!
Precio
Great editing . Thanks
Thank you so much!
Ahh you didn’t switch in Rensselaer? Lol I’m from up there and live down here - actually close to Jax
😆 maybe next time, thanks for watching! ✌️
😢I'm😢a little sad that your trip ended in Orlando (instead of) Miami but I'm happy you're going where you wanted to go. I hope you had fun! And thanks for sharing your fun & informative journey with us!🥰
Next time I’ll definitely have to take the full ride to Miami! Thanks for watching!
Loved your video the roomette was 550 is that per person or 550 for the room really excited about trying this thanks
Thank you! That’s for one but if you share a roomette it’s only like $150-200 more for the 2nd person.
Your travel videos are absolutely outstanding. Thanks for sharing. You definitely deserve this sub.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! 🙏
Traveled in a roomette on the Empire Builder from North Dakota to Portland one time, and Seattle the second time, and back to North Dakota. Enjoyed the chance to have a private space, and the dinning. Food really good.
The Empire Builder was my first sleeper train, can’t wait to do it again - hopefully sometime soon!
@@HDjeff My husband hadn't been on a train since he went to basic training in the Army in 1967, I think it was. He didn't want to go, but I told him that trains had changed. He now prefers the train to flying.
The building in NYC at 4:15 into the video was where RCA Institutes an Electronics School was in the 1970's
That’s awesome!
What happened to telling us about the $250 train ticket to Orlando?
Did I not mention that? 🤦♂️ Amtrak gave me a $300 voucher after the last train I was on had a 4 hour delay. I also used points for the Acela so that part was free.
I took the train from NY to Chicago (and then Chicago to LA Union Station) last December. It was my first Amtrak adventure. I'm not normally claustrophobic but, upon entering the roomette, I was taken aback. I adjusted somewhat quickly but (due to the time of year) - it got dark early and so the claustrophobia returned. The toilet in the room thing was also awkward but I adapted to that quickly as well. In the train I was in, the seat for the "commode" was slightly angled so, at night, when the seats were in the bed configuration, it was a bit odd to use it but again - we adapt.
The Southwest chief (to LA) was a bit better as the roomette was on the second level and, despite the super narrow hallways, it was easy to access the restrooms and shower downstairs - as well as easy to access the dining and observation cars (and cafe).
I think my favorite aspect of the train is just kicking back, doing nothing and enjoying the views. Even taking a meal or two in the roomette and enjoying the country whirring by was wonderfully relaxing.
Thanks for your video and your positivity and hoping you enjoyed your Disney vacation.
Thank you, I definitely find it a relaxing way to travel but if you’re claustrophobic that could be an issue. I was lucky to get a good deal on a bedroom on the coast starlight a little over a year ago and that was amazing. I do prefer the western routes with the observation cars but still enjoyed the trip to Florida and would definitely do it again. Happy travels! ✌️
I thought of doing coach since I tend to be claustrophobic. Not sure if that would be a good solution? This will be my first time to Florida. Trying to decide best option
I would love to ride on one😅
You definitely should!
Hi HDjeff, I do not like toilet in the roomette. Let me know what other options you can suggest for solo travelers.
Enjoy and have a safe traveling whenever you plan to.
Vani
USA
All the west coast routes from Chicago have super liner cars without a toilet in the roomette. The new viewliner II doesn’t have it either, but it’s pretty random whether you can get one of those or the older one.
is it possible to open cabin windows when toilet is in use?
No, unfortunately not! 😆 It never smelled bad while I was on the train though, I was definitely worried about that.
I have traveled with amtrak many times in sleepers. (bedrooms, Viewliners and roomettes). They used to have small square tv's in them that used to play one or two movies. But its far cheaper to fly. Amtrak has become way to expensive as compaired to European trains.
Yes I agree it doesn’t compete with flying on longer routes like this, but it is a very different experience and a lot of fun. European trains are generally less but they can get expensive too, especially Eurostar. I didn’t know they used to have TVs, thanks for the comment!
Yes I prefer toliet in the room.
Common bathroom gets disgusting after a while
It’s been pretty clean on my other adventures in a roomette, maybe I’ve been lucky with good attendants.
In the new Viewliners, rest rooms and showers are at one end of the car. You don't have to go into another car to use them.
Yes, I was hoping it would be a new one but no luck. Both sleeper cars were the older ones.
Mr. Train - do you have a video of "Texas Eagle" route?
Not yet but it’s on my list. I’ve done the Zephyr, Empire Builder & Coast Starlight
He said "fresh air in New York"
😂 ok you got me there!
😂😂😂😂😂
How did you get to Disney world from the train station?
I took an Uber to the airport and got a rental car there, but you can just Uber to Disney easily from there.
Just wondering, because I’ve never traveled by train. Long distance. Are the windows really clean to see out of it could’ve been the angle of the lighting in the room, but it often looks like the windows were fairly dirty…..
They’re usually pretty dirty. If you go on a luxury train like the Rocky mountaineer they’ll be nice and clean but it’s a gamble with Amtrak.
@@HDjeff -thanks for the reply. I thought perhaps that was the case which is kind of understandable given that they’re always in operation. I’ve traveled on my local railroad (Long Island railroad) for years and always aimed for a clean-ish window if I could find one, because it’s fun to look out and daydream, but like I said, it’s understandable. Enjoy your videos very much! Safe travels! 👍❤️👋 .
My trip on the California Zephyr last week was disastrous. Air vent not working so had to keep roommette door open to breathe. Like traveling in coach but paying sleeper price. Bad experience. Won’t travel that way again!
That’s terrible, I took the zephyr in mid winter and it was very comfortable on board. I can’t stand it when the temperature is too hot. 🥵
I was not a big fan of having a toilet in my roomette...until I got sick to my stomach on the return leg. It's definitely a convenience
Oh yea that’s a bummer, glad it helped you out!
That was my thought. If you get motion sick etc nice to have a toilet there
I took a bus from South Station. the bus was hidden, and there were like no signs. I asked a really nice cop who showed me. The elevators and esculators weren't working. It was pure hell. Never again.
I know the bus station is separate from the Amtrak/MBTA part. Sorry to hear you didn’t have a good time, Boston is a great city but it can be very confusing. ✌️
@@HDjeff I am actually from Boston but they had the buses hidden. I never would have found the one sign if the nice cop didn't help me out. And then broken Esculators AND Elevators. YIKES. :)
If you keep the commode seat down, it wouldn’t be a problem.
That is true!
Imagine if there was a train going from boston to miami straight direct and the train is called the sunshine streak with 2 diners,2 baggage cars,1 club lounge and a Amfleet ll lounge 9 coaches and 6 sleepers.
Sounds like a good time! They were running sleepers from Boston to DC overnight for a little while but I think they cancelled that one.
How did you pay only $250 for the roomette?
Amtrak gave me a voucher on my last trip after a lengthy delay, so that saved $300.
Bathroom in the roomette is very accessible for disabled.
Yes, that's a very good point!
You know… I wasn’t sure if Amtrak went full way to Orlando. I always thought you had to hop on a bus somewhere down south
There is also a stop in Kissimmee which may be closer to some parts of Disney. You may be thinking of the auto train which goes from Virginia to Sanford, FL with no other stops. We were right behind it at one point and I plan to do that one with a car sometime as well.
@@HDjeff mmm no not really sure but I’m way older than you (got a kid your age if not 2,3 or 7 years older even) but back a few years I know I looked at trying to take Amtrak down into Florida. Who knows, maybe they recently added that route by getting the Chinese to lay some new tracks 🤷
Good call riding the sleeper all the way down. I could never do coach again.
I’ve never done coach, I would for a short ride but for me the whole point of riding the train long distance is to have my own private space. It is an awesome way to travel and worth the occasional splurge!
Can you imagine if Amtrak actually owned the tracks along the NorthEast Corridor? Can you imagine if there was an actual high speed train that went from New York to Florida? 24 hours New York to Orlando would be a bad memory.
I’m happy to take the slow ride on Amtrak anytime as long as I’m not in coach! 😆 The others I’ve done were all much longer and I really enjoyed them all.
@@HDjeff I agree with that. I'll pay whatever I have to for the room. In coach, you're doing time.
fun fact: the closest Amtrak station to Walt Disney World is not Orlando but Kissimmee
Depending on where you are going Orlando can be faster.
A private toilet is a great convenience . (pardon the pun)
😆 yes the older I get the more I realize that is very true!
I don't hang anything because it swings
Fresh air in ny city? Yeah right
🤣 it’s fresh in a New York sort of way, just don’t be afraid of eating that dirty water hot dog 🌭 what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! 💪🏻
Did you hurt yourself badly when falling off the top bunk.
I had no memory of it happening, I was maybe 10 years old at an overnight camp but multiple adults confirmed I fell off in my sleeping bag and they put me back. 😂
I can see it now two people in the roomette, it’s 2 am, hey Jim I need to a take a sh.t can you leave the room. imagine the smell as u go back in, it’s a no for me
🤣 no 💩 in the roomette, that’s disgusting!
First of all, fares for this trip are typically around $200 for coach and $650 for a roomette. So what kind of tortured logic/misinformation are you giving with your statement that your fare was cheaper than a day at Disney World? Also, this train doesn't let you off *anywhere near* WDW, and so you probably should have shared how you got there without a car (and its expense). The long and short of it is that first class travel on Amtrak is a rip-off, and real travelers save their money by traveling in coach.
Why are you even watching this video if you think so poorly of Amtrak? 🤦♂️ I don’t think it’s a rip off at all.
@@HDjeff I don't think poorly of Amtrak and have taken it all over the country. Why would you even infer that? And I have traveled in coach almost exclusively and saved my money for better uses.
I'll never understand why anyone would drink Diet Coke. It tastes like water.
It is mostly water. 🤷♂️
The most boring princess I've watched.
😂 Sorry, I saved the princess attire for the onlyfans. 👸
Amtrak loses over $2b a year that has to be convered by the tax payers. If it was “independent“ like the original auto train, operations would cease immediately. It’s an ancient form of long distance transportation better suited now for intrastate travel or within a pocket of smaller states.
It’s not very much compared to what many European & Asian nations invest in their rail networks, and that’s part of the reason they are so superior to our rail infrastructure and trains. It will be interesting to see how Brightline and other private projects pan out, I love riding the train when possible and I hope they are successful.
@@HDjeff Brightline needs to figure out how not to run over cars on a daily basis if they’re going to attract more business and I’m really not sure about their expansion to the West Coast of the state. I live in Tampa and there’s no way I would take a train up to Orlando, over to the East Coast and down to Miami. Not practical. Time will tell I suppose.
@@Big-4
I've done it... TWICE! I LOVED it and will CERTAINLY do it, AGAIN!
@@estherwilliams4346 done what?
@@estherwilliams4346 Have you ever been delayed going to Orlando?